Oregon Trail (near Boise)
Level 1

You can hike the old trail of pioneers and video game enthusiasts right here in Idaho! Boise has preserved a well marked/maintained section of the old trail that overlooks a large canyon. This trail is flat, easy to walk, and teeming with desert wildlife.

To get here, take the exit towards Twin Falls on the way to Pocatello. Follow that road all the way to Boise and take the Gowen Road exit. It’s the first road you’ll come to and actually is just outside the city. Take a left and continue to Lake Forest Road. Drive for about five minutes and you’ll see trail markers off to your left.

 

This is a day hike, or if you’d like, a bike ride, so don’t worry about too much equipment. Take some water and be on the lookout for rattle snakes. The trail follows a 15 mile loop and will take you to either Lucky Peak Reservoir or Bonneville Point. However, if you’re not on a bike, I would recommend just walking for a mile or two to enjoy the sites and the trail as a hike to either one of these points may be too ambitious.