Cover photo courtesy of Amy McCaffree

By Amy McCaffree  

Nothing against carrots, but spending two hours outside every day is a better way to protect children’s eyesight. With screentime at record highs, the rate of children in the U.S. developing myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, has increased by 25% since the 1970s, according to a Sept. 2024 NPR news story by Maria Godoy, published by NPR.  

Optometrists and myopia researchers, backed by studies, conclude that spending one to two hours outside every day significantly decreases the risk of children developing myopia. Bright outdoor light stimulates healthy eye development, and activities that don’t require close-up focus allow eyes to relax. Although myopia can be inherited, lifestyle habits like too much screentime and not enough outdoor time increase the risk. The earlier someone develops myopia, the greater the lifetime risk of macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal detachment and other conditions.  

Outdoor recreation provides breaks from near-focus tasks and helps young, developing eyes practice distance viewing—whether it’s looking far across a lake or at a horizon view. The natural light combined with focusing on faraway distances slows down eye elongation, thereby preventing the rapid eye growth that leads to myopia. 

So, take your kids hiking this summer to destinations with horizon vistas. Because not only is it good for their eyes, but the views also reveal how big and beautiful our Inland Northwest landscape is. Here are 12 destinations, hiking trails and summits to choose from. A few are easy, but many are best suited for ages 10 and up, depending on fitness level and tolerance for hiking. 

SPOKANE COUNTY 

Dishman Hills Conservation Area 

• The Cliffs Trail (Glenrose Unit): Hike Glenrose Trail to The Cliffs Trail and continue on for overlook views of Spokane Valley, Mica Peak and Mount Spokane. 

• Blue Bunch Loop (Glenrose): 0.9-mile trail (doable for preschoolers) with overlook of Moran Prairie and downtown Spokane to the northwest.  

• Nimbus Knob Loop (Camp Caro): Ascends to rocky overlook of Spokane Valley; 3 miles roundtrip. 

• Rocks of Sharon (Iller Creek Unit): 3.3 miles roundtrip from Stevens Creek Trailhead; view of Palouse farmland and faraway Steptoe Butte. 

Antoine Peak Conservation Area: Emerald Necklace Trail is for older youth and strong hikers; 5.7 miles, 780 feet of elevation gain for views of Spokane Valley and surrounding landmarks. 

Mount Spokane State Park: During summer and fall, you can drive the North Summit Road to the historic Vista House, which is the true summit (5,853’).  

THE PALOUSE 

Steptoe Butte: At Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site, drive to the 3,612-foot summit and hike around.  

Kamiak Butte: Pine Ridge Trail at Kamiak Butte County Park ascends 900 feet to the 3,641-foot summit; 3.5-miles roundtrip. 

EASTERN WASHINGTON 

Steamboat Rock: Panoramic views from the butte’s 2,250-foot summit via a steep, 6-mile round-trip hike; located at Steamboat Rock State Park. 

NORTH IDAHO 

Schweitzer Mountain Resort: Ride the Great Escape quad-chairlift to the summit ridge for 360-degree views. Return to the village via a round-trip chairlift ride (or you can hike down).  

Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail: Trailhead at Beauty Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s east side; 3.3 miles roundtrip, 700 feet of elevation gain. 

Scotchman Peak Trail: For teens and adults who can endure a physical challenge, this strenuous 8-mile round-trip hike ascends 3,700 feet of elevation to the highest point in Bonner County.  

(Note: This article isn’t meant to replace medical advice from a certified optometrist or ophthalmologist. Annual pediatric eye exams are recommended to promote lifelong eye health.) 

Amy McCaffree recommends enticing kids and teens to go hiking by bringing along “fun” snacks. For young kids, this could mean motivating with candy, like Skittles or M&Ms, at each switchback—which is how she got her son, then three years old, to hike the trail to Avalanche Lake at Glacier National Park. 

The post Viewpoint Hikes for Kids  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy Shallan Knowles

Don’t let summer pass you by: use this roundup of things to do in the mountains, lakes, rivers, trails, and small towns around our beautiful corner of the Northwest. 

1. Attend the Fur Trade Festival May 18 at the Kettle Falls Historical Center. Take a step back in time while enjoying a living history encampment and learn about the Pacific Northwest fur trade from reenactors discussing how traders lived, trapped, hunted, dressed, and communicated in the 1800s. 

2. Rent a boat from Carefree Boat Club of North Idaho and go tubing, water skiing, or wake surfing. 

3. Tube, kayak, or raft the mellow rapids of the lower Spokane River below downtown Spokane once the river level drops and the water warms up, typically in late June or early July. Be sure to end your trip at the TJ Meenach Bridge area to avoid large, more dangerous rapids downstream. Simplify your float by booking a shuttle and renting tubes from FLOW Adventures (509-242-8699). 

4. Take a good book on a walk to a public park or natural area near you and relax and read from a real paper book or copy of Out There. 

5. Ride or hike part of the Ferry County Rail Trail near Republic in Northeast Washington, then hit Curlew State Park for a swim. 

6. Use public transit to go on a hike from your house. Get creative with the hiking and bus routes to pull off an all-day wander.   

7. Paddle Echo Bay near Farragut State Park on Lake Pend Oreille and bring a spotting scope or binoculars to look for the resident mountain goats that are sometimes spotted on and around Bernard Peak. 

8. Run in your birthday suit (or fully clothed) at the clothing-optional Bare Buns Fun Run July 28. This annual tradition happens at the Kaniksu Ranch north of Spokane near Deer Lake.  

9. Hike the 4-mile roundtrip Similkameen Trail near Oroville, Wash., a beautiful rail-trail with amazing scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. 

10. Round up some friends and take turns riding mountain bikes together at Spokane’s Riverside State Park for 24 hours at the 24 Hours of Riverside event May 25. 

11. Ride the bike park at Big White Resort near Kelowna, B.C., and then taste wine in B.C.’s renowned Okanagan Valley on your way back to the states. 

12. Take advantage of the some of the hottest or smokiest days of the summer to escape indoors to build on your rock-climbing skills at the Coeur Climbing Company gym in Post Falls. 

13. Spend a day giving back to the trails you love by joining a trail maintenance or construction project by one of our region’s many trail organizations. Locally, the Washington Trails Association, Evergreen East, Pend Oreille Pedalers, Idaho Trails Association, and Lake City Trails Alliance each organize trail projects all summer long that need volunteers. There are many other regional trails organizations that work in Inland Northwest wilderness and backcountry areas.  

14. Ride the new Cancourse mountain bike trails in Coeur d’Alene. 

15. Get over your fear of jumping out of a plane and sign up for a tandem skydiving trip with Skydive West Plains west of Spokane. 

16. Enjoy the traffic-free streets on Spokane’s South Hill near Manito Park for an evening of biking, walking, or rolling without watching for cars thanks to Summer Parkways, held June 18 from 6-9 p.m. 

17. Ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes out of Wallace, Idaho, then enjoy a cold beverage and meal at City Limits Pub a few blocks from the trail. 

18. Try mountain bikes, catch shuttles to the top of the Camp Sekani trails, watch a MTB jump show, and enjoy adult beverages June 14-15 at the Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival at Camp Sekani Park. Or participate in the Spokatopia Poker Ride for the chance to win prizes (June 15).  

19. Go road biking on one of the many scenic, low-traffic back road routes around Colville, Wash. 

20. Book a rafting trip on the Clark Fork River in Montana with ROW Adventures. The fun class III rapids and plentiful swimming opportunities make for a great day trip from Spokane or North Idaho.  

21. Hunt for bigfoot in Northeast Washington then Run the Bigfoot 5K and check out the Metaline Falls Bigfoot Festival June 15-16. 

22. Take a yoga class from Harmony Yoga in Spokane (check out their ad in this issue of Out There for deals). 

23. Pedal a “RailRider” on retired railroad tracks along the Pend Oreille River near Metaline Falls, Wash. 

24. Book a multi-day rafting adventure on Idaho’s Salmon River with a local outfitter like FLOW Adventures. 

25. Park near the entrance to the 42,000-acre Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge near Colville, Wash., and ride your bike on the 10-mile auto tour loop, making stops at interpretive sites or for short hikes. 

26. Visit an Inland Northwest old-growth forest grove, like the Ross Creek or Hobo cedar groves. Find an online guide at Outthereoutdoors.com/where-to-go-to-see-old-growth-forest-in-the-inland-northwest 

27. Bike to a farmers’ market in a neighborhood near you and go shopping for fresh, local food. 

28. Ride your bike from one of the Riverside State Park trailheads to Long Lake at the Nine Mile Recreation Area and go swimming or fishing. Campsites are available if you want to make it a bikepacking overnighter. 

