Ready for some family adventure this summer? From a thrilling mountain coaster, bungee trampolines, and lift-served downhill biking, Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area has your family covered. Just because the snow has melted, the mountain adventures don’t have to stop. From thrill seekers to nature viewers, the Bogus Basin summer activities will entertain the whole family.
Bogus Basin is located only 16 miles outside of Boise, and as a non-profit, it truly makes outdoor recreation accessible for the local community.
Bogus Basin summer operations begin in June and run through early fall. Get ready for a full day of fun and adventure in the most beautiful surroundings.
You can purchase individual tickets or an unlimited pass which is $49 (13+ years) and $39 (ages 2 – 12). The unlimited pass includes access to:
- Glade Runner Mountain Coaster
- Scenic Chairlift
- Summer Tubing
- Bungee Trampolines
- Climbing Wall
Bogus Basin Mountain Coaster
The high-speed Glade Runner is Idaho’s only mountain coaster delivering 4,330 feet of thrills through the forest! The ride starts with a slow pull to the top of the track, and then your car is released for an adventure where you set the pace.
The coaster can reach up to 25 mph, but it feels much faster than that, especially when going around corners. The last time I rode this with my son, he kept pushing the handle forward wanting maximum speed.
Mountain Biking
There are trails for miles surrounding Bogus Basin! But if you’re seeking downhill thrills then the lift-served experience is perfect for you. The multi-use trails are spread out over 18 miles, so you can spend the day exploring the mountain’s terrain on your bike.
For those wanting to test their skills, the Basin Gravity Park will operate June – October and features 17 trail routes over 9 miles of adventurous bliss. Make sure to read the trail map to identify which trails are downhill-only to plan your routes. Click here to access Bogus Basin’s intro to mountain biking and trail maps.
Equipment is available to rent, so if you are new to this sport or from out of town — they have you covered!
Climbing Wall
Test your skills (and maybe fear of heights) on the 32′ climbing wall. The wall features an auto-belay system making the way down much easier. Each climber gets 15 minutes to make it to the top!
Scenic Chairlift
Not in the mood for jumping, speeding, or racing downhill? Then maybe a scenic chairlift ride is perfect for you. Enjoy a relaxing experience above the treeline. Hop off if you want to walk around and view the downtown skyline or stay on the lift for an easy round-trip journey.
Summer Tubing
The fun of tubing without the cold weather! Grab your tube and get on the magic carpet for an easy ride to the top of the hill. The 300′ lanes are perfect for a side-by-side race!
Bungee Trampolines
Whether you want to just jump or do flips and tricks, the bungees can be adjusted to your thrill level allowing you to jump more than 20′ into the air. This attraction isn’t just for kids, several adults were jumping (including me). It’s the perfect activity to remind you how much fun being a kid is!
Hiking, Dining, and Mining
In addition to the Bogus Basin summer activities above, many multi-use trails throughout the area are perfect for an afternoon stroll or hike. The forest is lush with towering trees, and the landscape is scattered with wildflowers during early summer.
Bring your food, chairs, and blankets to lounge out for the day. On weekends you’ll see groups with frisbees and yard games to make a full day at Bogus Basin. Don’t feel like bringing a picnic? Then purchase your food and drinks on site. There is a grill which has a good selection of options, including vegan items, and a full bar.
And little kids will love to discover things like fossils and gems at the Shafer Butte Mining Company. For only $10 they can select what they want to “mine” and head over to the station to pan for their treasures. The kits come with informational cards so they can learn about what they discovered. It’s always a hit with our son and is a casual activity to do when you’re ready to wind down.
Looking for additional unique things to do in Boise? Then check out this post with 16 ideas for your family!
