With the weather heating up, one of the best places to check out is the Greenbelt. The Greenbelt is a well known gem of Boise that people come from miles around to see! There is incredible biking trails, parks and running paths for over 25 miles. Because the pathway sits along the river, there’s tons of spots perfect for all water activities. In the summer, locals love to take giant inflatables and rafts down the river. They start at Barber Park and float over 5 miles downstream. The Boise River ties the valley together and the Greenbelt is one of the healthiest and most beautiful ways to get around the city.
Parks
There are over 15 parks along the Greenbelt including our very own, Merrill Park. All these parks are homes to massive play sets, well-kept ponds and perfect picnic spots for an afternoon off. There are even a couple large sports complexes along the way with every sporting field imaginable, including cricket! No matter which amazing park you decide to stop at along the way, you won’t be disappointed by the beautiful scenery and rich history of every park.
The River
Of course, because the Greenbelt trails run alongside the river, the water activities are endless. There are plenty of known swimming holes completed with rope swings people have put up years ago. I remember spending whole days in the summer on the river jumping off the rope swings and eating watermelon with friends. My kids love finding little pools of water full of tadpoles and going frog hunting. The trails even play a big role in our Easter traditions, when my dad takes the kids on an Easter walk while the Easter bunny comes and hides the eggs. Nothing beats a day on the river especially with so many amazing activities available.
Highlights
In addition to the natural beauty and activities, there is SO much to do in and around these parks along the Greenbelt. There is one whitewater park where kayakers, paddle boarders and surfers go for white water in the middle of the city! With controllable wave features, it’s perfect for anyone trying to pick up a new water sport. Warm Springs Golf Course sits along the Greenbelt and is a beautiful 18-hole course with a pro-golf shop and a full clubhouse. Up at Ann Morrison Park is the Boise Zoo. The zoo has some amazing summer activities available including over-night camps and classes kids can take to learn more about the animals. They always make it a great experience. Lastly, some parks even have paddle boats for people to take out on the ponds to feed ducks and watch the sunset.
The Greenbelt is one of the crowning jewels of Boise and no matter what you want to do with your summer weekends, there’s something for everyone. If you have any questions about the Greenbelt or want to chat about other awesome activities in Boise, feel free to give me a call any time!
-Alei
