Why Boise is a Recreational Haven

Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Boise is rapidly gaining a reputation as a recreational haven, and for good reason. Not only are the surroundings of the city diverse and full of natural beauty, but these recreation spots are mere minutes from downtown Boise, adding a huge convenience and ease of use. From the rugged beauty and stunning skylines of the foothills trails to the meandering waters of the Boise River, Boise has something for every nature enthusiast and fun-lover. Check out these beloved recreation spots and discover why Boise provides an unparalleled experience for outdoor recreationists.    Foothills Trails: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Boise's natural beauty shines through in the Ridge-to-Rivers foothills trails system, a sprawling network of trails that wind through the hills surrounding Boise. Whether you're an avid hiker, runner, mountain biker, casual walker, or even equestrian, the foothills trails offer an escape into nature just minutes from neighborhoods and downtown. These trails vary in difficulty, from exhilarating downhill bike trails and steep climbs to slow, rolling hills. Trails feature breathtaking views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains, making each day on the trails a beautiful and exciting part of Boise’s recreation scene.   The Boise River: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Flowing through the heart of the city, the Boise River is a cherished escape to nature for locals and visitors alike. Known for its meandering and gentle currents, the Boise River offers a variety of water-based recreational activities. During the summer, the river comes alive with rafters, tubers, and paddleboarders. Flyfishers wade in and hope to catch the elusive Rainbow or Cutthroat Trout. The Boise River Greenbelt, a paved pathway that hugs the water's edge on both the north and south sides, provides the perfect path for a relaxing stroll or bike ride by the water. With easy access just minutes from downtown, the Boise River is a beloved recreation spot by Boiseans.    Lucky Peak Reservoir: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate A short drive from Boise and just minutes from Bown Crossing, Lucky Peak Reservoir is the water enthusiast's dream with crystal-clear waters and stunning surroundings. Boating, fishing, and picnicking opportunities are plentiful on this large reservoir that is surrounded by expansive foothills. Whether you're bringing the whole family out on a boat or enjoying a sunset swim from the docks, Lucky Peak Reservoir is a peaceful escape from the city.    Bogus Basin Ski Area: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate In the winter season, Bogus Basin Ski Area transforms into a snowy wonderland, attracting skiers, snowboarders, and tubers. Just 16 miles from Boise, this ski resort is only a 30 to 45-minute drive from downtown. Bogus Basin offers a variety of runs to cater to all skill levels, with 1,800 feet of vertical feet and 2,600 acres of terriorty plus a terrain park. The crisp mountain air and stunning panoramic views perfectly complement the exhilarating ski runs, making Bogus Basin a premier winter destination. The fun doesn’t stop come spring - Bogus also has an extensive trail system with lifts running for downhill biking and hiking in the summer. A ropes course and mountain coaster are also available for thrill seekers!    Whitewater Park: Photo credit to Lysi Bishop Real Estate Located in Garden City by Quinn’s Pond, the Boise Whitewater Park is a river surfing and kayak wave that is open year-round. Positioned on the Boise River, this park contains an expertly designed wave that alternates days for kayaking and surfing. Whether you're a seasoned river surfer, a beginner looking for a thrilling experience, or just want to watch the fun from the banks, the Boise Whitewater Park offers a unique adventure right in the heart of Boise.

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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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The 7 Regions of Idaho

Photo Credit: Visit Idaho Idaho’s landscapes and attractions vary widely within the state, and there is no better way to understand which part of Idaho is perfect for your next trip or even to live in than to explore each of the 7 regions in this post! Northern: Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Northern Idaho is home to Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, and Wallace and borders Canada. It is known for its lucious and abundant forests and stunning lakes.This region has three ski resorts, big, meandering, trout-filled rivers and hundreds of miles of biking and hiking trails to explore! North Central: Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Grangeville, Moscow, Lewiston, and Riggens are all located in north central Idaho. This region has landscapes of wilderness, rolling hills, farmland and flower-filled meadows, and is rich in cultural importance and outdoor activities. It is also home to the University of Idaho in Moscow! This region also is home to the Nez Perce National Historical Park, which celebrates the history of the Nez Perce tribe. Southwest: Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism The southwest region is home to Idaho’s capital, Boise, as well as Mccall and Mountain Home. With plenty of stunning hiking and biking trails, winding rivers and sand dunes as well as historical sites, top-notch wineries, local craft breweries and entertainment, this region has a whole lot to offer. McCall is a popular vacation destination for Boiseans and has multiple lakes to recreate on, as well as ski resorts for wintertime South Central:  Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Twin Falls, Hagerman and Burley are the major towns in this region. The landscape here includes deep canyons, high bluffs, unusual rock formations and lava flows. The Snake River twists through this area, as well as many large waterfalls. Southeast:  Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism The southeast region contains Pocatello, Lava Hot Springs and Montpelier and features an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities from hikes to bike rides.This region also contains sites and museums connected to the Oregon Trail for the history buffs. Eastern: Photo Credit: Visit Idaho Island Park, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg all reside in this region. This region offers a gateway to Yellowstone National Park as well as blue-ribbon trout streams. Central: Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Home to Sun Valley, Stanley, and Salmon, this region contains some of Idaho’s most dramatic scenery. With the Salmon river’s thrilling whitewater, alpine lakes, the jagged mountain peaks of the Sawtooths, wildflower-filled meadows and historic mountain towns, there is no shortage of sights to see. Stanley comes alive in the summer with raft companies chartering single and multi day trips down the Salmon river, and Sun Valley is known for its five star resort skiing in the winter.          

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