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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Events for the 4th of July 2023

  Although 4th of July falls on a Tuesday this year, there are still plenty of events to celebrate, no matter where you live in the Treasure Valley. It is almost time to get your red, white, and blue on and celebrate our Nation’s 247th year of independence in style with these events!   4th of July Parade - Downtown Boise: The 4th of July Parade through downtown Boise is a time honored tradition and is making a comeback after 3 years of cancellations! This event will begin with a reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of the Capital at 9:17am, followed by the parade at 10am. The Parade will begin on 11th and Jefferson, pass in front of the Capitol until 4th street, and then return back to 11th street on Bannock. Come down to downtown Boise on the 4th to celebrate and experience this fun parade!   Fun on the 4th - Indian Creek Plaza, Caldwell: Credit: Juan Salamanca on Pexels For those in the Caldwell community, there will be a community celebration in the Indian Creek Plaza! Perfect for kids, this event will have splash pads and a dunk tank to stay cool, a foam pit AND foam cannon for some top notch foam fights. There will also be an array of food trucks for dinner, dessert and snacks. Bring the whole family to this fun event taking place July 4th from 5pm - 9pm!   4th of July Fireworks Celebration - Ann Morrison Park, Boise: Another classic Boise 4th of July tradition is the bright and exciting firework show in Ann Morrison Park put on by the City of Boise! This event begins at 6pm, with a variety of vendors serving food and drinks at Ann Morrison (including beer and wine for those over 21). This year, a new addition of an interactive fountain will make its debut at the park. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10:15pm. Come grab dinner or a drink, bring a chair or a blanket to sit on, and enjoy the fireworks with your Boise community!   Grand fireworks display - Storey Park, Meridian: For those in the Meridian Community, the Meridian City and Meridian Speedway will be having a family friendly 4th of July celebration at Storey Park. There will be food trucks, including Italian ice, pizza cones, kettle corn, and tacos (among others) onsite at 4pm for tasty snacks and local eats. Live music starts at 7pm, and fireworks will begin around 10:15 pm at the back of the park by the Speedway. This event is the perfect opportunity to get out in the community and enjoy some fireworks, food trucks, and music!   4th of July Fun Run - Fairview Golf Course: For those wanting to get a little physical activity in on the 4th, there will be a 1k and 5k fun run at Fairview Golf Course. The race starts at 7am, and is followed by a 9am parade in downtown Caldwell. Enjoy the fresh morning air before the heat hits and bring your friends and family for this short fun run!

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6 Best Sightseeing Spots in Idaho

  Credit: Perry Kibler on Unsplash Idaho’s natural beauty is the state’s biggest draw and never ceases to amaze even lifelong residents. The vast contrast from breathtaking mountain peaks, expansive valleys with rugged rivers running through, and every landscape in between makes sightseeing in Idaho a worthy undertaking. With the summer just beginning, now is the perfect time to explore this great state and check out these 6 best sightseeing spots!   Sawtooth National Recreation Area: Photo Attribution: Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash The Sawtooths are an iconic Idaho mountain range, known for sharp peaks and stunning alpine lakes. The Sawtooth National Recreation Area has over 700 miles of hiking trails with varying difficulty levels and length. Trails often lead to campgrounds and alpine lakes, making this area very popular for backpacking. Perfect for a 5 mile hike or an overnight trip, the Sawtooths are sure to deliver stunning views!   Redfish Lake: Photo Attribution: Photo by Jay Miller on Unsplash Redfish Lake is the largest alpine lake in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and sits near Stanley, Idaho. With crystal clear water and inspiring views of the Sawtooths, Redfish is the perfect setting for recreational activities including boating, fishing, camping, kayaking, and swimming. Redfish Lake Lodge also sits on this lake, offering a laid back resort atmosphere with cabins available to rent. With the hot summer weather and the cold lake water, now is the perfect time to head up to Stanley and take in the views lakeside!   Hell’s Canyon National Recreation Area: Photo by Kaija Zoller As the deepest river gorge in North America, Hell’s Canyon is an incredible place to hike, fish, and boat. Hell’s Canyon sits in western Idaho and the Snake River runs through it. A hiking trail that follows the river offers views of the bigger-than-life vistas of surrounding mountains and the river, as well as lush foliage and wildlife including elk, deer, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep (with an occasional sighting of bears and bobcats). Hell’s Canyon offers a remote break from civilization, a chance to reconnect with nature and take in remarkable views.   City of Rocks National Reserve: Photo by Kaija Zoller Full of unique rock structures jutting out of the earth, the City of Rocks National Reserve is popular with recreationalists participating in activities such as rock climbing, hunting, and hiking. The scenery here is unlike anything else in Idaho with towering granite structures and arches that were slowly eroded over millions of years. Remnants from previous civilizations still remain in this other-wordly landscape, including names of emigrants from the California wagon train still engraved in rock. This unique landscape is an Idaho must-see!   Bruneau Dunes State Park: Photo attribution: Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash Located a little over an hour away from Boise, the Bruneau Dunes are sand dunes that reach a height of 450 feet and are a popular camping and daytrip area for Boiseans. A family favorite activity at the Bruneau Dunes is sand boarding, which is similar to snowboarding but involves sliding down the sand instead of snow. This State Park also has the Bruneau Observatory, which is the largest telescope available for public viewing in Idaho. Campsites are plentiful but must be reserved ahead of time. These expansive sand dunes offer a unique experience unlike anything else in Idaho!   Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve: Photo attribution: Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash Created from a volcanic eruption over 2,000 years ago, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a unique landscape of hardened lava rocks and sagebrush in Southern Idaho. This Preserve offers a variety of exploration options, which range from exploring lava caves, hiking up to the volcanic cone or to a crater, or even a short hike that highlights an ancient tree encased in lava. This rocky, post-apocalyptic landscape is an one of a kind sightseeing adventure that is begging to be explored!    

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