Boise
Idaho's capital on the Boise River, with a river trail through town, Basque culture downtown and foothill trails reached from 8th Street.
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Boise is the capital and largest city of Idaho, and the county seat of Ada County. It sits on the Boise River in the Treasure Valley. Visitors come for the Basque Block downtown, where they can learn about and enjoy the city's Basque heritage, and for the Idaho State Capitol, one of the main sights downtown. The Boise River Greenbelt is an urban trail along the water that runs through Pierce Park and is popular for fishing, swimming and rafting.
Plan the trip around outdoor time as well as the city. Hiking and mountain biking trails in the foothills, including the Hull's Gulch network, can be reached from 8th Street just north of downtown. Bogus Basin ski area is about 16 miles (26 km) from the city limits, and the drive from downtown takes less than an hour. Spring and fall are mild, summers are hot and dry, and winter brings snow. A short stay covers downtown and the river. Add days if you want the foothills or the ski area.
Boise in five
- Walk or bike the GreenbeltThe paved path follows the Boise River through downtown and past parks. Rent a bike or float the river in summer when water levels allow.
- Try the Basque BlockBoise has one of the largest Basque communities in the US. The Basque Block downtown has restaurants, a museum and festivals.
- Hike the foothills earlyTrails start close to downtown. Go early in summer to avoid the heat, and check trail conditions after rain.
- Plan day trips for the mountainsBogus Basin is close, while Stanley and the Sawtooths are about 3 hours away. Check road and weather conditions.
- Apply for ESTA before you book mountain-west flightsVisa Waiver Program passports need an approved ESTA before you board a US-bound flight, and other passports need a visa. Approve it first, then book Boise.ESTA explained
Things to do in Boise
See all attractions in Boise
Need to know
- Airport
- Boise Airport (BOI), about 10 min to downtown by car
- Getting there
- Fly to BOI; drive from Portland (about 7 hours) or Salt Lake City (about 5 hours)
- Getting around
- Walking and biking downtown; car for trailheads
- Best base
- Downtown
- Time needed
- 2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh3°Low-4°Cold, snowJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh5°Low-3°Cold, mild daysFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, mild days
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°Thaw, mudMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, mud
- AprilPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh15°Low4°Spring, blossomsAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, blossoms
- MayClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low9°Mild, river seasonMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, river season
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Warm, trailsJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, trails
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh33°Low19°Hot, dryJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low18°Hot, smoke riskAugustClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, smoke risk
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh26°Low13°Warm, clearSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh17°Low6°Fall colorOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh9°Low1°Cool, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low-3°Cold, snowDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Boise, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Boise
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Idaho
01:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today12°2°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue17°3°1%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Wed14°7°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu15°10°10%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Fri16°9°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat17°9°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun18°11°1%Sunday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 10:15 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Bogus Basinabout 45 min by carSki area in winter and trails and lifts in summer.
- Stanley and the Sawtoothsabout 3 hours by carA mountain range and hot springs.
- Snake River Birds of Prey areaabout 40 min by carCanyon scenery and raptors; check the BLM site for access.
Before you go to Boise
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Rules for Boise, checked
- Visitors from outside the US need a visa or an ESTA before they fly into the country, depending on their passport. Check eligibility on travel.state.gov and apply only through the official US government sites.Source
- Bring a valid photo ID for domestic flights from Boise Airport. Check the accepted ID list on the TSA site before you travel.Source
- Cannabis is illegal to buy or use in Idaho, including in Boise. Oregon, next door, allows adult recreational use.
Plan around Boise
Parks, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideBendCentral Oregon, a long drive west
Read the guideBozeman and Gallatin ValleyMontana's gateway to Yellowstone
Read the guideColumbia River GorgeWaterfalls and wind in the northwest
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideBoise FAQ
How many days do you need in Boise?
One to two days cover the Greenbelt, the Basque Block and a hike. Add a night or two if you head into the mountains.
Is Boise worth visiting?
Yes for a relaxed outdoor city with good food and a river through town. It is a useful stop between Oregon and Montana.
When is the best time to visit Boise?
May to June and September to October. July and August are hot and dry, and wildfire smoke can affect air quality.
Do you need a car in Boise?
Not downtown, but you will want one for foothills trailheads, Bogus Basin and day trips.
Where should I stay in Boise?
Downtown for restaurants and the Greenbelt. Stay near the river for walkable access.