As temperatures start to warm up so does our blood. We no longer want to stay cooped up in our apartments and homes, we want to get outside, stretch our legs, and have a little bit of adventure. If you have Memorial Day weekend off this year then plan an outdoor adventure near the metropolitan area of Boise-Nampa, Idaho. And for casino fanatics, they would like to have their favorite games on the go – and bk8 is the answer to that. 

Step Number 1 – Learn About Boise and Nampa

Boise is the capital city of Idaho. It has a population of nearly 200,000 people. Some of the local attractions that you will want to see while visiting this city include: the Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, the Boise Town Square Mall, the World Center for Birds of Prey, and the Boise State University Campus.

Nampa is the second largest city in Idaho. It has a population of about 86,000 people. Some of the attractions that this city offers include: the Nampa Recreation Center, the Nampa Civic Center, the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho, the Berry Ranch, the Farmer’s Market, and the Wilson Ponds & Fish Hatchery. In May this city also gears up for the Spring Fling Community Festival and several outdoor concerts.

The climates in Boise and Nampa are both comfortable through the summer months. In May you should expect cool mornings and warm afternoons. Temperatures will start to climb into the 80s in June and then into the 90s and 100s in July and August, however, you should still expect cool mornings with temperatures in the 40s and 50s.

Step Number 2 – Plan Your Lodging

There are several options for you to choose from when planning your lodging. If you don’t want to rough it then there are several hotels and resorts that you can stay at in both Boise and Nampa. Some of your Boise lodging options include: Ameritel Inn Boise Towne Square, Best Western Vista Inn at the Airport, Comfort Inn Airport, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, and the Red Lion Parkcenter Suites.

Since the point of this vacation is to have an adventure, then why not sleep in the wilds of Idaho. There are a lot of near by campgrounds that you can select including: the Fiesta Park, the Hi Valley RV Park, On the River RV Park, Dog Creek Campground, and Elks Flat Campground. In addition to these options there are dozens of other campgrounds scattered through the Boise National Forest.

Step Number 3 – Plan Your Day Trips

Hiking is one of the most accessible outdoor activities that you can participate in. The closest trail system to Boise, Idaho is the Hulls Gulch nature Trail. This trail system is about 12 miles from Boise. Other trails include the Dry Buck Mountain Trail in Valley County, the Oregon Trail-South Alternate in Owyhee County, and the Shirts Creek Trail in Gem County.

If you want a high speed adventure then you should consider planning a whitewater adventure. There are several great whitewater routes located near Boise and Nampa. The closest route is the Payette River route between Beehive Bend and Jet Boat Ramp. This route is 6 miles long and it is rated as a class II-III route. Grimes Creek is another great route. Its access point is about 24 miles from Boise, it runs 4 miles between Highway 21 to MoReservoire Creek confluence, and it is rated as a class II-III route. If you want a more challenging route then you will want to travel 32 miles to Payette River-South Fork. This whitewater route is rated as a class V route and it runs 16 miles between Smiths Ferry and Banks.

If you want a water adventure but you don’t want speed then why not plan a day trip or camping trip to one of the near by lakes. The closest lake is Boise Cascade Lake. It is about 5 miles from Boise. Other lakes that are within about 15 miles of Boise include: Lake Elmore, Hubbard Reservoir, Blacks Creek Reservoir, Home Lake, and Siphon Lakes.

While you are in town you may also want to plan a day of golf. There are several great golf courses located in and near Boise, Idaho. Some of your options include: Banbury Golf Club PGA Instructions in Eagle, Idaho, Boise Ranch Golf Course in Boise, and Cherry Lane Golf Club in Meridian, Idaho.

Step Number 4 – Plan Your Food

Boise is a great cultural center where you can find a variety of great cuisine. Try out a few of the local restaurants while you are in town. Then visit the Farmers’ Market to pick up fresh produce for your campouts and day trips.