Frisbee Fun in Camel’s Back Park

by LOSTNBOISE on 08/15/08 at 5:00 am

Camel's Back Park is a great place to play tennis, throw a Frisbee, or take a hike. This past weekend, my friend Alex visited from Seattle, to see his family and partake in one of his favorite activities: Frisbee. Andrew, Alex, and I took off Saturday evening to the best place in town for Frisbee, just in time to escape the direct summer heat. Camel’s Back Park is a great place for being active. Due to its flat expanses of grass, huge matured trees, large play area, picnic tables, tennis courts, and trails leading back into the foothills, one would be hard pressed not to find something to do here.
Thanks to the trees we were able to find a shady spot to toss the disk between the parking lot, a party of volleyball players, and a band of kids chasing each other among the monkey bars. We spread out in a triangle, throwing the Frisbee between us, none of us quite proficient in the skill of catch and release. It’s fairly common for me to toss the Frisbee too high over the heads of the person I am aiming for, forcing them to run out of their way to catch my disastrous toss. This was made worse by our mutual decision to become ambidextrous–all joined in throwing and catching with our left hands. Luckily, no one was in our way and we were free of the fear of nailing fellow park patrons with stray Frisbees.
Alex tosses a Frisbee on a Saturday afternoon in Camel's Back Park. A group set up a net to play volleyball on the wide lawns of Camel's Back Park in Boise's North End.
This is a wonderful aspect of Camel’s Back. One has enough space to spread out and enjoy a game or is near enough to enjoy the company of others. Visitors feel free to spread out and take a nap under a tree or chase their children down the hill for which the park is named. From the top one can enjoy the view of the whole city or revel in their ability to scale the steep sandy face. It’s the home of parties, and the Hyde Park Street Fair, as well as an afternoon snack. It’s a great location for those that are looking for a fun place to take their kids or a place to take a hike.
Camel's Back hill is a fun hike for young and old. Take the difficult route directly up the sandy face or use a trail up the side.
At about seven thirty we wrapped up and headed home, while many others remained to enjoy the dwindling sunlight before the park closed. By then my hands were comparatively numb with the impact of a hundred Frisbee catches. It was time to go order some pizza and enjoy some professional sporting, via the summer Olympics.
Remember this park next time you’re looking for a place to break in your hiking shoes or toss a football. It’s a beloved venue of Boise culture and a favorite of mine. Camels Back Park is on the corner of 13th and Heron Street in the Boise North End.