Installed in the 1990s with the support of Boise’s astronomy club, the original Planet Walk transformed the Boise River Greenbelt into a cosmic trail. The journey began at the Discovery Center of Idaho with the Sun and extended down the greenbelt for roughly 1.75 miles to Pluto, near the Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Along the pathway, each planet was represented in relative scale and spacing, providing visitors with a tangible sense of the vast distances within our solar system. For decades, this outdoor exhibit offered a quiet, immersive way to explore our neighborhood in space—until now, as a new Planet Walk prepares to take its place!

The new Solar System Trail builds on the legacy of the original with a more accessible and engaging design. The journey now follows a condensed ¾-mile loop, making it easier for families to park, navigate, and explore together. Along the path, large 24×48” panels with vivid graphics—presented in both English and Spanish—bring each planet to life and ensure the trail stands out, replacing the smaller, harder-to-spot plaques of the past. This refreshed exhibit offers a modern, welcoming way to experience the scale of our solar system right in the heart of Boise.