Just moved near the neighborhood, and this was our very first hike here. It was a safe, easy choice! We went in early December, so it was definitely chilly and muddy from the rain the day before. However, we wore good hiking shoes, so we were dry at least. Trail took about 2 hours round trip, and the trail was dirt/rocks but easy enough for kids. Bring: water, snacks, appropriate clothes depending on the weather, dog! I brought a beanie, gloves, and warm clothes for the hike in December. I would avoid going on rainy days or if it recently rained. Mud will slow you down. There are little info boards posted along the trails - nice read. Great trail for a short walk. I hear it gets crowded during the weekends and good weather days. Go early! read more

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3.39 miles of decent incline. Nice benches up top to sit on. We started hike at 5:50am and we're able to watch the sunrise it was beautiful. Plenty of parking down below at trailhead. read more

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Based off of the Yelp reviews and personal recommendations I took my friend that was visiting on this amazing hike. We did the table rock and quarry trail loop which Is about a 4 mile hike with a good elevation gain. The wild flowers and views were absolutely beautiful. The rock quarry is also super cool. This is a must to do hike if you live or are visiting the Boise area! On hot summer days I recommend sun screen, brining water, and trying to go early morning. The sun is intense and there is no shade on this hike. There is ample parking near the read more

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Great exercise and journey to the top and amazing scenery view of Boise especially during the evening sunset or even the sunrise in the morning, there is no driving to the top for people who are unfamiliar with the area. read more

Table Rock - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Easy hiking path from the old penitentiary to the top with nice views of Boise. There are signs at the top that will tell you what you are looking at. Good spot to take a visitor. read more

Table Rock - Table rock - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Table Rock is a great hike for all ages. It is a little steep in some sections and you might get winded. But take your time, the view is worth it. The view provides hikers a spectacular vote of the Treasure Valley. If you are unable to hike, there is a dirt road that will take you to the top. Then there is about 300 yards of walking on a gravel path. You'll enjoy the experience whichever you choose. read more

Table Rock - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Anytime we are in the Boise area I always want to take a trip to table rock. It is 100% worth it. Please note that sometimes it is completely closed off and sometimes it's just closed off for people to drive up to the top. Basically you'll have to drive up there and find out (as far as I know), but even if you have to walk up it's worth it! Check this spot out in Boise! read more

Located next to the Old Penitentiary, Quarry View Park, and Idaho Botanical Gardens. Parking is free on a dirt lot (they really need to pave it as it is very dusty). The lot is located across from the Old Penitentiary and I posted a satellite view picture as it can be tricky to find when driving in. Bathrooms are unisex. Two of them in the dirt parking area and not nice at all. I recommend using the Quarry View Park restrooms instead. The hike up to the top is doable for most people. And although it starts pretty steep the elevation rise slows down for a good portion of the middle of the hike. Round trip distance is about 3.6-3.8 miles depending on which way you go. Great views at the top. I found there to be no litter and friendly hikers along the way. There are two garbage cans at the top so pick up any litter you see and dispose of your own trash at the top if needed. While there is graffiti that should be removed/covered from rocks at the top of table rock they are not in view from the actual peak and seating area. P.S. I removed one star for the dirt parking lot, bathrooms (they smelled bad, had lots of flies, and no toilet paper), and graffiti that could be easily covered or removed. Pleaseix those things city of Boise! read more

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I'm having a hard time getting started on this review, mostly because I'm struggling to come up with the words to explain how much I love this hike. I'm sure many Boiseans are rolling their eyes as they read this because Table Rock has almost become so popular and mainstream that it has sort of lost it's "cool factor". Well, I don't really care. I unashamedly love this hike and think it is amazing! Rant over. The Hike: This 3.8 mile loop starts near the Old Idaho Penitentiary. There are two paths that instantly emerge: one appears steeper and the other is somewhat flat. The one that starts out flat has a steep incline shortly after, and the one that starts out steep levels out and is flat for the entire mid-portion of the hike. About 2/3 through, you start making your final ascent towards the top where you get to enjoy those stellar views. Here is the point where conversation grows sparse, and, if you are hiking alone, you turn up the music in your headphones. If you are wanting to get a good cardio workout in and do a little tush-toning at the same time, I'd say this hike is the way to go! The Views: I love every view that this hike offers. Whether you are at the top of the mountain overlooking the city, on your way up and taking in the contrast of the sky and rusty-colored mountain, or taking in the wildflowers (fine, they're technically weeds, but I still think they're lovely), you have something beautiful to captivate your eyes while you enjoy some fresh air. Final thoughts: - Bring a big water bottle. Better yet, bring a camelback. You'll need it, especially if it's a hot day! - For goodness sake, if the city puts out a notice to not hike due to rain/mud, do not hike! They only close these trails in an effort to prevent erosion. Listen to 'em, folks! read more

