Cover photo courtesy of Jon Jonckers

Long days, cool waters and mountain trails—summer in the Inland Northwest is pure magic. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or searching for serenity, you’ll find the right outdoor adventure to match your mood in this year’s roundup of summer adventure ideas.

 

Tube or Paddle the Lower Spokane River 
Nothing beats floating the Spokane River on an inflatable tube on a toasty summer day. The water is cool and the rapids are relatively tame on a float from Peaceful Valley downstream from downtown to the take out at T.J. Meenach Bridge, which avoids expert-only rapids farther down river (life jackets required). 

Local river guide and outfitter FLOW Adventures makes this classic Spokane float even easier and more enjoyable with tube rentals and a shuttle service. FLOW also rents cooler tubes for keeping your lunch and refreshments cold. Take your time to stop to look for crawdads, chill on a beach and soak up the slow summer pace of our beautiful urban river. 

Visit the Historic Kettle Falls Historical Center 
Learn about the fur trade and Native American history at the Kettle Falls Historical Center. The area, once a major trading hub, offers exhibits and a rich history of both settlers and Native Americans that gives insight into the area’s past. It’s a great way to experience both history and natural beauty in one spot. The nearby Sherman Creek Wildlife Area offers several hiking trail options to make this a history and hiking trip. 

Ride a Section of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes 
Spanning 73 miles through Idaho’s Silver Valley, the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is a flat, paved trail with many trailheads to plan a ride of whatever distance your group is up for. This incredible trail includes options for swimming in Lake Coeur d’Alene on the public beach in Harrison, grabbing a bite to eat in one of several towns and viewing wildlife along the trail.  

Explore the Ross Creek Cedars 
Take a walk through one of the few remaining old-growth cedar forests in the region. Located in Montana’s Cabinet Mountains, the towering trees are a wonder to experience up close. A short loop takes hikers past informative signs where you can learn about the role old-growth forests play in the natural world. 

Raft the Clark Fork River 
The Clark Fork River offers thrilling Class III rapids only a couple of hours from Spokane, making it a perfect adrenaline-packed day on the water. Experienced rafters with their own gear should definitely get to know this Class II and III whitewater run through stunning canyons. If you aren’t set up for rafting on your own, book a guided trip with ROW Adventures to safely experience this wild and incredibly scenic whitewater. Guides will share their knowledge about the river canyon and wildlife and find the best swimming spots to cool off between rapids.  

Hunt for Real Fossils at Stonerose Fossil Site in Republic, WA 
The Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site allows visitors to split rocks and search for fossils while learning about the prehistoric past of the region. The site is rich in ancient plant fossils, making it a great destination for geology lovers and families alike. Dig your own fossils, explore the interpretive center, and discover the ancient history that shaped the land. Don’t miss the free interpretive center where you can learn all about the fossils you’ll be searching for. 

Try Mountain Biking at Riverside State Park 
Riverside State Park near downtown Spokane offers a wide range of mountain biking trails for riders of all abilities and is one of the most beginner-friendly trail systems in the Inland Northwest. The forgiving trails are perfect for trying mountain biking for the first time or getting kids introduced to singletrack riding. Trails wind for miles through pine forests and along the Spokane River and basalt cliffsides with plenty of mostly-flat trails that take it easy on lungs and legs.  

Go Fishing at Fish Lake Regional Park 
If you live near downtown Spokane, Fish Lake Regional Park near Cheney is a quiet, quick fishing getaway. Only electric boat motors are allowed, which lends to the peaceful vibe on the water that makes this 43-acre lake popular with paddlers and small boats. Landlubbers also have plenty of shoreline to explore while fishing for brook, tiger and rainbow trout among other species. The paved Columbia Plateau Trail passes above the lake and, with the exception of a several mile trail gap between the lake and Spokane, the Fish Lake Trail provides a scenic, paved option for biking to the lake for your angling outing.  

Kayak the Little Spokane River 
The Little Spokane River, known for its calm waters and largely wild shoreline, is a peaceful paddling option for kayakers and paddle boarders, especially since floating the river in tubes as well as swimming and consuming alcohol are not allowed. Paddle through the serene landscape, passing by acres of conservation and park lands that moose, elk, deer and other wildlife call home. It’s a great way to connect with nature and slow down summer. Simplify your float by taking advantage of the Spokane Parks and Recreation river shuttle. 

Learn about Downtown Spokane History on a Walking Tour 
Step back in time with a guided walking tour of some of Spokane’s little-known history and other hidden sites with Wander Spokane. Choose from different themed tours and discover the city’s rich history and beautiful trails and urban wild areas. From historic buildings to significant landmarks, tours offer a deeper understanding of Spokane’s heritage with some tours making stops at craft eateries, breweries and wine-tasting spots.  

Hike the Dishman Hills in Spokane Valley 
Choose from an extensive network of trails that lead hikers through diverse ecosystems, including ponds and wetlands, forests and grasslands. It’s an easy in-town option for a full-day hike with a picnic, or short evening or morning loop hike suitable for all abilities and ages. The area’s tranquility and beauty on the edge of the city makes a hike here feel like a wilderness experience without the long drive. The Dishman Hills Conservancy hosts regular guided hikes and other events where you can learn about this incredible urban wildland. 

Bike the Columbia Plateau Trail 
The full length of the Columbia Plateau Trail stretches 130 miles from Pasco to Cheney, offering scenic views of the surrounding channeled scablands past lakes, wetlands, forests and grasslands. Start your ride in Cheney for an out-and-back pedal, passing through a portion of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, or arrange a shuttle from one of several trailheads to see more of this crushed-rock rail trail. Time your ride in the morning or evening for the best chance at viewing birds and other wildlife including moose and elk.  

Bike the Route of the Hiawatha  
A must-ride route that should be on everyone’s bucket list, the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha near Lookout Pass passes through tunnels and over trestle bridges in Idaho’s Bitterroot Mountains. The trail offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and interpretive signs to learn about the history of the trail and nearby communities. It’s also a relatively easy ride with a shuttle option, making it suitable for families and groups of mixed fitness and physical ability. Trail passes are required for the Hiawatha and can be purchased online with shuttles or at Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, where you can also rent bikes and other gear for the ride. Headlamps required.  

Pedal the Rails on a RailRider Tour 
This unique and active tour involves pedaling retired railroad tracks on a railbike near Metaline Falls in Northeast Washington. Travel through scenic areas that were once only traversed by trains. Tours typically sell out in the summer months, so plan ahead or book a fall trip. 

Go Birdwatching at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge 
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge near Cheney is a prime spot for birdwatching, with diverse habitats supporting a variety of wildlife. In the summer months, many birds can be observed near ponds and lakes on the 17,000-acre refuge. There are several short trails and wildlife viewing areas along the auto-tour loop with signage. 

Explore the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge Auto-Tour Loop 
The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge near Colville, Wash., has a 10-mile auto-tour loop that tours through diverse forest habitats. Drive or bike the loop with stops for short hikes and to read the interpretive signs. Morning and evening outings are best for wildlife viewing. There are some excellent riverside campsites too. Gravel bikers and bikepackers can connect additional forest roads for longer day rides or bikepacking adventures. 

Rent a Kayak, Sailboat, or Paddleboard on Lake Coeur d’Alene 
Rent the paddle craft of your choice right on the beach from the North Idaho College-run Sunspot at Ya-Keehn-Um Beach in Coeur d’Alene. Paddle along the lakeshore for a unique view of downtown Coeur d’Alene or explore the waters where the lake and Spokane River meet.  

Bike the Kettle River Heritage Trail in Grand Forks, B.C. 
This super scenic 17k trail just north of the border from Washington follows the path of a historic railroad between Grand Forks and Christina Lake. The rustic crushed rock trail passes through forest and grassland, including the Gilpin Grasslands Provincial Park. Bring your swim suit for a dip or two in the Kettle River. Be sure to check out the spectacular Cascade Gorge Falls near Christina Lake as part of your trip. 

Kayak the Coeur d’Alene River Chain Lakes  

Paddle through a series of interconnected lakes with a good chance of seeing moose and many types of birds. Launch in Harrison, Idaho, and explore multiple connected lakes along the Coeur d’Alene River. 

Stargaze at Steptoe Butte State Park 

Rising nearly 1,000 feet above the rolling Palouse hills, stargazing in the Inland Northwest doesn’t get much better than Steptoe Butte. Drive to the summit at dusk, spread out a blanket and witness the Milky Way spread across the dark sky. The minimal light pollution and 360-degree views make this one of the region’s premier stargazing locations, especially during meteor showers. 

Rock Climb, Paddle or Swim at Q’emiln Park in Post Falls 

Q’emiln Park offers over 40 established rock-climbing routes on its quality granite walls. With options for beginners to experienced climbers, the park provides a perfect introduction to outdoor climbing in a beautiful setting along the Spokane River. After your climb, or if you don’t rock climb, cool off with a swim at the park’s beach or launch your paddleboard or kayak for a serene paddle on the still waters of this section of the Spokane River behind Post Falls Dam. Bring your bike and pedal across the bridge into town for a craft beer or bite to eat in downtown Post Falls. 

Stand-Up Paddleboard on Medical Lake 

Just west of Spokane, Medical Lake provides a perfect setting for stand-up paddleboarding with its calm waters and no-wake policy. The lake’s compact size makes it ideal for beginners, while more experienced paddlers can explore the entire perimeter. Early morning paddling offers the best chance to see local wildlife and enjoy glassy water conditions. 

Hike or Mountain Bike the Trails at 4th of July Pass Near Coeur d’Alene 

Located between Coeur d’Alene and Kellogg right off of I-90, this mellow trail system includes miles of rolling trails on decommissioned forest roads that are used for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. A great option for families or those looking for a close-to-town forest escape.   

Explore the Sullivan Lake Trail 

Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls, Wash., offers a gorgeous 8.2-mile round-trip trail along the east side of the mostly undeveloped lake in the Colville National Forest. The lake is clean, clear and great for swimming at a few spots along the trail and at the campground beaches at both ends of the trail.  

Go for a Gravel Ride in the Channeled Scablands  

Explore the unique landscape of the channeled scablands on hundreds of miles of gravel roads southwest of Spokane. These quiet, lightly traveled backroads wind through dramatic coulees, past pothole lakes and across rolling farm and ranch lands. Create your own route linking up sections of gravel road with paved-road stretches by starting in Spokane for a longer ride or the college town of Cheney for more manageable options.  

Go Geocaching in Riverside State Park 

Embark on a modern-day treasure hunt in one of Washington’s largest state parks. There are plenty of geocaches hidden in Riverside to keep you busy searching using GPS coordinates. This family-friendly activity combines hiking with problem-solving and can be tailored to any fitness level, from short walks to longer day-hikes. Get started at Geocaching.com. 

Bike the Old Spiral Highway Near Lewiston, Idaho 

Experience a cycling challenge with spectacular views on the Old Spiral Highway near Lewiston, Idaho. This historic road climbs 2,000 feet via dozens of curves and switchbacks, offering increasingly panoramic vistas of the Snake River and surrounding landscape. The 7.3-mile ascent is a favorite among local cyclists looking to test their climbing legs. 

Canoe or Kayak the Lower Pack River 

This section of the Pack River near Sandpoint in the summer is a gentle float suitable for beginners and families. Expect a peaceful paddle through forest and wetlands with frequent wildlife encounters. The slow current and multiple access points make it easy to plan trips of various lengths. 

Go Gold Panning  
This summer, try your luck at recreational gold panning in North Idaho. Pick up a basic gold pan and classifier to screen out large rocks and grab a shovel. No permit is needed for most public lands, but always check current rules and avoid disturbing sensitive aquatic areas. A great option is the privately-owned Eagle City Park gold panning area near Wallace, Idaho. A fee is required to pan this former gold mining hotspot.  

