Wallowa County in the northeast corner of Oregon is a wonderland of wild and rugged landscapes with hundreds of miles of trails. Expansive prairie, canyon and ranchland views can be traversed by some of the most scenic back road drives in the Northwest. As if all of that wasn’t enough to make the gorgeous four-hour drive from Spokane, the authentic mountain towns of Joseph and Enterprise serve as hubs of culture and amenities that will make a visit here one you won’t soon forget. 

Tour Historic Barns by Bike 

Northeast Oregon is a road- and gravel-riders’ dream, with miles of winding, lightly-trafficked roads spinning off in all directions from Joseph and Enterprise for cyclists to explore. The Wallowa Barn Tour is a unique ride that seamlessly blends outdoor adventure and history. The route passes by 10 of Wallowa County’s historic barns with stunning mountain and prairie scenery as the backdrop. You can also drive the tour in your vehicle. 

Gape Into the Deepest Gorge in North America 

One of the best ways to take in the vast wonder that is Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, is from one of several remote backroad-accessed viewpoints. The awe-inspiring canyon and Snake River that flow through it are flanked by some of the most rugged peaks in the Northwest, the Seven Devils Mountains of Idaho and the Wallowa Mountains of Oregon. Navigate your way to the Buckhorn Tower Viewpoint south of Imnaha, or the Hat Point or Hells Canyon overlooks east of Joseph to experience the wild grandeur of this spectacular canyon country for yourself. 

Hike the Eagle Cap Wilderness 

Fall means fewer visitors and better hiking weather in the Wallowa Mountains and Eagle Cap Wilderness. A variety of nearby day hikes and multi-day backpacking trip options afford hikers the opportunity to traverse pristine sub-alpine valleys, visit sparkling alpine lakes and scale granite peaks many of which are over 9,000 feet high.  

Road Trip Worthy Fall Events in Wallowa County 

• Hells Canyon Mule Days (Sept. 6-8) 

This annual event honors the mules and mule skinner heritage of the Wallowa and Hells Canyon country. In addition to the chance to view these long-eared equine from all over the West up close, the event includes artisans and exhibitors, cowboy poetry, a non-motorized parade, pit BBQ dinner, Saturday night concert, and a Dutch oven cook-off.   

• Terminal Gravity’s Middle of Nowhere Brewfest (Sept. 14) 

A day of craft beer from PNW breweries, live music, and local artists and vendors at the renowned Terminal Gravity Brewery in Enterprise.  

• Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts (Sept. 20-22) 

A fine art show and En Plein Air Opening Reception kick off this weekend of arts in the Wallowas. Other events include a quick draw, live music, art exhibits, and a silent auction where you can bid on art. 

• Oregon’s Alpenfest (Sept. 26-29) 

This annual Swiss-Bavarian festival featuring several days of events includes live music, dancing, brats, local Terminal Gravity beer, games, yodeling and more. 

Find event details and more outdoor adventure inspiration at Wallowacountychamber.com. 

Sponsored

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• Spokane County Library District just created an excellent opportunity to pair a visit to a popular trail system with a relaxing summer afternoon spent reading in a hammock. The new Parkside Books at Liberty Lake Regional Park is located within the Liberty Lake business office near the entrance to the park and is open daily from 9a.m.-6p.m. Book check-out is on the honor system, so no library card is necessary. Check out a book to add to your backpack and head for the lakeshore, cedar grove, or all the way to Mica Peak! Then find a cozy spot to read during the heat of the day. Return the book when you’re done with your adventure, or drop it off at any Spokane County Library branch.
• Join the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy for a fun and informative bug walk at Saltese Flats on July 14. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the newly restored wetlands while learning about the insects that are drawn to this unique habitat where the attention is generally focused on the birds! (Inlandnwland.org)
• Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness has a busy July lineup of fun events for a variety of interests. Offerings range from fun hikes with kids, foraging, and nature drawing. Or plan your own trip to the namesake peak on a weekend and consider signing up for the Ambassador Program to assist in offering mountain goat safety education to other visitors (Scotchmanpeaks.org).
• Okanogan Highlands Alliance is hosting its annual fundraising long-distance running event, Get Lost!, at Lost Lake on July 9th. The event options include 3, 7, and 14  mile distances. If volunteering is more your style, the group will also be doing some preparatory trailwork on nearby Strawberry Mountain Trail the day before the race. (Okanoganhighlands.org)
• Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association, in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers, is hosting the PORPA sprint races on August 12. The day celebrates non-motorized watercraft and will be held at the Priest River Recreation Area. There will be races for all ages and abilities, with a free kids’ division! (Porpa.org)

CONSERVATION & STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• July typically marks the beginning of wildfire season. Consider taking a closer look

at wildfire preparedness in your own backyard with a Firewise Risk Assessment, free for Spokane County residents through the Spokane Conservation District (Spokanecd.org/departments/forestry-department/firewise/). Those located outside Spokane County should check with their area’s Department of Natural Resources or other agencies for similar opportunities.

• July and August are prime time for summer backpacking. Raise the bar for your summer backpacking trips by joining a backpack-style stewardship project! Idaho Trails Association has trips to the Seven Devils and along the Coeur d’Alene River in July and to Hughes Fork by Priest Lake in August (Idahotrailsassociation.org). Washington Trails Association crews will be working in the heart of the Salmo Priest Wilderness as well as in the Pasayten Wilderness (Wta.org). Pacific Northwest Trail Association will be working along the Kettle Crest in addition to the Salmo Priest and the Pasayten (Pnt.org). Wallowa Mountains Hells Canyon Trails Association will be hosting projects in the Wallowas and the Elkhorn Mountains (Wmhcta.org). //

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Since those days, I can’t recall more than a few fleeting moments, mostly during work and social obligations, where the notion of boredom occurred to me. If you love the outdoors and live here too, you know what I mean. There are so many amazing things to do at any given moment in our corner of the planet that a lifetime seems far too short to make the most of it.

Nevertheless, every now and then, during the long, increasingly hot days of summer, many of us still find ourselves wondering, “What should I do this weekend?” I hope our annual list of trip ideas helps you have one of your best summers ever!

