Enjoy year-round adventures and camp near water, forests, and mountains around this Boise suburb.
In the Treasure Valley in southwest Idaho, this fast-growing suburb of Boise offers plenty of options for outdoor activities. Aside from dozens of parks, a large water park, and a golf course in town, Boise is just a short drive away and offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and biking. Water enthusiasts can paddle, float, or fish the Boise River or the nearby Payette and Snake rivers, while additional options can be found in area lakes and reservoirs. Camping options span RV parks in urban areas, state parks, and national forest campgrounds.
Meridian and Boise
Around Meridian and Boise, and along the I-84 corridor, several RV parks offer hookups, amenities, and space for large rigs. They also offer an ideal base camp for exploring the myriad outdoor attractions in the area, such as the Boise River Greenbelt, Ridge to River Network, Kuna Caves, and wildlife at Lake Lowell and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Nearby Bogus Basin offer year-round trails for hiking, biking, and skiing.
Idaho State Parks
Several state parks can be found within a two hour drive of Meridian. Head to Three Island Crossing State Park for Oregon Trail History and riverside campsites and camping cabins. Go sandboarding at Bruneau Dunes State Park, then stay overnight in a comfortable cabin. Enjoy boating, fishing, and windsurfing at Lake Cascade State Park, and camp in a tent, RV, or yurt. For secluded camping around a desert canyon lake, head to Lake Owyhee State Park.
Boise National Forest
For year-round outdoor recreation, head northwest to the Boise National Forest, where hundreds of trails, lakes and reservoirs, plus hot springs and millions of acres of forest and grassland beckon to be explored. Camping options are plentiful and diverse, with your choice of developed, dispersed, and backcountry campsites, along with cabins, guard stations, and a network of year-round backcountry yurts.
With generally temperate weather, Meridian can be visited year-round. Spring, summer, and fall are the best times for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating, paddling, and fishing. In the winter, head to Bogus Basin for a downhill ski resort, or area state parks and the Boise National Forest for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Many campgrounds are seasonal, though winter camping options are available, though services will be limited.