29. Hike the 7 miles of trails at Pend Oreille County Park between Spokane and Sandpoint off of Highway 2. 

30. Surf the world’s largest standing wave at Lakeside Surf in Chelan. Whether you are an ocean surfer, river surfer, wake surfer, or have never surfed before, you’ll love getting out on this thrilling river-style wave. Book sessions in advance online. 

31. Walk or bike the Children of the Sun Trail, a new paved path that parallels Spokane’s in-progress north-south freeway. 

32. Buy a copy of the Washington State Birding Trail Palouse to Pines map from Audubon Washington and explore some of the best bird habitat in our area, documenting and learning about different species of birds as you go. 

33. Plan a bike tour on the low-traffic back roads of Eastern Oregon, like the 130-mile loop route through the Pained Hills and John Day Fossil Beds. Find info and other route options at Visiteasternoregon.com 

34. Connect as many trails as you can in the Dishman Hills Conservancy in Spokane Valley to create an epic day hike.  

35. After work, head to Post Falls to hike the trails in Post Falls Community Forest and then have a picnic dinner at Q’emiln Park or a pint at one of the breweries in town. 

36. Hike Kamiak Butte, an island of forest in the Palouse near Pullman. 

37. Raft some of the best whitewater in America on Idaho’s Lochsa River in May during peak runoff. These class IV and class III rapids are best experienced with a seasoned rafting outfitter like ROW Adventures. 

38. Take a mountain bike road trip to Moscow and spend a day or two riding the trails at Moscow Mountain. 

39. Learn to sail on a local lake by renting a boat with other sailing friends or taking a lesson. Fun to Sail offers sailing lessons for all abilities (Funtosail.com). 

40. Spend a few days riding the many new mountain bike trails around the Sandpoint, Idaho, area, staying in town or at a nearby campground. Find trail info at Pendoreillepedalers.org. 

41. Roadtrip the International Selkirk Loop that connects scenic byways and unique small towns in Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada. 

42. Rent a campervan from Gusto Vans in Spokane Valley and live the van life for a weekend or longer while exploring iconic Northwest parks and public lands. 

43. Take a kid or anyone with accessibility or disability requirements needs fishing at Post Falls Park Pond near Post Falls, Idaho. Fish easily from a bridge, shore, or fishing platforms with great odds for catching fish at this well-stocked pond. 

44. Rally friends to pedal down old train tracks on a pedal-powered rail bike in northeast Washington with NPOV Lions Railriders. Make a reservation at Lionsrailriders.com. 

45. Ride the new giant swing coming to Zipwallace near Wallace, Idaho, along with the superman zipline, and then stay the night in one of the new rental yurts!  

46. Take a mountain biking trip to Nelson, B.C. and ride trails in the Morning Mountain and Kokanee Creek Provincial Park areas then hit the hot springs at Ainsworth. 

47. Run wild on the Mountain Magic 5/10/25K Trail Run at Mount Spokane State Park on June 30.  

48. Get up early and do yoga while the sun rises in a public park or natural area. 

49. Backpack to an alpine lake you’ve never been to before. Find plenty of options in Rich Lander’s classic guidebook “100 Hikes in the Inland Northwest.” 

50. Ride the Silver Mountain gondola in Kellogg, Idaho, to mountain bike or hike around the huge trail network at Silver Mountain Bike Park.  

51. Walk or run the Dad’s Day Dash with dad on Fathers’ Day at Spokane’s Riverfront Park, June 16. 

52. Visit 20 parks in the Spokane area to hike, bike, play or participate in other fun activities as part of the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge. Once you sign up and finish the challenge, you’ll be entered to win raffle prizes, including cash and gift cards. Scan the QR to download the app on page xx of this issue to get started. 

53. Spend part of a day exploring the challenges in Mica Moon’s aerial park with bridges, tight ropes, and more in Liberty Lake, Wash.  

54. Kayak or go tubing on a calm stretch of Idaho’s St. Joe River.  

55. Mountain bike the Empire Trails that includes new trails near Spirit Lake, Idaho.  

56. Go ziplining with Timberline Adventures in Coeur d’Alene and experience seven zip lines and two sky bridges, and then have lunch in a tree house.  

57. Hike one of the many trails on Mount Spokane and hunt for huckleberries. 

58. Kayak in a glass-bottom boat on Wallowa Lake near Joseph, Ore., to experience the underwater environment in a whole new way. You can rent kayaks or sign up for a tour, including a night tour with lighted kayaks that illuminate the fish, boulders, and lake bottom for a magical paddling experience. Info at Jopaddle.com 

59. Canoe or kayak a stretch of the Pend Oreille River Water Trail in northeast Wash.  

60. Ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from Plummer to Harrison, Idaho, and go swimming at the beach.  

61. Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway, a 3,700’ gondola ride to the peak of Mt. Howard in the Wallowa Mountains near Joseph, Ore. 

62. Ride the IMBA Epic Seven Summits mountain bike trail in Rossland, B.C. 

63. Sign your kids up for an indoor climbing camp at Wild Walls Climbing Gym in downtown Spokane. 

64. Bike to the Townshend Cellar tasting room in downtown Spokane to try some of their wines and get a “Wowler” wine growler filled to go.  

65. Explore some of the sites along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. 

66. Try kiteboarding or wing foiling on the Columbia River near Hood River, Ore.   

67. Ride your bike to one of Spokane’s smallest and coolest bars, The Baby Bar, downtown behind Neato Burrito. 

68. Run or walk the 5k at the Wallace Huckleberry Festival on Sunday, Aug. 18. 

69. Ride the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha Trail, named “America’s Crown Jewel of the Rails to Trails.”  

70. Treat the family to a trip to Slide Waters water park at Lake Chelan in central Washington. There’s a lazy river, body slides, tube slides, surfing on the Lakeside Surf wave, downhill racer slides and more all with incredible views of the lake and mountains. 

71. Go fishing or paddling at Fish Lake Regional Park, near Cheney, Wash.  

72. Camp on Idaho’s Salmon River near Riggins, Idaho, or stay in town and go on a whitewater rafting day trip and enjoy the local nightlife in this cool river town.   

73. Go kayaking or boating on Lake Roosevelt and picnic on one of its many sandy, primitive beaches.  

74. Forage for wild berries, mushrooms, and plants that you know or use a guidebook to help you discover new ones.  

75. Hike or bike the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge from trailheads near Cheney, Wash. 

76. Go camping and tube the Touchet River at Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, near Dayton, Washington.  

77. Canoe or kayak the Little Spokane River. Use the Spokane Parks & Recreation weekend shuttle service (reservations recommended). 

78. Hunt for fossils by breaking open rocks at the Stonerose Fossil Site in the small town of Republic in northeast Washington (stonerosefossil.org) then check out the super cool interpretive center and go for a bike ride or walk on the Golden Tiger Pathway that starts in town. This is a great family outing! 

79. Spend a few days swimming and chilling on the city beaches in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.  

80. Take a wildflower day hike on the Kettle Crest in late June, starting from Sherman Pass and hiking north toward Columbia Mountain. 

Learn About the Places Where We Play 

Join one of these educational nature outings hosted by the Spokane County Library District, including some outings led by Out There Venture writers! Unless otherwise noted, outings are for adults and registration is required. More info and sign up at Scld.org. 

81. Nature Journaling Hike: Glenrose Trail (June 13, 8–10:30 a.m.) 

Take an invigorating hike on the Glenrose trail in the Dishman Hills Natural Area with a break for a nature journaling exercise. This hike is moderately difficult along a 5.5-mile loop with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet. Led by Out There contributor Heidi Lasher.  

82. History Hike: Mt. Spokane State Park (July 9, 8–10:30 a.m.) 

Explore the upper elevations of Mount Spokane State Park and discover park history at Bald Knob Campground, the site of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ spike camp, and Cook’s Cabin Woodshed. This trail hike over uneven terrain is a 3.5-mile loop with an elevation gain of 400 feet is led by Holly Weiler, Out There contributor and board member of the Friends of Mt. Spokane State Park.  

83. Medicinal & Edible Plants Hike: Liberty Lake Regional Park (Aug. 20, 8–10:30 a.m.) 

Explore the trails at Liberty Lake Regional Park and learn about the medicinal and edible plants that grow wild along the route as well as tips for locating them. This hike is led by Karie Lee Knoke, Out There contributor and contestant on the TV series Alone.  