1. Explore nature at the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve: Hike the trails and appreciate the incredible native plants, wildflowers, and wildlife at this over 30,000-acre Nature Conservancy preserve in northeast Oregon’s Wallowa County. Scenic back road drives hug the Hells Canyon rim and rugged forest service trails nearby are waiting there to take prepared hikers into the deepest gorge in North America.
2. Trail run or hike the Little Spokane River Natural Area’s Knothead Loop: This 7-mile roundtrip route in north Spokane County gains 1,000 feet, rising from prime riverside wildlife habitat to open pine forest with views up top. Be aware that dogs and bikes are not allowed on this trail system.
3. Get your mountain biking or hiking in on a volunteer trail project: All of these trails we love don’t build or maintain themselves. Give back to your favorite trails by signing up for a trail work party with a local trails group like Evergreen East, Washington Trails Association, Pend Oreille Pedalers, or Idaho Trails Association.
4. Go paddling on Lake Spokane: Start at Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area boat launch and campground (less than a half hour from downtown Spokane) and paddle your arms off or find a quiet place to bird watch or go fishing.
5. Explore the best of the best paddling lakes around Spokane and North Idaho: Some of these lakes don’t allow gas motors, others may be quiet midweek and busy on the weekends, so plan accordingly. Then load up your SUP, kayak or canoe and go.
6. Hike a trail you’ve never been on in Dishman Hills Natural Area: Take your pick from dozens of miles of trails on over 3,200 acres of protected hills and prime wildlife habitat in the Dishman Hills Natural Area, located in Spokane Valley.
7. Learn about the geology of your favorite place: Pick up a copy of the “Roadside Geology” book for wherever your summer trips take you and learn something about the ancient geologic origins of the place where you’re hiking, biking, floating or camping.
8. Ride Montana’s first shuttle bike park: The new Legacy Bike Park above Flathead Lake near Whitefish, Montana, opened in 2021. It has 13 downhill trails, camping and the shuttles that make it all possible on those burley downhill bikes.
9. Take a North Idaho mountain bike road trip: These trails are all near Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, or east toward Libby, Mont. Ride them all on one great road trip.
10. Ride or hike Moscow Mountain’s 60+ miles of trails: Located near Moscow, Idaho, this legal trail system on private lands continues to grow thanks to the hard work of groups like the Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association.
11. Take a paddling trip to Cranbrook, B.C.: A few hours’ drive north of Spokane takes you to the western slope of the majestic Canadian Rockies, which happen to host some great mellow paddling spots near the town of Cranbrook. Give Jimsmith Lake and St. Mary’s Lake a try. Learn more about Cranbrook-area paddling and whitewater kayaking adventure ideas.
12. Paddle a stretch of the Pend Oreille River Water Trail: The water trail stretches across approximately 70 miles of the Pend Oreille River in northeast Washington with environmental and historical points of interests, picnic stops, and overnight campsites along the way.
13. Take a cleanup hike along your favorite river: Hike, bike, or float along the Spokane River, Hangman Creek, the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, Pack River, or another regional stream and bring your own garbage bag to help clean up along the way. Spokane River Keeper is also organizing summertime cleanups.
14. Hike the Nelson, B.C., area’s rare Inland Temperate Rainforest: Just north of the border a few hours from Spokane, ancient old growth trees up to five meters thick make up the last-remaining Inland Temperate Rainforest on Earth. Caribou, grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, and a diversity of native plants and animals still thrive here, and there are plenty of trails to explore. Don’t forget your bear spray and passport.
15. Hike the trails at Pend Oreille County Park: Just north of Spokane and an hour or so west of Sandpoint, the over 7 miles of trails on 440 acres of wildlife-rich low elevation forest is the perfect place for a quiet day’s outing. Primitive camp sites are also available.
16. Raft or kayak the Clark Fork River through the Alberton Gorge in Montana: If you don’t have your own gear and experience in class III/IV whitewater, then sign up for a trip with one of several local outfitters like ROW Adventures.
17. Go paddle boarding or kayaking downtown Spokane: Bring your own boat and launch under the Division Street Bridge, or just show up in your paddling duds and rent the gear from Fun Unlimited and paddle up the mellow Spokane River toward No-Li Brewhouse and points beyond.
18. Take a ride on a Wallowa Lake Tramway near Joseph, Ore.: Enjoy incredible views as you gain 3,700 feet of elevation on the ride up to the summit of Mount Howard high in the Wallowa Mountains overlooking Wallowa Lake, vast stretches of prairie, and distant peaks. Indulge in a snack or beverage at the mountain-top restaurant and stretch your legs on the hiking trails.
19. Hike to remote swimming beaches along Christina Lake: Wander along the Deer Point Trail from the Texas Creek Campground to find your own hidden swimming spot at Christina Lake, B.C., one of the warmest tree-lined lakes in Canada that happens to be just north of the border from Kettle Falls, Wash.
20. Take a mining history tour in Idaho’s Silver Valley: Mine tours, ghost towns, historic districts, mining museums, historic buildings and more await in and around Wallace, Idaho.
21. Ride past lakes and wetlands on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes out of Harrison, Idaho: Harrison is a cool lake town with plenty of fun to be had on the beach, docks, restaurants and bars in town. And the fact that the 70+ mile paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes runs right through town makes it even cooler. Bring your bike or rent one in town and pedal east past wetlands and woods often teaming with birds and wildlife for an out-and-back cycling adventure anyone can do. Or arrange a shuttle at the bike shop in town for a longer one-way adventure.
22. Ride the Route of the Hiawatha Trail then check out one of these lesser-known rides near Wallace, Idaho: Learn more.
23. Take a multiday whitewater rafting trip on the Salmon River: You’ll need your own gear and experience on this class III and IV wilderness river. You can rent rafting gear from the University of Idaho Outdoor Program, but you’ll still need your own whitewater skills. Or sign up on a Lower Salmon River trip with Spokane-based FLOW Adventures.
24. Go river surfing in Missoula, Montana: Brennan’s Wave, a man-made river wave, provides year-round river surfing opportunities. Rental boards and lessons are available too.
25. Get away from the crowds on a hike near Libby, Montana: Many well-known scenic hikes can get crowded on peak summer weekends these days, but there are still plenty of lesser-known trails throughout the Inland NW where you can find solitude. For instance, there are hundreds of miles of backcountry trails near Libby, Mont., where you may not see another human while you hike.
26. Climb at a new-to-you bouldering area in the greater Spokane area:  A long-needed new bouldering guide to the Spokane area is now available thanks to the hard work of climbers and authors Nate Lynch and Shane Collins. Pick up a copy of Spokane Bouldering at Rambleraven Gear Trader and start exploring with your crash pad.
27. Go to Spokatopia July 9 to ride your bike, listen to music and paddleboard: Spokatopia is a one-day outdoor adventure festival at Camp Sekani Park on the Spokane River put on by our magazine, Out There Venture. It’s like having a whole summer’s worth of outdoor fun crammed into one long day. Don’t miss it!
28. Visit the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge south of Colville, Wash.: Bears, elk, moose, bobcat, deer, hundreds of bird species, and other wildlife on over 40,000 acres of public land at the LPONWR. What more could you ask for? Explore on a few trails and gravel roads and reconnect with the wild tangle of rock, trees, and feral life that we all sprang from way back when.
29. Take the back road drive between Sullivan Lake and Priest Lake over Pass Creek Pass in northeast Washington: The highlight of this drive is topping out on the pass. Stop and take a hike, starting at the Pass Creek Pass trailhead (trails head north and south from the road) and pick a few huckleberries and watch for wildlife. Better yet, do it on your mountain bike and connect into some sick singletrack trails leading back down to Sullivan Lake.
30. Hike, mountain bike or trail run the Independence Creek Trail northeast of Coeur d’Alene: Make it a long loop using forest roads or an out-and-back along Independence Creek Trail #22, through beautiful North Idaho forest along a cool mountain stream.
31. Ride the acclaimed mountain bike trails around Helena, Mont.: Learn more.
32. Run or fast hike one of the regions popular backpacking routes in one day: Many of the most scenic backpacking loops and out-and-back or one-way trails in our neck of the woods are getting more and more crowded. Enjoy the trails and views and limit your impact by doing the whole Salmo Loop, Seven Devils Loop, Kettle Crest Trail, or other popular routes all in one fast push. Go prepared physically and with all the essentials you’ll need to avoid paying a hefty evacuation bill.
33. Rent a boat on one of the region’s big lakes: Many lakes can get crazy on weekends, but bigger lakes like Lake Pend Oreille and Coeur d’Alene Lake in North Idaho, Flathead Lake in northwest Montana, and Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, offer more elbow room to spread out and do your own boating thing at your own pace. For a quick-access boat rental experience from Spokane on Lake Coeur d’Alene, check out Cdasports.com.
34. Surf the world’s largest standing wave at Lakeside Surf in Chelan: Quite different than the ocean waves you may have surfed, this river-type wave where the water rushes toward you takes some getting used to, but it is a blast that anyone can get the hang of after a few sessions. After opening last spring, the wave at Lakeside Surf is quickly becoming an annual pilgrimage for landlocked Inland Northwest surfers.
35. Take a ride over the Columbia River on the Palouse to Cascades Trail: This 289-mile cross-Washington rail trail goes from Cedar Falls to Tekoa, and with the newly updated Beverly Bridge over the Columbia River, riders and hikers can now cross the bridge without a vehicle shuttle detour. Grab your bike and go check out this section of one of our region’s greatest rail trails!
36. Explore the waters and shorelines around Lake Roosevelt: This sprawling water body northwest of Spokane is a lake-lovers dream. Find great fishing, boating, beach camping, hiking, history and more along this 130-mile-long lake.
37. Explore the backroads and trails along the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail: The Trail follows the route taken by many members of the Nez Perce Tribe in 1877 on their noble quest to dodge being forced onto a reservation. The 1,170-mile trail covers backroads and trails from Wallowa Lake in northeast Oregon to Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Mont. Drive and walk part of the route and learn about the Nee-Me-Poo people’s tragic flight from pursuing white forces while you’re at it.
38. Look down into the deepest gorge in North America from Hells Canyon Overlook: Safely tucked in the middle of nowhere southeast of Enterprise, Ore., along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, the overlook offers a rare, vehicle-accessible panoramic view of Hells Canyon.
39. Go river rafting in Riggins, Idaho: The Salmon River, or River of No Return, is one of the longest un-dammed rivers in North America. Sign on with a local guide and spend a day splashing through class III and IV rapids and lounging on white sand beaches above and below the cool river town of Riggins.
40. Spend a few days riding sections of the Ferry County Rail Trail in northeast Washington: This 24-mile rail trail that extends from near the town of Republic to the Canadian Border is big on scenery and rural charm. Find an overnight basecamp in town or at a local campground and check it out.
41. Go fishing at Potholes Reservoir near Moses Lake: Great fishing for bass, walleye, and trout can be had via boat, paddle craft, dock, or from the shore on the vast waters of Potholes Reservoir. Choose between private resort, state park, or several developed public access areas.
42. Ride the Columbia Plateau Trail: Or maybe just a couple sections of it if you don’t have several days on a fat bike to dedicate to the trail. The 130-mile rail trail that stretches between Pasco and Cheney, Wash., is known for some rough trail surfaces (dreaded ballast rock) and detours around gated, unsafe bridges. But the wild, off-road scenery is amazing in places and well worth the challenge. More info:
43. Ride Spokane’s Children of the Sun Trail: This 10-mile, one-way paved path that parallels Spokane’s in-progress north-south freeway is a great afternoon or evening, close-to-home leg stretcher that runs between Hillyard and the Little Spokane River. The trail will expand along with the freeway and should eventually connect with the Centennial Trail.
44. Ride the Centennial Trail from downtown Spokane to Nine Mile Recreation Area: Set up a shuttle in advance then enjoy the one-way, nearly 20-mile trip with a picnic and swim in Lake Spokane, or turn around when you’re ready and ride back home to double your mileage. Or reserve a campsite and make it an overnight urban bikepack trip.
45. Explore some of the Inland Northwest’s remaining old growth trees: Big trees are cool and they provide plenty of benefits to people and wildlife, from harboring clean water and air to creating space for critters to live that need big trees. Check out these regional old growth groves.
46. Look for birds and wildlife along the scenic auto tour loop at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge south of Cheney, Wash: Be sure to check out wildlife viewing sites, boardwalks, and hiking trails that lead off the loop into the forest, grasslands and wetlands. And look up and around for birds and other wildlife. Don’t forget your binoculars!
47. Explore the Post Falls Community Forest: Hike through forest, canyons, and along the Spokane River or go rock climbing on the beginner-to-intermediate climbing routes, all accessed from the trailhead at Q’emiln Park (“ka-mee-lin”).

