Look out from the deck at Malibu Manor and you’ll see it: the flat-topped mesa of Table Rock, with its white cross standing over the city. Our corner of Boise, the Warm Springs and Table Rock foothills, is one of the oldest and prettiest neighborhoods in town. It’s full of trails, history and some of the best sunset views in the Treasure Valley. Here’s our local guide to making the most of it.
Hike Table Rock
Table Rock is Boise’s signature hike, and it’s right in our backyard. Most people start from one of two trailheads:
- Old Idaho Penitentiary, the most popular start, with parking near the Old Pen and the Idaho Botanical Garden.
- Warm Springs Golf Course, on the north side of Warm Springs Avenue, for a loop that climbs up past the old sandstone quarry.
Depending on your route, expect roughly 3 to 4 miles round trip and about 750 to 900 feet of climbing. It’s a solid workout, but kids and casual hikers do it all the time. At the top you’ll find big views over downtown, the Boise River and the whole valley, plus the Table Rock cross.
Our tips:
- Go for sunrise or sunset. The light over the city is unforgettable.
- Bring water. There isn’t any at the trailheads, and there’s very little shade on hot summer afternoons.
- Check the Ridge to Rivers trail map and conditions first. After rain or snowmelt the foothill trails get muddy, and the local rule is simple: if you’re leaving footprints, turn around.
The story behind the Table Rock cross
The 60-foot steel cross was put up by the Boise Jaycees in 1956, funded partly by donations that included kids’ allowance money. It has been lit at night ever since (now with LED lights), so you can spot it glowing from all over the valley, including from our deck.
Visit the Old Idaho Penitentiary
At the base of Table Rock, the Old Idaho Penitentiary operated as Idaho’s territorial and state prison for more than a century. Today it’s a museum where you can walk the cell blocks, solitary confinement and the grounds. The site is in the middle of a big reimagining called “A City Behind Walls,” which launched in September 2026 with renovated galleries rolling out in phases. Winter hours have been noon to 5 PM. Check history.idaho.gov/oldpen for current hours and tickets before you go.
Stroll the Idaho Botanical Garden
Right next door to the Old Pen, the Idaho Botanical Garden is a peaceful stop in spring and summer, and a must during the holidays. Its Winter Garden aGlow lights festival usually runs from Thanksgiving through late December. It’s one of Boise’s favorite holiday traditions, and it’s just minutes from Malibu Manor. Dates for 2026 are posted on the garden’s website. See our Christmas in Boise guide for more holiday ideas.
Walk or bike historic Warm Springs Avenue
Warm Springs Avenue is lined with some of Boise’s grandest historic homes. It’s also home to a piece of American history. In the early 1890s, crews drilling near the penitentiary hit natural hot water, and a home on Warm Springs Avenue became the first in the United States heated entirely by geothermal water. Boise still runs the country’s largest geothermal heating system, warming the Statehouse and downtown buildings. Back then, the hot water also fed the Natatorium, a grand indoor hot-springs pool that opened in 1892 and drew crowds by trolley until a windstorm damaged it in the 1930s.
Today, the avenue makes a beautiful walk or bike ride, especially in fall when the trees turn. Boise isn’t called the City of Trees for nothing.
More to do nearby
- Boise River Greenbelt: about 25 miles of riverside path, easy to reach from the foothills for walking, running or biking into downtown.
- Warm Springs Golf Course: a city course along the river at the foot of Table Rock.
- Foothill trails: Table Rock connects to the wider Ridge to Rivers system, with more than 190 miles of trails across the Boise foothills.
- Downtown Boise: just minutes away for dinner. One of our favorites is The Wylder for wood-fired pizza. See our Boise nightlife guide and top 10 things to do for more.
End the day back at Malibu Manor
Our favorite part of a Table Rock day? Coming home to watch the sun go down from the deck, then firing up the fire pit for s’mores and a round of cornhole while Table Rock glows on the hill. Malibu Manor sleeps up to 16 in five bedrooms, with a game room, a dining table for the whole crew and city views. It makes the perfect home base for hiking groups, family reunions and friends’ trips.
Want to see more? Our Instagram @malibumanor_boise has “Things to Do” and “Places to Eat” highlights with videos of our favorite spots, including the Table Rock view from our deck.
Ready to explore the foothills? Check dates and book direct for our best rate, with no booking-site service fees.