Ann Morrison Park
4.7(4.9K)google
4.5(26)yelp
FamilyOutdoorRiver
Overview
Ann Morrison Park is a 153-acre (62 ha) urban park along the Boise River in Boise, Idaho. The park is managed by the Boise Parks and Recreation Department and includes picnic facilities, bocce courts, a disc golf course, horseshoe pits, an outdoor gym, a volleyball court, a playground, tennis courts, and fields for softball, soccer, cricket, and football. During the summer, people host events such as picnics, fireworks, and races.
Practical Info
Every day6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeSummer (June to August) is fantastic, especially during the late August 'Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic' when hundreds of hot air balloons lift off from the grass fields. For regular days, 5:30 PM to dusk is perfect; the setting sun glints off the massive fountain spray and provides beautiful lighting across the riverfront meadows.
Getting TherePerched along the south bank of the Boise River. You can take VRT Bus Route 1 or 2, exiting directly at the W Ann Morrison Park Dr loop. Given its immense 153-acre size, driving is highly practical; the park features multiple sprawling, completely free open parking fields adjacent to the playgrounds and river launch ramps.
Travel Tips
- This site serves as the official extraction point for summer river tubing; expect absolute gridlock and zero open parking spaces between 14:00 and 18:00 daily.
- The designated off-leash dog zone operates strictly from November through February; during all other months, standard municipal leash laws are strictly enforced.
- Wading or swimming in the ornamental fountains or irrigation ponds is prohibited due to high bacteria counts originating from resident waterfowl populations.
Reviews
Positive
- A massive urban park featuring smooth open lawns, a huge fountain, and a professional disc golf course open free to the public.
- As the official end point for Boise River tubing, it's lively in summer with well-organized changing rooms, rinses, and shuttles.
- Shaded by dense trees, wild ducks and Canada geese roam everywhere; benches and picnic tables are kept very clean for family gatherings.
- Features multiple large free parking lots, ensuring zero parking stress for drivers, with multiple paths leading directly to the Greenbelt.
Heads up
- Due to heavy bird life, extensive lawns and river paths are dotted with goose droppings, forcing you to constantly watch your step.
- During hot summer middays, shade is mostly restricted to path edges, leaving the central lawns and playgrounds boiling hot without awnings.
- During peak floating weekends, thousands of tubers arrive at once, causing long restroom lines and deteriorating cleanliness by evening.
- The park is immense but lacks directory signs at crucial internal junctions, making it easy for newcomers to get lost hunting for sports fields.