84. Hiking Safely Near Bears Presentation (June 12 & June 25) 

Learn how to recreate safely in bear country by taking the right precautions, plus learn grizzly and black bear identification, basic bear biology and phenology, and how to respond if you encounter a bear in the field, from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Matt Brinkman (Cheney Library June 12, 6:30 p.m. and North Spokane Library June 25, 6:30 p.m.). 

85. Medical Lake Geo-Walk & Water Sampling: Waterfront Park (Aug. 21, 5-7 p.m.) 

Walk 3 miles along the trail around Medical Lake with Chad Pritchard, professor of Geology at EWU, and learn about the lake’s history and natural science and help gather water samples for stormwater research and pick up trash along the way (tween and teen friendly).  

The post Summer Bucket List appeared first on Out There Venture.

1. Get your horseback trail riding fix with Spokane Trail Riding & Boarding just south of Spokane.
2. Tube, kayak, or SUP the lower Spokane River between Peaceful Valley and the TJ Meenach Bridge area. Ongoing construction will make river recreation access at the traditional take-out spot challenging, so consider alternatives, including taking out farther downstream at the wastewater treatment plant upstream from the Class III Bowl & Pitcher rapid. FLOW Adventures typically offers shuttles and tube rentals if you want to simplify all that.
3. Ride the 15-mile scenic stretch of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from Plummer to Harrison, Idaho. The trail is paved and elevation lowers in that direction, making it a great choice for infrequent riders and kids. The public beach in Harrison is a welcome destination with swimming. Enjoy a sweet, shady park and several restaurants and pubs. Set up your shuttle with The Cycle Haus in Harrison or double your mileage and ride back to Plummer.
4. Take a brewery tour by bike along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, with stops at the North Idaho Mountain Brew/City Limits Pub and Wallace Brewing in Wallace, Idaho, and Radio Brewing in Kellogg. Call the Wallace Inn for shuttle information.
5. Bike with some friends to a local park and have a barbecue dinner using the grills you can find at parks like Bowl & Pitcher in Riverside State Park in Spokane. Bring foil to protect your food from any unwanted grill contaminants.

6. Run the clothing-optional Bare Buns Fun Run July 30 north of Spokane near Deer Lake. Summer is all about being free, right?
7. Enjoy a gravity-fueled ride from Lookout Pass on the mixed-surface NorPac rail trail to Mullan, Idaho, then hop on the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and roll all the way to Wallace. Call the Wallace Inn for shuttle options.
8. Start a bird list of all of the amazing avian species you can find in our area. Get a regional birding app or book to help and check out the Audubon Society website.
9. Check out the Doris Morrison Learning Center at Saltese Flats near Liberty Lake, Wash., to learn about the restored wetlands. Then take a hike or ride on the Saltese Uplands trails.
10. Take a tour of urban wild areas and historic places downtown Spokane with the local tour company Wander Spokane.
11. Hike the Whistler Canyon area near Oroville, Washington. Hike options range from a few miles to all-day epics. Keep a look out for birds and other wildlife including rattlesnakes and mountain goats.
12. Find a big, beautiful tree in a natural area near your house and lay down under it for a quiet shift in perspective.
13. Crack open rocks in search of fossils at the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site in Republic in Northeast Washington.
14. Bike the Ferry County Rail Trail near Republic in Northeast Washington, then hit the Republic Brewing Company.
15. Bike the Columbia Plateau Trail from Cheney out to Amber or Downs Lakes to go fishing.

16. Do a local long day hike across one or more linked trail systems in the Spokane area using an STA bus as a shuttle. Creative options could include sections of trails in one or more of these areas: Riverside State Park, the Little Spokane River Natural Area, the High Drive Bluff, Dishman Hills, and Mica/Liberty Lake area.
17. Get an archery set up and start learning to shoot a bow.
18. Camp at the campground at Mount Spokane or rent one of the condos if available and bike or hike for several days. Peak berry season will soon be upon us, and you can pick your limit here.
19. Set up a shuttle and mountain bike the back roads from Mount Spokane all the way down to Spirit Lake.
20. Paddleboard a quiet bay on Lake Pend Oreille.

21. Visit a fish hatchery to learn about Inland Northwest fish, including the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife one in north Spokane.
22. Take a tour of Grand Coulee Dam or one of the other dams in the Columbia Gorge.
23. Look for the elusive bighorn sheep on Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington via boat, back roads, or kayak.
24. Hike or trail run your own Little Spokane River shuttle instead of driving two cars. Or use the Spokane Parks & Recreation shuttle service.
25. Find a friend with a wake surfing boat or rent one and surf your favorite lake.
26. Take an urban hike happy hour, hitting up favorite bars and breweries while sticking to back streets, alleys, and pathways as much as possible.
27. Walk or bike all of the pedestrian-friendly bridges over the Spokane River in Riverfront Park downtown Spokane, including below the falls to Sandifur Bridge.
28. Take a dog for a walk from the Humane Society or from another animal shelter.
29. Visit as many parks as you can in the great Spokane area to see some pretty cool outdoor spaces and win prizes with the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge (see the article in this issue’s Dispatches section for details).
30. Join a full moon group bike ride or create your own.
31. Did you know that swinging on a swing set can help with anxiety? Go swinging at a park you’ve never been too. Try listening to some relaxing tunes or a meditation app while you do it.
32. Sign up for a women’s writing retreat in Yellowstone National Park in September with local author and Out There writer Ammi Midstokke (Wideopenwriting.com/yellowstone-2023).

33. Hike as many of the Spokane Conservation Futures conservation areas as you can (find maps and directions at the Spokane County Conservation Futures website).
34. Hike the John C. Pointner Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary at Cougar Bay a few miles south of Coeur d’Alene on Highway 95.
35. Invite family or friends to ride the Route of the Hiawatha. The 15-mile (one way) crushed rock surface trail has a mellow grade. It includes a ride through nine long, dark train tunnels and across seven trestles with scenic mountain terrain all around. Shuttles and bike rentals are available along with trail tickets.
36. Join one of the many Dishman Hills Conservancy hikes and other outdoor events as a way to explore this urban wildland with other people.
37. Participate in Summer Parkways on June 21 on Spokane’s South Hill and join other people on bike and foot as they enjoy the full use of a road near Manito Park for the evening.
38. Take a hike on Spokane’s High Drive Bluff trails and then get ice cream at The Scoop on the South Hill.
39. Join an outdoor yoga class. There’s a free one for all abilities in the morning at the Spokatopia Festival at Camp Sekani Park in Spokane on July 8.
40. Set your TV up outside or a movie screen and invite some friends or neighbors over to watch an outdoor movie or documentary.
41. Go try out new mountain bikes and e-bikes at Spokatopia at Camp Sekani Park July 8, then listen to live bands and enjoy some adult beverages in support of Evergreen East and local mountain bike trails.
42. Go rollerblading on the Centennial Trail.
43. Go to an outdoor music festival or show, like the Festival at Sandpoint, the Spokane Pavilion at Riverfront Park, the Moscow Mountain Music Festival, the 90s Flannel Fest in Moses Lake, and many other great outdoor music festivals that have popped up since the pandemic.

44. Rent a raft from one of the university or college outdoor programs and take on the upper Spokane (Class II) or Clark Fork (Class III).
45. Catch brook trout on a fly rod at Fish Lake near downtown Spokane. Go on your own or book a guided fishing session with Fly Fish Spokane to get the lake dialed quick. Make a day of it by biking out to the lake on the Fish Lake Trail from downtown Spokane with your fly rod.
46. Find a new book from the library or local book store and bike to a park or natural area to read outside all day. Did you know you can also check out a Discover Pass from Spokane libraries?
47. Bike a section or the entire International Selkirk Loop that connects super-scenic sections of backroads in Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia.
48. Pick up a copy of the new-ish “Spokane Bouldering” guide and start exploring local climbing challenges with your crash pad.
49. Ride some of the new trails at Moscow Mountain in the Palouse.
50. If you’re not lucky enough to live in Sandpoint, plan a multi-day mountain biking trip or several weekends to finally ride the major trail systems near town: Syringa, Schweitzer, Mineral Point, Gold Hill, and Bernard Peak.
51. Bikepack all or part of the Adventure Cycling Association-mapped Idaho Hot Springs Loop bikepacking route, which consists of over 500 miles of mostly un-paved roads as well as 200+ miles of optional singletrack and 50 hot springs.
52. Ride all or part of the Palouse to Cascades Trail across Washington from North Bend to the WA/ID border.
53. Plan a trip to the Bonners Ferry area to bike some of the awesome mountain bike trails in the area, including the Enchanted Forest, Brush Lake, and many others you can find on Trailforks.
54. Explore some loop trails you’ve never hiked in the Dishman Hills in Spokane Valley. Centrally located, with mellow trails and a variety of loop distances, you can check out a new hike here one night after work every week or so all summer long!

