Looking for Sledding Spots this Winter? Here's 13 Sledding spots in and around the Treasure Valley.
The snow is coming down, and that means it's time for sledding!
Growing in up in Idaho, winters were long and dark. Yet, nothing put a smile on me or my siblings face like snow flying and the idea of sledding. When I was a kid, we had to depend on local hills and parks for free sledding. Those local sledding spots are still there, but now Idaho has expanded the sledding options.
When the snow starts coming down, here are 13 sledding and tubing spots to check out this Winter.
Free Sledding in the Treasure Valley
- Camel’s Back Park
- Simplot Hill
- The Military Reserve
- Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park
- Hewett Park
- Mallard Park
- Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve
- Pickles Butte
Tubing Hills around the Treasure Valley
9. Gateway Parks: Eagle Island
10. Bogus Basin
Free Sledding Spots in the Treasure Valley
1. Camels Back Park
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free
Location: 1200 Heron St, Boise, ID 83702
Camel’s Back Park is a local favorite in the Winter. The City has gone above and beyond in the last few years and realized that kids hurtling towards trees may not be a good idea.
In preparation for Winter recreation they have started putting hay bails around the trees facing the hill, to cushion the landing if you steer your sled astray.
Great for all ages, this is a fun free sledding location that’s close to downtown. Even better it’s in walking distance to Hyde Park if you’re feeling like some hot cocoa or… some hot cocoa for the kids and a hot toddy for the parents.
2. Simplot Hill
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free
Location: 4000 Simplot Ln, Boise, ID 83702
Awe Simplot Hill… previously owned and donated to the State of Idaho by the very wealthy J.R Simplot. It served as the official Governor’s residence 2009-2013, when it was returned, and then subsequently demolished in 2016. The house is gone, but the hill still stands.
Growing up here, this was your ice blocking destination. You could sail down the hill, across the road, and into the church parking lot. These days, with increased traffic, I wouldn’t recommend sailing across the road. However, you can sail down the face of the hill without too many issues.
You can park across the street, in the school parking lot, or along the side road. I would not recommend parking along the main road as it may be dangerous jumping out of your car and unloading your gear.
This hill has a long hike, and it can be very steep in some areas. You will have to walk up the hill yourself, and I would recommend a few trial runs before climbing to the top. The hill can be steep, and if you climb too high, you WILL GET SOME SPEED! Bring your own sled, and make sure you bundle up.
3. Military Reserve
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free Sledding
Location: 750 Mountain Cove Rd, Boise, ID 83702
Military Reserve is a 734 acre parkland that sits right behind the VA hospital downtown. It offers an amazing opportunity for free sledding as soon as the snow is deep enough. You can park at Military Reserve, and sled down the hills that are used thru the Summer months as biking trails.
If you drive back slightly further into the reserve and are willing to hike a few 100 yards there are even more hills to explore. These areas will have some sagebrush and obstacles, so I recommend these hills for heavier snow years.
4. Julius M. Kleiner Park: Meridian
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free Sledding
Location: Kleiner Memorial Pkwy, Meridian, ID 83642
Located right next to the Village, this free sledding spot is ideal for toddlers and little humans. The hill isn’t very steep, so it’s great for quick rides for the little ones.
It’s right next to the village, so you can wonder over after and grab a hot cocoa or some food. The Village usually will also be hosting santa, and offers Winter ice skating right in the center.
This park only has 1 sledding hill, so if looking for a bigger hill I would check out some of the other parks. If you’re looking for a large area in Meridian for snow ball fights, building snowman, or just playing in the snow this place is great.
5. Hewett Park
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free
Location: 11211 W McMillan Road
6 acres of open park to find the perfect location for free sledding. It’s located only 15 minutes west of downtown Boise, which makes it ideal for Meridian sledders as well.
The park is great for smaller children, as the park features short and low grade sledding hills. For the older kids, this is a great location for building snow forts, snowman, or having an epic snowball fight.
The park is open until dusk, and features 2 outdoor parks in addition to the small sledding hills.
6. Mallard Park: Caldwell
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free
Location: 15200 S 10th Ave, Caldwell, ID 83607
Mallard Park located close to Lake Lowell, and in Caldwell is a great sledding hill for young kids. It has a park, gazebo, and bathrooms.
The hills have fairly small slopes, perfect for small kids. There are wide open spaces, perfect for other winter snow activities. Dogs are allowed making it perfect for family outings.
7. Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free
Location: 5301 N Maple Grove Rd, Boise, ID 83704
Important: No pets per city code. (Bird Sanctuary)
Hyatt Hidden Lakes Reserve is a 53-acre haven for birds, animals and people located on the edge of Boise’s West Bench featuring trailheads, pathways and overlook areas. Restrooms are open year round for summer and Winter fun.
The Reserve is right below the bench, featuring steeper sledding hills for the family. Try and stay on the trail areas, and be careful to not bulldoze the plants if you can help it.
Technically this would be considered Garden City sledding, however it’s about midway between Meridian and Boise. Making it fun for the whole family if coming from any of the three cities.
8. Pickles Butte: Nampa
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Free
Location: See map above
Pickles Butte is the highest point in Canyon County and a fun free sledding hills for Caldwell and Nampa locals.
The county landfill is located on Butte’s North Slopes, however the Southern slopes, and adjacent areas make great sledding hills.
Recreationally this space in the summer is used for ATV’s and motorcycle trails, in the winter some people will snow bike. It has a great view of the Owyhee Mountains, and is a large area for multiple groups.
If you’re looking for sledding in Caldwell/Nampa, here is your spot.
