Hiking with Kids in Boise

Credit: Cottonbro Studio Your guide to Boise’s best hiking trails for kiddos and best practices to make hiking a fun and enjoyable experience for the whole family.    What to Bring: Preparation is key to having a successful hike with kids, especially younger children. Here are a few essentials to keep everyone happy and moving! Snacks - hiking can work up an appetite and little ones tend to have a lot of energy. Having plentiful and nourishing snacks is helpful to keep their hunger at bay and motivate them to keep moving along. Easy to store options include: granola bars, bananas, fruit strips, trail mix, and fruit/veggie pouches. Appropriate Clothing/Gear - the majority of hiking trails in the Boise foothills are exposed, meaning there is little shade cover. During the summer months, it's important to understand the impact of the sun (even on cloudy days). Plan to hike early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid high temperatures, and dress everyone in appropriate clothing. This includes sunhats, long-sleeve shirts, closed-toe shoes, and backpacks to carry snacks, water, sunscreen. Light rain shells or packable ponchos are good to have in case there is scattered rainstorms. Sunscreen Water - most trailheads don’t provide water so plan to bring plenty of it with you. A couple Nalgenes is enough to stay hydrated without carrying a lot of weight. The Hillside to Hollow Reserve trailhead does have a water fountain as well as Camel’s Back Park. First-Aid Kit - scrapes and other injuries can happen on the trail. Having a portable first-aid kit equipped with antiseptic wipes/spray, bandaids, and bandage wrap is a good idea to take care of minor injuries on the spot. For emergencies, most foothill trails will be within cell service to call 9-1-1. Hiking Carrier and/or Pack - if you are hiking with infants and toddlers, a hiking carrier is a gamechanger to give you proper support and a comfortable ride to your child. Some packs have additional pockets to store snacks and water bottles. A small backpack is perfect for carrying items, and older kids can wear their own to carry their own water bottles and snacks. Change of Diapers/Clothes - accidents happen so it’s best to have a change of clothes and a couple spare diapers/wipes. Bring a small blanket for a makeshift changing table on the go. Toys - this can be counterintuitive to the experience of being out in nature, but kids may not always appreciate nature’s beauty. Having a couple of their favorite small and non-electronic toys will keep them entertained and outdoors longer.    What not to bring: Expectations. If it’s your first time hiking with children, you’ll find that the pace is much slower than what you’d expect. If you have walking children, let them wander and stop to observe things. It may take a lot of patience, but this is where the magic of hiking with kiddos happens!   Best Trails for Little Kids: Deciding which trails to take depends on your family's ability and expertise. We’ve compiled a few options for younger kids. These trails are great for beginner hikers, with low elevation gains, ample tree cover, and plenty of things to see. Due to the flat terrain of these, they are relatively stroller friendly, but still graveled or dirt covered. Cottonwood Creek in the Military Reserve Pedestrian-Only Greenbelt between Barber Park and Bown Crossing in SE Boise Bethine Church Nature Trail in SE Boise Hulls Gulch Nature Trail Hulls Pond and Gold Finch behind Camel’s Back Park Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Trail in NE Boise Other Trails   Hiking Best Practices: Credit: Ekaterina BolovtsovaBoise provides great quality of life with access to these and dozens of other trails for all to use. Here are a few key reminders to do your part in keeping them protected and clean, as well as proper trail etiquette. Plan Ahead -  download a map of the trail you’re taking so you know where it leads and can gauge the terrain ahead of time. Most trails in the Ridge-to-Rivers system are easy to navigate, but range  in length, shade cover, water availability, and usage between hikers and mountain bikers. Also important, check the forecast as unexpected weather can happen anytime and affect whether a trail is usable.  Leave No Trace - there are 7 standard principles for recreating outdoors that should be applied locally in the foothills. Pack out all trash with you. If anyone needs to use the bathroom, practice digging a hole or utilize a waste bag and pack it out with you. Avoid contaminating water sources with waste. Check Trail Conditions Before You Go - the longevity and condition of the trails rely on users to responsibly recreate. This means not using wet trails and staying on trail to avoid erosion and creating ruts/imprints in the paths. Ridge-to-Rivers has daily updates on their Facebook page and website. Right of Way - the trails are heavily used by both hikers and mountain bikers alike. It’s important to follow the separation and use schedules for certain trails as they help ease congestion. Here are basic guidelines for right of way on the trails: Bikers yield to hikers and horseback riders Hikers yield to horseback riders Uphill traffic has right of way to downhill traffic Do Not Block the Trail - if you need to stop, find a good place to step off. Be mindful of where you’re stepping so you aren’t harming vegetation and stay on the trail as much as possible. Dogs on Leash, Unless Otherwise Posted - to be respectful of other trail users and wildlife, most trails are designated as dog on-leash. For designated off-leash trails, you should have voice command over your dog for quick recall. Animals, like coyotes and mountain lions, have been spotted in our area. It’s a good idea to keep your pets and kids closeby for their safety.   We hope this guide was helpful! Share your comments below with additional tips. Happy hiking!   