Challenge Yourself on Mica Moon’s Aerial Park 

If you’re craving a treetop thrill, Mica Moon’s aerial park tucked in the mountains near Liberty Lake, Wash., is packed with swinging bridges, balance lines, and ninja-style elements to test your balance and agility. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure course perfect for families and groups of friends. Mica Moon also offers tours on its nine ziplines. 

RV Camp Where It’s Truly Wild 

Tucked into the quiet wilds of Northeast Washington, the Wilds RV Campground is where solitude seekers and outdoor lovers find their sweet spot. This remote private campground offers dispersed-style RV and campervan sites, meaning no shoulder-to-shoulder parking—so you can enjoy the stars and the sounds of the forest. Basecamp here for day trips to nearby Colville National Forest trails and lakes.  

Ride Silver Mountain Bike Park 
Silver Mountain Bike Park turns gravity into your best friend. Load your bike on the gondola, climb 3,400 feet without breaking a sweat, then drop into over 30 miles of trails ranging from beginner-friendly green trails to rooty, rowdy blues and blacks with plenty of jumps and features to challenge yourself.  

Take a Scenic Gondola Ride and a Hike at Silver Mountain 

The gondola at Silver Mountain Resort is North America’s longest, floating you quietly above the trees and canyons for expansive views of Idaho’s Silver Valley. At the top, stretch your legs with a high-country hike and hunt for huckleberries.  
 

The post 100+ Summer Adventures  appeared first on Out There Venture.

Cover photo courtesy of Priest Lake Watersports

If this list doesn’t send you into a race-registering frenzy, I don’t know what will. Our region is packed with incredible options for running, riding, triathlon-ing, and getting outside from March through October. The only problem, my friends: you can’t be in two places at once.  

ROAD RUNNING Note that USATF-sanctioned events do not allow strollers.  

St. Paddy’s Five Miler (March 9): This family-friendly road run starts and finishes at Spokane Community College and is an official Bloomsday second-seed qualifier race. “Lucky Leprechaun Jig” (free) hosted for kids 6 and under. 

Shamrock Shuffle (March 16): An early spring half marathon, 10k and 5k, with Kids’ Fun Run, organized by Negative Split. All distances wind through Riverfront Park in Spokane.  

Rapid Rabbit Run (March 23): 3-mile & 5-mile runs (virtual options). Proceeds benefit East Valley High School’s senior class (Spokane Valley). The 5-miler is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier race.  

Yakima River Canyon Marathon & Half Marathon (March 29): USATF-certified course with views of the Yakima River Canyon make this a scenic, early-season Boston Qualifier marathon with half marathon option. 

Only Fools Run at Midnight 5k (March 29): Run the streets of downtown Medical Lake starting at 11:30 p.m. and finish at the Pizza Factory in this 47^th Annual Run. Organized by Medical Lake Lions Club. Virtual Options. 

The Split Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (April 13): This Negative Split event is a flat, scenic course through Riverfront Park and along the Spokane River. Kids’ fun run also offered. 

Jr. Bloomsday (April 13): A 1-mile race for kids grades 3-7 aimed to foster a love for fitness and fun. Located at Spokane Falls Community College campus with an awesome prize pack for participants. Supports Active4Youth nonprofit. 

Hauser Lake Icebreaker Run (April 19): 5k and 10k runs around the lake in Hauser, Idaho, are a fundraiser for the special-needs rescue dogs at Double J Dog Ranch. 10k course is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier. Walkers and friendly dogs welcome. Finish medals for humans and finish bandanas for canines. 

Wenatchee Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (April 19): Paved activity trails follow the Columbia River and offer beautiful spring views of the Cascades. USATF-certified with a Boston-qualifier marathon, this TedDriven race supports cancer research.   

Run the River (April 19): Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, 5k and Kids’ Marathon courses run on paved paths along the Columbia River through all three cities of the Tri-Cities. Flat and fast with a Boston-qualifier marathon. 

Spring Dash (April 26): Take on a Half Marathon, 10k, 5k or Tot Trot (10 and under) from Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park on out-and-back paved routes with views of Lake Coeur d’Alene. USATF certified; 10k is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier.  

Apple Blossom Run (May 3): 10k, 5k, and kids’ 2k are a part of the Wenatchee Apple Blossom Festival.  

Lilac Bloomsday Run (May 4): The iconic Spokane 12k race. Challenging, fun course for runners, walkers and wheelchair participants to celebrate the spirit of the Lilac City. 

Long Bridge Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (May 10): This Sandpoint, Idaho, race  includes over 3 miles of running over beautiful Lake Pend Oreille with a start at Sandpoint City Beach Park. Run this race and do the Long Bridge Swim (Aug. 2) to earn the Long Bridge Duathlon medal. Organized by Priest Lake Multisports.  

Leavenworth Mai BlumenLauf (May 11): The Mai BlumenLauf (May Flower Run) is a new event by TedDriven with half marathon, 10k and 5k courses through the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth and on its river-front trails. USATF certified.   

The Ta Ta Dash (May 17): Run through beautiful Manito Park in this run put on by Beyond Pink to help prevent and screen for breast cancer. 10k, 5k, and kids’ ⅓ mile distances available. 

Windermere Marathon (May 18): Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and kids’ fun run options take runners along the scenic Centennial Trail and Spokane River in this point-to-point certified Boston Qualifier that ends at Riverfront Park.  

Race to Remember 5k (May 24): This fun run through Fairmount Memorial Park pays tribute to fallen officers on Memorial Day with a course decorated with American Flags and benefitting the Beyond the Call of Duty program. 

Coeur d’Alene Marathon (May 25): Scenic race with a start/finish at McEuen Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Hosted by Negative Split. Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, and kids’ fun run available. USATF certified Boston qualifier.  

Priest Lake Spring Fun Run (May 25): Run along the lakeshore at beautiful Priest Lake with a 10k, 5k, or kids’ dash. Lines up with Priest Lake Spring Festival.  

T9 Mermaid Run (May 31): Hosted by Title 9, the Mermaid Series is a celebration of women’s movement. New Half Marathon distance this year in addition to 10k, 5k and mermaid dash (ages 6-12). Start/finish at Riverfront Park. 

Metaline Falls Bigfoot 5K (June 14): Takes place in the historic town of Metaline Falls in Pend Oreille County in conjunction with the town’s unique Bigfoot Festival. Additional kids’ color run option on June 13.  

Missoula Marathon (June 27-29): The “Last Best Race” offers Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5k distances over the weekend with a Friday night beer run and 1-mile kids’ marathon. A scenic race named Best Marathon in the US several times. 

Spokenya Run/Walk 7k (July 2025): A race designed to raise money for clean water acts in rural Kenya. 

Wallace Huckleberry Festival 5k (Aug. 18): This 5k in North Idaho is part of the 40^th annual Wallace Huckleberry Festival, a weekend with vendors, music, and huckleberry pancake breakfast. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome. 

Run the Night (Aug. 23): An evening glow run offering distances of Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, and Kids’ Fun run. Start/Finish at Spokane Fairgrounds.  

Deutschesfest Fun Run (Sept. 18-21): German community festival in Odessa, Wash., includes a parade, fun run, brats, brews and more. 

Run the Dam Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (Sept. 20): Run across Grand Coulee Dam and along Banks Lake as part of the Run the Dam Festival in Grand Coulee, Wash. 

Boulevard Race (Sept. 21): A fun and fast 4-mile race benefitting the Community Cancer Fund beginning at the McCarthey Athletic Center and running downtown. Includes wheelchair division. 

Valleyfest River Run (Sept. 21): 10k and 5k distances start/finish at Plante’s Ferry in Spokane Valley, running mostly on the Centennial Trail. Bloomsday qualifier.  

Leavenworth Marathon & Half Marathon (Oct. 4): A mix of paved roads, wooded trails, and dirt paths take runners through the stunning fall terrain of Leavenworth’s Icicle Canyon and downtown. A USATF-certified Boston Qualifier race by TedDriven, supporting cancer research.  

Jackass Half Marathon & 5k (Oct. 4): This point-to-point race along the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes will run through the beautiful fall scapes of the Silver Valley from Wallace to Kellogg, Idaho.   

Hayden Lake Marathon (Oct. 11): Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, 5k and kids’ fun run starts and finishes at Honeysuckle Beach, running along beautiful Hayden Lake.  

Spokane Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k (Oct. 12): Proceeds from this Boston Marathon qualifier race benefit local high school cross-country programs. The 10k is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier. 

Halloween Hustle (Oct. 26): Spooky Half Marathon, 10k and 5k event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, organized by Negative Split.  

Race to Feed Our Vets (Nov. 9): A 5k run through Riverside Memorial Park to benefit Meals on Wheels of Spokane, with free beer and chili at the end of the race.  

TRAIL RUNNING 

Badger Mountain Challenge (March 21-22): Ultra distances of 100 miles, 100k, 50 miles, and 55k with a 15k option offer expansive views of the Columbia Basin. Proceeds support WTA, Friends of Badger Mountain, and Girls on the Run. USATF sanctioned event. Register by March 16.  

Ancient Lakes 50-mile, 50k, 25k & 10k (April 5-6): Experience the unique desert landscape of the Ancient Lakes area near Quincy, Wash., with this single-track race that includes a scenic waterfall. 

Yakima Skyline 25k (April 13): An out-and-back course in the high desert of the Yakima River Canyon outside Ellensburg, Wash., with open views and 4,700 feet of elevation gain. 

Caveman Roar & Pour (April 26): Run through the Cave B Winery estate in Quincy, Wash., overlooking the stunning Columbia River Gorge. Caveman/cavewoman costumes encouraged. Wine tasting and live music afterward. 

Spokane River Run (April 27): This race through Riverside State Park’s trails offers many distances: 5k, 10k, 25k, 25k Challenge, 50k, 50k team relay, and a new 25k Tag Team (2-person relay). New finish line amenity: Garland Brew Werks Beer Garden. Fundraiser for Garfield Elementary A.P.P.L.E. program and others. 

Run Like the Wind Running Festival (April 27): 5k, 10k and kids’ dash along the trails, paths and roads at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Ellensburg, Wash.; benefits Kittitas County Search and Rescue. 

Sun Mountain Trail Races (May 17 & 18): Run in the wildflower-carpeted Methow Valley in a 50-miler, 50k, 20-miler or 25k with stunning views of the Cascades at the edge of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness.  

Hiawatha Trail Run (June 8): An epic run down Idaho’s Hiawatha Trail, cruising on crushed-rock rail trail and through old railroad tunnels that require headlights. 50k, 25k, 15k, or 10k available. Organized by Negative Split.  

Kaniksu Trail Runs (June 14): Multiple lengths available: Long Walk 100k, Kaniksu 50-mile, Blister Club (Solo Ruck), Emory Corwine Memorial Ruck Race, Sweet 50k, Tall Trees 29k, Herman’s Half, and SERE Beer Mile. Events take place in the Lower Selkirk Mountain Range of Colville National Forest. 

“The Kan” Mountain Ultra Trail Race (June 14): 50k, 25k, and 10k options at Mount Spokane State Park traverse alpine meadows and old pine forests.  

Trail Rail Run 50-mile, 50-mile relay, 50k, 30k, 12k and 5k (June 21): A run from Mullan, Idaho, to St. Regis, Mont., along the old Milwaukee and Northern Pacific Railroad grades. 

Race the Wolf (June 21-22): Enjoy the flowy and challenging trails on Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint, Idaho, with a Marathon, Half Marathon or 5-mile race. A straight uphill 1-mile “sky climb” also offered, with a ride down the mountain via ski lift. Part of the GRIT North Idaho Trail series.   

