Military Reserve Park

The Military Reserve Park is one of Boise’s less famous parks, but the trails through the foothills provide plenty of options for a natural, less manicured look than many of the parks right downtown.  Head southeast on Fort and turn left on Reserve, taking another left on Mountain Cove.  You’ll follow the road past the quarry, and immediately after the road curves to the right, you’ll see the first trailhead at Cottonwood Creek.  The trees arc high above the path, and the rustic fences and fallen logs are an added bonus.  It’s particularly pretty in autumn with the golden aspens!

Follow the path out of the woods for beautiful sunlight and more of a foothills look

Or stay in the trees for a woodland adventure

Find the hidden meadow by the parking lot if you look closely!

In May the hills are covered with these gorgeous blue wildflowers!

Drive further up the dirt road for these fascinatingly skeletal trees

Catch the spring green early before it all turns gold

Table Rock

You can get some great full-length portraits with the sweeping vistas up at Table Rock!  Be advised that there isn’t a lot of shade up there, though, nor a lot of variety of landscape.  If you love the rolling hills and dry sage, though, it can be a great pick.

Camelsback Park

Camelsback may only conjure images of hiking up the big hill by Hyde Park, but don’t forget about the other areas!  Try the Hull’s Gulch trail for a combination of forests, walking paths, and a small pond, head on up to the main hill for the perfect silhouette, or park up toward the Foothills Learning Center for the unique look of the Red Cliffs trail.

Veterans Memorial State Park

A little ways northwest of Boise, you’ll find Veterans Memorial State Park and Boise Lake Cascade.  The scenery is heavily forested here, much greener than you usually find in Boise, and with the many streams and lake shores, it’s a beautiful choice.  Just as pretty as Kathryn Albertson Park, and far less crowded!  Highly recommended in autumn with some of the Treasure Valley’s best foliage.

Getting into the water is optional!

MK Nature Center

Wedged between Municipal Park and the Greenbelt at the southeast corner of downtown, the MK Nature Center boasts beautiful wooden bridges, small ponds and mossy streams, flowerbeds bursting with color, rustic fences, and some really great lattice-work.  Consider pairing it with the Old Idaho Penitentiary down the road for a two-hour session!

Look for deer at the nature center – they can often be found prancing around the flowerbeds!

The lattice work is perfect for a natural frame!

Old Idaho Penitentiary

The bannister of the Warden’s House is a perfect perch

Underwhelmed by the idea of going to prison for your portrait session?  Don’t be!  The Old Idaho Penitentiary is one of my very favorite portrait locations in Boise, and one of the most underrated!  While you can work some gothic grungy magic with the prison bars or even pay the admission fee to venture inside, you’re free to wander the grounds and balconies of the historic buildings – some of the best old architecture in Boise.  Be sure to check out the beautiful columns of the Bishop’s House and graceful gazebo/arch on the grounds!

Even on a snowy day, this arch is lovely!

A quiet bench by the columns of the Bishop’s House is a perfect photoshoot setting

The charming blue windows are, too!

Don’t forget the ancient-looking stonework

On a cold or rainy day, venture into the women’s ward (free admission, open until 5) for a vintage look

Or go for the gothic look with the prison bars!

The trail up to Table Rock through the foothills begins here, too.

The Greenbelt, Riverside edition

Looking for a more secluded area of the Greenbelt for your photoshoot?  Try parking on the west side of Glenwood by Riverside Park instead of the main Greenbelt parking lot on the east side, and take the gravel path through tall forests right by the river with scenic fences and a picturesque wooden footbridge.  Another plus?  No bikes are allowed, so no need to keep an eye out for speed demons!

Climbing a tree is completely optional!

Hidden Springs

Hidden Springs may not be the first suburb to jump to mind when you think photo locations, but if it’s a rustic or pastoral look you’re after, it’s a winner.  The historic Schick-Ostolasa farmstead (photography permission required) is perfect for your western barn look, with similar opportunities at the Community Barn next door.  From there it’s a 60-second drive or short walk to a favorite meadow of mine off Dry Creek Road with a tiny meandering dirt footpath, rustic fences, and a few forested areas with a small footbridge.

The farmhouse itself has a gorgeous quaint look to it…particularly good with matching mint-colored jeans.

Whether it’s the rustic wood of the farmstead or Union-Jack-style red doors of the Community Barn, you have plenty of options!

These rocks around the corner from the barn are a great addition to your Hidden Springs arsenal, too

From the farmstead, head left on Humphreys Way with another quick left on Dry Creek Road to park at the Red Tail trailhead for this great path

Catch Dry Creek Road when traffic is low for great street photo possibilities!

Finish reading about locations on Page 4 below!

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