Cover photo courtesy of John Wee – www.LuckyStudio13.com
Boise is nicknamed “The City of Trees” for good reason. It’s a hot spot for deciduous, non-native trees. Oaks, maples, and ash add variegated pops of color to the downtown area, local parks, and the East and North End neighborhoods. The Boise River’s banks and adjoining parks are luminous with mature trees adding brilliant oranges and deep reds to the landscape. Cottonwoods and aspens add gold to the palette, with native low-growing plants and shrubs adding shades of red.
Boise Foliage Hot Spots
A walk down Harrison Boulevard or a bike ride through the Veteran’s Hospital grounds is probably the best Fall colors stroll. If a hike is more to your liking, head up Hull’s Gulch behind Camel’s Back Park to see Fall nature in a different way. The Foothills Learning Center offers Fall foliage walks too.
You can slow down your fall foliage tour on the Boise Greenbelt with a walk or bike ride. The 25-mile path follows our beautiful Boise River and will put you in the heart of this multicolored cocktail. We recommend a swing through the new Esther Simplot Park (see video below) to see something new and imagine the splendor the park will add to Boise as the trees mature! Stop by Idaho River Sports and rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard to take in Quinn’s Pond from a different vantage point.
Now that we have you set for a great Fall, be sure to take in the YMCA’s Harvest Classic kid’s race or Halloween on Harrison Boulevard if the timing works out!
I spent much of my childhood in Boise I still go back. I’m 67 now I remember the old drug store in Hyde Park that I would go with my Grandfather as a kid.