Table Rock - Weeds or wildflowers? (I say wildflowers ) - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Excellent hike with breathtaking views! The hike was easy in terms of difficulty but rewarding at the top! read more

Table Rock - View from the top - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

First time hiking up to the famous Table Rock with my two boys. It was a beautiful day yesterday and spring break, so there were a lot of people. We started from the Old Penitentiary entrance 15 up. 15 is very flat, wide and smooth. Lots of families with kids and dogs. Most of the dog owners I met on our way were very responsible about their pets waste. I did see a few piles of unpleasant doggy poops on the way. At the intersection of trail 17, we decided to try it. Much rockier and narrower trails. It can be a challenge for families with little ones. Some areas scared my 8 year old because it was "too close" to the cliff (he thinks). In one area, there are more rocks and apparently more graffiti and shattered beer bottles on the ground. However, it is quieter and less busier than 15. We made to the top. The view is definitely beautiful. The boys and I thought it was worth the effort. According to my sports watch, I burned at least 600 calories on that trip. I think it is worth it. read more

Table Rock - Trail 17 - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I love this trail for a variety of reasons: -It begins with a relatively steep incline, getting your heart pumping straight away. -It's relatively easy to traverse (ie: hiking boots are not necessary) -It's wide enough that you can go with a group and you needn't go single file (for the majority of it, anyway) -And, finally, the view! The top provides a gorgeous view of pretty much all of Boise. There's a large cement bench where you can sit and take in the view. I've been at the top at pretty much every time of day, and the view is spectacular at sunrise, sunset, after dark and every time in between. Final notes: It's only 1.6miles each way but it's steep enough that it'll take you 30-60+ minutes, depending on your level of fitness, to ascend it. By the time you get up, enjoy the view, and get back down--you're looking at about an hour and a half. It's a great work out and you may be sore the next day, but the view is always worth the pain. Always. Get to it. read more

This is probably "the #1 hiking trail" in Boise, at least that's what it feels like with all the traffic this place gets. Lots of travel / tourist websites advertise this as one of the "must do" things when visiting Idaho, especially Boise, and I'd agree with that depending on the time / day you go. Being a mainstream trail isn't all that bad when the views / payoff is as good as it is here. If you're active, this would be a fantastic morning workout, especially when keeping a good pace and not taking a rest. Could be challenging for others but the large number of places to take great pictures along the way will help. This trail is dusty as hell, so be prepared to wear your raggedy attire. Special shout out to the OG that hiked up in FLIP FLOPS lmao. Getting to this trail is easy. I was initially put off by other reviews mentioning it's hard to find, but I had no issues with Google Maps. Eagle Rock Park (formerly known as Quarry Park I believe) is about 200 yards from the start of the trailhead and offers a very limited but PAVED parking lot with the addition of MUCH BETTER bathrooms (with an actual sink / running water). There is a bigger parking lot right at the trailhead, but it's super dusty and gets filled up fast. Lots of people, lots of chaos, so I prefer the Eagle Rock Park parking lot. If this is your first time here, I highly recommend you take the #15 trail (called "Table Rock") all the way up. It's the main trail (biggest, widest) that goes straight up. Don't take any of the smaller trails that break away from it, and you should have no issues with navigating up. Lots of good places to take pictures on the way up and felt like the easiest to me. If you ever think you're lost, just go where 99% of everyone else is going (from my experience everyone funnels down the same trail, same path). Don't waste your time going on the #15A Trail (Called "Old Pen"), it seemed harder and still meets up with the main trail halfway up, views are worse IMO. The selling point of that trail is it's supposedly shorter (didn't feel like it) and brings you closer to the Old Penitentiary, but that place isn't interesting at all, ESPECIALLY from the outside (lifeless, old, nothing cool looking). I guess that's the point of a penitentiary lol. Once you arrive at the top, you can take your basic selfie next to the cross, if it isn't already being smothered by the ever-growing crowd. Downtown Boise can be easily spotted, as well as other feature landmarks like the airport, capital building, etc. This is where it gets crowded real fast. My tip here is to walk around the side of the cliff, where there's a lot of graffiti on the rocks. You can escape the crowd and have a little privacy up there to relax. Main attraction there is the nuclear bunker etched into the rocks (or naturally formed). Yes, you can climb inside there, no, I do not recommend you do so (smells worse than the back alley of downtown Philly). If you brought your dog with you, DON'T GO around that little side trail at the top where all the graffiti is, there are A LOT of small broken glass pieces on the trail. I saw a couple people doing that and it just boggles my mind how irresponsible some owners can be. You can EASILY see the broken glass all over the place, why would you take your dog there. While still at the top, I would recommend you walk up to where all the small utility buildings are, there are some amazing murals on them. Once you're ready to go back down, this is where I HIGHLY recommend to NOT go down the main #15 trail, but instead going down the #17 Table Rock Quarry Trail. To me, this was the best part of this whole "Table Rock Experience". You can walk on the ridge of the cliffs and find a PEACEFUL spot to sit and admire almost the same exact view as what you'd get when at the cross, minus ALL THE PEOPLE. Seriously, it almost felt like my own private trail. SO REFRESHING seeing everyone pile up next to that cross from a distance while you're sitting on a rock on the cliff, enjoying a snack in peace. I think I encountered only a handful of people while walking on that trail throughout the 4 times I came up here. LOVE IT. Overall, I'd have to agree with all the hype, this should be a place you stop at if you're visiting Boise, or never been before. The ease of access, views, and overall experience is a solid 5. This trail gets VERY busy, which is my biggest complaint. Don't expect this to be a peaceful, secluded hike, especially on weekends. Every time I came here was right at 7 AM on the weekends, and the parking lot was already 60-75% full. My biggest tip would be to come here on a Sunday, right at 6:30 AM. I guarantee you this would be the optimal time. Sun is not roasting you and everyone is getting ready for church, perfect in my book. If anyone is still reading, thank you for your time. One of my main goals is to provide detailed reviews to help people plan great trips, which does make these reviews long as hell compared to others. read more