Mountain Magic Trail Run (June 29): 25k, 10k, and 5k options, with a new 35k Grand Tour distance. Experience the summer trails of Mount Spokane State Park.  

The “Original” Bare Buns Fun Run (July 27): Clothing-optional 5k trail run/walk at the Kaniksu Ranch Family Nudist Park near Loon Lake, Wash. 

Rams Twilight Trail Run 5k (July; TBA): A 5k run along the trails near Riverside High School in Chattaroy that starts at 7:30 p.m. (headlamps highly encouraged); trail marked by glowsticks. Organized by Riverside’s Cross Country Team. 

Tartarus Backyard Ultra (Sept. 6): A “Last Person Standing” ultra race for runners and ruckers through Riverside State Park.  

Jump off Joe Marathon (Sept. 6): Gravel roads on and around Jump off Joe Mountain near Kennewick, Wash., provide great views from the top of the hill; half marathon and marathon course make the summit. Also a 10k option.  

Mt. Spokane Trail Run (Sept. 7): This Negative Split trail run has three scenic course options that start and finish at Selkirk Lodge on Mount Spokane. 25k, 10k and 5k distances. 

Priest Lake Marathon, Half Marathon & 50k (Sept. 13): Wilderness trail run through cedar groves and along lakeshore in the Panhandle National Forest. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series organized by Priest Lake Multisports. 

Moscow Mountain Madness Half Marathon, 50k & 5-Mile (Oct. 5): Challenging course along technical single-track and logging roads. Hosted by Palouse Road Runners in Moscow, Idaho. 
Wild Moose Chase Trail Run (Oct; TBA) 25k, 10k and 5k trail runs at Riverside State Park hosted by Eastern Washington University’s PT department students. Larch Madness Trail Races (Oct. 12): A challenging run on the eastern edge of the Cascades in the Loup Loup Ski Bowl, alight with golden larch trees this time of year. 50k, 25k, 15k and 5k options. 
Sekani Trail Run 10k, 5k and 1k Kids’ Run (Oct; TBA): Adventure run/hike/walk on trails typically held at Camp Sekani Park in Spokane; this annual fall trail run is a fundraiser for Franklin Elementary School’s A.P.P.L.E. program. 

Fall Flash 10k Race & 5k Fun Run (Nov; TBA): Course is a combination of paved and gravel roads and rolling hills of the Palouse countryside. Hosted by Palouse Road Runners, based in Moscow, Idaho. 

ROAD CYCLING 

Bike Everywhere Month Spokane (May): Events and activities typically include a Bloomsday bike corral, a pancake breakfast in Riverfront Park, and energizer stations for morning commuters. Organized by the Spokane Bicycle Club. 

Lilac Century Ride (May 18): Fun, scenic and challenging road tours (25-mile, 50-mile, 66-mile, and 100-mile). Start/finish at Big Barn Brewing Company in Green Bluff. 32-mile gravel option.  

CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo (June 14): Gran fondo scenic ride—not a race—starting from City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho, and riding along Lake Pend Oreille into Montana. Route options include road rides of 150, 80, 40 or 25 miles, a 55- or 75-mile gravel ride, and a family fun ride. Organized by Sandpoint Rotary; proceeds support a literacy program benefitting Pend Oreille School District students. 

Spokane Summer Parkways (June 17): A free route for bikes, pedestrians, and other human-powered transportation in the South Hill Manito/Comstock neighborhoods. Family-friendly event with fun, snacks and entertainment along the way. 

Cycle Chelan (June 21): This event is celebrating its 20^th anniversary ride this year with the Metric Century Challenge (100 km, with 4,000 feet of elevation gain), Lake Loop (45 miles), and Cycle di Vino (30 miles) around stunning Lake Chelan. E-bikes welcome. 

Northwest Tandem Rally (July 4-6): Hosted in Spokane Valley, Wash., this year by Valleyfest, tandem bike riders enjoy scenic rides and tandem bike community.  

Tour de Whatcom (July 19): Ride distance options include Century (100 miles), Metric Century (62 miles), 44 miles, or 22 miles. Scenic course, with start/finish in downtown Bellingham, Wash. 

Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration (July 27): Organized by Valleyfest, ride options include a 10-mile “Family-Friendly” route, 25-mile “Adventure Ride,” and the 50-mile “Hills Around the Valley.” 

RIM Ride (Sept. 6-7): “Rotary in Motion” routes offer both flat and elevation rides 5-mile family bike ride on Saturday, followed by 15-, 25-, 50-, and 100-mile rides on Sunday; hosted by the Rotary Club of Liberty Lake, Wash. 

WaCanId Selkirk Loop Ride (Sept. 8-13): A six-day ride over 395 miles making a supported scenic route around the Selkirk Mountains. Route includes two international border crossings (between U.S. and Canada), check WaCanId.org for event updates. 

Mt. Baker Hill Climb (Sept. 14): A 22-mile race with over 4,000 feet in elevation gain takes riders up a winding, rugged highway into the alpine. There are three categories—social, recreational and competitive. Benefits the Shifting Gears program. 

Coeur d’Fondo (Sept. 20): Ride along beautiful Coeur d’Alene lake and choose from five distances—Gran Fondo (116 mi.), Medio Fondo (86 mi.), Centro Fondo (47 mi.), Piccolo Fondo (36 mi.), and Family Fondo (14 mi.). Centro and Piccolo courses include a boat cruise.  

MOUNTAIN BIKING/GRAVEL RIDES 

Echo Red to Red XC MTB Race (March 15): Cross-country mountain bike race begins in the historic town of Echo, Oregon, with most of it on trails at Echo West Ranch & Vineyard. 

Gran Fondo Ephrata (March 23): A spring classic on remote back roads of Central Washington. Grand (85 mi.) and Medio (45 mi.) options with plenty of climbing. Register by March 20.  

Hilly Nilly Gravel Series (Monthly, March 17-June 16): Self-supported free group rides monthly (usually the 3^rd Sunday) in the months of March, April, May, and June. Course and starting point out of the Coeur d’Alene area posted a week ahead on Facebook. 

Washington Student Cycling League—Spring League (Spring): Co-ed mountain biking development program and spring race series for riders in grades 6-12, beginners through advanced, organized by the nonprofit Washington Student Cycling League. School-based and composite teams, with high school and middle divisions. Individuals can also participate and compete as an independent rider. Volunteer coaches are encouraged to start new teams. 

Hub-a-Palooza (April 11-13): A three-day mountain bike festival with downhill and enduro races at Beacon Hill/Camp Sekani in Spokane, hosted by Velo Northwest. 

Evergreen East—Classes & Clinics (April-Oct.): Mountain Bike Foundations classes start in April, with sessions offered both weekends and weeknights. Options include beginner, intermediate, freeride, technical descending, jumps classes, women-only classes, and private lessons. Classes are located at Camp Sekani unless otherwise noted. Scholarships available. 

Wednesday MTB Race Series at Riverside State Park (May 1-June 26): For nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, this popular annual event features a different race course each week. Free entry for age 18 and younger. 

3/4 Minus Cykeltur (May 3): The ¾ Minus Cykeltur is a gravel gran fondo with a 52-mile route and 75-mile route starting out of Sandpoint, Idaho. Concludes with party and award ceremony at Matchwood Brewing with food, drink and live music. This is the first stage of the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series. 

Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League (May-October): Race series for youth in grades 6-12. 

Gran Fondo Leavenworth (May 18): A tough race with lots of climbing, Grande (82 mi.) and Medio (40 mi.) distances traverse mountain passes and forest service roads with updated 2025 routes.  

The Lilac Gravel Flamdangle (May 18): A 32-mile gravel ride, with half the course on unpaved/gravel surfaces. Start and Finish at Green Bluff’s Big Barn Brewery. Part of the Lilac Century event.  

24 Hours of Riverside (May 24-25): The ultimate 24-hour MTB team relay at Riverside State Park with racing and camping. Can also compete as a solo rider. Race is Saturday to Sunday, with a kids’ bike parade Saturday night. 

Climb for the Cure (June 21): A gravel and mountain bike race that starts/ends at Big Barn Brewery and summits Mount Spokane in the middle. New route options include a 22-miler and 50-miler. It’s a race to end cancer. Win up to $12,000 in prices, gear, and discounts when you participate. New pedal assist category open.  

Monarch Grind (June 28): This 70-mile gravel gran fondo starts and ends just outside of Clark Fork, Idaho, and loops in the iconic peaks above Lake Pend Oreille. Event number two in the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series. 

Northwest Cup (July 25-27) Silver Mountain Bike Park hosts one of the stops for this seven-race series across the Northwest. 

The Last Best Ride (July 27): Ride the gravel backroads of Whitefish, Mont., with challenging terrain and stunning views in the state known as “The Last Best Place.” You’ll have to get on the waitlist for “The Big Horn Sheep” 95-miler, and there are a few spots in “The Mountain Goat” 51-miler open.  
Aether’s Traverse (Aug. 16): A 35-mile gravel ride that departs Sandpoint and climbs up and over the Selkirks into the Priest River drainage basin before a return climb of 6,300 feet up to Schweitzer’s Sky House for a final chairlift ride down for the post-ride party. 

TRIATHLON/WATERSPORTS/MULTISPORTS 

Leadman Triathlon (April 19): Participants ski or snowboard a mile down Silver Mountain, then bike 7 miles down into Kellogg, Idaho, for a final 4-mile run. BBQ lunch and live music in the Gondola Village after the race. 

Rage in the Sage Duathlon (May 3): A 2.5-mile cross country run and 10 mile mountain or gravel bike section beginning at Kiona Vineyards in Benton City. Relay options. 

Onion Man Triathlon (May 18): Olympic distance race at the base of the Blue Mountains, USA Triathlon Sanctioned. Relay and Aquabike options.  

Ski to Sea (May 25): A multi-sport relay adventure race with teams of 3-8 people. Starts at Mt. Baker Ski Area and finishes in Bellingham Bay. The seven different sport legs include: cross-country ski, downhill ski/snowboard, running, road bike, canoe, cyclocross bike and sea kayak. 

Medical Lake Trailblazer Tri/Du/5k (June 21): Sprint distance triathlon with 350-meter swim, 12.2-mile bike, and 2.9-mile run; Duathlon with 1-mile run, 12.2-mile bike, and 2.9-mile run; and 5k run. Starts and ends at Coney Island Park in Medical Lake, Wash. 

Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene (June 22): Half Ironman race based at City Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene includes 1.2-mile lake swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run. 

Righteous Richland Sprint Triathlon (July 12): A swim in the Columbia River kicks off this sprint tri with relay options. Mountain bike leg goes from Howard Amon Park to the Chamna Nature preserve with a final 3-mile foot path run.  

Hayden Sprint Triathlon (July 12): Swim, run and bike solo in this sprint triathlon, or register with a team to compete in the relay. Starts/ends at transition area at Honeysuckle Beach on Lake Hayden.  

Long Bridge Swim (Aug. 2): A 1.76-mile swim race across Lake Pend Oreille, aside the Sandpoint, Idaho, iconic Long Bridge. 30^th Annual event. 

Coeur d’Alene Triathlon/Duathlon (Aug. 9): Three registration options for this Coeur d’Alene event: Olympic triathlon (swim 1.5k, bike 40k, run 10k), scenic sprint triathlon (swim 0.5k, bike 20k, run 5k), or duathlon (run 5k, bike 40k, run 10k). 

Tri-Town Float Down Poker Paddle (TBA): Paddle the Pend Oreille River from the town of Ione to Metaline Falls, Wash. Event tentative; check Facebook for details. Raises funds for cancer patients and veterans.  

