You won’t be able to park your car at Table Rock for the rest of 2020. Here’s why.
If you want to take in the view from the top of Table Rock any time soon, you’d better be willing to hoof it on one of the Ridge to Rivers trails that takes hikers to the Boise landmark.
The Idaho State Historical Society, which manages the 30-vehicle parking area at the top of the mesa, announced Friday morning that it would close the parking lot for the remainder of the 2020 season due to concerns about vandalism, safety issues and illegal activity at the popular site. Typically, the parking lot is closed from October through May and opens during the warmer months; however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the lot didn’t open this year.
The Idaho State Historical Society manages the entire Table Rock mesa, which is on state-owned land and is open from sunrise to sunset. In its Friday news release, the organization said its board of trustees voted June 9 to close the parking lot.
“This was not an easy decision because we understand how important Table Rock is to all of us who live here in the Treasure Valley,” said Janet Gallimore, executive director of the Idaho State Historical Society, in the news release. “At the same time, it is our responsibility as caretakers to take appropriate steps to protect public safety and preserve the natural beauty and historical and cultural significance of the site.”
The board has created an advisory committee to look at long-term solutions, officials said.
Vandalism at Table Rock certainly isn’t new. The site was hit with graffiti as recently as March, and the rocks there have long been covered in spray paint tags, which some groups have worked to remove in recent years. But officials said reports from local law enforcement and a private security company contracted to patrol the site showed the incidence of vandalism and other crimes was escalating.
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“During the last several months, private security contracted by ISHS and local law enforcement have reported turning away between 120 to 250 vehicles attempting to visit the landmark during night and early-morning hours,” the Idaho State Historical news release said. “Instances of trespassing on adjacent private property, violence, drug use and setting of fires have been reported, as well as increased cases of vandalism, graffiti, property damage, destruction of signage and littering.”
Officials also said cars parked along Table Rock Road when the lot is full create a potential hazard.
“The small mesa parking area can accommodate up to 30 cars — however, we have seen upwards of 250 cars per night, which creates a public safety concern as vehicles navigate beyond the public right-of-way on a single-lane, rutted, dirt road and illegally park on public and private land and roads,” the Idaho State Historical Society said in a statement.
The organization shared some reports from the security detail patrolling Table Rock, which include two recent instances in which vehicles lost control on Table Rock Road and left the roadway, as well as reports of hundreds of vehicles turned away after hours, visitors filming themselves fire dancing, and people urinating on “no trespassing” signs and destroying signs showing Table Rock opening hours.
The Idaho State Historical Society said it is working to find ways for individuals with physical disabilities to access Table Rock if they’re unable to use the trails.
The historical society is also asking for public feedback on Table Rock use and potential solutions. One option floated in the survey would be a shuttle to take visitors up to the mesa from the lower parking lot near the Old Idaho Penitentiary. You can fill out the survey online at surveymonkey.com/r/tablerocksurvey.