[Feature photo: Lake Pend Oreille is a paddle paradise. // Photo: S. Michael Bennett]

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The Idaho Trails Association (ITA) started in 2010 with a focus on the McCall and Boise areas, and then organized its first trail project in North Idaho in 2015, says ITA board member and volunteer Tom Dabrowski.

Since then, thanks to a dramatic spike in more local hikers donating to and volunteering for ITA, the group has a total of 16 trail projects planned for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest this year. In 2019, ITA volunteers worked a total of 8,000 hours on trails around Idaho, says Dabrowski. “The neat thing about volunteering is we’re really helping our public lands, and we’re not spending taxpayer money to do it.”  

What Does It Take to Join a Trail Project?

ITA has trail projects with a wide range of difficulty, even on the same trail. “Sometimes there are difficult things to do like moving large rocks, and then there are easier things to do like clipping brush,” Dabrowski says. “We ask people to come on out and even if they’ve never done trail work before we’ll show you how to do it safely.” Hiking distances on projects vary widely too, from 2-3 miles to up to 8-miles over the day.

A trail project typically starts with volunteers meeting up at a trailhead to get to know other volunteers and project leaders, have a safety briefing, and then head on up the trail together.

Once at the project site, volunteers get to learn how to use different types of tools and try different tasks. Some people may use a crosscut saw to clear downed trees off the trail (ITA only uses hand tools for safety reasons), and others might use smaller hand saws or other tools to clear smaller trees or brush or improve the trail surface.

Volunteers have lunch together out on the trail and then return to the trailhead in the afternoon. At the end of the day, explains Dabrowski, the most satisfying thing is hearing people say “wow, look at what we got done. It’s a thing where you can get that gratification of your hard work in the space of one day.”

Meet Fellow Trail Lovers

“When people come out and volunteer,” says Dabrowski, “the number one thing they comment on is the people they met and work with.” The camaraderie is a big thing with volunteers, he says.

Dabrowski also says that they often see wildlife out on the trail. “I just came back from a project in Hells Canyon where we saw large herds of elk, bears that had just come out of hibernation, and mountain goats.” The scenery in North Idaho, he adds, is particularly impressive.

Summer Trail Projects

ITA trips are a great way to get out on some of Idaho’s most beautiful wild areas, meet new people, and give something back to our trails. You do not need to have any experience to sign up for a project; ITA will give you the training and tools you need to do the work.

Whether you are looking for an easy one-day project, a weekend getaway, or a week-long work vacation, you are sure to find a project that is right for you.

Learn more about Idaho Trails Association or sign up for one of these trail projects this summer at Idahotrailsassociation.org.

May 15-16: Lake Shore Trail 294 (rated easy) – Cut out logs and brush on this trail along the northwestern shore of Priest Lake (day trip or car camping).

