Idaho is famous for having outdoor recreation so readily available to all. It can offer pretty much anything to the ultimate adventurer. Snow shoeing, rock climbing, hiking, hunting, water skiing are all pretty much at your fingertips no matter where you go in Idaho. Even the State’s most urbanized region has not one, but two recreational lakes, each conveniently located on opposite ends of the valley for maximum convenience and accessibility.

Yeah, that sounds like Idaho.

Here are the Treasure Valley’s best spots for outdoor aquatic fun:

• Lucky Peak

Only about ten minutes from Boise, Sandy Point is a great spot for swimming and sunbathing. Dogs are welcome at Discovery Park, but not at Sandy Point.

Have a boat or jet skis? It’s just another 40 or so minutes from Sandy Point beach to the marina at Spring Shores. This is the best and closest place to Boise for water skiing,  jet skiing, and boating. Dogs are welcome at Spring Shores as long as they stay on a leash.

• Indian Creek

Find Indian Creek’s greenbelt and disc golf course in Kuna. There are several spots with lovely view of the creek. These have picnic tables large enough for the whole family.  The rope swings along the bank are popular spots for kids to swim, just a few feet from the greenbelt.

• Eagle Island

This beautiful park is an island in the middle of the Boise river, and is a wonderful place for swimming, paddling, fishing, and kayaking. Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, but not in the water as Eagle Island has adopted a strict “no dogs in the lake” policy. The park has more than five miles of trails open to foot traffic for hiking, dog walking, and horseback riding. They even have a waterslide that opens Memorial Day weekend!

• Lake Lowell

If you live further west, Lake Lowell might be the place for you. Motorized boating is open from April 15th to September 30th, so make some time to get out on the water before the summer passes by. Lake Lowell also has a park with some lovely shady spots, footpaths for walking, and a disc golf course.

• Boise River

Floating the river is now a major part of the local Boise culture. Every year more than 100,000 locals chill out for a little while on hot summer days floating on a raft or inner tube with the gentle flow of the Boise river. There are plenty of rental places to either buy or rent all the necessary items like life jackets and rafts. There are even shuttle services to help you back to your vehicle or picnic spot after the trip.

• Quinn’s Pond

Quinn’s Pond is too small for boats, but swimming, kayaking, and paddle-boarding are all common activities there. This park is on the greenbelt between Main Street and Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. Unfortunately pets, other than service animals are not allowed.

So there you have it! Grab your sunscreen and GO! find a local swimming hole.