Harrison Hollow Trailhead and Parking
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Harrison Hollow offers a diverse hiking experience in Boise with superb city views, varied trails for all levels including an accessible main path, and additional recreational amenities near the parking area. It's notably dog-friendly and a great spot for both casual strolls and more strenuous training.
Key Highlights
- ✓Varied terrain with multiple loop options for diverse hiking experiences.
- ✓Superb panoramic views of the city, looking south from downtown to the Owyhees, and to the west.
- ✓Trails suitable for all levels, including an all-weather, accessible main trail.
- ✓Dog-friendly environment, popular with other hikers and their social dogs.
- ✓Additional amenities available next to the parking lot: a picnic table, horseshoe pit, and basketball hoops.
- ✓Excellent for fitness training due to included inclines and steep downhill sections.
Standout Features
- ⭐Multiple trails offering varied difficulty and scenic loops.
- ⭐Exceptional panoramic city views from multiple vantage points.
- ⭐Dedicated area for social dogs and their human companions.
- ⭐Accessible main trail suitable for various abilities and all-weather use.
- ⭐Convenient amenities by the parking lot: picnic table, horseshoe pit, and basketball hoops.
- ⭐Great for fitness training due to inclines and steep downhill sections.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Sun Protection:** Always bring water, wear a hat, and apply sun protection due to the complete lack of shade.
- →**Footwear:** Hiking shoes or a good pair of tennis shoes are sufficient for the terrain.
- →**Navigation:** Be aware that Google Maps may be outdated; look for new trails on-site.
- →**Trail Choice:** Stick to single-track trails and those on the sides of the hill; avoid the wide, slippery trails that go directly up the face due to erosion risks.
- →**Timing:** Consider visiting on a breezy or semi-warm day to mitigate the lack of shade.
Things to Consider
- ⚠No shade cover anywhere on the trails, making it challenging on hot or very sunny days.
- ⚠Certain areas are prone to erosion; wide trails going directly up the face of the hill are slippery and should be avoided.
- ⚠Google Maps is outdated and does not show the new trails.
- ⚠Confined area and narrow trails lead to high foot traffic, making it unsuitable for mountain biking.
Price & Value
Not mentioned in reviews; assumed free entry for public trails.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Features an 'all-weather, accessible main trail'.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Picnic tables available next to the parking lot, implying outside food is welcome for picnics. No explicit rules on trailside food were mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking was described as 'great' and readily available next to the trailhead.
- •The trailhead can be accessed from Hillsdale Park.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can have 'lots of other hikers and their doggies'.
- •Known for 'more foot traffic' on trails.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Strong recommendation from users to stick to side trails and avoid wide, slippery face trails due to erosion and safety concerns.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Hot, sunny days without adequate sun protection and water, due to zero shade.
- • Mountain biking, as trails are narrow, confined, and have high foot traffic.
- • Hiking on the wide trails that go directly up the face of the hill, especially after rain, due to slipperiness and erosion risk.
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Parley Bates
7 months agoGreat hike! No shade. Easy terrain. Hiking shoes or a good pair of tennis shoes will do just fine. Bring water. This is a fantastic hike on a breezy day. 10/10 recommend. You can access the trailhead from Hillsdale park.
Tony and Janat H
3 years agoAnother fantastic place to hike in Boise! It has varied terrain with several loops and provides superb views of the city looking south, from downtown to the Owhyhees, and to the west. I wouldn't recommend it for mountain biking because of the confined area, narrow trails, more foot traffic, and a dog-friendly area. *Note*: Google Maps is out of date and doesn't show the new trails. The area is prone to erosion and we strongly recommend that you stick to the trails on the sides of the hill, not the one that go up the face (they are wide and slippery). The single track trails provide a more pleased hiking experience. 😊
Rosy Broncheau
5 years agoMy daughter and I hiked this trail for the first time. No shade so I would recommend going on a semi-warm day, take some water, and wear a hat. There is a picnic table, horse shoe pit, and basketball hoops next to parking lot. We didn't hike too far, but we did overlook some houses that were back in there.
laura alvarez
4 years agoParking was great. Lots of other hikers and their doggies!!! Great place to train if you are looking some inclines and steep down hill. Wear sun protection no Shade cover.
Cynthia Limber
a year agoGreat place for social dogs and their human friends. Lots of trails for all levels, incl. all-weather, accessible main trail.