Swim the Snake (Aug. 9): An open water swim, kayak or stand-up paddle across the Snake River channel between Lyons Ferry State Park and Lyons Ferry Marina near the town of Starbuck, Wash. Fundraiser for Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council and local youth summer swim teams. 

Priest Lake Triathlon (Aug. 23): Choose between a sprint off-road triathlon or the sprint road bike course in the beautiful area around Priest Lake. Compete individually or as a team; start/finish near Hill’s Resort. 

Jen McKenna Paddle and Run (Sept. 6): Get the best of both worlds and kayak or SUP 1.6 miles from Higgens Point (CDA, Idaho) before running 4 miles along the Centennial Trail. New this year: a new long course with 3-person team option (two runners, one paddler). Event honors Jen McKenna, who died of complications from cystic fibrosis. Proceeds benefit Companions Animal Shelter. Post-race food and beer, plus great race swag. 

Diamond Tri Your Best Triathlon (Sept. 6): Event takes place at the Cowles Scout Reservation in Diamond Lake, Wash., and includes a SuperSprint (200-yard swim, 6-mile bike, 1.5-mile trail run; ages 11+); Sprint Tri (400-yard swim, 12-mile bike, 3-mile trail run; ages 18+); and Olympic Tri (1,600-yard swim, 23-mile bike, 6-mile trail run; ages 18+). Registration includes lunch from David’s Pizza. 

 

OUTDOORSY EVENTS 

Ask a Mechanic Anything (March 14): Learn bike maintenance tips and win prizes at Two Wheeler Dealer bike shop in Hayden, Idaho.  

OutLive Film Festival (March 20): Second annual festival of films that tell true cancer survivor stories of courage and healing lived outdoors. 7 p.m. at the Washington Cracker Co. building downtown Spokane. 

Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show (March 20-23): Gear and resources for fishing and boating, hunting, backpacking, and shooting sports. Hosted by Inland Northwest Wildlife Council at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. 

Reel Rock 19 (March 23): A fundraiser for the Bower Climbing Coalition at the Washington Cracker Building in downtown Spokane (4-8 p.m.). Climbing films, food and drinks, silent auction, and gear raffle. 

Wild & Scenic Film Festival (March 28): Films to inspire activism and a love for nature at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint. A benefit for Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. 

The Lands Council 40^th Anniversary Auction (April 5): Help protect the Inland Northwest’s forests, waters, and wildlife while bidding on outdoor packages and other cool items including a canoe formerly owned by Eddie Vedder of the band Pearl Jam. 

Ice Age Floods Presentation Series (April 15, 28, & May 14): Spokane County Library District hosts these three presentations from the local chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute (pre-registration is required).  
Spokane Bike Swap (April 19): The biggest bike sale event of the year. Buy or sell used bikes and check out biking and outdoor recreation booths at the Spokane Fairgrounds. All proceeds benefit local cycling-related non-profit projects. 
Spokane Riverkeeper Earth Day River Cleanup (April 19): Be a part of the community effort to keep our river clean at this family-friendly Earth Day cleanup from 10 a.m. – 1p.m. at High Bridge Park near downtown Spokane.   

Stonerose Fossil Site Members’ Weekend (April 25-27): A members’ only fossil digging weekend at Stonerose Interpretive Center & Eocene Fossil Site near Republic, Wash., (8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day). 

Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Restoration Project (April 26): Help with wildlife habitat restoration work at the refuge near Cheney, Wash., including tree potting, tree planting, fence removal, and tending to a pollinator garden. Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Turnbull NWR. 
Range to Ranch Overlanding Gathering (June 19-22): Nestled between Idaho’s rugged Sawtooth Mountains and the Lost River Range, this event at Swenson Butte Ranch offers a blend of off-road exploration, community connection, outdoor adventure, and camping in one of Idaho’s most scenic landscapes.  

Editor’s Note: Did we miss your favorite race, ride or outdoors event? Email lisa@outthereventure.com, and we will do our best to include it next year. 

The post Race, Ride, & Event Guide 2025  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.

By James P. Johnson

“Daddy, I don’t think I want plastic surgery,” my 8-year-old daughter Tricia stated as we drove through Central Washington. An interview about the topic I’d tuned into on the radio earlier apparently caused her to contemplate it. Her thoughtful expression produced a follow-up statement. “But I think witches need it.” Tricia, my 6-year-old son, Eric, and I were on an epic 34-day road/camping trip.

Now adults, we still chat occasionally about incidents. Early into my career as an elementary school teacher and married at the time, my wife was taking summer classes. I’d be watching the kids anyway, so I envisioned some adventure to know our state better. Labeling it the “See Washington Tour,” my wife wasn’t happy about not seeing our children for so long. I still have the journal I kept detailing what we did each day.

With little route planning, yet a goal to hit all regions of the state, just two of 33 nights were spent at a motel. My young ones became proficient at putting up and taking down our 8-person, fair weather tent, tall enough to stand in, but requiring tarps in case of rain. They also helped unload supplies and pack them back into the car. I prepared meals using an old Coleman stove as they explored the surroundings or involved themselves in an activity, this before the age of personal electronic gadgets.

Tenting had a downside: High winds caused a broken pole and a one-night motel stay. A store-bought sprinkler riser substituted perfectly. At an oceanside campground, a tall tree next to the tent compelled me to carry the kids to sleep in the car when a thunderstorm struck in the middle of the night, and a heavy, nightlong rain in the Olympic rainforest caused water to pool on the tent roof, which grew and sagged so low I could push and empty it with my legs. I had to do this repeatedly to prevent collapse and slept very little. The kids had a restful night.

We would stop at a park in the towns we visited, and I’d often prepare lunch as the kids took to the play equipment. Sometimes I joined them. Small town museums were a frequent stop. The two-headed calf at the Douglas County Museum in Waterville was a memorable exhibit.

I’ve always had an affinity for hiking; my young ones had resistance. I tried packing treats with a promise to serve mid-hike and again at hike’s end. It brought only a slight improvement. Yet, while visiting Artist Point near Mt. Baker, an alpine environment with paved trails and rocks lining the edges, they didn’t just hike—they ran with glee.

Our trip was enjoyable enough that the following summer we did another, covering Montana. It’s been stated that traveling is inherently educational. I can’t say precisely the impact our trip had on their intellectual development, but I corrected a misconception Eric had, who commented time to time about very large or especially fancy CDs. Not knowing what he was talking about, I let it slide until about the third or fourth time.

“Eric, what is a CD?” I finally asked.

He pointed at the road ahead. In the opposite lane, coming toward us, was an RV.

After much analysis and experimentation, James P. Johnson learned that grabbing the end of the sleeping bag and shaking was the best way to get kids up and going.

The post A 34-Day Road Trip with My Kids appeared first on Out There Venture.

By Olivia Dugenet

Cover photo courtesy of Kanisku Land Trust

They don’t call it spring fever for nothing. When the big, dark Inland Northwest winter finally melts away and the whole world is green and growing, anything seems possible. Every step outside into the sweet, mild air feels like a celebration. Rain? Shine? It doesn’t matter. It’s a perfect time to get outside and explore some of our diverse local natural areas.

If you’re already experiencing gratitude for this season of abundance, why not add a note of thanks for the natural areas themselves? They all exist because sometime, somewhere, a group of people got together and worked hard to preserve these spaces before they were cordoned off and carved up into housing subdivisions. It is important to remember that we have a choice in how our communities are built. As anthropologist David Graeber once put it, “the ultimate hidden truth of the world is that it is something that we make, and could just as easily make differently.”

Here are four local hikes to appreciate the work that has been done to preserve some of our region’s natural areas.

Pine Street Woods (Sandpoint, Idaho)

Sandpoint, Idaho understands community. With support from Kaniksu Land Trust, the people of Sandpoint raised $2.1 million to save a beloved forest from imminent development. Now called Pine Street Woods, this fully protected 180-acre “forest for all” opened in 2019 and is open to everyone.

“What’s so great about Pine Street Woods is that it’s only about 10 minutes from downtown Sandpoint, but it feels really wild,” says Marcy Timblin, Director of Communications for Kaniksu Land Trust (KLT), adding that even with its feeling of remoteness, it’s very safe. She points out that all the trails are loop trails, so no one gets lost.

Pine Street Woods was originally part of an old homestead owned by the Weisz family, who held the 160-acre property for KLT while the organization raised money for the purchase.  Another conservation-minded private owner, L.E. Krause, donated an adjacent 20-acre parcel.

The Pine Street Woods are strategically located adjacent to several other important pieces of land. The names Syringa Trail System and Sherwood Forest are used interchangeably to refer to the same privately-owned property. The owners have a conservation easement with KLT in a joint commitment to protect the land. VTT (Veló Tout Terrain), operated by Pend Oreille Pedalers, is a relatively new mountain bike trail system that connects with the Syringa Trail System/Sherwood Forest and Pine Street Woods. The private owners of another adjoining piece of land, Greta’s Segway, generously keep their trails open to the public. Together, this patchwork of properties forms a large and diverse area full of trails, forests and meadows.

“When you’re up there,” says Timblin, “it feels like it goes on and on forever.” Trails are available for all ability levels, from longer, more challenging hikes to walks that are accessible to wheelchairs, walkers and strollers.

This year, KLT opened the adjoining Sled Hill property. This privately owned land served as Sandpoint’s primary ski hill before Schweitzer opened in 1963 and has been a favorite sledding spot for decades. If hiking trails are still snow-packed in early spring, bring a sled instead. Visit kaniksu.org to join group hikes or connect with the friendly Sandpoint hiking community.

Directions: Drive west from Sandpoint on W. Pine Street. Pass the Selkirk School and Upland Drive. The Pine Street Woods access road is ¼ mile past the intersection of Pine Street and Hunt Lane on the left side of the road. Please respect posted speed limit and parking guidelines.

Post Falls Community Forest (Post Falls, Idaho)

Post Falls Community Forest is a true hidden gem. This 500-acre natural area just east of the Washington-Idaho border is easily accessible from I-90 and adjacent to the 78-acre Q’emlin (pronounced “ka-mee-lin”) Park and swimming area. The riverside preserve offers excellent hiking and rock-climbing opportunities. Several well-marked loop trails cover a range of terrain. The 2.9-mile Upper Falls Loop trail offers beautiful river views and options for birding or fishing. The 5.2-mile Post Falls Community Forest Q’emlin Park loop is moderately challenging with a bit of scrambling involved.

This community forest exists thanks to work that started more than 30 years ago. Today, after long-term collaboration from the Bureau of Land Management, Avista Utilities, the Post Falls Parks Department, the Post Falls Water Reclamation Division, and several private property owners, this broad swath of wild land along the Spokane River is permanently protected and available for the public to enjoy.

Directions: To get there via I-90, take the Spokane Street exit at Post Falls and travel south on Spokane Street to Q’emlin Park. As an alternative (with no seasonal parking fees), continue 3.2 miles south on West Riverview Drive to the Post Falls Community Forest Trailhead. The City of Post Falls asks that visitors park in designated lots only and take care not to block fire and emergency lanes.

Reardan Audubon Lake (Reardan, Idaho)

Just 22 miles from Spokane, in the small town of Reardan, Audubon Lake is a lifeline for many species of birds during their spring migrations. Buffleheads, canvasbacks and northern pintails. Black-necked stilts, American avocets and northern shovelers. These are just a few of the winged travelers that rely on the 277 acres that encompass the lake, its surrounding wetlands, grasslands and other landscape features that provide vital habitat.

