Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Emmett, Idaho

This quaint city, located northwest of Boise, sits in the midst of a fertile valley renowned for its fruit production. The previously arid landscape had its first irrigation early in the 20th century, earning the moniker “Valley of Plenty.”

Summer visits to Emmett will immerse you in a fruit-themed experience with U-pick farms, an active farmers’ market, and the annual Emmett Cherry Festival.

Emmett boasts a variety of small-town amenities and attractions that provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere while the breathtaking Boise Mountains create a striking backdrop, with Squaw Butte majestically dominating the northern skyline and Black Canyon Dam surrounded by steep hills.

The Payette River flows through Emmett, symbolizing whitewater rafting excitement, with Class II and III rapids located half an hour upstream.

1. Emmett City Park

Emmett’s largest urban park is situated just a couple of blocks east of downtown and is replete with amenities.

Adorned with towering mature trees, this well-maintained area features picnic shelters, tennis courts, a spacious playground for children, exercise stations, and more.

Emmett City Park also serves as a venue for significant events, including the mid-June Cherry Festival.

This month also sees the Emmett Show and Shine, one of Idaho’s premier free car events, showcasing over 1,000 vehicles, including rare classics, alongside a swap meet. Visitors can also enjoy a great selection of food and live music in the afternoon.

2. Gem Historical Village Museum

The early history of Emmett is brought to life in this engaging museum, which consists of a collection of historic buildings.

The primary exhibit recounts the experiences of trappers, prospectors, miners, and early settlers, as well as the Native Americans who inhabited these lands for centuries.

One particularly intriguing aspect covered here is the irrigation that paved the way for the burgeoning fruit industry in Emmett.

The vast photographic collection allows visitors to explore a turn-of-the-century parlor, a general store, a doctor’s/dentist’s office, and a laundry room, offering glimpses into Emmett’s past.

Other structures within the museum complex include a blacksmith shop, bunkhouse, schoolhouse, and the residence of Idaho’s fifth Governor, Frank W. Hunt (1861-1906), furnished with authentic family belongings.

3. Black Canyon Park

A few miles upstream from Emmett, the Payette River is dammed by a structure established in the early 1950s for irrigation and hydroelectric purposes.

The elongated and relatively narrow Black Canyon Reservoir features over 12 miles of shoreline and four parks along its banks.

The most expansive of these is the 12-acre Black Canyon Park, which offers beautiful views of the tall, steep walls of the opposite canyon.

Amenities here include a beach and swimming area, large tree-shaded grassy spaces, barbecues, picnic tables, gazebos, a horseshoe pit, restrooms, and a boat launch with docks.

4. Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard

This family-run orchard, located on the outskirts of the city, enjoys a scenic location at the foot of the ridge on Emmett Valley’s southern edge.

In this idyllic setting, visitors can pick their own cherries, plums, apricots, blueberries, and peaches, along with golden delicious and red delicious apples.

The picking season typically runs from mid-June through the end of October, during which you can check the orchard’s Facebook page for ripened fruits.

After gathering fruit, make sure to hike up to Rocky Point for a panoramic view of the entire valley.

5. Squaw Butte

Squaw Butte stands as a commanding presence over the Emmett Valley, one of the region’s highest peaks, often capped with snow as late as April.

When viewed from Emmett’s southern vantage point, Squaw Butte (5,894 ft) appears to be a solitary mountain but actually comprises an eight-mile ridge interconnected with the Boise Mountains.

Historically, this area served as a wintering ground for Native Americans for centuries, and it is believed that they, rather than European settlers, originally designated the name.

Emmett serves as the primary access point for hiking excursions along gravel roads, as the eastern slopes are notably steep. The main 13-mile route offers an excellent opportunity for solitude, with meandering creeks, lush wildflowers in spring, and breathtaking views.

6. Freezeout Hill

This location provides a sweeping view of the valley atop the ridge near Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard.

The name “Freezeout Hill” originated in the 1860s during the area’s early settlement, when individuals needed to lock their wheels to navigate the slope downhill. It could take up to a day and require 12 teams of horses to haul a freight wagon up the hill.

In 1864, a group of freighters opted to camp at the top during a frigid winter’s night, instead of risking the slippery descent, leading to the name “Freezeout.”

In 1934, former Congressman Robert M. McCracken tragically lost his life when his vehicle crashed through a guardrail and fell down this hill.

The memorial established here today features a flagpole and over 950 engraved bricks honoring individuals ranging from veterans to professionals.

7. KT’s Lanes

The residents of Emmett hold a special fondness for KT’s Lanes, a cozy yet well-maintained bowling alley located on the south side of town. The venue accommodates leagues and tournaments for bowlers of all skill levels.

Additionally, you may reserve a party or simply schedule a casual game. The alley offers unlimited bowling on Friday nights from 6 PM to midnight, as well as cosmic bowling with blacklight and lively atmosphere starting at 8 PM on Saturdays.