55. Try different kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and other water toys at Boulder Beach as part of Spokatopia on July 8.
56. Hike to some of Spokane’s best views: Rocks of Sharon in the Dishman Hills, Mount Spokane, Antoine Peak, Palisades, the summit along the Knothead Loop in the Little Spokane River Natural Area, or the Saltese Uplands.
57. Take an early summer hike to Kamiak Butte near Pullman to marvel at the wildflowers. Set up a hammock and hang out a while.
58. Take some hikes in the Zumwalt Prairie near Joseph, Ore., and enjoy the beautiful prairie meadows and frequent wildlife sightings.
59. Hike into one of Idaho’s many natural hot springs and leave it better off than when you arrived by cleaning up any trash.
60. Rent an adventure van for a hiking, mountain biking, paddling, or climbing road trip to B.C., the Cascades, Bend, Central Idaho, or Montana.
61. Paddle the Pend Oreille River Water Trail near Newport, Wash.
62. Learn how to fly-fish. Take a class from one of several regional fly shops that offer guided trips and lessons.

63. Rent a kayak or SUP from Fun Unlimited under the Division Street bridge downtown Spokane and paddle up river for Thai food at Bangkok Thai. If you live close enough, bike on the Centennial Trail to the put-in for some extra exercise.
64. Hike a section or two of the Pacific Northwest Trail that runs from the Washington Coast to Glacier National Park to get a taste of what a thru hike would be like
65. Visit the spectacular Kootenai Falls in western Montana and take the time to hike to all of the viewpoints.
66. Pedal a “RailRider” on retired railroad tracks along the Pend Oreille River near Metaline Falls, Wash.
67. Raft or kayak as many rivers within 200 miles of Spokane/CDA as you can: Lochsa, Spokane, Moyie, St. Joe, Lower Salmon, Clark Fork, Wenatchee, Methow, Salmo, Lower Selway, Grand Ronde, etc. Guided trips are offered for most of these rivers, and they are all possible on your own if you have the right gear and river rafting experience.
68. Go ziplining at Silverstreak Zip Tours, Timberline Adventures, or Mica Moon.
69. Jump out of an airplane on a tandem skydive with Skydive West Plains west of Spokane.
70. Race your mountain bike as part of the Wednesday night mountain bike races in May and June at Riverside State Park, or the “5 in July” series at Farragut State Park.

71. Mountain bike or hike the Empire Trails in Spirit Lake, Idaho.
72. Keep a wildlife log of all of the different species of wildlife you see over the summer and make trips to places where you have a better chance to encounter critters you really want to see.
73. Ride one or more of the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series gravel rides.
74. Ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway, a 3,700’ gondola ride to the summit of Mt. Howard near Joseph, Ore.
75. Take the Wallowa County barn tour and visit 31 beautiful, historic barns in the stunning Northeast corner of Oregon.
76. Ride the Seven Summits Trail in Rossland, B.C. There are plenty of shorter but equally gnarly rides around town too.
77. Paddle or boat to one of the islands in Priest Lake—some are day-use only, and Kalispell, Bartoo, and Fourmile islands have rustic campsites.
78. Take a morning or evening drive or bike tour along the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge auto tour loop near Cheney to spot birds and wildlife. There are several trails and wildlife viewing areas along the way.
79. Drive to the dramatic Selway Falls east of Lewiston, Idaho, then find a beach downriver and go for a swim.
80. Go kite boarding on the Columbia River near Hood River, Ore., or mountain bike the trails around town. One of our favorites is Surveyor’s Ridge Trail.  
81. Drive part of the historic Lewis & Clark Trail between Lewiston, Idaho, and Missoula, Mont., near Highway 12 and do some day hikes along the Lochsa River.
82. Give back to the hiking, biking, and running trails you love by spending a day volunteering doing trail work with Evergreen East, Washington Trails Association, Idaho Trails Association, Pend Oreille Pedalers, or Lake City Trail Alliance.
83. Take a tour of small-town museums in just about any region of the Inland Northwest. Hit up any local thrift stores while you’re at it!

84. Go whitewater rafting for a day in Riggins, Idaho’s “whitewater capital.” Stay for a few days and bring your gravel or road bike for some awesome early morning rides up the canyons.
85. Go kayaking or boating on Lake Roosevelt and picnic on one of its many sandy, primitive beaches. Try to catch a walleye.
86. Go to one of the great events Schweitzer has planned this summer and make a weekend of it hiking and biking on the mountain.
87. Bike or walk downtown Spokane’s Cork District to visit local wine tasting spots.
88. Tube the Touchet River at Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, near Dayton, Washington.
89. Explore Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park Heritage Site, near Metaline Falls, Wash., on a ranger-led tour.
90. Go swimming and play or nap in the sand at City Beach in Sandpoint.
91. Tube the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.
92. Visit the Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area in North Idaho to see what Inland Northwest trees used to look like.
93. Hike or mountain bike the Sherman Peak Loop or Jungle Hill off Sherman Pass in Northeast Washington’s Kettle Range.
94. Paddle around the Moses Lake Water Trail in Moses Lake, Wash. Stop for wine refreshments at the Camas Cove Cellars dock.
95. Take a hike in active wolf country and see if you can hear the haunting sound of wolves howling on an early morning or evening hike. Leave your fur friends at home for this one.
96. Swim across a bay at your favorite lake. Have a friend on a boat, kayak, or paddleboard go with you for safety and to make sure other boaters see you. If you’re on your own, swim around a bay hugging the shoreline.
97. Take a hike along the Hells Canyon rim and score top-of-the-world views at Hat Point Overlook.
98. Bike the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a 23-mile paved path along the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities. If you’re on the hunt for singletrack, hit up the Badger Mountain trails in the area.
99. Drive through the Palouse, alive with color this time of year, to Palouse Falls viewpoint. Bring your own snacks, as there aren’t many facilities along the way.
100. Volunteer at a local road race or trail running race. You can get in on the hype without the training and physical work. It’s super rewarding to be part of the support crew.
101. Bike or walk to any number of our local farmers’ markets and load up on the fresh produce spoils of the season. //

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The Spokane area is blessed with many great places to hike and enjoy our wide array of wildflowers. Before you go out on your wildflower quest, it’s a good idea to pick up a wildflower book.

My favorite is one I have had in my backpack for a long time: “A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers.” The book has held together really well considering all the use it has had over the years.

Another really good book to have is “Plants of Southern BC and the Inland Northwest.” This book not only has good information on wildflowers but also on trees, shrubs, ferns, and lichen. It is one of my go-to books. It is a little heavy for the backpack but is worth its weight in gold.

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” The month of May along with June can bring an explosion of beautiful wildflowers or in some dry years a very disappointing short season.

It is the middle of March as I write this article and I don’t have a crystal ball to tell what sort of wildflower season we will have this year. It could be great or it could be a bust.

All I can do is tell you about some of my favorite places that I have enjoyed during the 40-plus years I have lived in Spokane—and hope it doesn’t get too dry too early this year. Happy wildflower hunting!

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (Cheney, Wash.)

This area has probably the best variety of wildflowers in the Inland Northwest. There are many different hiking trails along with a 5-mile auto loop. In addition to all the waterfowl, this 20,000-acre natural area supports a large variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, coyotes, beaver, and moose.

Some of the wildflowers you might see are Bitterroot (state flower of Montana), sticky geranium, yellow bells, prairie smoke, camas, and death camas, along with a lot of balsamroot just to name a few. Be sure and check for ticks before you leave the refuge. You don’t want any little hitchhikers going home with you.

Spring wildflowers along hiking trails, including bitterroot (left) and sticky geranium (right). // Photos: Rich Leon

Iller Creek Conservation Area (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

This is one place you will want to bring your camera. Iller has some very unique wildflowers not found in other areas around Spokane. One is Clarkia (a member of the evening primrose family).

Clarkia was named after William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Other wildflowers include mountain lady slippers, clematis, monkshood, and honeysuckle.