Back in the early 2000s, when the lakeside property was up for sale and slated for development as a lakeside housing subdivision, The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy and Spokane Audubon Society understood the damaging impact that would have on wildlife habitat and secured an option to buy the land. These organizations joined with Ducks Unlimited, the City of Reardan and the Reardan Chamber of Commerce to preserve the ecosystem and responsibly develop it as a wildlife viewing area.

Reardan Audubon Lake is now officially part of Audubon Washington’s “Palouse to Pines Loop,” which includes 51 spots around the Inland Northwest to view 215 out of Washington’s 346 annually recorded bird species.

There’s a lot of research to suggest that birdwatching, or even just listening to birds, brings stress relief and other mental health benefits. There’s a bit of a learning curve involved, though. If you’re new to birdwatching or would like to get started, check out Audubonspokane.org for free field trips and other fun and welcoming educational opportunities. You can find more information about Reardan Audubon Lake at Inlandnwland.org.

Directions: From Hwy 2 at the City of Reardan, go north on Hwy 231 three blocks to the SW corner of the property on the east side of Hwy 231.

Haynes Estate Conservation Area, North Spokane (Spokane, Wash.)

Edward and Eloise Haynes bought property on the banks of the Little Spokane River in 1950. The undeveloped land, which served as an important wildlife habitat, stayed in the family for generations. When the cost of property taxes became difficult to manage, the owner considered developing the land as a housing subdivision, but neighbors and conservation experts recognized an opportunity to protect wildlife while also maintaining access to a beautiful community green space.

The Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, with support from the Friends of the Little Spokane River Valley, joined with the Haynes family to find an alternative. Through that effort, the Spokane County Conservation Futures Program secured the property in 2001. The Haynes family established a generous endowment to help maintain and care for the land. Today, the 97-acre Haynes Estate Conservation Area in north Spokane offers several short, well-marked loop trails for hiking, running, mountain biking and horseback riding. The beautiful half-mile stretch of river shoreline is a good place to take a fishing pole too.

Directions: At the North Spokane Y, take a slight right onto Highway 2. After 3.5 miles, turn right onto E. Farwell Road. Take the first left onto Shady Slope Drive for 1.5 miles, then turn left onto Leona St., which ends at the parking area. //

Olivia Dugenet is a Spokane writer who can often be found at her local natural area picking up trash, chatting with neighbors and running trails with her best friend Zizou the yellow lab.

The post Think Spring appeared first on Out There Venture.

Ready to run, bike, paddle, swim and have some new adventures in the upcoming race season? The 2024 calendar is packed with chances to test your mettle individually or as a team in outdoor races, runs and rides. Some dates are still TBA, and a few races have shuttered. Check race websites to confirm details and sign up. We’ll see you out there!

ROAD RUNNING

Snake River Half Marathon (March 2): A flat, paved, out-and-back course along the Snake River outside of Pullman, Wash., put on by the Palouse Road Runners. USATF certified.

St. Paddy’s Five Miler (March 10): This family-friendly event is hosted by Bloomsday Road Runners Club at Spokane Community College and is an official Bloomsday second-seed qualifier race. “Lucky Leprechaun Jig” (free) hosted for kids 6 and under.

Shamrock Shuffle (March 17): An early spring half marathon, 10k and 5k, put on by Negative Split. All distances wind through Riverfront Park; virtual options also available.

Rapid Rabbit Run (March 24): 3-mile & 5-mile runs (virtual options). Proceeds benefit East Valley High School’s senior class (Spokane Valley). The 5-miler is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier race.

Only Fools Run at Midnight 5k (TBA; April 1): Run the streets of downtown Medical Lake starting at 11:30 p.m. Organized by Medical Lake Lions Club.

Yakima River Canyon Marathon & Half Marathon (April 6): Point-to-point USATF-certified marathon course with views of the Yakima River Canyon.

The Ta Ta Dash, 5k and 10k (April 7): Starts in Riverfront Park. This inaugural event is put on by Beyond Pink, which aims to help with efforts to prevent and screen for breast cancer. Kids’ ⅓ mile race also held.

BRRC Recycle Fun Run, 4 miles (April 10): This run benefits Bloomsday Road Runners Club’s volunteer program. Race starts near the Fish Lake Trail trailhead. Bring gently used shoes and clothing to donate to local high school athletes.

The Split Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (April 14): Flat, scenic course through Kendall Yards, Riverfront Park, and along the Spokane River. Kids’ Challenge also offered. Negative Split event.

Jr. Bloomsday (April 14): Fun annual race for children in grades 3-7 at Spokane Falls Community College campus, with an awesome prize pack for participants. The course is just over 1 mile.

Hauser Lake 10k/5k Icebreaker Run (April 20): Bloomsday second-seed qualifier with USATF-certified 10k course around the lake in Hauser, Idaho. Fundraiser for the special-needs rescue dogs at Double J Dog Ranch. Dogs and walkers welcome.

Wenatchee Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (April 20): USATF-certified, with a Boston-qualifier marathon. Asphalt trails follow the Columbia River and offer views of the Cascades.

Run the River Marathon, Relay, Half Marathon & 5k (April 20): Beginning at Columbia Park in Kennewick, Wash., this paved course offers views of parks, the Columbia River and surrounding hills. 4-person marathon relay option available.

Spring Dash & Tot Trot (April 27): 5k, 10k and half marathon distances; the 10k is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier. All distances start at Coeur d’Alene’s McEuen Park. Untimed Tot Trot offered for kids 10 and younger. Fundraiser for United Way of North Idaho.

Lilac Bloomsday Run (May 5): Spokane’s hallmark road race! Challenging, fun 12k for runners, walkers and wheelchair participants. A virtual option is available.

Long Bridge Half Marathon, 10k, & 5k (May 11): This Sandpoint, Idaho, race on paved roads and trails includes over 3 miles of running over beautiful Lake Pend Oreille with a start at Sandpoint City Beach Park.

T9 Mermaid Run 10k, 5k & and 10-mile run (May 18): Hosted by Title 9, the Mermaid Series is a celebration of women’s movement. There’s also a 1.5-mile Mermaid Dash for kids ages 6-12. Start/finish at Riverfront Park.

One Heart 5k and Fun Run (TBA): Held at Spokane’s Manito Park; this race is organized by One Heart, a nonprofit that works to meet the needs of kids in lower income and at-risk neighborhoods.

Windermere Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (May 19): Flat, point-to-point course along Spokane County’s Centennial Trail. Boston marathon qualifier, hosted by Negative Split. Kids’ challenge and fun run available.

Race to Remember 5k (May 25): This race to fight senior hunger is held at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane; proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

Coeur d’Alene Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (May 26): Scenic race with a start/finish at McEuen Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Hosted by Negative Split. Kids’ challenge and 1-mile run available.

Priest Lake Spring Fun Run, 10k & 5k (May 26): Run along the lakeshore at beautiful Priest Lake. Kids’ dash offered.

Stache Dash Half Marathon, 10k, 5k and Kids’ Race (June 8): For runners, walkers and wheelchair participants, based at Plantes Ferry Park in Spokane Valley. Fundraiser for Elevations, a children’s therapy service-provider for children with special needs.

Metaline Falls Bigfoot 5K (June 15): Takes place in the historic town of Metaline Falls in Pend Oreille County, with a course that includes mountain views and follows along the Pend Oreille River before finishing at Busta Park.

Dad’s Day Dash (June 16): Family-friendly5k run/1-mile walk on Father’s Day. Fundraiser for SNAP, a Spokane-based community action agency.

Missoula Marathon, Half Marathon, 5k and Kids’ “Marathon” (June 28-30): A can’t-miss course, with wheelchair and handcycle divisions and events happening throughout the weekend, like a 3.1-mile Beer Run and a kids’ 1-mile untimed fun run.

Cherry Picker’s Trot and Pit Spit (July 18): This annual event, held at Green Bluff, welcomes walkers and runners for a 4-mile course on paved roads through orchard country, plus an impressive pit spit competition.

Spokenya Run/Walk 7k (July 20): A race designed to raise money for clean water acts in rural Kenya.

Wallace Huckleberry Festival 5k Walk/Run (Aug. 18): Family-friendly run in Wallace, Idaho, with vendors, music, and optional huckleberry pancake breakfast before or after. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome.

Tase T. Lentil 5k Fun Run (TBA): This 5k race is part of the National Lentil Festival in Pullman, Wash.

Newport Autumn Bloom 5k/10k Fun Run (Sept. 21): Proceeds benefit Newport Hospital’s Healthy Kids Snack Bag Program and Reach Out and Read. 

Run the Dam Half Marathon, 10k & 5k (Sept. 21): Run across Grand Coulee Dam and along Banks Lake as part of the Run the Dam Festival in Grand Coulee, Wash.

Boulevard Race (Sept. 22): This is the second year for the 4-mile race benefiting the Community Cancer Fund. Run or walk the streets of downtown Spokane on this fun (and relatively flat!) course.

Deutschesfest 10k/5k Fun Run (TBA): German community festival in Odessa, Wash., includes a parade, fun run, brats, brews and more.

Leavenworth Marathon & Half Marathon (Oct. 5): 2024 is the 20-year anniversary of this Boston Qualifier race! Starts near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and follows along dirt roads and trails, including Icicle Canyon Loop and riverfront trails in Leavenworth, Wash. 

Jackass Half Marathon, 5K and Kids’ Run (Oct. 5): Point-to-point, mostly downhill course along the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes from Wallace to Kellogg, Idaho. The kid’s “half marathon” is a non-timed, non-competitive race that is a combination of logging miles on your own, then finishing the last 1.1 mile on the day of the race.

Hayden Lake Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5k (Oct. 12): All distances start from the Honeysuckle Beach boat launch and offer gorgeous lake views. Virtual option available.

Spokane Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k (Oct. 13): Proceeds from this Boston Marathon qualifier race benefit local high school cross-country programs. The 10k is a Bloomsday second-seed qualifier.

Trails to Taps Relay (Oct. 13): Run with your friends around Bellingham, Wash., with 8 stops at breweries and cideries and a route that covers 35 miles of trails, roads, and parks. Leg lengths range between 3 and 6 miles.

Monster Dash 5k Kids’ Fun Run (October; date TBA): Organized by Active4Youth in collaboration with the Spokane Swifts Running Team, this event at Manito Park includes a 5k adult race and kids’ races (ages 12 and younger) of 3 lengths: 1 mile, half mile, and quarter mile; jogging strollers and dogs allowed.

Socktoberdash 10k and 5k (TBA): Run supports Teen and Kid Closet’s mission to raise money for Spokane teens and kids in need. Participants donate new packages of socks and underwear. Participants can win prizes for wearing the best, worst or most unique socks.

Halloween Hustle Haunted Half, Terrifying 10k, & Freaky 5k (Oct. 27): Spooky event in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, organized by Negative Split includes out-and-back creepy courses and prizes for best costumes.

TRAIL RUNNING

Badger Mountain Challenge 100-mile, 100k, 50-mile, 55k & 15k (March 22-23): This race offers expansive views of the Columbia Basin. Proceeds support WTA, Friends of Badger Mountain, Girls on the Run, and Team in Training, which benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Register by March 18. USATF sanctioned event.

Ancient Lakes 50-mile, 50k, 25k & 10k (April 6-7): Experience the unique desert scape of the Ancient Lakes area near Quincy, Wash., with this single-track run that includes a scenic waterfall.

Caveman Roar & Pour 5k Trail Fun Run (April 20): Run through the Cave B Winery in Quincy, Wash., overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, for the 10th year of this event (caveman/cavewoman costumes encouraged). Wine tasting afterward.

Yakima Skyline Rim 50K (April 20, tentative date): Challenging out-and-back course in the high desert of the Yakima River Canyon outside Ellensburg, Wash., with stunning views and 9,200 feet of elevation gain.