I love hiking Table Rock, it is definitely my go to hike. It is very close to downtown Boise and for me it is the perfect short hike to get you some exercise, good blend of steep and gradual inclines to keep your heart rate up without requiring a lot of breaks to make it to the top. The only reason I wouldn't give this 5 stars is because everybody else agrees with me on how awesome it is and it is probably the busiest hiking trail in the Boise area. Great views of the valley from the top, lots of times you will see people getting engagement/graduation pictures at the precipice. Pro-tip: If you want the view but hiking isn't your thing you can drive up, but really, just hike it. read more

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Hello - heart rate raising hike, pretty much downtown! Yes! The views of the city and surrounding area are super great from the top. Took me, a summer weekend hiker from Denver 45 minutes to summit and 20 to get down, so can definitely be done after work! Decent sized parking lot right next to the old Penitentiary! I'll definitely be seeing the top of this rock often on my visits! read more

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Such a great view!! You'd expect it to be full of rambunctious high schoolers. Perhaps that is why they stuck a 30 foot tall cross that is illuminated all night long. It actually lights up the rock really well once the sun goes down. Anyways, we went one night and were surrounded by so many demographics: families with young children, middle school couples, groups of girlfriends, college guys, etc. It was refreshing to see people so well behaved at such a romantic spot! Plan on there being LOTS of wind. Layer up! read more

Table Rock - Best place for a date ever! - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

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This hike is the perfect distance. It is straight up the whole way with not many breaks of going on flat road. The view is gorgeous. We loved it! Well worth and a must do in Idaho read more

Super cool hike once you get to the top! Don't go in the middle of a hot day like I did. Ended up having to position my body against a cold rock I found to cool down. Almost passed out from heat stroke. Had to make it to the top though so I did. The view was great read more

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We chose to drive most of the way up and stopped just before the sign that said road closed Nov- May.... but plenty of others drove all the way up in March. I am a rule follower and the sign scared me. If we come again, we will park at the penitentiary and make a few hours out of it. The views are great and some cool art up there too. Enjoy! read more

Table Rock - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Pretty views of the city. Dog friendly also. I'm not gonna lie- the ride there scares me because I hate heights and driving near cliffs, but my bravery paid off. I had a great walk and my dogs did too. read more

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To start off, The hike up is a great hike. It's not hard but not flat either LOL. The sight once you get to the top is definitely worth it. If your not up for a hike you can also drive up the back side. I would recommend seeing it during the day and at night before they lock the gate it's a great place to catch the sunset. This is also where I proposed to my wife. It's a must see if your visiting Boise for the first time. read more

Table Rock - Dusk at Table Rock. - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

