Entry No. 36 — the Boise file — filed under: history

Bonneville Point

On this bluff east of Boise you can still see deep parallel grooves carved into the earth by Oregon Trail wagon wheels, scars worn into the ground nearly two centuries ago and never erased. It was here in 1833 that Captain Benjamin Bonneville's party first looked out over the green Boise River valley, a view that later gave weary emigrants their first sight of relief. The ruts descend the bluff in multiple lines toward the river below.

The move: Drive up to the overlook at sunset, walk the actual wagon ruts pressed into the bluff, and take in the same valley view the pioneers saw.

📍 Before you go Reached via gravel road off the Blacks Creek exit east of Boise; minimal facilities, no shade; ruts are subtle, look for the long parallel depressions descending the bluff.

• 📍 Boise
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Bonneville Point Rd, Boise, ID 83716

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3

last checked: 2026-06-24