Spokane River Run (April 21): 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k and 50k team relay race at Riverside State Park; fundraiser for Garfield Elementary A.P.P.L.E. program.

Sunflower Trail Marathon, Half Marathon & Team Relay (April 27): Run on single-track trails and gravel roads in Washington’s Methow Valley on a point-to-point, flower-carpeted course from Mazama to Twisp.

Run Like the Wind Running Festival (April 28): 5k, 10k or 10-miler along the trails, paths and roads at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Ellensburg, Wash.; benefits Kittitas County Search and Rescue. Challenging, rewarding race with lots of wind.

Priest Lake Spring Fun Run 5k, 10k & Kids’ Dash (May 26): Part of Priest Lake’s Spring Festival. Start/finish at Coolin Community Park at Priest Lake, Idaho; free 1k Kids’ Dash (ages 10 and younger).

Palouse Road Runners Summer Series (TBA): Run club in Moscow, Idaho, hosts a series of races; runners score points based on finishing place. Prizes for top male and female, highest series point totals.

Kaniksu Trail Runs (TBA): Multiple lengths available: Long Walk 100k, Kaniksu 50-mile, Blister Club (Solo Ruck), Emory Corwine Memorial Ruck Race, Sweet 50k, Tall Trees 29k, Herman’s Half, and SERE Beer Mile. Events take place in the Lower Selkirk Mountain Range of Colville National Forest.

Hiawatha Trail Run (June 9): Organized by Negative Split at Lookout Pass, Idaho. Choose from 10k, 15k, 25k and 50k timed runs on North Idaho’s Scenic Hiawatha Trail, running along crushed-rock rail trail that includes running through railroad tunnels by headlight.

Trail Rail Run 50-mile, 50-mile relay, 50k, 30k, 12k and 5k (TBA): A run from Mullan, Idaho, to St. Regis, Mont., along the old Milwaukee and Northern Pacific Railroad grades.

Race the Wolf Ultramarathon & Trail Race (June 22-23): Takes place at Schweitzer Mountain in Sandpoint, Idaho. 5-mile trail race and 1-mile “sky climb” (a run straight uphill) on June 22; trail marathon and half marathon on June 23. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series.

Mountain Magic Trail Run 5k, 10k and 25k (June 30): Winding run along wide ski trails begins from Selkirk Lodge at Mt. Spokane, with peaks to summit and rewarding views.

Mud Factor 5k and family 3k (July 13): Get down and dirty at this Spokane muddy 5k obstacle course; family 3k option to run with kids ages 4-13 with the same obstacles.

The “Original” Bare Buns Fun Run (July 28): Clothing-optional 5k trail run/walk at the Kaniksu Ranch Family Nudist Park near Loon Lake, Wash.

Rams Twilight Trail Run 5k (July 31): A 5k run along the trails near Riverside High School in Chattaroy that starts at 7:30 p.m. (headlamps highly encouraged); trail marked by glowsticks. Organized by Riverside’s Cross Country Team.

Tartarus Backyard Ultra (TBA): Hosted by Kaniksu Ultras at Riverside State Park Camp 7; described as a “Last Person Standing” race for runners and “ruckers.”

Jump off Joe Marathon, Half Marathon & 10k (Sept. 7): Gravel roads on and around Jump off Joe Mountain near Kennewick, Wash., provide great views from the top of the hill; half marathon and marathon course make the summit.

Mt. Spokane Trail Run 25k, 10k and 5k (Sept. 8): This Negative Split trail run has three scenic course options that start and finish at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park’s main lodge. 25k and 10k courses updated for 2024.

Priest Lake Marathon, Half Marathon & 50k (Sept. 14): Wilderness trail run in the Panhandle National Forest. Walkers welcome, excluding ultra. Part of The GRIT North Idaho trail run series organized by Priest Lake Multisports.

The Cougar Chase Trail Run (Oct. 6)

A new 7-mile and 5k trail run at Schweitzer Mountain Resort put on by Priest Lake Multisports.

Moscow Mountain Madness Half Marathon & 5-Mile (Oct. 6): Challenging course along technical single-track and logging roads. Hosted by Palouse Road Runners in Moscow, Idaho.

Wild Moose Chase Trail Run (Oct. 13) 25k, 10k and 5k trail runs at Riverside State Park hosted by Eastern Washington University’s PT program.

Sekani Trail Run 10k, 5k and 1k Kids’ Run (Oct. 20): Adventure run/hike/walk on trails at Camp Sekani Park in Spokane; this annual fall trail run is a fundraiser for Franklin Elementary School’s A.P.P.L.E. program.

Fall Flash 10k Race, 5k Fun Run, 1k Kids’ Run (Nov. 2): Course is a combination of paved and gravel roads and rolling hills of the Palouse countryside. Hosted by Palouse Road Runners, based in Moscow, Idaho.

ROAD CYCLING

Bike Everywhere Challenge (May; TBA): Events and activities typically include a Bloomsday bike corral, a pancake breakfast in Riverfront Park, and energizer stations for morning commuters. Organized by the Spokane Bicycle Club. Spokanebicycleclub.org.

Lilac Century & Gravel Flamdangle (May 19): A variety of road ride distances: 25k, 50k, 66k and 100 miles, plus the 32-mile Lilac Gravel Flamdangle. Organized by Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. Races start at Big Barn Brewing in Green Bluff.

CHAFE 150 (June 15): Gran fondo scenic ride—not a race—starting from City Beach in Sandpoint, Idaho, and riding along Lake Pend Oreille into Montana. Route options include 150, 80, 55, 40 or 25 miles, and a family fun ride. The addition of a 75-mile gravel route is also the second event in the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series. Organized by Sandpoint Rotary; proceeds support a literacy program benefitting Pend Oreille School District students.

Spokane Summer Parkways (June 18): A four-mile route for bikes, pedestrians, skaters, and other human-powered transportation in the South Hill Manito/Comstock neighborhoods. Family-friendly event with fun, snacks and entertainment along the way.

Cycle Chelan (June 22): There’s a route for every rider with four options of varying difficulty, including the Metric Century Challenge (100 km, with 4,000 feet of elevation gain), Lake Loop (45 miles), Cycle di Vino (30 miles), or the Butte Blast (38 miles of gravel/pavement).E-bikes welcome. Presented by Lake Chelan Rotary Club.

8 Lakes Leg Aches (TBA): Choose between 15-, 30-, 45-, and 75-mile routes that enjoy the scenery of west Spokane, Cheney and Medical Lake, with the longest route touring around all eight lakes. Proceeds benefit Spokane-based Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

Tour de Whatcom (July 20): Ride distance options include Century (100 miles), Metric Century (62 miles), 44 miles, or 22 miles. Scenic course, with start/finish in downtown Bellingham, Wash.

Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration (July 28): Organized by Valleyfest, ride options include a 10-mile “Family-Friendly” loop, 25-mile “Adventure Ride,” and the 50-mile “Hills Around the Valley.”

RIM Ride (Sept. 7-8): “Rotary in Motion” 5-mile family bike ride on Saturday, followed by 15-, 25-, 50-, and 100-mile rides on Sunday; hosted by the Rotary Club of Liberty Lake, Wash.

WaCanId Selkirk Loop Ride (Sept. 9-14): A six-day ride over 395 miles on one of the most scenic routes in the Northern Rockies. Because route includes two international border crossings (between U.S. and Canada), check WaCanId.org for event updates.

Mt. Baker Hill Climb (Sept. 15): 22 miles, with 4,462 feet of elevation climb, along Mt. Baker Highway, one of the most scenic paved roads in the country. There are three divisions—social, recreational and competitive.

CDA Fondo (TBA): This race along Lake Coeur d’Alene offers multiple distance options including Gran Fondo (116 miles), Medio Fondo (86 miles), Centro Fondo (47 miles), Piccolo Fondo (36 miles), and Family Fondo (14 miles), as well as e-bike options.

Kootenai River Ride (TBA) Pedal along the Kootenai River and through the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge and experience some of North Idaho’s most scenic countryside on a 16k, 60k or 100k ride.

MOUNTAIN BIKING/GRAVEL RIDES

Echo Red to Red XC MTB Race (March 16): Cross-country mountain bike race begins in the historic town of Echo, Oregon, with most of it on trails at Echo West Ranch & Vineyard.

Hilly Nilly Gravel Series (3^rd Sundays, March 17-June 16): Self-supported free group rides each 3rd Sunday in the months of March, April, May, and June. Course and starting point out of the Coeur d’Alene area posted a week ahead at Facebook (dates subject to change).

Gran Fondo Races—Central Washington (April and May): Gran Fondo Ephrata (April 7) and Gran Fondo Leavenworth (May 19). Organized by Rideviciouscycle.com.

Washington Student Cycling League—Spring League (Spring): Co-ed mountain biking development program and spring race series for riders in grades 6-12, beginners through advanced, organized by the nonprofit Washington Student Cycling League. School-based and composite teams, with high school and middle divisions. Individuals can also participate and compete as an independent rider. Volunteer coaches are encouraged to start new teams.

Hub-a-Palooza (April 5-7): A three-day mountain bike festival with downhill and enduro races at Beacon Hill/Camp Sekani in Spokane, hosted by Velo Northwest.

Evergreen East—Classes & Clinics (April-Oct.): Mountain Bike Foundations classes start in April, with sessions offered both weekends and weeknights. Options include beginner, intermediate, freeride, technical descending, jumps classes, women-only classes, and private lessons. Classes are located at Camp Sekani unless otherwise noted. Scholarships available.

Wednesday MTB Race Series at Riverside State Park (May 1-June 26): For nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, this popular annual event features a different race course each week. Free entry for age 18 and younger.

3/4 Minus Cykeltur (May 4): The ¾ Minus Cykeltur is a gravel gran fondo: a 52-mile route on asphalt and gravel roads and a 75-mile route on asphalt, gravel and some dirt singletrack trail. Followed by a party and award ceremony at Matchwood Brewing with food, drink and live music. This is the first stage of the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series.

Idaho Interscholastic Cycling League (May-October): Race series for youth in grades 6-12.

The Lilac Gravel Flamdangle & Lilac Century (May 19): A 32-mile gravel ride, with half the course on unpaved/gravel surfaces. Start and Finish at Green Bluff’s Big Barn Brewery. Part of the Lilac Century.

24 Hours of Riverside (May 25-26): Popular Memorial Day weekend 24-hour MTB team relay at Riverside State Park with racing and camping. Can also compete as a solo rider. Race is Saturday to Sunday, with a kids’ bike parade Saturday evening.

Mt. Spokane Youth Camps & Programs (Summer; dates TBA): Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park will again host summer mountain biking day camps for all levels, from beginner to advanced. These four-day camps run Monday-Thursday.

Evergreen East—Youth Camps (June-July): Evergreen East hosts five-day Dirt Camps for Youth (ages 8-13) at Beacon Hill in Spokane, Wash. Options include co-ed beginner camps, intermediate camps, an all-girls camp, and an advanced skills camp. Scholarships available, as well as bikes and helmets for kids who do not have them.

Spokatopia MTB Festival (June 14-15): New dates for Spokatopia 2024 that include a new Friday evening xc mountain bike race to the top of Beacon Hill and a family-friendly Saturday poker ride with prizes. This annual celebration of mountain biking includes bike demos, uphill shuttles, clinics, live music and brews, kids’ camps, a bike jump show and more!

Climb for the Cure (June 15): A new Spokane gravel and mountain bike race that starts at East Valley High School and ends at the top of Mount Spokane, a 29.5-mile ride with an ascent of 5,450 ft. This first-year event is designed to raise awareness and money for the work being conducted by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

North American Enduro Cup (June 15-16): Silver Mountain Bike Park in Kellogg, Idaho, hosts one of the North American races that qualifies for the Enduro World Series. Many race categories and levels of difficulty; no beginner category.

