Did you know that the Boise River Greenbelt is approximately 25 miles long and is considered one of Boise's most beloved parks? It's been around for over 50 years now and is hands down one of our family's favorite parts of Boise.
Here are two awesome downloadable maps. Just click my screenshots to link you to the downloads:
With so many spots to choose from, how do you know where to go?! I gotchu. I asked around and here are the top recommended "best" spots for families (in no particular order).
(I haven't been to all of these yet so please go and report back!)
The whole area off of 34th Street is our family's go-to spot. We usually park by Push + Pour to grab a coffee and walk from the Whitewater Park area to Esther Simplot Park or head towards Rotary Park and across the cool old red bridge and loop back around on the other side.
The section bumping up to Veterans Memorial Park has some really cool spots to play near the water. A friend says that they really like to walk/bike the section between Veteran's Memorial Park and Quinn's Pond.
Riverside Park has a walking only path near it that I've been told is fun to explore.
Behind Zoo Boise - I've heard you can sometimes see giraffes!
By MK Nature Center - the Nature Center's grounds are open from sunrise to sunset so you can wander through it from right off the Greenbelt.
I've heard behind Reid Merrill Park in Eagle is really great plus the playground area is awesome!
Someone told me that there is a great beach area behind Two Rivers Spa!
Speaking of beaches, a friend told me that there is a little beach spot down near the BSU library that they love to go play by. They park by the library then walk the Greenbelt towards Taylor Hall. There's a little bank there that you should be able to see.
Okay, your turn! Where are your family's favorite spots?
Here are some other things to consider as you enjoy the Greenbelt with kids!
Keep to the right! It's easy for kids to wander, slow down, bolt ahead, etc. Keep reminding them to stay to the right to avoid being run over by cyclists or messing with the flow of traffic.
Find a good loop! In my experience an "out and back" route isn't as fun as a loop. Check the map ahead of time to make sure there are bridges to cross over.
Know where you can find a public bathroom! IYKYK, right? You warn your kids a million times before you leave that they should use the bathroom and they swear they don't need to go only to have an emergency as soon as you get to your destination.
Look out for poison oak! A reader mentioned this to me. She said there are some spots that have signs but know what it looks like because it is often more prevalent than you might think.
I had a reader ask me if there were any areas that might be a little sketchier than others . What do you think? Are there spots that aren't as kid friendly? Perhaps due to bad trail conditions, nearby safety hazards for little wanderers, super isolated, known for "sketchy" behavior, etc?