Military Reserve Trails
Boise, Idaho
Hike and Mountain Bike
This 460 acre natural area is named for Ft. Boise and the associated military maneuvers that were performed here between the 1860's and 1940's. The area served several purposes, including the staging of gunnery practice into the hills above. After the military halted its operations, the community recognized the importance of this area and the Boise Front for recreation and wildlife values. Boise City acquired title to the property from the Federal government for "recreation and public purposes". It is managed as a recreation and wildlife reserve, with human activities allowed in ways that do not detract from the natural values.
More Information
Military Reserve
Military Reserve, with direct access from Downtown Boise, is an incredible place to experience all the Boise Foothills have to offer. From blooming wildflowers in the sprint to vibrant colors in the fall, there is an experience for users of all ages and abilities to explore. The 734-acre area is named in honor of the history of Fort Boise which was formerly located at the site. After the military halted its operations, the community recognized the importance of this area and the Boise Front for recreation and wildlife. The City of Boise eventually acquired the title to the property from the federal government for “recreation and public purposes.” in addition to the trails that wind through the hills, Military reserve is also home to the J.A. And Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation Bike Park as well as a fenced dog park.
https://www.ridgetorivers.org/trails/trail-areas/military-reserve/Never modify trail features. Ride trails when they're dry enough that you won't leave ruts. Speak up when you see others on the trail and always yield to hikers, horses, and others coming uphill. Always ride on the established trail.
Read MoreBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Boise, Idaho
- Head southeast on I-184 E (0.2 mi)
- Continue onto W Myrtle St (1.1 mi)
- Turn left onto S Broadway AveParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(0.4 mi)
- Continue onto Ave B (0.2 mi)
- Continue onto E Fort St (223 ft)
- Turn right onto Reserve St (0.3 mi)
- Turn left onto Mountain Cove RdDestination will be on the right(0.4 mi)
Two trailheads accessing this area are located along Mountain Cove Road. Cottonwood Creek Trailhead is located .5 miles up Mountain Cove Road from the Reserve Street intersection. Freestone Trailhead is located another .4 miles further on Mountain Cove Road. Both are located on the east side of the road.
Other Mountain Bike Trails and Hiking Trails Nearby
Shane's Loop
Boise, Idaho
0.1 miles EA winding mountain bike loop near Boise that climbs past a shooting range to the ridge, tackles Three Bears, and descends hard before looping back with multiple trail options to the parking area.
Mountain Bike
Lower Hulls Gulch
Boise, Idaho
0.3 miles SA fast, shuttle-friendly downhill mountain bike run near Boise — half a mile of quick downhill on 8th Street, then flowing Lower Hulls Gulch singletrack past hikers to the bottom parking lot.
Mountain Bike
Three Bears #26, Trail #5, Fat Tire #42, Trail #4
Boise, Idaho
0.5 miles NEA connector route through the Boise Foothills linking Military Reserve to 8th Street and Hulls Gulch via a mix of old roadbed, bench-cut singletrack, and a shared OHV downhill.
Mountain Bike
kestrel, military connector, shanes, watchman
Boise, Idaho
1.0 miles SWHard pack with narrow and steep sections on Watchman make this Boise-area trail network a solid challenge for riders who want some climbing with their ride.
Mountain Bike
Kestrel, Sidewinder, Hulls Gultch
Boise, Idaho
1.2 miles NWBoise's go-to two-hour mountain bike epic — climb gradually on Kestrel, grind up the twisting Sidewinder ridge, then bomb down Hulls Gulch on aggressive singletrack the locals call the freeway.
Mountain Bike
Central Foothills
Boise, Idaho
1.2 miles NWIdaho's Central Foothills offer access to over 19,000 miles of trails — from paved urban paths to remote wilderness climbs, including the 1,200-mile Idaho Centennial Trail.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Kestrel, Crestline, Red Cliffs and Chickadee Ridge
Boise, Idaho
1.3 miles NWA popular Boise Foothills loop linking Kestrel, Crestline, Red Cliffs, and Chickadee Ridge — be prepared to share the trail with hikers and plenty of dogs.
Mountain Bike
Red Fox Loop
Boise, Idaho
1.3 miles NWA shorter, beginner-friendly Boise Foothills loop with all the variety of Hulls Gulch — climbs and descents without the extreme grades, rideable at a casual pace in about 30 minutes.
