Idaho Botanical Garden

The Idaho Botanical Garden is a 32-acre (13-hectare) property in Boise featuring rose gardens, herb collections, native plant displays, and quiet spaces for reflection. The grounds are divided into distinct themed sections that visitors can walk through at their own pace.

The property opened in 1984 after a botanist and local leaders collaborated to establish this space for the community. The land had previously served as a prison facility before being transformed into plant collections and gardens.

The garden serves as a gathering place where neighbors and families spend time together, walking through distinct sections that celebrate local plant life. People return here for seasonal celebrations and to experience how different areas showcase plants from the region.

The gardens are open year-round with extended hours during special events such as winter displays. Visitors can join guided tours or explore the grounds on their own, following pathways that connect the different sections.

The site sits on grounds of a former penitentiary, showing how a historical space was completely reimagined for community benefit. This transformation from incarceration to cultivation tells a story of renewal that visitors may not immediately notice when walking through the gardens.

Inception: 1984

Official opening: 1984

Website: http://idahobotanicalgarden.org

GPS coordinates: 43.60120,-116.16120

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43