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5 Events in Boise and Beyond - July 28th - 30th

Credit: alesia-kozik on Pexels 5 Events in Boise & Beyond 1. Art Under the Eaves Where: Art Source Gallery When: Saturday, July 29 Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   2. Hops & Flip Flops Summer Shindig Where:  Payette Brewing Co When: Saturday, July 29 Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   3. Nampa Farmers Market Where: 1 14th Ave S, Nampa, ID When: Saturday, July 29 Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   4. Stargazing at Lucky Peak Where: Lucky Peak State Park Spring Shores Unit When: Saturday, July 29 Time: 9:00 pm - 11:30 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE   5. Donation Support - Boise Bicycle Project Where: 1027 S Lusk Street When: Saturday, July 29 Time: 10:45 am - 2:00 pm EVENT DETAILS HERE

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24 Hours In Boise

Credit:  Brett Sayles - Pexels  Boise has so many different attractions and activities available that it seems impossible to fit all the best things into only one day. Luckily, we’ve done the work and condensed all the must-do things for you to make the best of your 24 hours in Boise, Idaho!   Start your day with breakfast: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Boise has no lack of options to get your day started. A local favorite is Java, where the confetti eggs and huevos rancheros are a must have. Java also has assorted freshly baked pastries and coffee. Its signature drink is the Bowl of Soul, a Mexican hot chocolate mocha with decadent, thick homemade whipped cream on top (pro tip: ask for a Blended Bowl of Soul when it’s too warm for hot drinks). Other breakfast options include Big City Cafe, the Griddle, and Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro. For a higher-end breakfast spot, try Bacon or Wild Root Cafe.  Photo Credit to Tripadvisor   Take a walk or bike ride along the Greenbelt (and see some 8-foot Sturgeon fish!): The Greenbelt is an iconic paved path that follows the Boise River all through Boise. While the heat of the day has yet to arrive, take some time to walk along the flowing river and enjoy the scenery. You can start walking from Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park , or any other access point along the 25 miles of path. While you’re at Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park, stop by the MK Nature Center stream walk. The Stream Walk is a short path that has views of over 8 foot long sturgeon swimming in a clear pond, multiple fish viewing windows for trout, and even a giant bald eagle nest you can climb in! This path is free, open from sunrise to sundown, and interesting for both kids and adults. Photo Credit: Kaija Zoller   Visit the Idaho State Capitol: The Capitol sits right next to downtown Boise and is surrounded by extremely well maintained grounds. The interior is equally beautiful, and visitors are welcome in most areas inside, depending on official activities at the time. Photo Credit: Brett Sayles - Pexels    Stop for some lunch: There are a plethora of lunch options to refuel after your morning adventures. Boise has a large basque population and even has a basque block in downtown Boise. Explore the block and try the Basque Market for an authentic basque meal. If you’re in town on a Wednesday or Friday, they have Paella on the Patio at noon. Be there on time as it sells out before you know it! Other local favorites include The Wylder, The Owyhee Tavern, and for a quick burger, try Boise Fry Company (they have blueberry ketchup!). Photo Credit: The Basque Market   Float the Boise River: Floating the Boise river is a classic Boise summer tradition. Start in Barber Park, where you can rent everything needed including rafts, paddles, and life jackets. The float takes about 2-3 hours as you pass through Boise and enjoy the sun. You will end up at Ann Morrison Park, where you leave your gear and there is a convenient and very affordable shuttle to bring you back to your car in Barber Park. Floating the river is the perfect way to enjoy a summer afternoon in Boise and you will not regret it! Photo Credit: Thrive in Idaho   Sit down for dinner: Boise is filled with countless dinner options for any craving you might be having. For some high end Mexican food, try Coa de Jima. Fork is in the heart of downtown and has a spacious patio for dinner on a warm summer night. Check out our Top 5 Restaurants in Boise here! Photo Credit: Coa de Jima   Enjoy a nightcap: A favorite of locals is Western Proper, serving fun cocktails and beers with an arcade atmosphere including air hockey, bowling, skee ball, and basketball hoops! To get a full tour of Boise bars and clubs, start on 11th and Main in downtown Boise and work your way towards 5th and Main. Speakeasys have been all the rage, with Boise hosting a few secret spots like Thick as Thieves and the Suite 104. There is an array of bars and pubs with any atmosphere that fits your style. Photo Credit: Western Proper

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