If Boise’s nickname wasn’t the City of Trees, it would be the City of Parks. There are more than 100 parks and natural areas throughout the Treasure Valley. A dozen parks are positioned on either side of the Boise River, connected by the beautiful Boise Greenbelt. Whether you are looking for a playground, a picnic spot, a place to bring your pup or some peace and quiet, you’ll find it at these beautiful Boise Parks.
Ann Morrison Park
1000 S. Americana Blvd., Boise
Ann Morrison Park is one of the largest parks in Boise, stretching 153-acres along the Boise River. It’s filled with amenities like a sand volleyball court, outdoor gym, disc golf course, bocce courts, tennis courts, football fields, softball diamonds, playgrounds and Together Treasure Valley Dog Island, a 5.4-acre year-round, off-leash dog park. Ann Morrison is also the official take-out location when floating the Boise River.
Camel’s Back Park
1200 W. Heron St., Boise
Located in Boise’s historic North End neighborhood, Camel’s Back is a community gathering space and a gateway to Hull’s Gulch Reserve and the Boise Foothills. The park has a large hill with hiking and biking trails, which becomes a great sledding hill in the winter. At the base, there is a playground, sand volleyball court, tennis courts, an outdoor gym and picnic areas. Two blocks down the street there are shops and dining in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
Cherie Buckner-Webb Park
1100 W Bannock St., Boise
Downtown Boise’s first urban park, Cherie Bucker-Webb Park, transformed a parking lot into a delightful community space. The park’s distinct feature is the pink tree swing, a functional public art piece by Matthew Mazzotta. There is a grassy lawn surrounded by a concrete patio with ample tables and seating. Broadcast Coffee, Calle 75 and the Record Exchange are nearby.
Eagle Rock Park & Castle Rock Reserve
2150 E. Penitentiary Rd., Boise
This big beautiful park is located next to the Old Idaho Penitentiary and Idaho Botanical Gardens. It’s named after Eagle Rock, the traditional name of the balancing rock on the hillside above that was a significant site for indigenous tribes that inhabited what is now Boise. The park has a playground, picnic tables, shade trees, tennis courts and a large open lawn for sports and games. Castle Rock Reserve is adjacent and has multiple hiking and biking trails.
Esther Simplot Park
3206 Pleasanton Ave., Boise
An expansive 55-acre wetlands habitat along the Boise River, Esther Simplot Park has nearly 23-acres of ponds for swimming, wading and fishing, as well as numerous walking paths to enjoy year-round weather and wildlife. Quinn’s Pond is nearby and a popular spot for paddleboarding and kayaking.
Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve
5301 N. Maple Grove Rd., Boise
Tucked between the neighborhoods of Boise’s West Bench, Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve is a 53-acre nature sanctuary for birds, animals and people. There are numerous nature paths winding through the wetland habitats and a Conservation Station, where visitors can learn more about the natural environment and animals that live there.
Julia Davis Park
700 S. Capitol Blvd., Boise
Julia Davis is Boise’s oldest park. The 43-acre swath of land on the Boise River was donated in 1907 by Thomas Davis as a memorial to his wife, Julia. The park is across the river from Boise State and features a gorgeous Rose Garden, the renovated Gene Harris Bandshell, the Boise Zoo, a playground, a fishing pond and several picnic areas. It’s also a stop on the Idaho Birding Trail. The Boise Art Museum, Idaho State Museum and Idaho Black History Museum are on the park’s outskirts.
Kathryn Albertson Park
1001 S. Americana Blvd., Boise
Take a walk on the wild side in Kathryn Albertson Park. Just outside the city center, this lush 41-acre pedestrian-only park is a year-round haven for wildlife and home to many varieties of animals, including birds, waterfowl, owls, herons, turtles, fish, bullfrogs, raccoons, beavers, rabbits, deer and red foxes. Wide, paved footpaths snake through the grounds and there are restrooms at the entrance and two picnic areas within the park.
Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park
500 S. Walnut St., Boise
Filled with old oak trees and a huge grassy lawn, Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park is a beautiful 28-acre park in Boise’s East End. A large playground sits in its center, with picnic tables, bocce courts and open space surrounding it. There’s a large covered pavilion and restrooms adjacent to the playground. View wildlife along the Greenbelt and within the M.K. Nature Center, located at the southeastern edge of the park.
Military Reserve
750 N. Mountain Cove Rd., Boise
Encompassing 734-acres of natural area, the Military Reserve is one of the most popular hiking and biking areas in Boise. The reserve is home to all kinds of wildlife and has miles of trails, an old military cemetery, an archery range, an off-leash dog park, and the J.A. and Kathryn Albertsons Family Foundation Bike Park. The area is best used spring to fall when conditions ensure dry trails. In the spring and summer, it’s one of the best places for wildflower viewing.
MK Nature Center
600 S Walnut St, Boise, ID 83712
This nature preserve encompasses 4.6-acres along the Boise River Greenbelt and features walking paths on the StreamWalk, underwater viewing windows and a Visitors Center. The preserve is situated behind the Fish and Game Headquarters building on Walnut Street, so it’s not immediately obvious from the road. Admission is free, but please leave your furry friends at home if you’re traveling with a four-legged companion.
Rhodes Skate Park
1555 W. Front St., Boise
Rhodes is a world-class skatepark located in the Linen District of downtown Boise. The 1.28-acre park has 40,000 sq. ft of skateable space, making it one of the largest skateparks in the Northwest. Rhodes was built with progression in mind, featuring spaces for beginners as well as amenities for advanced skaters with ramps, bars and a hybrid flow bowl.
Whitewater Park
3400 W. Pleasanton Ave., Boise
Boise’s urban surfing park, Whitewater Park, is on a stretch of the Boise River in Garden City. The park features an adjustable wave used for river surfing and kayaking. The wave is open year-round and there are multiple places to watch surfers from the shore, plus a few coffee shops and dining options nearby. Parking is limited and the best access is via the Greenbelt.
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