Dishman Hills Natural Area (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

The picturesque cliffs and ravines not only make this place an interesting area to explore but also a wonderful place to find a variety of wildflowers. As you roam around the many trails within Dishman Hills Natural Area, you are likely to find glacier lilies, Rocky Mountain iris, fairy bells, balsamroot, and fireweed.

Mount Spokane State Park (Mead, Wash.)

This is one of my favorite places for wildflowers. I like all the different trails at Mount Spokane State Park for a variety of reasons but especially the Nordic ski trail area because of the beargrass. The area has beargrass every year, but these plants only produce a major bloom about once every seven years.

When a big bloom happens, it is a sight to behold. On the lower part of the mountain (especially trail 100), you can find trillium, mountain bluebells, two different coralroot, bunchberry, paintbrush, and fairy slipper orchids.

Kamiak Butte (Pullman, Wash.)

This spot is about a 60-mile drive south of Spokane but well worth it. Surrounded on all sides by the wheat fields of the Palouse, this 3,650-foot-tall island of pine, fir, and larch has some amazing views.

On a good wildflower year the hillsides can be covered in a sea of yellow from the balsamroot. It is a great place to bring the kids for a self-guided nature walk on the 3.5-mile Pine Loop Trail. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch.

Tubbs Hill and Mineral Ridge (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

Both of these popular North Idaho natural areas offer some great views, and there are also plenty of wildflowers to see.

Other Notable Inland NW Wildflower Hot Spots

Other areas you might want to visit are Slavin Conservation Area (Spokane), Antoine Peak (Spokane Valley), Little Spokane River (North Spokane), Riverside State Park (Spokane), and the Liberty Lake Conservation Area (Liberty Lake, Wash.)

Please be aware that some areas in Washington require a Discover Pass such as Mount Spokane and Riverside state parks. There is an entry fee for the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge, and other areas such as the Little Spokane River do not allow dogs; all other natural areas require dogs to be on a leash at all times.

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Central Idaho’s Epic Mountain Town: McCall, Idaho – By S. Michal Bennett

Experience Fall Harvest and Adventure in Wenatchee – By Lisa Laughlin

Head to Lake Pend Oreille for Glamping and Fall Singletrack – By Aaron Theisen

Find Fall Hiking, Biking, Food, Drink, & Family Fun in the Palouse – By Lisa Laughlin

Feature story from the September-October 2021 print issue.

For more travel and tourist information, visit local tourism websites: Sandpoint, Wenatchee, McCall, Pullman, Moscow, Visit Spokane, Visit Idaho, Visit North Idaho, Washington State.

For more travel destination and road trip stories, visit the OTO Travel archives.

[Feature photo by Holly Weiler. // View of the Palouse from Kamiak Butte.]

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It makes this a great time for a road trip through countryside that’s been compared to Tuscany. And there’s a lot more to do than just admire the view—the Palouse offers fall biking, hiking, fishing, disc golf, and more.

On the drive from Spokane to Pullman, take a quick stop at Steptoe Butte State Park, a tall quartzite bluff just off highway 195 with a stunning 360-degree view of the fields around you. With a paved road spiraling to the top, you can walk or drive your way up to the informational signs that explain some of the geological phenomena that shaped this area.

Once you’ve arrived in the Pullman/Moscow area, take in the fall scene at the Moscow Farmers’ Market (Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.) Alongside artisan goods such as pottery and woodwork, produce will be on-point as local vendors bring in their harvest from the year.

Locally-owned lunch spots include Humble Burger, Maialina Pizzeria, and Mikey’s Gyros. From Moscow, you can walk or run in the University of Idaho arboretum area, bike or hike the trails of Moscow Mountain, or hit up the paved, 8-mile Bill Chipman Palouse Trail spanning from Moscow to Pullman.

From the Pullman area, fish or paddleboard on the nearby Snake River, a wide body of water framed by steep hills.

Bring your own disc golf set and play at the hilly Sunnyside Park course for a chill afternoon.

If you’re looking for a hike, check out the 298-acre Kamiak Butte, an intersect of field and pines that will make it feel like you’re exploring a small, landlocked island.

Post-adventuring, Pullman offers beer tasting at Paradise Creek Brewery, wine tasting at Merry Cellars, and bites at local restaurants such as Birch & Barley or South Fork.

It can’t go without mentioning that you can catch football at either university—U of I Vandals or WSU Cougars—on a home-game Saturday to experience serious small-town passion for the sport.

In October, the city of Palouse puts on “Haunted Palouse,” an event with pumpkins, beer, live music, and a hayride where you may be chased through the haunted woods. (Canceled for 2021.)

Stay in any town you’d like in this area, but on day two make your way back to Moscow to The Breakfast Club for endless diner coffee and huckleberry-stuffed French toast.

However you decide to experience the Palouse, fall is the season to take it slow and take it in.

Originally published as “Find Fall Hiking, Biking, Food/Drink, & Family Fun In The Palouse” in the September-October 2021 issue.

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The NNL program is managed by the Department of the Interior and the National Parks Service. According to the Parks Service, National Natural Landmarks receive their designation for being among the “‘best’ examples of a type of biological community or geologic feature in its biophysiographic province….gauged primarily on illustrative value and condition of the resource.” So not only does this 298-acre park boast a nice 5-mile trail system, the hike is an opportunity to experience one of the best examples of the geologic forces that shaped the Palouse.

The butte itself was formed between 1.47-1.40 billion years ago during the Precambrian period. The rocky outcroppings of Kamiak Butte consist primarily of quartzite, towering over surrounding basalt, and much younger glacial loess deposits of windblown silt that form the Palouse farmland below.

Viewed from a distance, Kamiak Butte is a treed oasis standing out in the fairly uniform farmland. It can be a place to spot some of the earliest spring wildflowers in March and April, although early season visitors should also be prepared for potentially snowy and icy conditions in shady spots as well as higher on the trail system, as the butte’s summit reaches 3,641 feet in elevation.

Kamiak Butte County Park is open for day use and has four picnic shelters available. It also features a first-come, first-served campground with eight campsites for only $15/night. Arguably the best way to experience the trail system is to stay the night and plan to enjoy sunset and sunrise from the top.

Kamiak Butte

Round-trip distance: 3.5 miles and up

Rating: Moderate

Elevation gain: 950 feet or more

Map: Print the map and hiking brochure at Whitmancounty.org.

Getting There: From Pullman, Wash., head north on Highway 27 for 11 miles and turn left onto Clear Creek Road. Look for Fugate Road (#5100) on your left after half a mile. Drive another half mile to the park entrance on the left.

Support Local Trails: Watch for upcoming opportunities to volunteer on local trails by checking wta.org/volunteer and sorting to “Eastern Washington” under the region tab. Group size limits are dependant upon current Covid-19 guidelines.

[Feature photo: View of the Palouse from Kamiak Butte by Holly Weiler]

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1. Hike to the Rocks of Sharon in Dishman Hills Conservancy in south Spokane County. 

2. Go stargazing atop Kamiak Butte, near Pullman, and stay overnight at the county campground.

3. Bike the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and stay on the lake in Harrison.

4. Paddle to Popcorn Island at Lake Killarney, east of Coeur d’Alene, and stay overnight at the rustic BLM campsite.

5. Explore the Headwaters Loop Trail at Moscow Mountain.

6. Stay overnight at Mount Spokane State Park’s Bald Knob Campground or Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout.

7. Kayak or canoe the St. Joe River, the highest elevation navigable river in the world. 

8. Bike or drive along the scenic International Selkirk Loop that connects Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada.

9. Step back in time to the early-1800s fur trade at Riverside State Park’s Spokane House for the Fur Trade Encampment & Symposium, June 8-9, 2019. (Free entrance; no Discover Pass required while parking here.) Experience living history reenactments and ranger-led tours, and learn about Spokane tribal perspectives and the fur trade’s impacts on Pacific Northwest history. 

10. Go rock climbing or hiking around the cool rock formations at Peshastin Pinnacles State Park near Wenatchee.

11. Run wild on the Mountain Magic 5/10/25K Trail Run at Mount Spokane State Park (June 22, 2019). 

12. Attend REI’s family-oriented Wednesdays in the Woods presentations at Riverside State Park Bowl & Pitcher amphitheater, June-August (details at rei.com/events.)

13. Backpack the Chelan Lakeshore Trail, a 17-mile one-way thru-hike along the country’s third-deepest lake. Start from the trailhead at Prince Creek, arriving by a Lady of the Lake ferry ride.