A beautiful short-ish hike. There are some challenging parts, so be prepared to sweat! It was my very first hike and I wont lie, I had to stop a couple times for water and to catch my breath and I'm a daily walker. The view will blow your mind and is well worth any struggle you go through to get up there! Take a snack and lots of water. When you get to the top, pat yourself on the back because YOU DIDN'T DRIVE UP, and enjoy your snack and the view. I love that it's dog friendly and clean. There are restrooms at the trailhead. Wildlife and pretty plants abound! I'm not sure I would be able to do this hike in the summer, the heat would kill me, but temps in the 60's was perfect! read more

Table Rock - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Great place for a quick Weekend hike. Not a difficult hike and I think it's just under 4 miles round trip. This is a VERY popular trail so there is a big crowd. Lost of families and children so not the best place for a quiet outdoor adventure. This trail is dog friendly but beware there are a LOT of dogs. Our dog gets pretty excited around other dogs so at 80 lbs, he can be a bit of a pain to control. Some owners don't have there dogs on leashes which is disappointing because not all dogs like it when another one runs up in there face. Beautiful views of the city once you are at the top. Highly recommend! read more

Table Rock is a staple of the Boise area. There are plenty of trails you can hike (or mountain bike if you're nuts) to the top. If you're not into fitness, you can easily drive to the top as well. Enjoy fantastic views of the valley and try to catch a sunset. If you plan on heading there in spring or fall months remember a jacket. You're almost a 1,000 feet higher so that wind can pick up while you're at the top. read more

Table Rock - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I wish sooo much to rate this with 5 stars but the experience my family and I had as well as 5 other groups of people was atrocious! My husband and I took our 6 year old son up to have a picnic and watch the sunset. On this day sunset was 9:13pm. We arrived at 8:30pm parked at the top as the gate was open. We picked our spot atop the rock to eat and enjoy the beauty in the sky. We got back to our car to head home around 9:20pm as we approached the gate we found it closed and 2 cars parked with no way out. Not to much longer after that 2 more cars pulled behind us. The first car called and was advised it would be $45 to get out and that someone was on their way. I called the number I found on a sign at 9:40pm to see what the estimated time of arrival was to be let out as I had a little one ready for bed & if it was $45 a car or in general. The guy on the line laughed at my distress and essentially said he had to follow the rules, that they have a posted sign and because one of their men would have to go off course and let us out they couldn't waive the fee. He also claimed to have warned us all of the gates closer yet the 5 cars in line full of friends & families got locked in. (Not to mention the other 3 or so cars still at the top that would be locked in & charged whenever they finally leave after us) I spent the next 45mins while waiting for someone to come and let us out going car to car explaining what was going on and asking for donations to get us all home free. By the time 2 men arrived in separate vehicles to let us all out we had come up with the $45 however an illegal parked car was preventing the gate from fully opening & kicker the gate can't swing the opposite direction. We had to wait another 15-20mins for the owner to come & move it. What was supposed to be a nice quick family picnic while watching the sunset atop Table Rock turned into a nightmare!! read more

Table Rock - They had time to photo our cars & the VIN # but couldn't make a formal announcement. Nice. - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

Very cool place to go on a walk highly recommend going at night you can see all the lights and all of boise it's so beautiful!!!!

We've always done what we transplants thought was the Table Rock hike by starting at Warm Springs and heading UP. Well, it's a semi-intense first 10-15 minutes, but goes almost totally flat after that. Instead, we took other transplants and collectively had the intelligence to find the TRUE Table Rock hike starting from the Old Penitentiary. Needless to say, it's a popular hike and was jammed on Labor Day. Even though the route we took (central?) to Table Rock was almost entirely uphill, it was pretty do-able and most of the kiddos we saw on the trail were doing just fine. I was able to do it with a 20 lb. infant strapped to my chest and I'm not in the best shape these days. The views were beautiful and we touched the cross. Did we need to put a cross on it? A question for the ages. Enjoy this scenic, mildly intense hike and reap the benefit of a stellar and, perhaps, unparalleled view of your beloved city. read more

Amazing views and many ways to make your way up the hill. Bring water and proper shoes, expect an hour or more to walk up. read more

Table Rock - Hiking Near Me - Boise, Idaho

I've hiked Table Rock about 3 times and every hike is beautiful! On this particular hike I noticed many different species of birds and an array of plants. The hike is about 1.5 miles(one way) and mostly going uphill and has a few challenging areas but so worth it! I'm obviously a fan of table rock and will be going back soon. read more

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It was pretty, easy drive and hike not to far from downtown. It's seem anti-climatic. Great views but nothing breathtaking. I still would recommend as a tourist to go visit. read more

This is a wonderful hike. Beautiful vistas st the top. Well worth the hike. Good for the average hiker, not too difficult. read more

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Beautiful view from the top! Be aware that the address on this page will take you to the top of Table Rock and not to the bottom where you can hike the trail to the top. read more

The view was AMAZING! It takes your breath away. Things get pretty windy and cold up there so be sure to bundle up.

