Map to Area History Mail Box Request more Information. Idaho's state capital, Boise, is located just 50 miles or a one hour drive from Garden Valley. The recreational opportunities are endless and the feeling of being in a rural, distant, mountain community is real. The community is surrounded in all directions by mountain peaks, some over 7000 feet. Two river systems carve valleys that blossom with wildflowers, wildlife, stock and horses.
Historical records are vague for settlement into our valley.
We were originally known as Upper Payette Valley, but the name was changed to Garden Valley when it became time to name the new post office in 1875. Roads were non-existent in the early days and passage was limited to north and south routes only. East west travel along the Payette River was too rocky and treacherous. Natural geothermal hot water was the draw of several Chinese growers during the late 1870's gold rush in Central Idaho. The warm water allowed cultivation of crops year 'round, which in turn provided gold mining neighbors in Placerville, Centerville, and the Boise Basin with fresh produce.