June 5: Mickinnick Trail (rated moderate) – This popular hiking trail gains 2,200’ to reach a beautiful viewpoint above Sandpoint. Help cut out logs, do tread work, improve drainage, and trim back brush.

June 18-20: Coeur d’Alene River Trail (rated moderate) – This is a three-day project in the beautiful upper North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River removing logs and improving the trail. Join for one or more days and optional car camping.

June 26-27: Upper Priest River Trail (rated difficult) – A two-day project up to American Falls with bridge, rock, and tread work on several area trails.

July 7-11: Seven Devils Loop (rated difficult) – A self-supported, 27-mile backpacking trip around the Seven Devils peaks clearing the trail of downed trees and doing trail tread work along the way. 

July 10: Ball Lakes Trail (rated moderate) – Cut back brush, remove logs, and improve the trail surface on this 3-mile hike 1,300 feet up to this beautiful Selkirk Mountain alpine lake.

July 18-23: Fault Lake Trail (week-long trip rated difficult) – This 6-day project high in the Selkirk Mountains will include building a raised walkway through a swampy area along with other trail clearing and improvement efforts. 

Originally published as “Volunteers Makes the Different for North Idaho’s Hiking Trails” in the May-June 2021 issue.

[All photos courtesy Idaho Trails Association.]

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The point here is, don’t let your zealous push to get to a specific place or do a particular activity blind you from the fact that it may be the wrong month, weekend, or place to experience what you’re really after. Here are some Inland Northwest trip ideas with some general direction on what you can expect and when it’s best to visit, without giving away all the secrets that you will benefit from discovering on your own.

NORTH IDAHO

Silver Valley

When you drive east on I-90 from Spokane through North Idaho, the Silver Valley extends between Fourth of July and Lookout passes and includes the towns of Kellogg and Wallace.

Best For: Mountain biking, hiking, mining history, fishing, rails-to-trails biking, and scenic drives.

Lodging/Camping: Wallace and Kellogg have the largest, most modern hotels, and there are several historic lodging options in Wallace as well. Silver Mountain Resort’s Morning Star Lodge has vacation condos that include access to the resort’s huge indoor waterpark. Camping options include private RV resorts and dispersed camping on nearby public lands, as well as several popular Forest Service campgrounds along the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River.

Top Picks

1. SVR Bike Park: New mountain bike trails and jumps above Wallace could open as early as April 30 at SVR Bike Park. At least at first, there will be a cap on the number of riders each day as things get dialed, says bike park spokesman Mitchell Bryan. “We want it to have the feel of riding with a group of your friends with all of the benefits of a professionally bike park.” Right out the gate the park will include shuttled access to an expert jumpline, a 1.9 mile intermediate-to-expert downhill race trails, a 1.9-mile beginner-to-expert flow trail, and an airbag for jump practice. Construction will continue come spring with a pump track and more trails in progress. More info at Svrgas.com.
2. Route of the Hiawatha: Mountain biking the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha near Lookout Pass is a ride through stunning beauty and of historical significance. Ride through the Bitterroot Mountains on an old railroad line with 10 train tunnels and seven impressive trestles.
3. Silver Mountain Resort: Mountain biking, hiking, and scenic gondola rides are offered all summer long at Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg. The downhill mountain bike trails are the big draw here, attracting expert riders from across North America, but there are beginner and intermediate trails too to fit just about any rider’s ability level. In past years, Silver has also offered lessons for riders looking to build their downhill skills.
4. Historic Wallace: Check out the North Idaho mining history out of downtown Wallace where you’ll find historic buildings, museums, mine and historic site tours, and more in one of a handful of cities entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Don’t miss hiking the nearby Pulaski interpretive trail, and be sure to sample the town’s excellent breweries, restaurants, and pubs.
5. Silver Streak Zip Line Tours: Fly down a mountain at Silver Streak Zip Line Tours above the town of Wallace. Choose from two different courses and 11 separate zips for some high-flying, fast-paced action.
6. Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Ride sections of the 73-mile, mostly-flat, paved bike trail that traverses parts of Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Coeur d’Alene River, and the forested mountains of the Idaho Panhandle.

Lake Pend Oreille

Idaho’s longest and deepest lake, Lake Pend Oreille, dominates the North Idaho landscape around Sandpoint, Idaho. The lake offers unbeatable water sports activities, with over 200-miles of shoreline, and the surrounding mountains provide lake views and miles of hiking and biking trails.

Best For: Swimming, paddling, boating, and hiking/mountain biking trails, as well as arts, culture, and excellent restaurants in Sandpoint.

Lodging/Camping: Find a wide range of lodging options in and around Sandpoint, along with plentiful public campgrounds a short drive from town. If other options are booked or you’re looking for a more rustic camping experience, look for free, dispersed campsites along Forest Service roads that lead to hiking trailheads.

Top Picks

1. Sandpoint City Beach: A popular stretch of public sand on the lake only a few minutes-walk from downtown, this 6-acre park includes protected swimming areas and grassy picnicking spots. Note that dogs are not allowed.
2. Hike & Bike: There are several trail systems for mountain biking and hiking around Sandpoint. Try local-favorite and close-to-town trails at the Syringa Trails system. Check out Pendoreillepedalers.org or Trailforks for more options and maps.
3. MTB Schweitzer: Lift-assisted mountain bike trails at Schweitzer Mountain connect with The Little Sand Creek Basin trails below the resort to create a 25-mile trail network. Schweitzer also offers scenic chairlift rides, summertime dining, and hiking trails. New trails are always in the works, so return and ride often.
4. High Country Hiking: There are enough hikes in the wild and rugged Selkirk and Cabinet mountain ranges, which create the dramatic backdrop to Lake Pend Oreille, to fill a guidebook. Try day hikes in the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness or choose the right trail from one of several real guidebooks.
5. Farragut State Park: Hike, bike, and enjoy the lake at Farragut State Park south of Sandpoint. This huge, 4,000 acres park has six campgrounds, rental cabins, and over 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Enjoy lake and beach access with excellent swimming spots.

Lolo Pass/Clearwater Country

40 miles southwest of Missoula, Mont., Highway 12 climbs over 5,233 foot Lolo Pass in the Bitterroot Range. Heading west from that high point, the highway follows the Lochsa and Clearwater rivers to Lewiston, Idaho, passing through a magnificent spread of public lands with seemingly endless trails and roadside historic sites.

Best For: Whitewater rafting and kayaking, hiking, camping, backpacking, summertime swimming, back road drives, wildlife viewing, history, and fishing.

Lodging/Camping: Literally surrounded by wilderness, there are few lodging options along the Highway 12 corridor, but the ones you’ll find are quite unique and enjoyable. Rent a rustic cabin at Lochsa Lodge near Lolo Pass and high-mountain hiking trails. Or head down to lower elevations near the confluence of the Selway and Lochsa rivers to find newer, larger cabins and glamping tents at River Dance Lodge or cabins, RV sites, and camping options at Three Rivers Resort. There are several public campgrounds on the Lochsa and Selway rivers and endless, free dispersed camping opportunities along Forest Service roads.

