Boise gets its beauty from the surrounding natural environment and right at the edge of town is an abundance of trails allowing you to escape the city’s growing hustle and bustle. These widespread trail systems make great introductions for beginning hikers and more challenging options for grizzled trail veterans. Whether you’re in town for a couple of days or just beginning to get into the nature scene, here are the most popular hikes near Boise for you to try.
Table Rock
Hikes Near Boise: The Most Popular Trail
Steer your eyes north of downtown Boise, and you’ll see a large white cross balancing atop the foothills. That is Table Rock, the most popular hike near Boise. Table Rock offers an enjoyable day hike, but you will want to start early during the summer as there is no shade to be found. From the top of Table Rock, you’ll have the best view of the city, day or night. I’ve hiked this by headlamp, and the lit-up city below is a sight to behold.
This 3.7-mile hike is up a steep hill, which sometimes feels like a mountain. At 895 feet of elevation gain, this flirts with the border between an easy and challenging hike. But I would still recommend it to everyone. I’ve seen both little kids and elderly grandparents complete the trek.
If you’re visiting Boise for the first time, hiking to up Table Rock is a right of passage. It’s right up there with seeing the blue football field at Boise State.
The main trailhead starts at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. I’d recommend taking a tour through this old pioneer jail before or after your hike, especially if you are a history buff.
Hulls Gulch
Hikes Near Boise: A Natural Oasis
Another one of the most popular hikes near Boise is the Hulls Gulch Interpretive Trail. Hulls Gulch grants you a delightful excursion into the rolling landscape. Plus, it’s only a few minutes from the city center.
A visit to the Hulls Gulch area always delivers, regardless of the season. You can access this 6.3-mile trail year-round, making it worthy of a repeated retreat to nature.
To get to the trailhead, simply follow 8th Street north towards the foothills. The pavement will eventually turn to gravel. During the winter in Boise, it’s always wise to travel unpaved roads in a high clearance vehicle, but most cars will be fine in the other seasons.
Unlike other foothills trails, Hull’s Gulch is only open to foot traffic. You don’t have to fret about being taken out by mountain bikers speeding around blind corners.
There is some moderate steepness to this hike totaling 1,131 feet of elevation gain. Don’t let that intimidate you if you’re a novice hiker. The climb is slow and steady. I assure you the views are worth the sweat.
In addition to the foothills’ perfect views, the journey through the gorge has you pass over a few lovely bridges. If you time your hike right, you may also encounter a small spring waterfall.
Overall, Hulls Gulch is an easy journey into a relaxing, natural setting.
Camels Back Park
Hikes Near Boise: The Most Versatile
It isn’t often you can find a natural oasis within city limits—That’s what’s unique about Camel’s Back Park in Boise.
The park itself, where the trail starts, is rich with green grass and plenty of room to enjoy a barbecue and toss a ball around.
At the beginning of the hike is a monstrous sandy slope. If your legs don’t quake at the sight of it, they will for sure be shaking by the time you reach the top. A few years back, they installed stairs to make the climb more manageable, but it’s no less challenging. I know I’m making this sound intimidating, but it’s actually an enjoyable challenge. If you want a more gradual incline, you can walk to the backside of Camels Back, where it’s a longer but less aggressive ascent. Either way, when you make it to the top, you’ll have an incredible view into the heart of Idaho’s Capitol city.
From the top of Camel’s Back, you can access the vast chain of Ridge to Rivers trails. Connect various routes for an excellent all-day loop, or just pick a direction and turn back when you near the end of your lunch break. The Ridge to Rivers trail area comprises 190 miles of trails with hikes near Boise for all ranges and skill levels.
And there you have it, the most popular hikes near Boise! If you looking for more adventure, check out our other recommendations for hikes in Idaho.
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