14. Mountain bike down some of the region’s best singletrack trails at Camp Sekani Park or Beacon Hill in Spokane and then get involved to help save these amazing trails from development. Find more info and maps at evergreeneast.org.

15. June is Great Outdoors Month—explore somewhere new; do something different. Like attend Get Out Fest, June 27-30, 2019, at the Ferry County fairgrounds near Republic—an outdoor recreation and culture festival with on-site camping, climbing wall, outdoor film, live music from The Cave Singers, timed 5k and half marathon on the Ferry County Rail Trail, mountain bike ride, and hiking on the Kettle Crest Trail. More information at getoutfest.com (tickets $5; kids free).

16. Soak in primitive Stanley Hot Springs, near Lowell, Idaho—a 6-mile one-way hike from Wilderness Gateway Campground. 

17. Visit Crow Butte Park, a water-sports mecca located on a 1,500-acre island in the mighty Columbia River, south of the Tri-Cities; park includes a campground, sand dune beach, marina, and boat launch.

18. Ride the gondola up to Kellogg Peak to mountain bike or hike around the huge trail network at Silver Mountain Bike Park in Kellogg, Idaho. 

19. Visit an Idaho State Park. Kids ages 6-12 can complete the Junior Ranger over the course of three visits at any combination of these North Idaho state parks: Round Lake, Priest Lake, Heyburn, Farragut, or Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission. Learn more at parksandrecreation.idaho.gov. 

20. Road-trip (or ride the Amtrak train) to Whitefish, Mont., where you can do all types of watersports on Whitefish Lake and hike or bike the Whitefish Trail. Stay on the lake at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake or camp at Whitefish Lake State Park, spend a day at City Beach, and experience the Huckleberry Days Arts Festival (August 9-11, 2019). 

21. Go fishing license-free during National Fishing and Boating Weekwhen state Fish and Wildlife agencies host Free Fishing Days. Dates for 2019 are: June 9 for Idaho, June 9-10 for Washington, and June 16-17 for Montana. Many lowland and alpine lakes are stocked with hatchery-raised trout.

22. Paddle around the Moses Lake Water Trail and take a rest stop at the dock off Camas Cove Cellars for wine tasting.

23. Learn how to fly-fish. Take a class at the Orvis school or a beginner-level guided trip through Northwest Outfitters in Coeur d’Alene, or a book a guided trip with Silver Bow Fly Shop in Spokane. 

24. Attend the 5^thannual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival. Now a 2-day event—July 13-14 this year—try road and mountain bikes and paddling and water sports gear, register for an outdoor adventure clinic, like rock climbing or inflatable kayaking. Festival also includes a mountain bike jump show, kids’ activities, live music, beer garden, and the Great Gear Giveaway. Takes place at Camp Sekani (free admission; activity passes range from $5-$50).

25. Go whitewater rafting on the St. Joe River near St. Regis, Mont., with ROW Adventures.

26. Visit Kootenai Falls— Idaho’s largest free-falling, undammed falls—and walk across the 100-foot high swinging bridge over the Kootenai River gorge. 

27. Pedal a “RailRider” on a 12-mile round-trip journey on a retired railroad line along the Pend Oreille River (reservations at lionsrailriders.com).

28. Get your adrenaline pumping with treetop adventure. Challenge yourself at Mica Moon’s aerial park with bridges, tight ropes, and more. Then experience the zip line course that includes nine zip lines in the lush forest above Liberty Lake, Wash. 

29. Complete a mountain bike race. Like the Wednesday MTB Race Series at Riverside State Park (through June 26, 2019) or the 5 in July Mountain Bike Series at Farragut State Park. 

30. Spend a day or two at Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park, in Athol, Idaho.

31. Mountain bike the Empire Trails in Spirit Lake, Idaho. 

32. Visit Columbia Hills Historical State Park in south-central Washington, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Enjoy rock climbing, hiking, and ranger-led walks to see Native American pictographs and petroglyphs.

33. Vacation at Flathead Lake in western Montana—the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Camp at Flathead State Park or Wild Horse Island State Park. 

34. Go ziplining with Timberline Adventures in Coeur d’Alene and experience seven zip lines and two sky bridges, and then have lunch in a tree house with epic views. 

35. Experience a “sufferfest” at the Mt. Spokane Vertical Challenge (July 13, 2019), hosted by Trail Maniacs at Mount Spokane State Park.

36. Explore the landscape of Lake Pend Oreille and Montana’s Cabinet Mountain river valleys with the CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo scenic ride (June 15, 2019). Route options: 150, 100, 80, 40, and 30 miles, plus a family fun ride. 

37. Visit Kimberley, B.C.—you’ll want at least several days to adventure here, because the options abound: Biking the North Star Rails to Trails and hiking or biking Lois Creek Trails and the Kimberley Nature Park; Kimberley Underground Mining Railway ride and tour; and Marysville Falls & Eco Park.

38. Canoe or kayak the Pend Oreille River from Ione to Metaline Falls in northeast Washington. 

39. Do the Tiger Tri & Tiger-Du—race in Colville, Washington, on July 20 organized by Negative Split; includes 1K swim at Lake Gillette, 40K bike, and 10K run. Duathlon includes 40K bike and 10K run. 

40. Visit Harrison, Idaho, located on Lake Coeur d’Alene’s west side. Get there by boat, bike (via Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes), or car. Don’t miss the Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory Ice Cream Parlor.

41. Explore the nationally-designated Wild and Scenic Klickitat River area near the towns of Lyle and Wishram along the Columbia River in south-central Washington. Camp at Klickitat County’s Guler-Trout Lake Park and bike the 10.5-mile Klickitat Rail Trail. Visit local Columbia Gorge wineries while you’re in the area.

42. Run the 200-mile Spokane to Sandpoint Relay team race with a group of friends (August 16-17, 2019).

43. Go adventuring in northeast Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, where you can backpack into the Eagle Cap Wilderness to camp at alpine lakes and summit Eagle Cap; camp and enjoy watersports at Wallowa Lake State Park; ride the Wallowa Lake Tramway, a 3,700’ gondola ride to the peak of Mt. Howard; and pedal along a rail-trail with Joseph Branch Railriders.

44. Grab your bike and head to Rossland, British Columbia. Dubbed the Mountain Biking Capital of Canada, a paid trail crew maintains over 200K of singletrack that surround the town. Don’t miss the IMBA Epic Seven Summits Trail (July-October). 

45. Do the Long Bridge Swim race in Sandpoint—a 1.76-mile swim race across Lake Pend Oreille (August 3, 2019).

46. Visit Crescent Bar Recreation Area along the Columbia River near Vantage. Owned by Grant County PUD, there is a boat ramp, marina, campground, and even a 9-hole golf course.

47. Paddle or powerboat to one of the islands in Priest Lake—some are day-use only, and Kalispell, Bartoo, and Fourmile islands have rustic campsites.

48. Follow the path of the Ice Age mega-floods with a visit to Washington State’s Steamboat Rock or Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Parks.

49. Hike along the Selway River Trail and visit Selway Falls in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness east of Lewiston, Idaho.

50. Stand-up paddleboard on the flatwater of the Spokane River. Rent equipment from Fun Unlimited at either their Post Falls or Spokane location under the Division Street bridge river access point. 

51. Backpack along the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington’s Cascade Mountains. Find trailheads in North Cascades National Park. 

52. Go wind surfing on the Columbia River. 

53. Go to the Wallace Blues Festival (July) or the town’s Huckleberry Days (August). 

54. Tube the Spokane River with FLOW Adventures—daily equipment rentals and shuttle service begins July 3, 2019. 

55. Visit the Tree to Tree Adventure Park in Athol, Idaho (within Farragut State Park). The aerial adventure course features zip lines, nets, Tarzan swings, and other obstacles color coded for all ages. 

56. Ride the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha Trail, “America’s Crown Jewel of the Rails to Trails.” 

57. Go to Spokane Summer Parkways—use foot or pedal-powered transport along a 3-mile, traffic-free loop of the Comstock-Manito park neighborhoods (June 21, 2019; 6-9 p.m.).

58. Paddle the 2.5-mile Thorofare to Upper Priest Lake or hike along the Navigation Trail to this wilderness lake. 

59. Attend the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival in July and explore the regional wine country.

60. Explore the National Historic Lewis & Clark Trail in Idaho.

61. Stay in Hope, Idaho, at Beyond Hope Resort or the Sam Owen U.S. National Forest campground on the west shore of Lake Pend Oreille. Check out The Floating Restaurant. 