Monarch Grind (June 29): This gravel gran fondo starts and ends just outside of Clark Fork, Idaho, and loops behind the green Monarch Mountains, iconic peaks overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. This 70-mile ride has a lot of climbing and elevation changes on forest service roads. This is part of the Idaho Panhandle Gravel Series.

The Last Best Ride (July 28): Ride the gravel backroads of Whitefish, Mont., with challenging terrain and stunning views on a short or long course, TBA.

Northwest Cup (Aug. 2-4) Silver Mountain Bike Park hosts one of the stops for this seven-race series across the Northwest.

Smoke ‘n’ Fire 400 (Sept. 4): Self-supported approx. 400-mile loop bikepacking ride, with almost 41,000 feet of climbing. Ride begins and ends in Boise, Idaho, at Hyde Park. No registration fee.

Silverroxx Mountain Bike Festival (TBA): Hosted bySilver Mountain Resort, this festival includes group downhill and super-d races, plus kids’ events.

The Night Shift Cyclocross Race Series (TBA): Wednesday night cyclocross race series in Riverside State Park typically held in September.

TRIATHLON/WATERSPORTS/MULTISPORTS

Leadman Triathlon (April 20): Organized by Kellogg Rotary Club and based at Silver Mountain Resort, this adventure course event for solo or team competitors begins on Kellogg Peak and includes skiing/snowboarding, mountain biking and running.

Ski to Sea (May 26): A multi-sport relay adventure race with teams of 3-8 people. Starts at Mt. Baker Ski Area and finishes in Bellingham Bay. Legs include: cross-country ski, downhill ski/snowboard, running, road bike, canoe, cyclocross bike and sea kayak.

Medical Lake Trailblazer Tri/Du/5k (June 15): Sprint distance triathlon with 350-meter swim, 12.2-mile bike, and 2.9-mile run; Duathlon with 1-mile run, 12.2-mile bike, and 2.9-mile run; and 5k Fun Run. Teams welcome. Starts from Coney Island Park in Medical Lake, Wash.

Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene (June 23): Half Ironman race based at City Park in downtown Coeur d’Alene includes 1.2-mile lake swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run.

Hayden Sprint Triathlon (July 13): Swim, run and bike solo in this sprint triathlon, or register with a team of two or three to compete in the relay.

Long Bridge Swim (Aug. 3): A 1.76-mile swim race across Lake Pend Oreille, aside the Sandpoint, Idaho, iconic Long Bridge.

PORPA Sprints (Aug. 3): A day of non-motorized watercraft fun with races for all ages and abilities at the Priest River Recreation Area (Mudhole) in Priest, River, ID.  

Post Falls Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon (Aug. 4): 0.5k swim, 19k bike, and 5k run in Post Falls, Idaho.

Coeur d’Alene Triathlon (Aug. 10): Three registration options for this Coeur d’Alene event: Olympic triathlon (swim 1.5k, bike 40k, run 10k), scenic sprint triathlon (swim 0.5k, bike 20k, run 5k), or duathlon (run 5k, bike 40k, run 10k).

Tri-Town Float Down Poker Paddle (TBA): Paddle the Pend Oreille River from the town of Ione to Metaline Falls, Wash. Event tentative; check Facebook for details.

Swim the Snake (TBA): An open water swim, kayak or stand-up paddle across the Snake River channel between Lyons Ferry State Park and Lyons Ferry Marina near the town of Starbuck, Wash. Fundraiser for Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council and local youth summer swim teams.

Priest Lake Triathlon (Aug. 24): Choose between a sprint off-road triathlon or the sprint road bike course. Compete individually or as a team; start/finish near Hill’s Resort.

Jen McKenna Paddle and Run (Sept. 7): Kayak 1.6 miles (start at Higgens Point), then run 4 miles along the Centennial Trail in this Coeur d’Alene Event that honors Jen McKenna, who died of complications from cystic fibrosis. Proceeds from the event will be donated to All Heart Infusion of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene and to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association.

Diamond Tri Your Best Triathlon (Sept. 7): Event aims to inspire young people to be more physically active. Takes place at the Cowles Scout Reservation in Diamond Lake, Wash. SuperSprint, ages 11+, includes a 200-yard swim, 6-mile bike, and 1.5-mile trail run. Sprint Tri, ages 18+, is a 400-yard swim, 12-mile bike, and 3-mile trail run. New for 2024: Olympic Tri, ages 18+: 1,600-yard swim, 23-mile bike, 6-mile trail run. Proceeds benefit Inland Northwest Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Hi 5k Charity Run, 5k and Wheelchair 5k (Sept. 9): Course starts at Gonzaga, goes through Riverfront Park, and ends back at Gonzaga. Donations support ParaSport Spokane, providing training, recreational, and competitive opportunities for youth and adults with physical disabilities.

Valleyfest 5k/10k Run, Duathlon & Triathlon (Sept. 22): All races start and finish at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane Valley, Wash. Duathlon includes 5k run, 11-mile bike, 5k run. Triathlon is boat/bike/run—paddle 1.5 miles (canoe or kayak) on the Spokane River, bike 11 miles, run 3 miles. Individual and 2-3 person teams allowed for du and tri events. The 5k and 10k runs are Bloomsday second seed qualifiers.

OUTDOORSY EVENTS

Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show (March 14-17): Gear and resources for fishing and boating, hunting, backpacking, and shooting sports. Hosted by Inland Northwest Wildlife Council at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center.

Spokane Bike Swap (April 20): The biggest bike sale event of the year. Buy or sell used bikes and check out biking and outdoor recreation booths at the Spokane Fairgrounds. All proceeds benefit local cycling-related non-profit projects.

Wild & Scenic Film Festival (April 25): The 10^th annual festival of films that celebrate the natural world and those who protect it at Spokane’s Garland Theater is a fundraiser for Spokane Riverkeeper.

Top Pin Archery (July 13-14): Family-friendly archery competition on the backside of Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho.

GAME DAY at Riverside State Park (September 7)

This event is a Riverside State Park Foundation annual FUNdraiser with proceeds going to Riverside State Park for park projects. This event features your choice of a 5-mile MTB loop or 3-mile Run/Hike loop with each course featuring family-friendly Bean Bag Poker Toss, BINGO and Yahtzee at each of the 5 stations. Prizes for game winners and custom pint glasses will be handed out to all paying adult participants! 

Choose your own rolling start time, between 9:00am and 11:00am. Participants must finish by 1:00pm, when stations and courses close. This event is not timed, it’s all about family fun. The Mountain Bike course is non-technical and fairly flat, and suitable for children with cycling experience.

Adults $25.00 and KIDS 17 & UNDER ARE FREE!

For more information: www.riversidestateparkfoundation.org

Sign up here: https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/NineMileFalls/PokerHikeBikeRun

Editor’s Note: Did we miss your favorite race, ride or outdoors event? Email info@outthereventure.com, and we will do our best to include it next year.

The post Inland NW Race, Ride & Event Guide appeared first on Out There Venture.

OUTDOOR RECREATION GROUPS

Mountain Bike Trail Organizations

These organizations build and maintain Inland Northwest mountain bike trails with volunteers, and they advocate for mountain biking access on public lands. Help them clear some trails and dig some dirt or make a donation.

Evergreen East (Spokane, Wash.)

Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – Central Chapter (Central Wash.)

Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – Methow Chapter (Methow Valley, Wash.)

Kootenay Columbia Trail Society (Rossland, B.C.)

Lake City Trail Alliance (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association (Moscow, Idaho)

Pend Oreille Pedalers (Sandpoint, Idaho)

Hiking/Backcountry Trail Groups

Hiking and backcountry trail organizations help remove downed trees and maintain trails near major towns and in backcountry areas for hikers, equestrians, trail runners, and mountain bikers with a mostly volunteer work force. They are also often involved in the creation of new hiking trails. Lend a hand and give back to our trails!

Backcountry Horsemen Inland Empire Chapter (Spokane, Wash.)

Idaho Trails Association (North Idaho)

Methow Trails (Winthrop, Wash.)

Pacific Northwest Trail Association (Northeast WA / North Idaho / Western Montana)

Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation (Missoula, Mont.)

Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association (Wallowa County, Ore.)

Washington Trails Association (Spokane, Wash.)

Biking / Walking Path & Rail Trail Groups

These organizations look after our region’s incredible, long paved pathways, gravel trails and rail trails and help raise funds for improvements, maintenance, and expansions.

Ferry County Rail Trail Partners (Malo, Wash.)

Friends of the Centennial Trail (Spokane, Wash.)

Friends of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes (Wallace, Idaho)

North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition (Spokane, Wash.)

Outdoor Clubs

These clubs don’t just climb, hike, and ride on our public lands and trails; they give back to the places where they play with hours of volunteering. Some of them provide invaluable outdoor education experiences as well.

Bower Climbing Coalition (Spokane, Wash.)

Inland Northwest Hikers

Northwest Whitewater Association (Spokane, Wash.)

Spokane Bicycle Club (Spokane, Wash.)

Spokane Mountaineers (Spokane, Wash.)

Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club (Spokane, Wash.)

SheJumps Eastern Washington & North Idaho

College/University Outdoor Programs

Eastern Washington University’s EPIC Adventures (Cheney, Wash.)

Gonzaga University’s Outdoor Pursuits (Spokane, Wash.)

North Idaho College Outdoor Pursuits (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

University of Idaho Outdoor Program (Moscow, Idaho)

Whitworth University’s Whitworth Outdoors (Spokane, Wash.)

CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS

Land Trusts

These non-profit organizations help private landowners protect their rural farms and forests from future development with conservation easements. Some land trusts also raise funds to help purchase private land for wildlife, recreation access, and open space that they either manage themselves or transfer to public lands agencies. Support your local land trust!

Chewelah Valley Land Trust (Chewelah, Wash.)

Dishman Hills Conservancy (Spokane Valley, Wash.)

Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (Spokane, Wash.)

Kaniksu Land Trust (Sandpoint, Idaho)

Palouse Land Trust (Moscow, Idaho)

Parks/Natural Area Advocacy

Our city, county, and regional parks and natural areas don’t always have the funding needed to take care of all of the trail and park maintenance and programs. These organizations help fill that gap by raising funds and providing volunteer labor. Some even advocate on behalf of the parks, access, and wildlife.

Spokane Parks Foundation (Spokane, Wash.)

Friends of the Bluff (Spokane, Wash.)

Friends of the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge (Colville, Wash.)

Friends of the Little Spokane River Valley (Spokane, Wash.)

Friends of the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail (Sandpoint, Idaho)

Friends of Tubbs Hill (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

Friends of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (Cheney, Wash.)

Riverside State Park Foundation (Spokane, Wash.)

Wildlife/Wildlands/River & Lake Conservation Groups

These non-profit organizations turn donations and volunteer time from people like you into advocacy and education for our region’s amazing public lands, wildlife, lakes and rivers. Find ones that advocate for your favorite places or critters and support them.

Spokane Audubon Society (Spokane, Wash.)

Mission: Advocate for birds and their habitats in the Inland Northwest and connect people with nature.

Conservation Northwest (staff across Washington)

Mission: Connect the big landscapes, restore iconic wildlife, and protect our natural heritage for future generations, from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies.

Friends of the Clearwater (Moscow, Idaho)

Mission: Protect the public wildlands and rivers in the Clearwater Basin of North Central Idaho through grassroots organizing, education, advocacy, and litigation.

Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (Sandpoint, Idaho)

Mission: To make sure the rugged Scotchman Peaks roadless lands along the Idaho-Montana border are kept wild forever. 

