There are so many places to hike in Boise, Idaho, or in nearby mountains or hills. But Camel’s Back Park in Boise is an amazing location right within the city where you can either walk up to take some photos, or go on a serious hike if you choose. There are so many reasons that Camels Back Park is one of our favorite hikes in Boise.
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Camel’s Back Park Hours & Directions
History of Camel’s Back Park in Boise
Trails at Camel’s Back Park
Hyde Park Boise
The Hike at Camel’s Back is Not Difficult
Camel’s Back Park is Dog Friendly
Camel’s Back Has Some of the Best Views in Boise
Camel’s Back Park Hours & Directions
Camel’s Back Park in Boise is generally open sunrise to sunset and you will see people running, hiking, or walking their dog throughout the day.
Camel’s Back Park is located off of 13th Street, just north of Hyde Park in Boise. It’s also on the way to Bogus Basin if you are coming from downtown.
If you are coming from west, Hill Road turns into 13th Street at 15th Street.
There is a parking lot to be used by Camel’s Back Park visitors.
History of Camel’s Back Park in Boise
Camel’s Back Park is an 11-acre city park in the North End of Boise. The park came from a donation by then-Mayor John Lemp in 1932 to the city of Boise, and is managed to this day by Boise Parks & Recreation.
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Over the years, the park has taken on many different looks — including in the 1980s and 1990s when there were two levels, separated by playground equipment. This was soon seen as too dangerous, and it went back to the hill it is today.
In 2016, erosion began to worry city officials, and so a stone stairway up the side of the hill was installed.
Trails at Camel’s Back Park — and Other Things To Do
Camel’s Back Park is close adjacent to the 63-acre Camel’s Back Reserve and the 292-acre Hulls Gulch Reserve, both popular areas for hiking or running.
If you hike up Camel’s Back Park, either up the stone stairway or the many (less-steep) trails switchbacking up the side of the hill, you will have access to the many trails of the reserve.
The park also includes plenty of green space, including a playground, sports fields, an outdoor gym (donated by Bodybuilding.com, a Boise company), open play areas, tennis courts, and volleyball courts.
Hyde Park Boise
Hyde Park in Boise is a popular destination for both locals and tourists. The park is really a neighborhood area of the city that includes restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.
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The park is located on both sides of 13th Street in the Boise Northend. There are many homes and apartments in the Hyde Park area. Camel’s Back Park is only a few blocks from the heart of Hyde Park.
A few things to know about Hyde Park:
- The street is fairly narrow so you may not want to park directly within the district. There is plenty of street parking within a few blocks of all the restaurants though.
- Because the road is so narrow, bicycles are allowed to use the entire lane. You should not pass them unless there is absolutely no one coming the other way. Boise is a very bike-friendly town and you should always opt for the safety of the bicycle riders.
The Hike at Camel’s Back is Not Difficult
Depending on how far you want to hike, the trails at Camel’s Back Park are not incredibly difficult — think of it as a daily walk or a great place to get your dogs some quick exercise.
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The only thing that may be slightly more difficult is the stone stairway up the side of the hill, as it’s pretty steep. However, it’s also not incredibly tall so by the time you start to get winded, it will be over.
Camel’s Back Park is Dog Friendly
Camel’s Back Park is a dog-friendly park in Boise, although it is an on-leash park only — so feel free to bring your dogs for a hike or run. Although it’s not recommended to have them climb the stone stairway — because of the steepness and occasional slick nature, it’s also not banned.
There are plenty of trails up the hill though and dogs seem to love the park and the diverse nature of what it offers.
Boise is a very dog-friendly town, so the nature of it being a dog-friendly park is not that out of the ordinary.
Just like anywhere else you might bring your dog, you should be prepared to clean up after your dog while at the park.
Camel’s Back Has Some of the Best Views in Boise
Once you get to the top of Camel’s Back Park in Boise, the views are amazing and nearly 360 degrees. You can see downtown, the Boise Northend, and probably your own home or hotel.
As you walk along the trails, the views from Camel’s Back Park vary and it’s a great place for a photo shoot or just to admire the beauty of Boise.