62. Stay at Lochsa Lodge, off Highway 12 over the Lolo Pass on the Idaho-Montana border. The historic Lewis & Clark Trail passes through the area and travels 8-miles along the Lochsa River. 

63. Try your hand at one of the most scenic and wild multi-sport events in the Northwest, the Priest Lake Triathlon (August 24). Choose from Olympic, mountain bike, solo, or relay options.

64. Journey to Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, where you’ll find the mountain village of Kaslo and the city of Nelson with many hiking and mountain biking trails near the towns. Stay and play at one of Canada’s renowned provincial parks; a municipal campground; Kokanee Park Marina; Kaslo Bay Park; and Ainsworth Hot Springs resort.

65. Do volunteer trail work with Washington Trails Association, which hosts one-day and week-long volunteer events statewide. 

66. Swim, fish, or paddle at Fish Lake Regional Park, near Cheney, Wash. 

67. Smokey Bear, the iconic symbol of wildfire prevention for the USDA Forest Service, turns 75 this summer. Go camping at one of the many regional national forest campgrounds—like the Colville, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie, North Idaho Panhandle, or Lolo—and show your appreciation for public lands. Learn about special events at smokeybear75th.org.

68. Road trip to Riggins—Idaho’s “whitewater capital”—where you can raft, paddle, or jet boat along the Salmon River, which runs through town (just some of its 425 miles). There are also great hiking trails, backroad gravel bike routes, and easy access into the Frank Church or Gospel Hump wilderness areas and the Seven Devils.  

69. Go kayaking or boating on Lake Roosevelt and picnic on one of its many sandy, primitive beaches. 

70. Play sand volleyball at Coeur d’Alene’s City Park.

71. Forage for morels and elderberries. 

72. Walk, pedal, or roll along the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park (includes a trailhead near Fish Lake Park).

73. Celebrate at the National Lentil Festival Food & Brew Fest in Pullman, August 16-17, 2019.

74. Ride the chairlift to Schweitzer Mountain’s summit, beginning June 28. The resort’s Activity Center will be open daily, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (through Sept. 2).

75. Bike-tour downtown Spokane’s Cork District to visit local winery tasting rooms. 

76. Tube the Touchet River at Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, near Dayton, Washington.

77. Canoe or kayak the Little Spokane River. Use the Spokane Parks & Recreation weekend shuttle service (reservations recommended).

78. Attend the Cherry Festival at Beck’s Harvest House at Green Bluff (July 18, 2019). 

79. Go to “Paddle, Splash, and Play” at Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area—a free kids’ event for families to try new watersports, hosted by Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club (July 20, 2019).

80. Take a bike or auto-tour of Turnbull or Little Pend Oreille national wildlife refuges.

81. Attend the Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration, which includes three ride-routes: 10-mile Family-Friendly Ride, 25-mile Adventure, and 50-mile Hills Around the Valley Ride (July 28, 2019).

82. Live it up at the North Idaho State Fair and rodeo at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds in Coeur d’Alene (August 21-25, 2019).

83. Stay at River Dance Lodge in a custom log cabin or luxury glamping tent. This adventure resort near Syringa, Idaho, can set you up with horseback-riding, mountain biking, and guided rafting trips. 

84. Rent a cabin at Hill’s or Elkin’s Resort at Priest Lake, Idaho.

85. Bike Fish Lake Trail’s out-and-back from its Spokane trailhead for a flat, gentle, mostly-shaded, nearly 15-mile workout. Stop to picnic at a trailside bench along the way.

86. Hike to the fire lookout at Table Rock (6,250’ elevation) in southeast Washington. Find trailhead directions at wta.org.

87. Bike along the rolling country roads of the Palouse. Find a trail that suits your style on the pullmanchamber.com webpage. “Pedal the Palouse,” such as the Scenic Palouse Loop (2.5 miles with steep hills, begins in the town of Palouse) or the Lenville Loop (14 miles, begins on the Latah Trail in Moscow, Idaho). 

88. Hunt for fossils in the small town of Republic in northeast Washington at the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site.

89. Attend a mountain-top festival at Schweitzer or Silver mountain resorts.

90. Explore Gardner Cave at Crawford State Park Heritage Site, near Metaline Falls, Wash. (ranger-led tours offered daily).

91. Paddle in Sand Creek or bike the Sand Creek Trail in Sandpoint and go swimming at City Beach. 

92. Backpack or day hike Hoodoo Canyon and through an old-growth forest grove in the Colville National Forest.

93. Road trip to Okanogan County’s Methow Valley. Explore the towns of Winthrop and Twist; hike or bike mountain trails; float the Methow River; and take a free tour of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base (open daily).

94. Visit Hells Canyon National Recreation Area—the deepest river gorge in North America, accessible outside of Joseph, Ore. Take a hike along the canyon rim and soak up the scenery at Hat Point Overlook and campground or hike further into the gorge from the Freezout Trailhead. 

95. Bike the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a 23-mile paved path along the Columbia River in the Tri-Cities; the trailhead begins at the Sacajawea Historical State Park. 

96. Attend a music or arts festival, such as Rendezvous in the Park (July 18-20, 2019, in Moscow, Idaho); Art on the Green (August 2-4, North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene); or the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival in Medical Lake (August 9-11). 

97. Ferry-hop and explore the San Juan Islands in western Washington. On Orcas Island, camp at Moran State Park and hike to the summit of Mt. Constitution; sea kayak or cycle around Lopez Island; watch for Orcas off the coast of San Juan Island at Lime Kiln State Park. 

98. Road-trip to Beacon Rock State Park, which overlooks the Columbia River Gorge in southcentral Washington. Explore the shoreline, hike the 1-mile switchback trail to the summit of Beacon Rock; visit waterfalls; and hike to Hamilton Mountain summit or mountain bike to its saddles. 

99. Go summertime skiing or snowboarding at Oregon’s Mt. Hood (11,245’ elevation). Timberline Lodge and Ski Area’s high-speed quad leads to Palmer Glacier, and operates June 1-Labor Day. 

100. Visit Cat Tales Zoological Park in north Spokane to see rescued big cats and other wildlife in a safe environment. Wildlife at the park include black bear; Canada lynx; red fox; African lion; cougar; bobcat; Bengal, Siberian, and white tigers; and other wildlife.

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The Palouse: Kamiak Butte, Moscow Mountain, and Merry Cellars

The Hike: The Palouse is beautiful any time of year, but it shines in autumn when the fields have been cut and the rolling hills go for miles under a late-summer sun. Throughout these hills are stands of pine trees, and in those pines there are often trails, as with Kamiak Butte just outside of Pullman, Wash. Named after Chief Kamiakin of the Yakama tribe, this area is recognized as a National Natural Landmark and is worth the trek. It’s an easy walk to the top, as the main trail is a well-maintained path with a few switchbacks. When you reach the butte, you’ll be able to choose from several trails, such as Pine Ridge Trail, to weave your way along open vistas.

You can visit whitmancounty.org for a self-guiding nature walk brochure to learn about how this seemingly random group of pines came about. For a more challenging hike, trail run, or mountain bike session, drive 25 miles west and hit Headwaters Trail on Moscow Mountain. This hike will have fewer Palouse peek-a-boo viewpoints, but you’ll get a breath of fresh autumn air in the old growth cedars and soft singletrack trail making a 3.7-mile loop. Moose, bear, and cougar can be spotted here, so take appropriate precautions.

The Wine: Merry Cellars Winery is tucked up behind the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman, Wash. Housed in similar warehouse-style digs, the tasting room is a warmly-lit place with an expansive deck. Enjoy a glass of syrah, malbec, or Crimson, the winery’s Coug-themed red wine blend consisting primarily of Cabernet Franc. With a variety of red and white wines on tap and in bottles, you’ll be able to sample the gamut for a $10 tasting fee. From the tasting room, head to the outdoor patio to sip your glass among a small row of grapes tucked into the rolling hills.

Columbia Valley: Ancient Lakes Trail System and Chris Daniel Winery

The Hike: In central Washington, you can bank on sagebrush, basalt, and open, breezy views of the clouds rolling across the horizon. This primarily treeless location still has brush that flushes with the colors of fall, and the open expanse makes it easy to spot groups of white-tailed deer. The Missoula floods carved this area, so you can enjoy poking along basins and plateaus, and hunting for quartz, flint, jasper, or agates. While there are a small series of lakes and a desert waterfall, you should carry your own drinking water on this hike. The Ancient Lakes Loop connects with Potholes Trail, Dusty Lake Trail, and the Gorge Amphitheatre Trail, which offer stunning views of the Columbia River. Also in the area: rock climbing or hiking in the Frenchman Coulee near Vantage, mountain biking on Beezley Hill, and hiking on Monument Hill or in the Lenore Caves area.

