Boise Foothills are one of the most important parts of being in Boise – such a perfect setting.
History
The Boise Foothills rise above Idaho’s Capitol and largest city, providing a postcard backdrop that inspires and soothes the soul. An interconnected network of roads and trails courses through these hills, linking not only neighborhoods with public lands but also connecting people with the natural environment. With over 190 miles of trail, there is something for everyone. The diversity in the land, the plants and the animals make the Boise Foothills a unique treasure for all to enjoy. You can help protect and care for this special place by learning more about the land and its needs.
Resources – City of Boise Parks and Recreation: Hull’s Gulch/Military Reserve Complex (2000) For more on the 2015 Open Space Campaign click here.
This foothills contains numerous important environmental values such as rare plants, wintering range, and riparian corridors. It is also the heart of recreation in the Boise Front and is a critical linkage in the Ridge to Rivers trail system. This is the cornerstone to the Foothills Plan developed by the City of Boise to be supported by the Foothills Levy which passed May 22, 2001.
Description of the Boise Front
The Boise Foothills are approximately 80,467 acres located in both Ada and Boise Counties to the immediate north of Boise, Idaho. The Foothills project area boundaries include Hill Road and Warm Springs Avenue to the south, State Highway 21 to the east, State Highway 55 to the west, and Boise Ridge Road and the Ada County boundary to the north.
The Foothills are characterized as a transition between the valley floor, recognized by the arid lowlands surrounding the verdant ribbon of the Boise River, and the coniferous peaks of the Boise Ridge. Indigenous vegetation is comprised of includes dry land bunch grasses and sagebrush, interspersed with concealed ribbons of riparian vegetation in drainages. The overall elevation gain from the valley floor is 3,965 feet, rising from an elevation of 2,610 feet near Hill Road at Camel’s Back Park to over 6,575 feet at Little Deer Point.
Boise Foothills Open Space Plan
The Foothills open space will protect native vegetation to prevent mudflows and washouts; protect lands that improve water quality; protect important wildlife habitat; create regional opportunities for picnicking, hiking, biking and walking. Leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren, because the Foothills are a big part of our Northend lifestyle.
View Criteria
The vista above Boise is an accessible area that is one of the chief distinguishing features of the city’s skyline. Because the Boise Front is dominated by the foothills and the seasonal beauty it provides esthetics are considered an important element in Boisean’s sense of place.
Environmental Criteria
View a map of the environmentally sensitive areas included in the plan above Hill Road and more information here on the Open Space area of the Boise City website.