Top Picks

1. Whitewater Rafting: Rafting the wild Lochsa River during peak flows, typically in May and early June, is a recreation right of passage for Inland Northwest outdoors lovers. The rapids are no joke, so book a trip with an outfitter if you don’t have class IV whitewater skills.
2. Wilderness Hiking: Hike the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness to find solitude in this vast and beautiful national treasure. With over a million acres of land and nearly 2,000 miles of trails, it’s not hard to find the right trail. Many trails receive spotty maintenance, so try trailheads close to the highway or out of the Wilderness Gateway Campground. Phone the Forest Service for more trail info.
3. Selway River Falls: Drive to Selway Falls on the Selway River to gawk at the cascade’s beauty and then go for a hike. The falls is most dramatic in May and June but is a beautiful sight to behold anytime. Later in the summer, there are plenty of beaches and swimming spots downriver. Hikes nearby include the Selway River Trail, a mellow, meandering trail that follows the Selway River into designated wilderness (rattlesnakes can be plentiful), and the Meadow Creek Trail that climbs gently for the first three miles up a major tributary of the Selway (a more rattlesnake-free hike).
4. Historic Sights: Anyone interested in Native American and early U.S. history will enjoy exploring the miles of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail and Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail that parallels parts of US Highway 12. The Nez Perce National Historical Park near Lewiston with its visitor center, museum, and several historic sites is a must-see too.

Salmon River Canyons

The Salmon River or “River of No Return” carves through the largest block of designated wilderness in the lower 48 states and is largely inaccessible to all but permitted whitewater boaters and hardcore hikers and horse packers. Downstream surrounding the town of Riggins, Idaho, is another story. Opportunities for road-side access to the river canyons abound.

Best For: Whitewater rafting and kayaking, river paddleboarding, swimming, spring hiking, gravel riding, and fishing.

Lodging/Camping: Riggins has a number of motels and hotels as well as plenty of restaurants, stores, and other amenities. Informal camping can be found at strips of riverside public land along the Salmon up and downstream from Riggins. There are fewer developed campgrounds with RV access and services along the Big Salmon Road east of Riggins; however, RV accommodations and camping can be found at several RV parks in and around town.

Top Picks

1. Whitewater Rafting: Go whitewater rafting or kayaking on day-trip sections of the Salmon up and downstream from Riggins. If you don’t have experience boating potentially challenging class III whitewater, sign up for a guided trip. The whitewater is bigger, colder, and more thrilling in late spring and early summer and more mellow yet technical in the summer, when the blasting summer heat and refreshing river make for a magical mix of whitewater thrills, relaxing floaty sections, and endless swimming holes.
2. Gravel Riding: Grab your gravel grinder or mountain bike and ride some of the epic gravel roads around Riggins. Most of the rides are out-and-back and call for relentless climbing, although a more mellow and stunning option is to try Allison Creek Road or French Creek off of the Big Salmon Road or Slate Creek Road north of Riggins off of Hwy 95. For an epic 34-mile roundtrip gravel ride that climbs around 5,500 feet, head up the Seven Devils Road just south of Riggins. Once you reach the road’s end at Windy Saddle, it’s all downhill from there. Riders in a hurry to make it back to town or camp for happy hour can also arrange a shuttle to the top for a one-way descent. Local drivers may not be accustomed to cyclists and cell coverage is spotty so go prepared.
3. Wilderness Hiking: Hike the nearby Gospel Hump Wilderness, a mostly summer-only option, or find spring-and-summer hiking along trails in the Rapid River south of Riggins. The Seven Devils Mountains offer excellent summer hiking, although lakes along the classic 27-mile loop have become increasingly crowded. To avoid camp congestions, choose tent sites away from lakes when backpacking, day-hike sections of the loop from the trailhead, or hike the whole 27-mile loop in one long, challenging day hike.
4. Fire Lookout Hike: Take the short hike to Heaven’s Gate Lookout in the Seven Devils Mountains. At 8,429 feet, the views are stunning. The lookout has been staffed during the summer in past years and is accessible once the snow is gone from the 17-mile-long Seven Devils Road to the Windy Saddle Trailhead. Continue walking on the Boise Trail past the lookout to extend your hike.
5. River Chilling: Find your own spread of tropical-looking riverside summer beach along Hwy 95 north of Riggins or along the Big Salmon Road and enjoy excellent swimming and beach lounging come mid-summer when river flows drop and the heat feels like a hairdryer on high.

WASHINGTON

Kettle River Country

The Kettle River crosses the U.S./Canadian border several times as it flows 175-miles from its headwaters in southeast British Columbia to the Columbia River. Nearby towns of Republic, Curlew, and Kettle Falls offer tourist sites and amenities, while the river and neighboring Kettle River Range mountains provide all-season outdoor recreation and solitude.

Best For: Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, river tubing, rail-trail riding, and scenic highway drives.

Lodging/Camping: Find charming, Old West-themed hotels in downtown Republic or budget motels in Kettle Falls. With a bit of searching you can find cabins for rent, and there is no shortage of developed RV parks and campgrounds, free primitive camping areas with limited services, and dispersed campsites off Forest Service roads throughout Ferry County.

Top Picks

1. Kettle Crest Hiking: Hiking in the Kettle Range Mountains ranges from short day hikes like the Sherman Peak Loop and Columbia Mountain Loop off of Sherman Pass to multi-day backpacking trips on the Kettle Crest. High-country hiking in early-to-mid summer on the Crest can treat hikers to dramatic displays of wildflowers and sagebrush with few other hikers the farther you stray from the trailheads.
2. Rail Trail Riding: The crushed-rock surface of the hill-free Ferry County Rail Trail near Republic makes for an enjoyable ride for all ages and abilities. While the trail runs 25 miles from near the town of Republic to the Canadian border, parts of the trail are still being re-surfaced, which means most riders will want to take on shorter out-and-back sections of improved trail. To extend your ride from town, pedal the Golden Tiger Pathway to the southernmost Ferry County Rail Trail trailhead.
3. River Floating: Floating the Kettle River in a tube or kayak upstream from Curlew or downstream from the tiny town of Orient on the eastside of the Kettle Range is the best thing to do in Northeast Washington on a scorching summer day. Especially on the eastside, tubing is only safe once river flows drop mid-to-late summer. Check Americanwhitewater.org for more info and ask locals for best, legal put-in and take-out spots.
4. Mountain Biking: Mountain biking the Kettles’ mostly advanced and sometimes technical trails with loads of climbing draw a passionate, fit bunch of riders. One of the few easier (but still challenging) rides that can even be shuttled is the recently re-opened Taylor Ridge Trail accessed off of Boulder Pass. Taylor can be ridden out and back from the lower trailhead to the Crest (around 20 miles with a ton of climbing) or shuttled for an easier one-way ride from the upper trailhead that still has at least 1,000 feet of climbing. Check trail conditions before going.
5. Stonerose Fossil Site: Anyone interested in fossils should definitely spend some time splitting rocks to find real, 49-million-year-old fossils at the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Eocene Fossil Site in Republic. The center is typically open starting in April.

Pend Oreille River

The Pend Oreille River runs west from Lake Pend Oreille before turning north through Northeast Washington on its 130-mile run to the Columbia River in British Columbia. Boaters, paddlers, and wildlife flock to the river that has both reservoir-created slackwater sections and below-dam current. To the east, the Selkirk Mountains create a gorgeous, scenic backdrop to the river valley.

