Nuzzled on the western border of the state, Meridian, Idaho is a city just outside of Boise. Today, Meridian is viewed as a suburban oasis. Meridian is known as a great place to raise a family while maintaining the quaint feel of a small town. As of 2020, the population of Meridian was just over 117,000 people. With this growth in mind, the city is now considered the fastest-growing city in the state of Idaho. Outside of Boise, the state’s capital, Meridian is considered the city with the highest population in the state.
Meridian, Idaho was initially established in 1891 and later incorporated in 1903. At its conception, Meridian was inhabited by western settlers, seeking religious freedom and community. In the early 1900s, these settlers began producing wide arrays of fruit orchards along the railway. The increase in fruit production brought an improved economy, which led to Meridian being recognized as a city. Over time, the city became known for its local institutions and homestead lands.
Today, Meridian continues to honor its rich history. The city of Meridian offers historic walking tours virtually and in-person. The South Walking Tour showcases historic buildings, including the city’s first pharmacy, Pine Street School and more. The North Walking Tour brings you through a trail of the city’s first houses and notable buildings. These walking tours offered by the Meridian Historical Society, offer a way for visitors to step into what life was like in early Meridian history.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Meridian boasts a great variety of things to do. The Boise River Greenbelt and the Boise National Forest are located nearby. These sites offer fantastic options for hiking, mountain biking, and swimming. Bogus Basin is also located north of Meridian. This site is a large ski area, offering over 2,500 acres of ski slopes and attracting loads of annual visitors. While most activities can be found in Boise, Meridian itself has countless options for restaurants, local parks, and shopping centers.
Campgrounds Near Meridian, Idaho
Mountain View RV Park is located just outside of Meridian and is a conveniently located option for RV camping. This park has 60 pull-through sites offering full hook-ups. Rates start at $56 per night; however, there are discounted rates when you book a week or more.
The Meridian KOA Journey is another RV campground with over 220 RV sites. These lots are each equipped with full hook-ups, Wi-Fi, and other convenient amenities, including a pool, hot showers, group meeting facilities, and laundry facilities.
If you are looking for a more primitive campsite, Evans Creek Campground offers an outdoor experience. This campground has 10 free campsites and a shared space for picnic tables, toilets, and other basic needs. Evans Creek Campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved online. The campsite itself is located within the heart of Boise National Forest, making it a beautiful spot.
State Parks Near Meridian, Idaho
Bruneau Dunes State Park is in Bruneau, Idaho, about an hour's drive from Meridian. This state park is known for its sand dunes and opportunities for sandboarding. Sandboards are available to rent at the visitors' center for $15 per day. Visitors can camp at Bruneau Dunes State Park on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is open through the winter, equipping Bruneau Dunes with one of the longest camping seasons in Idaho.
Lake Cascade State Park is located north of Meridian. This state park consists of over 500 acres to explore. Lake Cascade is the central pull to this state park and offers an expansive space for fishing and boating. The park is open for camping and has hundreds of campsites. Ten onsite campgrounds offer RV sites with full hook-ups and dump stations. For boating on Lake Cascade, the park offers six boat launch ramps.
Sitting approximately two and a half hours north of Meridian, you'll find Ponderosa State Park. This area holds Payette Lake, a large lake known for kayaking, fishing, and non-wake boating. Rentals for kayaks and canoes are available at the park. If you are looking to spend the night at Ponderosa State Park, there are several unique overnight stays available, including nine deluxe cabins along Payette Lake’s shoreline. There are also rustic campgrounds and equipped campsites for primitive camping. While there is a dump station onsite, campsites are not equipped with hook-ups for water or electricity. For wildlife viewing, guests may encounter bears, moose, and wolves.
National Sites Near Meridian, Idaho
For a peek into history, you may want to visit the Minidoka National Historic Site in Jerome, Idaho. In the 1940s, many Japanese Americans were moved and isolated to this area after the attack on Pearl Harbor. While here, Japanese Americans were forced to live in harsh environments and without many resources. The Minidoka National Historic Site allows visitors to remember the lives of these Americans and commemorate this time in American history.
Nez Perce National Historical Park is just under 200 miles from Meridian. This historical site is an archeological area pointing to evidence of Nez Perce habitation. The Nez Perce people were believed to have lived in the area over 1,000 years ago. At Nez Perce National Historical Park, visitors can spend time learning about Nez Perce culture and how the tribe came to settle in the area.
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument is a must-see historical site in backcountry Idaho. This area is home to numerous fossils, many dating over three million years old. Scientists believe that this area was the perfect, lush habitat for various animals millions of years ago. Fossils from many now-extinct animals, including the saber-toothed cat, ground sloth, and mastodon, have been found in this area. Today, visitors can see fossil exhibits on display at the Thousand Springs Visitor Center. In addition to fossils, visitors can also travel over the Snake River and Oregon Trail overlooks for scenic viewpoints of the fossil beds. Additionally, this area of Idaho is one of the most popular spots for birdwatching.
National Forests Near Meridian, Idaho
Boise National Forest is the closest national forest to Meridian. This forest encompasses 2.2 million acres of lush forest and deep green rolling hills. Within the forest, visitors can spend time wading in miles of streams, swimming in lakes, and fishing in reservoirs. Boise National Forest has several boat ramps and docks for motorized boating along with several campsites to choose from if you wish to stay overnight.
Sawtooth National Forest is nestled in the rural town of Stanley, Idaho. This forest offers dry weather and is perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Sawtooth covers over two million acres between Idaho and Utah, making it one of the largest national forests in the contiguous United States. Between alpine lakes, several streams, and mountainous peaks, visitors can camp primitively. RV camping areas are available on BLM land at Sawtooth on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, you will find amenities at two campsites within the forest, Stanley Lake Campground and Lakeview Campground.
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest stretches through areas of Oregon and Idaho. The forest itself ranges in elevation from 675 feet to 9,845 feet, and includes parts of the Blue Mountains and the Wallowa Mountains. This forest is a coveted area for hiking since it is home to Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Visitors can also take part in OHV riding in some areas. Most campers in this area practice dispersed camping with minimal amenities. Union Creek Campground is the only campground within the forest offering full hook-ups for RV travelers.