Mountain Bike
kestrel, military connector, shanes, watchman, sidewinder, red cliffs
Boise, Idaho
1.3 miles NWHard-packed trails with narrow, steep sections on Watchman and some good challenging climbs across this multi-trail network in the Boise foothills.
Mountain Bike
Red Cliffs
Boise, Idaho
1.4 miles NWSmooth singletrack riding in the hills near Boise — a clean, flowing trail for a satisfying ride.
Mountain Bike
Crest Line To Lower Hull's Gulch
Boise, Idaho
1.5 miles NA nice mountain bike loop starting on Crestline and looping back via Lower Hull's Gulch in the Boise foothills.
Mountain Bike
Corral Loop
Boise, Idaho
1.9 miles NA double-track foothills loop climbing to Bonneville Point, a historic Oregon Trail landmark, with rewarding ridge-line views and a fast downhill return.
Mountain Bike
Hillside to the Hollow
Boise, Idaho
2.1 miles NWOpen space in the central Boise foothills with multi-use trails offering an accessible, enjoyable ride on familiar terrain.
Mountain Bike 1.4 mi
Table Rock
Boise, Idaho
2.4 miles SEDirectly above downtown Boise, Table Rock rewards hikers with panoramic city, valley, and foothills views — especially stunning at sunrise or sunset, when the iconic white cross lights up on the peak.
Hike
Corrals
Boise, Idaho
2.7 miles NA wide trail connecting to Bob's, Scotts, 8th Street, and Hard Guy access — less traveled than Hulls Gulch, with some ripping descents and nice scenery in the Boise foothills.
Mountain Bike
8th Street Motorcycle Trail
Boise, Idaho
2.8 miles NESteep, rocky, and sandy mountain biking near Boise where motorcycles have carved up the first half — the second half delivers the classic technical singletrack challenge you came for.
Mountain Bike
Orchard / 5 Mile / Watchman
Boise, Idaho
4.0 miles EOrchard Gulch, 5 Mile Gulch, and Watchman form a connected upper foothills network above Boise with good gulch riding, bench-cut exposure, and great views of the city.
Mountain Bike
Polecat Gulch
Garden City, Idaho
4.4 miles NWWinding singletrack through Polecat Gulch on the Polecat Loop and connector trails, with nice area views and a few sandy stretches.
Mountain Bike
Full Sail
Boise, Idaho
5.5 miles NWA contour-hugging mountain bike trail near Boise that follows the hillside toward town and connects up with Buena Vista.
Mountain Bike
Seaman's Gulch
Garden City, Idaho
6.9 miles NWA ridgeline mountain bike trail near Garden City with a short steep climb or a longer gradual option from the water tank, connecting to Valley View and Wild Phlox Trails for multiple loop possibilities.
Mountain BikeNearby Campsites
Irish Boat Ramps
Boise, Idaho
9.9 miles EA year-round scramble starting at a Boise-area reservoir and climbing steeply up an old Jeep road along a ridgeline — the first 1.5 miles are very steep, with bumps and pine trees along the way.
Camp
Badger Creek Campground
Boise City-Nampa, ID, Idaho
23.8 miles EA small 5-site riverside campground at 3,200-foot elevation on the Middle Fork of the Boise River, with fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and whitefish and access to the William Pogue National Recreational Trail nearby.
Camp
Roystone Hot Springs
Emmett, Idaho
24.5 miles NA private heated pool, huge hot tub, party room, and recreation area at Roystone Hot Springs in Sweet, Idaho — about 50 minutes from Boise for a relaxing day of soaking.
Camp, Hot Springs
Loftus Hot Spring
Mountain Home, Idaho
29.8 miles ELoftus Hot Spring is a free Boise National Forest soak on the Middle Fork Boise River, with a hot waterfall between ~110F and ~104F pools.
Camp, Hot Springs
Pine Flat Hot Springs
Garden Valley, Idaho
39.4 miles NEAn aqua-blue hot spring pool at the base of a small waterfall on the South Fork Payette River — just a quarter mile from Pine Flat Campground in the Boise National Forest.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Hot Springs, Kayak, Whitewater
Kirkham Hot Springs Campground
Lowman, Idaho
44.6 miles NEMultiple hot waterfalls flowing into shallow rock pools right along a highway 21 pullout near the Boise National Forest — popular in both summer and winter seasons.
Camp, Hot Springs
Park Creek Campground
Lowman, Idaho
45.5 miles NEA small, tranquil campground in an old-growth forest along Park Creek in the Baker Lake basin, close to Baker Lake and the larger Swift Creek Campground.
Camp
