The Great Outdoors

Boise, Idaho is a great location to be in if you like the outdoors, or even a bit curious. 

The Boise Foothills, May 2014, photo by Amy Vecchione

Did you know that June is the Great Outdoors Month? Let's celebrate by going outside! 


If you have a family, like many of our students do, Michael Lanza (a Boise local) wrote a great book about his family's pursuit of the United States National Parks called Before they're gone : a family's year-long quest to explore America's most endangered national parks (2nd floor - E160 .L367 2012). He also blogs at The Big Outside - a blog I wish I had found when I first moved here. Lanza saves you time by investigating and reporting on only the best outdoor adventures. 

Here's a nice post he wrote in 2010 about the Boise Foothills. 


Kids of all ages will love the book Hoo, Hoo... lives in Hulls Gulch? (crc - 2nd floor - 578.09796 L972ho 2013) This book identifies local species of animals and plants, but features drawings and poetry by children, too! 

Author Scott Marchant has written a ton of books about hiking and biking in this region. We recommend The Hiker's Guide: Greater Boise (2nd floor - GV 199.42.I22 M37 2012). 

The Ridge to Rivers website focuses on all of the public accessible trails in the Boise foothills. 

Journalist Pete Zimowsky has been reporting on outdoor activities in Idaho for decades! Check out his posts here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/pete-zimowsky/

If you'd like to learn about our local wildflowers, we now have a great eBook you can download and take with you called Wildflowers of the Mountain West! You'll need to login to view. 

If you want to get technical, visit our Idaho topographic maps on the first floor of the library! You can check out the maps, and also a number of map tools too. 

If you need help, just ask!