Greater Hells Canyon Council (La Grande, Ore.)

Mission: To connect, protect, and restore the wild lands, waters, native species, and habitats of the Greater Hells Canyon Region.

Idaho Conservation League (Sandpoint, Idaho)

Mission: To create pragmatic, enduring solutions that protect and restore Idaho’s air, water, land, and wildlife.

Idaho Rivers United (Boise, Idaho)

Mission: To protect and restore the rivers of Idaho.

Kettle Range Conservation Group (Republic, Wash.)

Mission: To defend wilderness, protect biodiversity, and restore ecosystems of the Columbia River Basin.

Kootenai Environmental Alliance (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

Mission: To conserve, protect and restore the environment of the Idaho Panhandle and the Coeur d’Alene basin.

Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment (Lapwai, Idaho)

Mission: To facilitate and organize tribal youth and adults in activities for the protection, enhancement, and promotion of mother earth and the Nimiipuu culture.

Okanogan Highlands Alliance (Tonasket, Wash.)

Mission: Encourage and support education and public participation in decisions involving our community and environment. 

Rock Creek Alliance (Sandpoint, Idaho)

Mission: To protect the water quality of the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Watershed, and to protect the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Area from the proposed Rock Creek Mine.

Save Our Wild Salmon (Spokane, Wash.)

Mission: To protect and restore abundant, self-sustaining fishable populations of salmon and steelhead to the Columbia-Snake River Basin for the benefit of people and ecosystems.

Selkirk Conservation Alliance (Priest River, Idaho)

Mission: Engage the public in southern Selkirk resource and land management issues through cooperation, scientific inquiry, education, and economic diversity.

Spokane Falls Trout Unlimited (Spokane, Wash.)

Mission: To fix rivers and streams, bring people together, and make waters and communities more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Spokane River Forum (Spokane, Wash.)

Mission: To create materials, events and activities that promote regional dialogues for sustaining a healthy river system while meeting the needs of a growing population.

Spokane Riverkeeper (Spokane, Wash.)

Mission: To protect the river’s ecological health, vibrancy, and aesthetic integrity, as well as the healthy connections that communities have to the river now and into the future.

The Lands Council (Spokane, Wash.)

Mission: To preserve and revitalize Inland Northwest forests, water, and wildlife through advocacy, education, effective action, and community engagement.

Washington Native Plant Society (Eastern Washington Chapter)

Mission: To promote the appreciation and conservation of Washington’s native plants and their habitats through study, education, and advocacy.

Hunting & Fishing Wildlife Conservation Groups

These conservation organizations, largely made up of hunters and anglers, have an active presence in the Inland Northwest. All help with fish and wildlife habitat conservation projects on the ground and advocate on behalf of public lands, wildlife, and responsible hunting and fishing policy.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (state chapters and active local members throughout the Inland NW)

Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club (Spokane, Wash.)

Inland NW Wildlife Council (Spokane, Wash.)

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (nation-wide with local fundraisers and habitat projects)

Spokane Fly Fishers (Spokane, Wash.)

So, Whose Land Is It?

It can be super confusing to answer that question when you’re out there trying to explore your public lands. Fortunately, there are a few good websites and apps to help navigate this question:

• In Idaho: Parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/motorized-trails
• In Washington: Rco.wa.gov/reports-and-studies/public-land-inventory
• • In Oregon, state-owned only: Oregon.gov/dsl/land/pages/sli.aspx
• • In Canada: Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/national-parks-of-canada-interactive-map
• • CalTopo has both web-based maps and a free version of its app that show a public land layer (with color coding, but lacking details).Gaia also has web-based maps and an app, but requires a subscription to access the public land layers (as well as the private lands layer, which is helpful for accessing private land that is open to the public).OnX also offers a subscription plan for both public and private land layers on its app.
  • Topo Maps+ is a Spokane-based navigation and trip planning app for hikers, hunters, skiers and snowshoers, and cyclists that has public lands layers.

Editor’s note: To be a part of the 2024 Out There Venture Public Lands issue, contact us at info@outthereventure.com.

The post Public Lands Organizations Guide 2023 appeared first on Out There Venture.

Land acknowledgements have been de rigueur the last few years, with many organizations and events acknowledging that they are on the traditional lands of the indigenous nations that had historically inhabited that land. The Native Governance Center suggests that one way to build upon a land acknowledgment is to investigate the indigenous history of the land, to learn the place names, locations, and landmarks of indigenous significance in the area.

This is where learning about Traditional Cultural Places (TCP) comes in, as these places had names millennia before you and I came along. Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson says that one reason for Out There Venture readers and others to learn and be aware of these names is that recognizing “the traditional names gives a better understanding of the people who came before us, where we are coming from as tribal people, and to foster an appreciation of the ways of our ancestors.”

TCPs can be religious areas, resource gathering areas (plant, animal, fish and mineral), places associated with stories and legends, archaeological and ethnographic sites, habitation sites, camp sites, rock images, trails, and more. In some respects, this definition covers pretty much the whole of the Inland Northwest, if not North America and the world.

These place names are not to be confused with such acts as renaming Fort George Wright Drive as Whistalks Way. This renaming honors Whistalks, wife of Yakama Chieftain Qualchan. These re-namings matter in a different way because they carry cultural and historical connections that might otherwise be lost despite not being connected to a specific site of indigenous significance.

Probably the most visited TCP site in the Inland Northwest is Riverfront Park and the area around the Spokane Falls itself, which was the largest fishing village in the area. Commemorating that history is the “Place of Truths Plaza,” where statues of indigenous figures can be viewed netting and spearing fish alongside metal figures representing Interior Salish creation myths. But there are many more.

Not only was the area around Riverfront Park a prime fishing location, Marsha Wynecoop of the Spokane Tribe says the area hosted a gathering of the people to not just harvest and cure salmon, but engage in stick games, story telling, dancing and other social activities. Within the park is the former Canada Island, snxw meneɂ, for Salmon People. In many respects, Riverfront Park has returned the area to its original use.

Many place names and their history are in danger of being lost due to anglicized naming, while some places have been uniquely inundated behind the waters of the Grand Coulee Dam. One such place is Kettle Falls—known to the Colville, in the English transition, as “Roaring Waters”—where the falls previously fell over 50 feet, ensuring that only the hardiest of fish made it farther upstream to spawn, strengthening the stock for future generations. This run was stopped by the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. One legend behind Kettle Falls has Coyote bringing Salmon up the Columbia River, creating a diversion to help the fish break the blockade created in the Dalles by Seagull, Kingfish and Snipe. In the process, Coyote also created Okanagan Falls from a pile of salmon bones.

One place that has not been inundated is Palouse Falls, pelúuc. There are two legends behind the creation of the falls. One legend is that four giant brothers had run out of beaver oil, and in attempting to get more, as they fought with beaver, he thrashed about, creating the canyon walls, causing the river to bend and change. The other is that beaver was making a canyon and those living in the area wanted to stop him from doing so. A warrior went to kill beaver, and in the fighting, the canyons and falls were created.

These generally available place names and legends are not even the tip of the iceberg concerning the original names of the places we live in and enjoy in the Inland Northwest. The traditional lands of the Colville Confederation cover 39 million acres that stretched from Eastern Oregon to British Columbia. That range has been reduced to 1.4 million acres of the present reservation. There are mountains, mountain ranges, and so much more not included in current records.

One goal Chairman Erickson has is to get the Washington State Department of Transportation to put indigenous place names on road signs, an effort he hopes will soon be underway. This can help foster awareness of the history of the first people of the region, reestablishing the indigenous legacy and the long-established history of the land. “Place names are important because they show evidence that we have been here since time immemorial, that we have a connection to the place and what is in our history,” says Erickson.

Learning place names, the stories behind them, and bringing those names into current signage is a respectful first step to truly acknowledging the land upon which we live and play. //

Bradley Bleck loves digging into the history of the Inland Northwest. He last wrote about Soap Lake and its healing waters for the July/August issue of OTO.

The post The Names Before We Named the Places We Love 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. //

The post 101 Things to do this Summer in the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

Situated at the edge of the Palouse and the Columbia River Plateau, Spokane boasts an ideal landscape for road biking, with expansive flat terrain and a myriad of mellow hills—and plenty of not-so-mellow ones if you’re looking to test your V02 max. From bustling, paved bike paths to rolling Palouse backroads, we’ve highlighted three classic road rides in the region. Feel free to begin and end your ride at the nearest Wheel Sport location!

SOUTH SPOKANE—VALLEY CHAPEL LOOP

The wind-swept wheat fields of the Palouse are a classic road biking destination, and the Valley Chapel Loop is a high-speed highlight reel of the region’s charm: endless rolling hills, picturesque clapboard farmhouses, and even a whitewashed cemetery. Start from Wheel Sport South 3020 S Grand Blvd. and ride south to 57th Avenue in the Moran Prairie area. Continue south on the wide-shouldered, well-paved Palouse Highway. Turn right on Valley Chapel Road and descend into the Latah Creek valley. A thigh-cramping half-mile climb 10 miles in deposits riders into quintessential Palouse prairie. At 21 miles, turn onto Highway 27, and at 29 miles turn left on to the Palouse Highway for a fast return trip of long, low-angle climbs and descents. The communities of Rockford (mile 21), Freeman (mile 27), and Valleyford (mile 30) make well-spaced rest stops—welcome breaks from the ever-present wind.

SPOKANE VALLEY—SALTESE FLATS LOOP

Although only 11 miles, the Saltese Flats Loop packs a lot of scenery into a small footprint—all the more impressive considering its location in the heart of the growing Liberty Lake community. Start your ride at Wheel Sport in Spokane Valley at 606 N Sullivan Rd. for added miles, or from the Saltese Flats Wetland Area trailhead on South Henry Road. Continue pedaling south between the tall grasses of Saltese Flats and the small foothills of Saltese Uplands Conservation Area. Bounded by two key pieces of county open space, riders have a good chance of seeing wildlife, and, as on the trails of Saltese Uplands, an excellent chance of an amazing sunset. After circling Saltese Flats, head north on Barker Road and then east on 8^th Avenue to connect back to South Henry Road. Gravel riders can add some bonus mileage on the paths that crisscross Saltese Flats; meanwhile, skinny-tire riders can take backroads to Liberty Lake, or, for an epic ride, Highway 27 south to Mica.

NORTH SPOKANE—CENTENNIAL TRAIL

Wide, well-paved and mostly level, the nearly 40-mile Washington portion of the Spokane River Centennial Trail is the centerpiece of Spokane road cycling, with something for two-wheeled enthusiasts of all kinds, from triathletes to trailer-towing families. Perhaps no section showcases the magnificence of the trail than the northern section running through 14,000-acre Riverside State Park, which is a short road ride away from Wheel Sport North at 9501 N Newport Highway. From any of the trailheads north of TJ Meenach Bridge, cyclists can cruise past basalt buttes and tall ponderosas, usually within sight—and earshot—of the Spokane River. The Nine Mile Falls Dam at Charles Road makes a logical turnaround point, but those looking to develop a bond with their granny gear can continue up Charles Road for one of the steepest climbs in the county.

Bike Recommendation: Specialized Diverge STR

With the all-new Diverge STR, Specialized has just raised the bar for drop-bar, gravel-gobbling bikes. The secret: tunable front and rear Future Shock technology that suspends the rider–rather than the bike–for an efficient ride with less fatigue, all with the nimble feel and light weight of a rigid frame. And it all comes together in a package that will catch a lot of looks–and that’s all that will be catching this machine.

This post is sponsored by Wheel Sport

The post Spokane’s Classic Road Bike Rides appeared first on Out There Venture.