Parks Along the Boise River Greenbelt, From Barber Park to Garden City

The Upstream End

Barber Park is the place to start. Ada County runs it, about 47 acres on the Boise River with the Greenbelt going right through, and it has a playground, a basketball court, restrooms, a drinking fountain and a parking lot. Leave the car here and head downstream.

Just downstream, Marianne Williams Park spreads over about 74 acres with Walling Creek running past. It's set up for fishing, birding and long walks or rides, and a reservable shelter, restrooms and a drinking fountain are there when you need a break.

East Boise

Warm Springs Park holds the Mary Grunewald McGown Pollinator Garden on about 17 acres. It's a good place to slow down for birding, and it has a bike repair station and restrooms.

Farther along, Kristin Armstrong Municipal Park has its own bike repair station, plus a playground with swings and slides, a ball field, bocce and a reservable pavilion on 18 acres. If you're riding with kids, this is a handy place to let them off the bikes for a while.

Downtown

Julia Davis Park is the big downtown stop, nearly 94 acres with a rose garden, an amphitheater, a playground with swings and slides, a tennis court, horseshoes and bocce. Fishing and birding are on the list too, and there's a bike repair station when a tire needs air.

A little downstream, Ann Morrison Memorial Park is even bigger at nearly 145 acres. Its list of games runs long: ball fields, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts, horseshoes, bocce, disc golf and cricket, plus a dog park and a playground with swings and slides. If you're meeting a group, the reservable shelter and restrooms make it an easy pick.

Shoreline Drive and Quick Stops

Shoreline Park is a shady stop on the Greenbelt, about 1.6 acres with open lawn, picnic tables, restrooms and an overlook onto the Boise River. A bit farther on, the Idaho Fallen Firefighter Memorial covers about 7 acres right on the path, with picnic tables, benches, a drinking fountain, restrooms and parking.

Rotary Park on the Greenbelt is a tiny rest stop on the path, with benches, a bike rack and a bike repair station. Pull over, fix what needs fixing and keep rolling.

Esther Simplot to Willow Lane

Esther Simplot Park covers nearly 88 acres with the Greenbelt running right through and Crane Creek along the way. Anglers and birders both have room here, and there's open lawn, a playground with slides and a reservable pavilion with picnic tables. On the same stretch, Bernardine Quinn Riverside Park adds about 31 acres of riverside path with fishing, birding, a pavilion and benches.

Veterans Memorial Park has disc golf, fishing and birding across about 68 acres, along with a playground with slides and open lawn. Its reservable pavilion makes it a good pick for a group. Willow Lane Athletic Complex mixes baseball and multi-use fields with a bike park and BMX on about 57 acres, plus a playground with slides and a shade structure.

Garden City

In Garden City, Heron Park is about 1.6 acres with shade trees and parking, and the Greenbelt runs along one side. Mystic Cove Park is a half-acre playground stop right by the path. River Pointe Park, the farthest downstream of the bunch, has the Garden City Pollinator Habitat inside, plus picnic tables, benches and a bike rack.