“Les bois, les bois, voyez les bois!” exclaimed the French-born surveyor, Captain B.L.E. Bonne

ville and his exploratory party as they traveled west and came upon what is now called the Boise River. After weeks of travel through the dry and dusty high-desert areas, their exclamation (and the translation of) “The trees, the trees, look at the trees!” was certainly justified. Years later the valley town was named Boise, the City of Trees.

        Coming off a hot summer in the Treasure Valley, we again welcome “the trees” as the days get shorter, the weather begins to cool, and autumn’s leaves begin to change colors. The City of Trees transforms into an array of gold, orange, red, and brown leaf color.  It’s the perfect family day trip, taking your children on a fall leaf walk through the parks and along the Boise River or taking a family drive through the mountains, forests, and state parks.

        For fall colors close to home, families can take an afternoon and enjoy the Boise Parks system along the Boise River and the Greenbelt. Popular sites for fall color can be found within Ann Morrison, Kathryn Albertson, and Julia Davis Parks, with sugar maples, cottonwoods, a variety of oak trees, white ash, sweet gum, ginkgo, and more. Flowering pear trees line Harrison Blvd., creating a spectacular backdrop to this historic neighborhood.

        Venture outside the city limits and make plans for a family drive to enjoy a fall picnic or hike. The Payette River Scenic Byway (heading north up Highway 55 toward McCall) is a blaze of fall color as the season begins to change. Check in with ranger stations regarding weather and conditions; higher elevations will see leaves turning color much earlier in the fall season; the colors and intensity can vary quickly within a week or two in the fall.

MAKE FALL OUTING PLANS

Community Forestry Unit of the Boise Parks & Recreation Dept.
www.cityofboise.org/parks/forestry
384-4083

Idaho’s Scenic Byways
www.idahobyways.gov/
334-8214

U.S. Forest Service
www.fs.fed.us/ (for a complete list)

*Boise National Forest
373-4100

* Payette National Forest
(208) 634-0700

* Sawtooth National Forest
(208) 737-3200

Idaho Dept. of Commerce

Idaho Tourism Development
www.visitidaho.org
334-2470

Idaho Parks and Recreation
parksandrecreation.idaho.gov
334-4199