Best For: Paddling, boating, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, scenic drives, history, wilderness, and wildlife viewing.

Lodging/Camping: You can find motel lodging in many of the small towns north of Newport, but for a unique, historic experience, check out the 110-year-old Washington Hotel in Metaline Falls that offers 14 rooms with shared bathrooms down the hall. For RV and developed tent camping, try the new Kalispel RV Resort owned by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians in Cusick. There are several Forest Service campgrounds along the river and at Sullivan Lake and plentiful free camping off of nearby national forest roads.

Top Picks

1. Water Trail Paddling: Paddle sections of the Pend Oreille River Water Trail for an up-close, human-powered tour of the river. The water trail covers 70 miles of the Pend Oreille River from Oldtown, Idaho, to Boundary Dam near the Canadian border. The trail outlines a designated route for small boats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to travel down the river that includes information on access areas, points of interest, picnic stops, and campsites.
2. Salmo Priest Hikes: Take a hike in the Salmo Priest Wilderness in the far northeastern corner of Washington. Several trails traverse subalpine ridgelines with views of Priest Lake while others wind through the fern and moss-covered ancient cedar forest of this inland temperate rainforest. This is grizzly bear country so be bear aware, keep a clean camp, and carry bear spray.
3. Hike, Bike, Swim: Sullivan Lake at the north end of Pend Oreille County is no secret but you should have plenty of elbow room on a hike on the Lakeshore Trail or mountain bike ride on the Noisy Creek Trail. There are plenty of other trails to choose from nearby too. Wash off the sweat with a swim in the lake at one of the two public beaches at each end of the lake.
4. Historic Sites: There are several historic sites to see along the Pend Oreille River. The Pend Oreille River Manresa Grotto north of Usk on the Kalispel Reservation, is one of the tribe’s most sacred places. The caves there are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and can be explored via several short paths. In downtown Newport, the Pend Oreille County Historical Society and Museum with its intact pioneer cabins, an old train depot turned gift shop, and replica fire lookout is worth checking out. North in the historic mining town of Metaline Falls, just strolling through town is a walk back in time. Check out the Cutter Theater, Washington Hotel (that still welcomes guests), and several other historic buildings.
5. Fishing: The Pend Oreille River itself can offer excellent shore and boat fishing, and there are several lakes scattered about the mountains above the river valley that are also worthy of casting a line from shore or paddlecraft. Try Bead Lake, Sullivan Lake, or some of the smaller lakes to the east of the river. Note that some have gear and motor restrictions.

Lake Roosevelt

The 150-mile-long Lake Roosevelt, a reservoir created by the impoundment of the Columbia River in 1941 after the construction of Grand Coulee Dam, sprawls across Northeast Washington. From arid sagelands to pine and fir forests, the lakes scenic diversity and cultural significance is best explored by motorboat or paddlecraft.

Best For: Boating, paddling, swimming, fishing, and hiking.

Lodging/Camping: Two Rivers Resort at the confluence of the Spokane and Columbia rivers has an RV park and cabins for rent and there are VRBO options along the lake. Camping is where it’s at on Lake Roosevelt though. The National Park Service manages several campgrounds, and many enjoy the excellent boat-accessed campsites. Or consider going in on a houseboat rental with friends or family for an experience of a lifetime.

Top Picks

1. Fort Spokane Camping, History and Hiking: Mix history and lake life at Fort Spokane. Spend the day or reserve an RV or tent campsite and spend your days swimming, paddling, boating, and exploring the historical significance of this beautiful, pine-forested place. Visit the historic Fort Spokane Visitor Center and Museum to learn about the native tribes that gathered here for thousands of years to fish for salmon and the more recent history of the U.S. Army’s incursions into the area in the late 1800s. There are also three trails to explore: the easy Sentinel Trail, strenuous Bluff Trail, and moderate Beach Trail.
2. Boating & Paddling: Lake Roosevelt has 22 public boat launches where you can launch a wide range of boats, from kayaks to ski boats, as well as several private marinas. If you don’t own your own boat, you can rent one from Lake Roosevelt Adventures for a day of touring, water skiing/wakeboarding, tubing, fishing, or swimming. There is also free first-come-first-served camping along the lakeshore at designated boat-in campsites and other areas that are at least a half-mile from developed areas (be familiar with National Park Service rules for boat-in camping on Lake Roosevelt). Strong paddlers with the right gear can also paddle to a beach camp.

[Feature photo: Kettle Crest in northeast Washington, photo by Jon Jonckers.]

The post 32 Spring & Summer Inland NW Trip Ideas appeared first on Out There Venture.