The Wine: Chris Daniel Winery is kid- and dog-friendly. With a dry, French-style viognier, a rosé blend of Bordeaux grapes, and other beautifully bold Columbia Valley wines like a petit sirah/syrah, Chris Daniel will continue the adventure via your taste buds. There’s indoor and outdoor seating at this rural winery that abuts the flat farmland of central Washington. You’ll want to bring your own picnic-style foods to wineries in this area. There’s a network of great wineries here, including Beaumont Cellars (another rural gem tucked along an apple orchard), Cave B, Jones Winery, and wineries to the south of Vantage bridge that lead toward the Wahluke Slope.

Central Cascades: Mission Ridge, Palisades, and Chateau Faire le Pont

The Hike: A well-known ski area in winter, Mission Ridge has some great fall hiking options. You’ll find plenty of singletrack and elevation through the pines, made special this time of year when the western larch turn gold. You can clock miles on Devil’s Gulch trail, which includes various creek crossings and switchbacks up the side of Mission Ridge, or make a four-mile loop on Squilchuck Trail #1200 and stopover at Clara Lake. Visit Pybus Public Market before your hike to snag some fresh apples and artisan meats and cheeses to take on the trail. Consider walking through the public spaces of the nearby Palisades canyon for an away-from-it-all feeling among towering basalt plateaus.

The Wine: Chateau Faire le Pont has full-varietal grenache, carménère, and petit verdot, along with some tantalizing white wines and red wine blends. The quaint tasting room houses a restaurant with full lunch and dinner menus, making it a great post-hike stop. You can find anything from a locally-sourced tenderloin salad to a Columbia River steelhead entrée. After a chilly fall hike, try a cup of the French Onion soup with a glass of tempranillo. Make it a day by visiting nearby Martin Scott Winery, which has a great view of the surrounding Wenatchee hills and river.

North Cascades: Chelan Butte, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, and Local Wineries

The Hike: For a hike that’s close to town and looks over Lake Chelan, check out Chelan Butte. It’s a little over 7 miles round-trip, and you’ll gain 2,500 feet over this exposed terrain. If you’re searching for trees and alpine lakes, there’s plenty of neighboring backcountry options to explore in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness. You can even ride the Lady of the Lake passenger ferry up Lake Chelan, where it will drop you off at various hike-in trails, like Prince Creek; or, visit Stehekin, a community accessible only by water, float plane, or mountain trails. Hike the backcountry, then catch the ferry back and explore the wineries. Take note that the high-elevation destinations (think 7,000 feet plus) will feel more like winter than fall this time of year. Check Ladyofthelake.com for ferry schedules in the off-season.

The Wine: You’ll have many wineries and tasting rooms to choose from in the Lake Chelan area. Visit Karma Vineyards, Nefarious Cellars, and Fielding Hills Winery tasting rooms for lakeside views. Lakechelanwinevalley.com will have a full list. Near Manson, a small town along Lake Chelan with eight tasting rooms, there is the fun and notable Winegirl Wines.

Central Washington: Richland, Red Mountain, and Horse Heaven Hills

The Hike: If you know your Washington wines, you’ll know that Horse Heaven Hills is a popular AVA (American Viticultural Area). Turns out, it’s also a nice place to hike. You can go nearly seven miles on this open-vista plateau just south of Benton city. It’s only one of several hikes in the expansive scrub brush around the greater Tri-Cities area. Check out the Rattlesnake Slope Wildlife Area, Badger Mountain, or the Juniper Dunes Wilderness for hiking with a view of local wine country.

The Wine: If you’re in western Richland, be sure to visit Tulip Lane—it’s home to three wineries within walking distance, including the award-winning Barnard Griffin Winery (try their rosé of sangiovese). If you hike on Badger Mountain, you’ll have easy access to Badger Mountain Vineyard & Powers Winery, with a chill tasting room that will let you peruse the vineyard rows. Goose Ridge Estate is another must-try with its notable wines, seasonal ciders, and rural-feeling outdoor seating area. Be sure to spend an afternoon exploring the many wineries on nearby Red Mountain to sample wines from one of the most unique AVAs in the state. //

Lisa Laughlin is a runner and backpacker. She grew up on a wheat farm in central Washington and loves Washington wines. She wrote about rollerblading in the August issue of Out There.

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• Headwaters Trail (Moscow Mountain, Moscow, Idaho)—You’ll find well-maintained singletrack surrounded by pines and moss on this 3.7-mile loop. This intermediate-level trail has a few climbs and switchbacks, with smooth trails and variety. While you’re in the area, visit Kamiak Butte just outside Pullman, for a quick 3.5-mile loop. An island of pine trees, the Butte’s 900-foot elevation gain offers stellar views of the Palouse. alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/headwaters-trail
• Ancient Lakes Loop (near George, Wash.)—You’ll be able to cover at least 12 miles at this scenic desert area spotted with lakes, sage, and mule deer. Keep an eye out for a waterfall as you toe along the basalt plateaus. This trail is close to Potholes Trail and Dusty Lake Trail, which connect to the Gorge Amphitheatre Trail, a 4.2-miler leading to its namesake’s concert venue. You’ll find beautiful drop-off views of the Columbia River. wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/ancient-lakes
• Steamboat Rock State Park (near Electric City, Wash.)—Located on Banks Lake, this geological oddity was carved by Ice Age floods in the heart of the scablands. You’ll find 13.1 miles of trail leading to Northrup Lake among the sagebrush, basalt, and wild grasses. Post-run/hike, you’ll have easy water access and camping options. If you’re looking to cross-recreate, you can also do some granite bouldering here. parks.state.wa.us/590/Steamboat-Rock
• Devil’s Gulch (Mission Ridge, Wenatchee, Wash.)—You’ll need to shuttle or run up a connecting forest road for this one. Devil’s Gulch, snaking to the side of Mission Peak, is heavy in switchbacks and creek crossings. For something less nefarious-sounding, make a 4-mile loop on Squilchuck Trail #1200 and stop at tamarack-lined Clara Lake. You’re in apple country, so search for a fresh Honeycrisp in town when you’re done. wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/devils-gulch
• Lake Lenore Caves and Beezley Hill (Soap Lake/Ephrata, Wash)—The great thing about running uphill in a flat place is that it doesn’t take long to achieve panoramic views. Beezley Hill, home of the annual “Beezley Burn,” provides soft dirt tracks through sagebrush and open, sunny skies. The nearby Lake Lenore Caves area has an admittedly short and rocky trail, but you can poke around naturally-formed caves. wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lenore-lake-caves
• Trail 79 (Caribou Ridge, near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)—My favorite trail running app, Trail Running Project, rated this trail “black diamond” (difficult)—and it didn’t disappoint. This trail has narrow and bumpy paths over mineral-streaked rocks, but the peek-a-boo views of Lake Coeur d’Alene make this challenging singletrack worth it. You’ll cover 2,000 feet of elevation in five miles, but you’ll be rewarded with soft, pine-shadowed portions of trail. alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/caribou-ridge-national-recreation-trail
• Icicle Ridge Trail (Leavenworth, Wash.)—This trail begins with a steep climb and offers a view of the epic peaks around this Bavarian tourist town. Near the 2-mile mark, you can diverge for Icicle Ridge Viewpoint, then continue along Icicle Ridge for at least 25 miles. Post-run perks include access to artisan meats and cheeses, and downtown wine, beer, and distillery tasting rooms. wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/icicle-ridge-1
• Farragut State Park (near Athol, Idaho)—Nestled near the south point of Lake Pend Oreille, you can catch some classic Northwest pine-covered trail. Check out Bernard Peak Trail, which features a couple of switchbacks and creek crossings on the way to a view of the surrounding mountain ranges. parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/farragut
• Gold Hill Trail (near Sandpoint, Idaho)—You can clock near-marathon distance on the Gold Hill to Garfield Bay route. Start along Bottle Bay road at the side of Lake Pend Oreille and etch your way across various ridges to Garfield Bay. Close by is Mineral Point Trail #82, offering 4 miles with stunning lake vistas. alltrails.com/trail/us/idaho/gold-hill-north-trail //

[Feature photo “Author Lisa getting lost in the cedars at the Headwaters Trail” by Molly Beu.]

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