This is the hike to try in Boise... then well, Boise doesn't have a whole lot. In the foothills of the Rockies, Boise is rather hot and this trail does not have shade. It's a short trail, not difficult at all. The top of the trail is the giant cross and at the time we went, it was swarming with bugs. We had bugs all over us and found their carcasses stuck on us after. read more

My friend who lives in Boise recommended Table Rock when I was in town. We went during the weekday and I thought this was the perfect hike for someone who enjoys hiking, but is far from an expert. We took the 3.8 mile loop, which was the perfect length. The hike has a decent incline in some spots, and great views at the top of the city and the surrounding area. As an added bonus, this trail is dog friendly. I would definitely recommend checking out this trail if you're in town. read more

Amazing hike an view of the sunset. So peaceful, great place to mediate. A must see.

This is definitely a must for anyone that can hike up to the cross. We stopped a few times just to see how far up we were and each time our breaths were taken away because how gorgeous the scenery is. I've done it twice and I'll continue to go! We went on a Saturday it was pretty busy and then I went on a Friday late afternoon and it was less busy and the temperature was cooler. read more

When i asked locals for some tips on things to see and do while i was in town, this was the first thing they mentioned. Basically a lookout point on top of a small mountain with an excellent view of the whole city and the sunset, plus a big metal cross (i don't know the history behind the cross, i'm told there's been some controversy regarding its religious significance). You need to walk at least the last bit of the journey to get there, but not too far. Seems to be a -really- popular hangout for local high school students. Definitely glad i gave it a look. read more

Nostalgia is an emotion exclusive to the human race. A glorious exploration of one's self and past - all wrapped up in the glory of a former kiss, crawl or cry. The nostalgia I felt for this magic place was born when I first blew into town fresh off a bender in Syracuse. I was led up to Table Rock by a group of tourists I was stalking (to see the sights and have a sense of belonging). Long story short I didn't make any friends and after drinking some wine had a nasty tumble down the hillside. This time however it seemed Satan himself was breathing down my neck, and it showed! I was soon stumbling around the hillside before collapsing. The sun began to play strange tricks on my mind. I was seeing things. The empty rock suddenly was filled with imaginary people milling about as I kneeled gasping for breath and quivering. I was most shocked when suddenly my leg began to vibrate. A deep shuddering frequency collapsing into my bones. It was Janet from accounting. I'd have to call her back. I lay paralyzed on the rocks unable to move, for what seemed like hours as the day slowly melted into evening. And as I whimpered on the hot brown rock in a puddle of sweat, holding back the tears, I called out to GOD. I began to "repent" - for everything I had done, all that stuff with Carol and that bridge. How stupid I had been! I remembered all that stuff back at the house on the hill. How the news vans came. And the horrible things they said. Maybe they were right. Maybe I was "a mud covered man charged with breaking and entering, found sleeping facedown in a vacant dog bed" I called out again. I called out for redemption. And suddenly he came to me. I turned my head to notice the symbol of Jesus's everlasting love smiling down on me. Illuminated in the forthcoming night he spoke to me tenderly "Sir, are you ok?" A click of a radio and soon the paramedics arrived. And as I was treated for what they called "Dehydration and heat stroke brought on by excessive perspiration" I knew the truth. I was being treated for enlightenment. And I was ok with that. I had come up here to relive old times but I had found my future. I was glazed with a grizzly sunburn and the hopeful excitement for the future. And though my shirtless body was crispy and peeling the my heart was softer than it had ever been. read more

Love Table Rock! Excellent place to wear out kids and dogs. And me. Apparently I need to come here more often. With temps in the mid-50's, and not a cloud in the sky - this is the perfect time of year to get outside. Remember to take water, you'll want it by the time you reach the top, and take some for the dog too. I forgot a bowl, so we found a bowl sized crack in the rock, filled it with water and my dog drank nearly two whole bottles. The trash can at the top is usually overflowing, so try to plan on taking out any garbage you bring in. I think it was 1.6-ish miles from the parking lot to the top. read more