Skip to content

Justin Murillo | Amherst Madison

(805) 720-9197
Hillside homes above Boise at golden hour with the valley and early city lights below

Boise neighborhood guide

Living in the Boise Foothills

Hillside homes with views across the valley and trails close by, about 10 to 15 minutes from downtown.

Text Justin about the foothills

The short version

The Boise Foothills are the hills along the north edge of the city, where neighborhoods like the Highlands sit above the valley with views across Boise. Homes tend to be larger, on bigger or hillside lots, and the Ridge to Rivers trail system is close by. In the Highlands, the median sale price was about $1.1 million over the three months through August 2026. Before you buy, learn the wildfire building rules and how the driveway handles winter.

At a glance

Location
north edge of Boise, along Bogus Basin Road and up Dry Creek
Highlands median sale price (Jun to Aug 2026)
about $1.1 million
Drive to downtown
about 10 to 15 minutes
Trails
more than 220 miles in the Ridge to Rivers system
Watch for
wildfire rules, steep driveways, and winter roads

Where are the Boise Foothills?

The foothills rise along the north side of Boise, above the North End and the East End. Bogus Basin Road climbs through the Highlands toward Bogus Basin, about 16 miles up the road. Farther northwest, Hidden Springs sits in the Dry Creek Valley. See the area on the neighborhood map.

What neighborhoods are in the Boise Foothills?

  • The Highlands: along Bogus Basin Road, with homes from the 1950s and 60s near the bottom of the hill and newer homes higher up. Crane Creek Country Club, a private golf club, sits in the middle of it. Highlands Elementary is on Bogus Basin Road.
  • Hidden Springs: a planned community in the Dry Creek Valley, with more than 3,000 residents and more than 800 acres of open space protected by a conservation easement. It has its own elementary school and a small town center. Hidden Springs is in unincorporated Ada County, not the City of Boise, so some services and rules are different.
  • Hillside streets where homes sit close to trailheads, above the North End and East End neighborhoods.

How much do homes cost in the Boise Foothills?

Foothills homes are some of the priciest in Boise. In the Highlands, the median sale price was about $1.1 million over the three months through August 2026, according to Redfin. Across Ada County, the median for single-family homes was $595,000. Views, lot size, and how high up the hill a home sits all move the price. Text me your budget and I'll show you what it buys up here.

What's it like to live in the Boise Foothills?

You get views, quiet, and trails close to home. A few highlights:

  • Ridge to Rivers: more than 220 miles of trails across the foothills, managed by the City of Boise, Ada County, and federal and state partners.
  • Hawkins Range Reserve: 393 acres about 7 miles up Bogus Basin Road, with a 5.7-mile loop trail.
  • Skiing and year-round trails at Bogus Basin about 16 miles up the road.
  • Open space that stays open: Boise voters have passed three levies since 2001 to protect foothills land, and more than 12,500 acres have been protected so far.

One trail rule to know: when trails are muddy, stay off them. Ridge to Rivers asks that if you are leaving tracks, you turn back.

What should you check before buying in the Boise Foothills?

  • Wildfire rules: much of the foothills is in Boise's Wildland Urban Interface overlay. New homes, large additions, and some remodels have to meet wildfire standards for roofs, siding, vents, and defensible space. Ask about insurance early.
  • Driveways and winter roads: steep driveways and hillside streets can be tough in snow and ice. Drive the route in winter if you can.
  • City or county: Hidden Springs and some foothills areas are outside Boise city limits. Check who provides services and which rules apply.
  • HOA rules and fees: common in foothills subdivisions, and they vary a lot.
  • Views can change: ask what's planned on nearby open land.

Who are the Boise Foothills best for?

Good fit if you: want views, trails close to home, and a quieter street, and your budget has room for it.

Maybe not if you: want to walk to shops and restaurants, want a flat lot with an easy winter driveway, or want the most house for your money. Look at the North End or Northwest Boise instead.

Boise Foothills: the short version

  • The Boise Foothills are the hills along the north edge of the city, with neighborhoods like the Highlands and Hidden Springs.
  • Homes tend to be larger, on bigger or hillside lots, many with views across the valley.
  • In the Highlands, the median sale price was about $1.1 million over the three months through August 2026.
  • More than 220 miles of Ridge to Rivers trails are close by, and downtown is about 10 to 15 minutes away.
  • Before you buy, learn the wildfire building rules and how the driveway handles winter.

Boise Foothills: common questions

How much does a home in the Boise Foothills cost?

In the Highlands, the median sale price was about $1.1 million over the three months through August 2026, according to Redfin.

How many miles of trails are in the Boise Foothills?

The Ridge to Rivers system manages more than 220 miles of trails across the Boise Foothills.

Is Hidden Springs part of Boise?

No. Hidden Springs is a planned community in unincorporated Ada County, in the Dry Creek Valley northwest of Boise.

Do foothills homes have wildfire building rules?

Yes. Much of the foothills is in Boise's Wildland Urban Interface overlay, which sets standards for roofs, siding, vents, and defensible space on new homes and larger remodels.

How far are the Boise Foothills from downtown?

About 10 to 15 minutes by car, depending on how far up the hill you live.

Nearby areas to compare

A tree-lined North End street in Boise with craftsman homes glowing at dusk

North End

Boise's most walkable neighborhood. Tree-lined streets, early 1900s to 1940s bungalows, and Hyde Park's coffee shops and restaurants a few blocks away. Camel's Back Park and the foothills trails sit at the top of the neighborhood.

Compare
Historic homes on Warm Springs Avenue in Boise East End with the foothills behind

East End

The historic homes along Warm Springs Avenue, some still heated by Boise's geothermal water, with Table Rock and the foothills right behind them. Quieter than the North End and just as close to downtown.

Compare
A tree-lined residential street in Northwest Boise with large lots and mature trees

Northwest Boise

Collister, Pierce Park, and the neighborhoods between the river and the foothills. Larger lots, mature trees, and a quieter feel, about 15 minutes from downtown.

Compare

Sources

Justin Murillo, REALTOR with Amherst Madison

Written by Justin Murillo, REALTOR® with Amherst Madison

Last updated: September 2026

Looking at the foothills?

Text me your budget and what matters most, views, trails, or lot size. I'll send you what's for sale in the foothills and the nearby areas worth comparing.

Call or Text Justin Get a neighborhood shortlist

Justin Murillo, REALTOR® · Amherst Madison · (805) 720-9197

Call Justin Text Justin