The Weekend Warrior's Guide to Boise, ID
Nestled in the vast foothills and surrounded by several stunning mountain ranges, the city of Boise makes it easy to get out and get moving.
Boise, Idaho has recently been at the top of many lists of best places to live in the United States. A main reason included on most of those lists is Boise’s great access to the outdoors. Nestled in the vast foothills and surrounded by several stunning mountain ranges, the city of Boise makes it easy to get out and get moving.
For those weekend warriors who work a 9-5 and then immediately pack up and get to the outdoors, Boise is a great place to live. You don’t have to go too far to reach something incredible. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the city at all.
Boise is full of people trying to be healthy, and the city definitely attracts outdoorsy types. Since moving your legs is crucial to brain health, what better way to get out and enjoy the outdoors than to go for a hike or a bike ride? Boise and its surrounding areas offers endless opportunities for hiking, biking, climbing, camping, and backpacking. Let’s take a look at the weekend warrior’s guide to Boise:
Stanley
Stanley is widely considered the state of Idaho’s crown jewel — and it’s only a three-hour drive from Boise. This makes it a popular weekend destination for weekend warriors around the state. The stunning Sawtooth Mountains will surely make your jaw drop, as will the plethora of natural hot springs, alpine lakes, and hiking, backpacking, and camping opportunities.
My favorite Stanley itinerary looks something like this:
Day 1: Drive up, camp off a forest service road, and soak in some hot springs.
Day 2: Wake up early, grab breakfast at Stanley Baking Company, hike to one of Stanley’s many alpine lakes for a swim and lunch. Hike back and soak in more hot springs after dinner.
Day 3: Drive home and regroup for the work week.
A trip to Stanley is the perfect antidote to desk life. And since the dangers of prolonged sitting are becoming widely known, it’s more important than ever to get up and get moving. Exercise can help treat depression and prevent heart disease, and it’s just fun when you’re in a place as beautiful as Stanley.
One weekend in Stanley is never enough, but it makes you feel like you’ve entered another world. It’s enough to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The Boise Foothills
For weekend warriors with a bit less time to travel, or who simply want to stay closer to home, the Boise Foothills offer great opportunities to feel far removed from the city without ever really leaving it.
With almost 200 miles of trails in the Ridge to Rivers trail system, you could hike or mountain bike all you want and never do the same trail twice. There are many great day hikes or mountain bike rides that can be found within a five-minute drive from the city center.
Cervidae Peak makes for a great and challenging half-day hike, while Military Reserve and Camel’s Back Park in Boise offer great starting points for mountain bike riding or more mellow hiking. The Around the Mountain trail at Bogus Basin is widely considered the best trail in Boise.
Boise is the perfect place for anyone living for the weekends who doesn’t want to go through the hassle of packing and driving for a more extended weekend trip. Why leave when you can experience world-class recreation right in your backyard?
McCall
McCall is another extremely popular weekend destination for Boiseans — especially in the summer. At just over two hours from Boise, it’s very accessible and very beautiful. Go for a paddle on Payette Lake, or, depending on the season, hike or ski at Brundage Mountain or Jug Mountain Ranch.
Top off your journey with a side trip to Burgdorf Hot Springs. The Foglifter Cafe will offer a perfect morning pick-me-up before you start the day’s adventure. On your way back to Boise, watch rafters navigate the rapids of the Payette River.
It’s no wonder why Boise tops the recent lists of most livable places in the United States. Boise offers the weekend warrior an incredible number of outdoor recreation options, no matter what your preferred activity is. It’s the perfect home base for the weekend warriors of the Northwest.
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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