One of Boise Idaho's most impressive qualities is the immediate access to plentiful outdoor activities.

People who live in Boise often say that the area offers a perfect blend of "big city" amenities and "small town" character. In many large cities you must drive for hours to access quality outdoor activities. Not so in Boise. Here, everything is close by.

A local favorite is the Boise River which meanders through the heart of the city. The river is accented by the paved walking paths of the Boise Greenbelt which are perfect for an afternoon walk or bike ride alongside the water's edge. The river itself is peaceful and is wonderful for casual river rafting. The City of Boise offers river raft and inner-tube rentals at Barber Park which is a common "put-in" point. Most folks conclude their river float at Ann Morrison park where a bus service specifically for rafters will return you to Barber Park.

For the serious river rafter the Payette River is a short drive north of Boise. The Payette offers true whitewater rafting for all skill levels. For families, consider a river guide rafting trip of the main Payette with mild Class II and moderate Class III rapids. For the true adventurer the Class IV rapids of the South Fork will not dissapoint. Rapids with names such as Bronco Billy and Staircase will challenge even the most seasoned whitewater enthusiasts.

For a more casual adventure consider hiking or biking in the Boise foothills. Thousands of acres of open, public lands immediately border Boise to the North. The Boise foothills boast over 100 miles of trails and serve as a beautiful backdrop to the city. Spending time exploring the Boise foothills is a great way to spend a sunny weekend afternoon.

For those that ski or snowboard, Bogus Basin Ski Resort is a short thirty-minute drive from Boise's North End. Bogus Basin spans 2,600 acres with 900 acres of groomed, skiable terrain served by seven lifts including two high speed quads. For casual snow fun there is also a tubing hill with a rope lift which is perfect for kids and families. Additional skiing can be had at Tamarack, Brundage and Sun Valley which are all within driving distance of Boise.

In the summer months boating, waterskiing, jetskiing, camping, hunting and fishing are available in abundance. The Boise area is home to several lakes and reservoirs including Lucky Peak, Lake Lowell and Black Canyon. The picturesque, tree lined Payette lake is is located in McCall, a favorite weekend spot for Boiseans. Camping, hunting and fishing are available everywhere. Those that live in Boise can go camping every weekend for a year and find a great new spot everytime.

For team sports, Boise offers Idaho Steelheads hockey, Idaho Stampede basketball, Boise Hawks baseball and Boise State University football. In Boise, year round professional and college sports action will quench the sports needs of even the craziest sports fan. Perhaps best of all, the venues for each of these teams are all located in the heart of Boise. No need to endure big city freeway traffic or long distance drives, in Boise professional sports action is always right outside your door.

If you would like additional information on sports and recreation in Boise or if you have other questions about the Boise area or Boise real estate please complete the form on this page. We look forward to being of service.