1. Tag off as many hikes in one of our local hiking guidebooks as you can. Pick one up from your local, independent bookstore, like Aunties Bookstore downtown Spokane. 
2. Load up the bikes for a Sandpoint, Idaho, mountain bike trip. Check out Pendoreillepedalers.org for riding recommendations. Favorites include the Syringa Trails, Gold Hill, Bernard Peak, and trails at Schweitzer Mountain Resort and the Selkirk Recreation District Trail system below the resort. 
3. Paddle along the shore on Lake Pend Oreille from City Beach in Sandpoint. The local Outdoor Experience gear shop in town rents paddleboards and kayaks if you need them. 
4. Break out the binoculars and try to learn to identify at least 5 new bird species in your backyard or a nearby natural area. Check out Audubon.org for resources. 
5. Hike, run, or mountain bike as many of the Spokane County Conservation Areas as you can. 
6. Try all three of our nearby zipline tours: Silver Streak (Wallace), Mica Moon (Liberty Lake), and Timberline Adventures (Coeur d’ Alene). 
7. Ride sections of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a 73-mile paved path running across the Idaho Panhandle from Plummer to Mullan. Or if you’re feeling hardcore, bike the whole thing in one day. 
8. Go swimming in your favorite swimmable lake. If it’s within hiking or biking distance, ditch the car and make it a human-powered adventure. (Explore our Lake Guide stories to find a lake near you.)
9. Try jumping out of an airplane near Ritzville, Wash. with an experienced Skydive West Plains guide once they are allowed to open back up. 
10. Break out the gravel grinder or mountain bike and ride up to Moon Pass from historic Wallace, Idaho. Explore sections of singletrack from there or just bomb back down for a beer at one of the local breweries. Want a little help with the climb? Rent an e-bike from Cogs Spokehouse in Wallace and then take on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes on a ride up to the town of Mullan or west to Kellogg. 
11. Go rafting or kayaking in Riggins, Idaho. Bring your own gear if you’re up for navigating the mostly class III rapids on the stretch of river above and below town, or sign up for a guided trip if you don’t have the river-running skills or equipment. (Check out this story from our archives, “River Town Rebirth: Riggins, Idaho.”)
12. Hike into an alpine lake in the Selkirks, Bitterroots, Cascades, or Cabinets and fish for your own dinner. 
13. Visit the Seven Devils Mountains and wilderness area near Riggins, Idaho, and camp, backpack, day hike, or visit the nearby fire lookout. Bring your mountain bike for at least one person in your group to make the long gravel road descent from the Seven Devils via bicycle on the way back down to the highway. 
14. Ride from Spokane on the paved Fish Lake Trail, then along a section of the Cheney-Spokane Road, and connect with the Columbia Plateau Trail and continue all the way into Cheney for refreshments before heading back home. Start at Fish Lake to shorten the ride. 
15. Skip the shuttle and ride both directions of the Route of the Hiawatha rail trail near Wallace.  
16. Learn to climb and start exploring the vertical world of the many amazing climbing areas scattered about Eastern Washington and North Idaho. While climber friends may be willing to teach you the ropes, you can fast-track your learning in a safe environment with a class from a guide like Inland Northwest Climbing Outfitters. 
17. Ride the relatively new Brush Lake Trail intermediate mountain bike trail near Bonners Ferry. This 5.6-mile trail was built by mountain bikers and will be good fun for most riders. 
18. Float or paddle as many sections of the Spokane River from the Idaho Stateline to Riverside State Park that you have the skills and gear to manage safely. 
19. Paddle the Spokane River from the Division Street put-in downtown and head upstream for food and drink if available from No-Li or Bangkok Thai. Fun Unlimited rents paddleboards and kayaks at the put in if you don’t have your own. 
20. Ride between Spokane and Coeur d’Alene on the Centennial Trail and stop at swimming holes along the way to keep cool. 
21. Plan an epic park or natural area picnic with friends or family maintaining social distancing.  
22. Hike or bike one of your favorite trails, find a scenic spot, and binge-read your all-time-favorite outdoor adventure/travel book or novel. 
23. While Ferry County’s Get Out Fest has sadly been canceled this year, you can still head up there to ride the 25-mile long Ferry County Rail Trail, hike or bike on the Kettle Crest, and paddle on Curlew Lake on your own. 
24. Hike into these Inland Northwest old-growth groves: Ross Creek Cedar Grove (Montana), Hobo Cedar Grove (North Idaho), DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove (Northcentral Idaho), Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars (Priest Lake, Idaho), Hanna Flats Cedar Grove (Priest Lake, Idaho), Virginia Lilly Old Growth Trail (Northcentral Washington), Big Tree Botanical Loop (Northcentral Washington). 
25. Avoid the crowds at popular fishing access sites and docks and hike (when public lands provide access) or paddle into a more remote fishing hole. 
26. Take a waterfall road trip and stop for short hikes into these cascades near Bonners Ferry: Myrtle Falls, Upper and Lower Snow Creek Falls, Copper Falls, and Smith Creek Falls. Closer to home, take the short hike into Indian Canyon Park just west of downtown Spokane, located within Palisades Park, to check out Mystic Falls, or a longer hike into Liberty Lake Regional Park to the falls above the cedar grove and switchbacks. 
27. Give some respect back to the indigenous people whose traditional lands we now recreate and live on by learning more about their culture and history. 
28. Spend a day or two biking or hiking the Empire Trails above Spirit Lake (inexpensive permit required) and paddling and fishing the lake. You can rent paddleboards, kayaks, and other gear from the Spirit Lake Rec Center at the boat launch or e-bikes from Fresh Air E-bikes.  
29. Night hike one of your favorite National Forest or Spokane County or City of Spokane trails to enjoy the stars and night sounds of nature. Download a star gazing app or hike near a pond or lake with a healthy frog population to amplify the experience. 
30. Pick up a guidebook to native plants of our region and hike your favorite nearby trails and make an effort to learn the most common shrubs and plants. 
31. Ride a section of the Palouse to Cascades Trail, a crushed-rock surface rail trail, like the highly scenic section between Rosalia and Pine City. You’ll need to complete a free online registration process before riding or hiking along this 285-mile long State Park trail that stretches across Washington. 
32. Pick up some discs at the General Store in Spokane and hike and play your pick of the region’s many public disc golf courses, such as Camp Sekani Park or High Bridge Park in Spokane or Corbin Park in Post Falls.   
33. Bummed that your favorite race got canceled or postponed? Make up your own close-to-home sufferfest and con some friends into joining you for some social distancing type 2 fun.  
34. Take an overnight bikepacking trip. Visit your local bike shop for the racks and bags you’ll need to keep the weight off your back, then pick an open campground destination a day’s ride from your house or other starting point. Find a route that incorporates as many trails or back roads as possible. Potential destinations include state park campgrounds if open, resorts/RV parks at lakes near Cheney and on Lake Roosevelt that offer camping, dispersed camping sites on National Forest land north of Coeur d’Alene, and other private campgrounds/RV parks near the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. 
35. Bike or Walk to a Farmers Market. 

Originally published as “Close to Home Summer Adventures” in the June 2020 issue.

The post 35 Close to Home Summer Adventures in the Inland NW appeared first on Out There Venture.

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

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

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

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

5. Explore the Headwaters Loop Trail at Moscow Mountain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

52. Go wind surfing on the Columbia River. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

71. Forage for morels and elderberries. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dozens and dozens of Inland Northwest breweries cater to outdoor-enthusiasts from every possible sport. One might say we are blessed to have so many great local beers and amazing outlets for sharing our greatest Northwest adventures. For many of us, there is nothing better than relaxing with a cold one on the tailgate back at the trailhead, reflecting on another day well spent outside.

We hope you enjoy this guide to some of our favorite regional breweries, outdoorsy beer events, and the many connections between beer and the great outdoors.

SPOKANE

Bellwether

A bellwether is one that leads or indicates trends. This brewery (est. 2015) is laser-focused on old-world style with Northwest flair. Bellwether is one of the few breweries that raises the bar, year after year, with fantastic beers and frequently undiscovered artists.

The people behind Bellwether are master collaborators with other breweries, and they regularly support Northwest causes, like the Friends of the Centennial Trail. Truth be told, this might be the most family-friendly spot on this list.

Big Barn

This iconic brewery has deep roots in the Greenbluff community. Big Barn (est. 2012) proudly grows a number of the ingredients found in their beers on the premises. The brewery consistently supports local races and is at the epicenter of most Greenbluff fun runs or bike rides. Best of all, the beers are consistently tasty and worthy of a second pour.

Badass Backyard                                

The name says it all. Badass Backyard Brewing (est. 2015) focuses on quality over quantity with every single batch. The taproom, conveniently located next to Mojo Cyclery in Spokane Valley, is inspiring thanks to the décor, including flights served on skateboards and shelves made out of snowboards. Sometimes the taproom transforms into a yoga studio. Without a doubt, this is one badass brewery.

English Setter

This hunting-dog-themed brewery is a Spokane Valley favorite thanks to its proximity to Sullivan Park, the Centennial Trail, and dog-friendly outdoor seating. English Setter (est. 2014) produces delightful brews with clever names like Puppy Love and Beagle Juice. They also serve drool-worthy flatbread pizzas and burgers. But don’t take our word for it. Sit. Stay.

Grain Shed

Combination brewery and bakery in the Perry District, the Grain Shed specializes in exceptional beers made exclusively from rare grains and ingredients that are locally grown. Its website jokes “we do everything the hardest way possible.” This means investing in producing premium quality—something you can taste in the bread and beer.

Iron Goat

Inspired by the infamous goat in Riverfront Park, the Iron Goat Brewery has grown from humble beginnings to a celebrated taphouse downtown on 2^nd Ave. The brewery produces multiple award-winning beers and hosts the Iron Goat Running Club. It’s also one of the best local breweries to catch LIVE music—follow them on Facebook.