Tubing Hills around the Treasure Valley
9. Eagle Island: Gateway Parks
Hours: Wed-Fri: 12:30-9pm and Weekends/Holidays: 9am-9pm
Price: 25-30$ Depending on the hours
Season Pass: 189$ but limited to one booking per day
Season Lasts: Nov-March
Location: 165 Eagle Island Pkwy, Eagle, ID 83616
Gateway Parks is a newer feature to the Treasure Valley in the last decade offering consistent sledding conditions thru the Winter season.
They make their own snow, so you don’t have to wait for the winter flurries. They offer day and Season passes, however know that with the Season Pass you’re still limited to one session per day.
Sessions are broken up into 90 minutes of pure adrenaline and fun. You do not need to bring your own sled, as the tubes are provided. Dreading walking the hill? They have a magic carpet that brings you right to the top.
Does Gateway Parks offer food? YES. They have hot cocoa, ciders, nachos, pretzels, and other snacks. They also have a large gazebo with picnic tables and a warm fire to keep you warm. You can bring your own snacks to eat at the gazebo as well.
Do I have to pay if I’m just watching? Nope, you can sit back, sip your cocoa, and watch the kids and other thrill seekers fly down the hill. Only tube sledders have to pay for the sessions.
Do I have to pay for parking at Gateway Parks? If you have State Parks Pass, parking is free, otherwise 7$ for the day.
With no age restrictions/or weight restrictions, everyone is welcome to enjoy sledding throughout the Winter rain, shine, or snow.
10. Bogus Basin-Tubing Hill
Hours: Friday-Sunday: Friday 10:30-3pm, Sat/Sun: 9-3pm
Price: 24$ includes tube
Location: Bogus Basin, Idaho 8362
Featuring an 800 foot long tubing hill, Bogus is a thrill seekers dream. At the bottom, a conveyor-lift is there to take you back to the top, allowing you to ride again and again.
It’s alongside the parking lot at Bogus Basin, and about a 45 minute drive outside of Boise.
Sessions are broken up into 90 minute sessions, so make sure to call ahead to buy tickets. The 24$ purchase price includes the full 90 minutes, and the tube.
Can more than one person be on a tube? No, only 1 person per tube.
Do I need to wear anything specific for tubing? Wear warm clothes, but make sure you don’t wear ski boots, or anything with metal clips as it can damage the tubes.
Does Bogus have food? Yes, Bogus offers 2 main lodges within the vicinity of the tubing hill. There is alcoholic beverages for purpose, and a full grill upstairs the main lodge. The smaller food shack offers sandwiches’ and snack options.
Is there sitting area at Bogus? Yes, if you want to pack a cooler and bring your own lunch and beer there is seating areas. They also have a fire pit to warm your hands while you sip cocoa.
Can I buy or rent snow clothes at Bogus? While the store does have ski/snowboard boots, and some gloves/gear for purchase, I strongly recommend brining all of your own clothes: boots, gloves, ski goggles, and water-proof snow pants. I also recommend hand warmers for those of you like me whose hands go numb when you get done tubing.
11. Activity Barn: McCall, ID
Hours: Fri:2-6pm, Sat: 10-6pm, Sun: 12pm-4pm
Price: Pre-Purchased Online 29$, Walk up tickets 39$
Location: 141 Moonridge Dr, McCall, ID 83638
Looking for an exciting winter activity in McCall? McCall’s exciting snow tubing hill offers freshly groomed lanes, friendly staff, and endless fun!
How far is Activity Barn from Boise? Located 2 hours from the treasure valley, this is more of a weekend trip. You can come up for the day, but I recommend staying in Donnelly or McCall for the weekend.
Top to bottom, ride the Magic Carpet conveyor belt to lap the hill in just 7 minutes!
Sessions are 2 hours long with no age requirement. Children must be at least 36″ tall and need to be able to pull their own tube. No Lap Riding.
The tubing hill is located right outside McCall, and I would recommend bringing your own cooler with food and beverages for post tubing carb load.
They do have a small office, but don’t provide any winter gear. Make sure to bundle up, and bring your own snow gear.
Can I use my own tube? No, tubes are provided for you.
12. Steamboat Gulch Tubing Hill: Idaho City
Hours: Mon-Fri, Sat and Sunday at 11 until snow is gone
Price: Full car parking fee: 25$ / 5 people car load, or 10$ each to walk in.
Location: Road 304, Idaho City, ID 83631
Steamboat Gulch in Idaho City is located just an hour from Boise and a great day trip for the family. There are 5 different sled runs to enjoy.
The location is great as you can tailgate in the parking lot, and start a fire. You can pay 10$ and they will give you split wood and kindling. You can bring your own, but make sure there are no nails or metal attached.
Are dogs allowed at Steamboat Gulch? Yes, on leash in certain areas. They cannot be on the landing, the area below the sledding hill.
Is there food? They do offer Steamboat Eats, which is basically the local Steamboat restaurant bringing food to the location. If you want to stop by Seasons after, you’ll get a 10% discount for paying for the sledding hill.
Do they provide sleds? For a 10$ rental they do offer sleds, however I recommend bringing your own gear!
13. Hermit's Hollow Tubing Center-Schweitzer
Hours: 11:30-7pm
Price: 22$ for 90 minute session: Call ahead to book
Location: 10000 Schweitzer Mountain Rd. Sandpoint, ID 83864
So technically not in Southern Idaho, this Northern Idaho tubing hill is fun for families and kids of all ages. Featuring 2 lanes of over 100 yards of sliding fun.
All Tubers must be at least 42″ tall to participate. Tickets have to be pre-purchased (online or by phone) for all tubing times as they will sell out.
Are tubes provided? Yes, included with the cost of entrance.