EMMETT
Just over the foothills, north of the Treasure Valley, lies beautiful Emmett. At the base of Squaw Butte with the Payette River flowing through it, Emmett has abundant recreational opportunities year-round. A throwback to simpler times, it is an unabashedly small town with everything you need tucked within the valley. There are delicious restaurants, a state-of-the-art hospital, schools and most of all, friendly people. Living in Emmett gives your children the freedom of walking and biking to schools and parks. It is a safe and ideal place for raising a family. It’s also a close-knit community that believes in helping neighbors by coming together and building each other up.
Emmett is a small town tucked away in its own valley, yet is only a 30-minute drive away from Eagle and the bigger cities. It is the perfect place for those that truly appreciate peaceful, small-town living. There is tremendous hometown pride in Emmett, from their popular high-school football games to the annual Emmett Cherry Festival. The festival brings more than 50,000 visitors to this part of the valley every June for four days of old-fashioned family fun.
There really is nowhere in the Treasure Valley that can match the rugged beauty that surrounds Emmett. The scenery as you descend into the Emmett Valley on Highway 16 will take your breath away. The Payette River brings recreation opportunities from tranquil fishing spots to whitewater rafting, favorite swimming holes, and hidden picnic areas. There are endless places to camp and enjoy the clean mountain air along the forested banks of this scenic river.
Surrounded by the Payette River is the beautiful 57-acre Gem Island Sports Complex, a regular hangout for families. Its many play areas include eight baseball fields, soccer fields, a skate park, basketball and volleyball courts, an amphitheater, and a stocked fishing pond. There is also a paved walking path along the river around the complex. It’s a great place to pack a cooler, the kids’ scooters, and some fishing poles, and spend a day making memories. The Little Gem Cycle Park just east of Emmett is one of the largest off-road vehicle parks in the west. Riders can explore over 2,000 acres of varied terrain with hills, ridges, and sandy areas. And Black Canyon Reservoir is a favorite spot for boating and fishing. In addition to all these wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities, Emmett also hosts a variety of community events. The big one is the annual Cherry Festival, but residents also delight in the Gem County Fair & Rodeo, Cruise Night, and the Emmett Farmers Market. Filled with the grandeur of nature and friendly, hometown spirit, Emmett is a truly unique place that residents love to call home.
