Garden Valley, Idaho

Garden Valley, Idaho is the perfect vacation destination for those looking to commune with the Great Outdoors. Surrounded by two National Forests (the Boise and the Payette), Garden Valley is centrally located about an hour from the city of Boise, the state capital. Mountains, rivers, streams, and local wildlife are some of the delights outside your door. Garden Valley has long been known for its farming prowess. Back in the 1800s, during the central Idaho gold rush, the thermal waters around Garden Valley allowed the region to serve its neighbors with produce all year long. Today, tourism is a major part of the economy. A day in Garden Valley can include hiking, swimming, fishing, cycling, skiing, and nature study.

Before heading out in the wilderness, visit Boise, the state capital, a short 50 miles away. Boise has a population of 170,000 fitness oriented folks and has a well-defined small town feel as neighbors greet visitors with a smile and a handshake. For a bit of Boise history, visit the Idaho Historical Museum. This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the state of Idaho and the region around Boise in particular. Notable exhibits highlight the Native American, Basque, and Chinese influences in the region. Outside the museum in the Pioneer Village are some of the earliest built structures in Boise.

If it is outdoor fun you seek, look no further than the Boise National Forest. Hiking fans can choose from 1300 miles of trails. One of the most popular treks is the relatively easy Hulls Gulch Trail, a 3.5 mile hike on gently sloping terrain. The trail sits in an area called the Boise Front, an area with enough dirt trails to make mountain bikers and those on horseback giddy with excitement. If fishing is your thing, both Red Mountain and Cat Creek Lakes are teeming with rainbow and cutthroat trout. In the winter, cross-country skiers make there way to Banner Ridge, which has over 16 miles of groomed trails.

If water sports are your particular bent, the Payette River system is the one-stop shopping mall for aquatic fun. White water rafting fans can find class I-IV rapids. During the summer, the river serves the Payette Whitewater Roundup, which is a junior Olympic kayaking competition. The middle fork of the river is better known for gentle canoeing, tubing, and swimming activities. Anglers toss in a line due to its generous bounty of kokanee, rainbow, mackinaw, and rainbow trout, while naturalists can spot many kinds of wildlife, including elk, deer, hawks, and bald eagles.

Garden Valley has everything one could ask for in an Idaho vacation. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, plan to take in a play under the stars at the Starlight Mountain Theater. Go for a soak in one of the spas that take advantage of the area's hot springs. Head east, less than an hour, to Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Check out the Hull's Gulch National Recreation Trail in Boise, a trail which is open to hikers exclusively. Birding enthusiasts may want to take a day and visit the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, 20 miles south of Boise. The NCA is home to over 700 pairs of raptors including golden eagles, red-tail hawks, and prairie falcons. Garden Valley is a feast for the active vacationer. How big is your appetite?

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