Best Boise Neighborhoods: Harris Ranch

best boise neighborhood: Harris Ranch In Boise Idaho

With a focus on community and nature inspired living, Boise’s Harris Ranch is one of the most popular places to live in Boise and often makes lists of the best Boise Neighborhoods. Residents are passionate about community and building a lifestyle that includes lots of time spent outdoors enjoying the Idaho seasons.

Harris Ranch is tucked up against the foothills where miles of mountain biking and hiking trails run, and is also bordered on the northeast by Lucky Peak Reservoir for those who love water sports.

walking paths at Harris Ranch

One of the unique things about Harris Ranch is the focus on creating a strong community with miles of bike trails and walking paths connecting the various neighborhoods. Any night of the week you will find people out walking dogs, families riding bikes, people gathered at outdoor dining patios. There’s even a Harris Ranch food truck park, The Switchback, that is open during the warmer months.

How did Harris Ranch get its name?

In 1902 the Barber Lumber Company built a wooden dam over the Boise River and began a sawmill in what is now known as the Barber Valley. A few houses popped up, along with a few stores and a small town was born, known as Barberton. The mill was eventually purchased by the Harris Family and they began acquiring land surrounding it for agricultural purposes. Eventually the mill was sold to Boise Cascade and the Harris Family went on to pursue other ventures.

The planed community of Harris Ranch (named after the family ranch) took off in the 1990’s and is now one of the most desirable locations to live in the Boise Valley. Residents love the focus on outdoor recreation with sidewalks and bike paths connecting the various subdivisions and linking into the Green Belt (Boise’s 25 mile bicycle and pedestrian path).

Where is Harris Ranch?

Harris Ranch is bordered on the east by the Boise Foothills and Lucky Peak Reservoir, the Boise River to the South and Warm Springs Avenue on the West.

spring creek at harris ranch

What neighborhoods are included in Harris Ranch?

Currently Harris Ranch includes the original Harris Ranch neighborhood, Harris Ranch Mill District, and Harris Ranch Spring Creek Subdivision, Dallas Harris Estates, The Blvd, Privada, and Park Place to name a few, with numerous apartment complexes and townhomes surrounding the neighborhoods (with lots more planned for the future).

What are the Harris Ranch public schools?

Harris Ranch Elementary Schools:

  • Riverside Elementary School

  • Adams Elementary

  • Dallas Harris Elementary School (opening Fall 2023)

  • Sage International Charter School


Harris Ranch Middle School:

  • East Junior Hugh School


Harris Ranch High School:

  • Timberline High School

best places to eat near Harris Ranch

What are the best restaurants near Harris Ranch?

Tucked into Harris Ranch is Bown Crossing, a shopping and dining center that could be considered the downtown of Harris Ranch. There are a few places to dine out and shop, as well as an old time candy store. Everyone seems to have a favorite dining out spot and they aren’t always the same, which is a good sign that everything is delicious. Here are a few to check out both in Bown Crossing and nearby to Harris Ranch:

  • The Stil - Unique, local Boise Ice Cream (and one of my personal favorites)

  • Westside Drive In - Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and home of the famous Ice Cream Potato

Cravin's Candy Emporium at Bown Crossing

And though it’s not exactly a dining out option (I guess it depends on who you ask), be sure and check out Cravin’s Candy Emporium. Tucked inside this candy and ice cream shop are lots of old fashioned candy options and all the current goodies too. And if all the candy you can imagine is not enough, they have Gelato too!

There’s a reason Harris Ranch is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Boise and homes for sale in Harris Ranch often go quickly. If this looks like the right fit for your Idahome, send me a message and let’s set up a custom search for you so you can watch available properties in Harris Ranch and get a feel for pricing and the specific neighborhoods.

Check out more Boise Neighborhoods here.

Previous
Previous

Shop Boise Small Businesses

Next
Next

3 Fall Porch Ideas