Boise is a great place to experience the beauty of fall. After all, we are known as the “City of Trees.” Here are some fun places you might want to visit so you can experience the colors of fall and all that the changing season has to offer. 

Kathryn Albertson Park

Enjoy the nice walkways throughout the entire park. You’ll find beautiful water features, stone benches, beautiful trees, and rocks. The park is also full of wildlife so be sure to wander or sit and enjoy its beauty. This is also a lovely park to take fall pictures in.

The Boise Greenbelt

Our beloved Boise Greenbelt just celebrated its 50th anniversary. The 25-mile pathway is a great place to slow down and watch the season change day after day, week after week. You can stroll along the picturesque Boise River or take a bike ride to find a nice place to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the river or others passing by. Because the Greenbelt is lined with trees it can be a spectacular place to watch the falling leaves.

MK Nature Center

If you love bird watching or like to look at fish, take a visit to the MK Nature Center. You’ll also be able to view hundreds of native plants to Idaho and the fall trees throughout the center are lovely. Bring your camera to not only capture the abundant wildlife but also the beautiful trees as the colors change.

Go for a Hike 

Take a hike through the foothills or any of the trails located close to town. Ridge to Rivers offers a list of great trails you can enjoy this fall. Here is a list of trails they suggest with a link to the trail maps for details.

Views of Fall Colors

Trails that Wind Through Fall Foliage

Go for a Drive

Since Boise is so close to the mountains you can get out and enjoy a 30 to 60 min drive and see some beautiful fall scenery just outside the city. Grab a coffee and put on your favorite tunes as you drive up to Table Rock, Bogus Basin Ski Resort, or even Idaho City. If you’d like to drive a little further for the day, travel north from Boise on highway 55 on the Payette River Scenic Byway and the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway. The drive is sure to delight your eyes with colors of gold, red and orange. You’ll also drive through the towns of Cascade, Donnelly, and McCall depending how far you go. The scenic drive along the roadside and river are quite enjoyable.

Idaho is beautiful year-round, but fall is particularly special since the weather is still nice enough that you can get outside and enjoy all that our city has to offer this time of year. So, whether you are looking for an easy walk along the river, a short or long drive to escape the city, there is something for everyone. We encourage you and your family to find a special place this fall that will satisfy your quest to experience all that the season has to offer in Boise.