With a total of ten lanes available, it is advisable to make a reservation to secure your spot.

8. Frontier Cinema

Situated in the heart of Emmett, this family-operated cinema has been a local favorite since at least 1920. Historically known as the Ideal Theater, the Frontier Cinema exhibits a stylish Art Moderne facade, albeit showing signs of age.

Attending a movie here feels reminiscent of a more traditional cinema experience. Concessions are reasonably priced, with tickets as low as $2.50 on Tuesdays. The owner, Roy, warmly greets visitors upon arrival and often asks for feedback on their experience as they exit.

9. Gem Island Sports Complex

A former feedlot transformed into a 55-acre sports complex can be found on an island in the Payette River.

This facility offers a skatepark, eight baseball/softball fields, two soccer fields, and volleyball and basketball courts.

The complex also caters to passive recreation, featuring a 1.1-mile paved path, picnic areas, a rose garden, and a fishing pond, while encouraging the return of wildlife with nesting boxes for owls, ducks, swallows, and woodpeckers.

Notably, the Gem Island Sports Complex serves as the site for the county’s Fourth of July celebrations, complete with fireworks displays and an array of food trucks.

10. Roystone Hot Springs

Idaho is home to numerous hot springs that often give rise to small resorts. The closest such establishment is situated a few miles east of Emmett in Sweet.

At Roystone Hot Springs, visitors will find a pool and a 12-seater hot tub that can be reserved for either one hour or an hour and a half. Both water features are supplied with natural mineral water, maintaining a hot tub temperature of 104°F.

Notably, the mineral content in Roystone Hot Springs includes high levels of potassium, silica, sulfate, bicarbonate, chloride, and sodium, which contribute to benefits such as improved blood pressure, enhanced immune function, better circulation, and anti-inflammatory properties. Regular public sessions are typically available for those who wish to visit spontaneously.

11. 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards

The largest family-owned winery in Idaho is located a few miles southeast of Emmett within the newly established Eagle Foothills AVA.

This picturesque ranch, nestled in the hills, may appear to be an unexpected location for a vineyard; however, 3 Horse Ranch has flourished since it was first planted in 2002.

The expanding estate now spans nearly 50 acres, passionately producing a significant portion of the winery’s diverse grape varieties.

These varieties include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot, among others.

Visitors can enjoy a delightful experience on the patio of the tasting room with a glass of wine, complemented by a savory snack tray. Furthermore, 3 Horse Ranch offers a variety of tasting experiences and tours for those curious about their wine production process.

12. Emmett Farmers’ Market

Located in a city embraced by the “Valley of Plenty,” the opportunity to explore the local farmers’ market is not to be missed.

Open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings throughout spring and summer, the Emmett Farmers’ Market features world-class fruits and vegetables directly from growers, as well as an array of herbs, nuts, plants, flowers, and homemade salsas, jams, jellies, and baked goods.

Additionally, visitors can discover a variety of arts and crafts, including jewelry, knitwear, crocheted items, and polished rocks. The market takes place under the shaded trees at Blaser Park, conveniently situated on Washington Avenue.

13. Emmett Cherry Festival

In the vicinity of Emmett, the lush banks of the Payette River are adorned with stone fruit farms, with cherries being a notable local specialty.

Cherries take center stage during Idaho’s oldest local festival, running since the 1930s. The Emmett Cherry Festival attracts thousands from the region, offering four days of festivities each mid-June.

The event includes a carnival, a spectacular parade (along with a children’s parade), a 5K run, over 100 vendors, free concerts, and various games. Unique activities include a cherry pie-eating contest and a cherry pit-spitting contest.

14. Gem County Fair

The Gem County Fairgrounds, located on the south side of town, hosts a range of events throughout the year, including horse racing, sled pulls, livestock exhibitions, and the annual Harvest Festival in September.

A must-see event is the Gem County Fair & Rodeo, which typically spans four days at the end of July or the beginning of August.

In addition to the traditional livestock and crop displays, demonstrations, and competitions, attendees can enjoy numerous vendors, a dog show, fashion revue, and extensive free entertainment at the midway stage.

The rodeo serves as the centerpiece of the entertainment, featuring 14 different events, from bareback bronc riding to steer wrestling.

15. Whitewater Rafting on the Payette River

The Payette River is globally recognized for its whitewater rafting opportunities, particularly where the North Fork and the South Fork converge at Banks, around 30 miles northeast of Emmett.

A bit closer to Emmett, Cascade Raft & Kayak, located in Horseshoe Bend, offers exhilarating trips on Class I, II, III, and IV rapids along the North Fork, South Fork, and downriver from Banks.

As you navigate the river, the scenery is striking, with rocky canyons and densely forested slopes teeming with wildlife.

A popular option for families is the “Splash” Half Day, a three-hour adventure tackling Class II and Class III rapids along the main stem from Banks to the Cascade River Center.