The Completely Free Garden Hiding in an Idaho City Park is a Must-Visit

One of the many things I love about Boise is its incredible parks. From traditional parks with plenty of grassy areas to those with accessible playgrounds and artificial river surfing waves, there are dozens of places to spend an afternoon in the City of Trees. One of the most well-known parks in Boise is Julia Davis Park, which is home to many unique outdoor areas including one of our favorites — the Boise Rose Garden.

Julia Davis Park is Boise’s oldest city park. This unique space dates back to 1907 when Thomas Davis donated 43 acres of land to honor his wife Julia. Today, this area is home to many traditional and one-of-a-kind features such as the Abraham Lincoln Statue and the Window to the River Memorial.

It is also home to the beautiful and bucket-list-worthy Boise Rose Garden. This garden is completely free to visit and absolutely gorgeous. It is one spot where you’ll want to wander rather than rush right through.

The Rose Garden is certainly not new at Julia Davis Park. It actually began in 1935 with a Men's Garden Club known as "Cut Worms." Several years later, in 1939, more than 2,000 roses were planted and the Rose Garden was officially dedicated.

Approximately 80 years later, you can still see nearly 2,400 roses bloom. In fact, this garden has dozens of varieties of roses (and in all colors). When you visit, walk around, admire the colors, and smell the flowers. There’s no rush when you are here and it’s a great way to enjoy some time in nature without ever leaving the city.

However, keep in mind that the garden can be reserved for weddings and various events. To reserve this area, there is a small fee. And if you are visiting and an event is taking place, please be respectful of others.

While there is so much to love about Julia Davis Park, the oldest city park in Boise, the Rose Garden is certainly one standout feature. It’s one attraction where you really should stop and smell the roses.

For more information on Julia Davis Park and its several features, visit the City of Boise website.

Have you ever visited the Rose Garden in Boise? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments. And if you want to spend a day at the park, check out one of our favorite travel bags, perfect for carrying all of your must-have gear no matter where you go.