Millwood

Just off the Argonne I-90 exit, the Millwood Brewing Co (est. 2017) features an inviting taproom and lots of outside seating. The brewery is connected to the brand-new Millwood Trail, and the home of the Millwood Milers Running Club.

It’s also the closest brewery to some of Spokane’s best mountain bike trails at Camp Sekani and Beacon Hill, making it a popular post-ride hangout. The brews are delicious and the customer service is fabulous.

Mountain Lakes

You can’t go wrong with a mountain lakes adventure, and you can’t go wrong with a Mountain Lakes beer. Mountain Lakes taproom is located in downtown Spokane, roughly three blocks from the Centennial Trail.

All of the staff are avid hikers and paddlers, and they love any activity that brings them into the mountains. The craft beers reflect a love of the mountains and beer names are clever. Try the Big Red Wagon after a ride through Riverfront Park.

Nu Home Brew and Genus

When beer lovers want to visit heaven, they end up at Nu Home Brew and Genus Brewing (est. 2013). With humble beginnings, this home brew supply shop has quickly grown into one of the most respected breweries in the region. Basically, it sells everything you need to brew beer at home, and you’ll find some of the most knowledgeable brewers. Even better, Genus produces inspiring and creative beers, and the brewers are eager to share skills so you can brew at home too.

No-Li

Born and Raised in the Inland Northwest is among the best beer names in this article. No-Li (est. 1993) continues to be the largest craft brewery in the region, and its success is firmly connected to the brewery’s community involvement and connection to the Spokane River and Centennial Trail. In summer months, you can paddle to the brewery or run, walk, bike, or hike there for a pint or full beer-friendly meal.

Perry Street

This brewery is one of the key reasons the Perry District has developed into a fantastic neighborhood. The taproom features lots of seating indoors and outside, which is often overflowing with smiling faces on sunny days. Perry Street (est. 2014) has a rotating tap list with lots of one-of-a-kind creations. It’s also a great place to meet after a run or a ride around the South Hill or exploring the nearby Ben Burr Trail.

River City                                                                                                           

This brewery belongs in its own category. Like other breweries, River City wins awards, contributes to events and charities, experiments with different ingredients, and has a cult following.

River City (est. 2012) made its mark with the creation of the Riverkeeper IPA in a collaborative effort to raise funds and awareness for the important work of the Spokane Riverkeeper. Thanks to River City, paddlers, tubers, and anglers can drink up and support the Spokane River.

Square Wheel

As a division of the Arbor Crest Winery, the Square Wheel (est. 2015) benefits from decades of winery connections and creativity, as well as all of the amenities of the Arbor Crest Cliff House overlooking Spokane Valley.

Square Wheel Brewing Company is named after the famous Square Wheel tractor, an invention of Royal Riblet, the previous landowner of the Cliff House. The beers are a great addition to this iconic estate.

Steam Plant

The most iconic chimneys in Spokane make for a highly-visible meeting spot after an urban outdoors adventure. While primarily known for its restaurant, the brewery is definitely worth a visit. The Steam Plant (est. 1999) still brews the favorites from a decade ago and features multiple seasonal beers. When you stop by, take time to explore the historic building.

Twelve String

You don’t need to play guitar to appreciate this Spokane Valley brewery. Twelve String (est. 2011) serves great beer with genius musical names, such as Jam Session IPA and Drop D Stout. Since it’s less than a mile from the Mirabeau Meadows trailhead, it’s a convenient spot for runners and bikers to hang out after a Centennial Trail workout.

Whistle Punk

Back in the steam powered era, a “whistle punk” was the name of the lumberjack operating the signal wire running to the donkey engine whistle. Located in Downtown Spokane’s historic Railroad Alley, Whistle Punk (est. 2015) has a reputation for brewing deliciously creative beers. For example, consider the Imperial S’mores Milk Stout or the Helles Lager. Both are guaranteed to wet your whistle.

NORTHEAST WASHINGTON

Northern Ales

Hidden behind the Little Gallea Restaurant in Kettle Falls, it’s very easy to miss this brewery if you’re driving too fast. Northern Ales is famous for tasty build-your-own pizzas, peanut shells all over the floor, and wonderful craft beers.

The brewery is a regional favorite because of its affordable pints and easy-going atmosphere and is a popular rendezvous spot for mountain bikers, hikers, and backcountry skiers after adventures along the Kettle Crest.

Quartzite

With 49 Degrees North Ski Resort nearby and a surplus of biking and hiking trails and epic road riding routes nearby, Chewelah is the perfect home for Quartzite Brewing Company (est. 2017).

Named after the craggy peak east of town, the beer lineup features lots of local geography, for instance Goddards Peak IPA. To add to the place-based mix, the brewery has started a new non-profit called the Chewelah Valley Land Trust.

Republic

Inside the historic Fire Hall on Clarke Ave. in Republic, this brewery is committed to good beer and good cheer. Republic Brewing Company (est. 2011) offers several award-winning beers with rotating taps. The taproom is lively and kid-friendly. It also features a variety of events including painting with pints, bike maintenance classes, and live music.

Come for Ferry County’s uncrowded hiking and biking trails or the Ferry County Rail Trail, but don’t leave without a visit to this lively Republic gathering place.

SOUTH & CENTRAL WASHINGTON

Ice Harbor

The godfather of Tri-Cities breweries, Ice Harbor Brewing (est. 1997) has two locations featuring unique charm and character. No matter which location you choose, you will always be greeted like family. The beers vary a little bit, but they’re always delicious and complement the restaurant menu. Earn your beer with a spring ride on the Columbia Plateau Trail, hike on Badger Mountain, or paddle on the Columbia River.

Icicle

If you threw a dart at the center of a Washington map, you would hit the Icicle Brewery. Leavenworth is the adventure-seeking heart of the Cascades, and Icicle Brewing Co. is the main artery. The water for its beer flows from Icicle Creek, and the taproom provides excellent service—even during Oktoberfest. Whenever possible, order the Dark Persuasion.

Paradise Creek

Paradise Creek runs between Pullman and Moscow, right alongside the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail. It’s a connection between the two university towns, and a great name for a brewery. Paradise Creek Brewery (est. 2010) in Pullman is famous for its creative beer names and specialty beers, such as the Over The Hop IPA and Huckleberry Pucker Shandy.

Riverport

Right at the confluence of the Clearwater River and the mighty Snake River, this Clarkston brewery highlights the regional wonders that make the area so special. Riverport’s beers include River Rat Red, Seven Devils IPA and Old Man River Oatmeal Stout.

Located just one block from Granite Lake Park, and on the way to several stretches of classic Central Idaho whitewater, it’s easy to see why paddlers, runners, and cyclists love this place.

Rocky Coulee

Not afraid to blaze its own trail, this brewery has gone against the grain by focusing on the grain. Located in Odessa, the heart of wheat country, Rocky Coulee Brewing crafts beers that tend to taste more malty than bitter.

The brewery doesn’t have a pub, but does welcome visitors on Fridays to its tasting room for great beer and good company. Or come check out Rocky Coulee’s brews at the annual Odessa Deutschesfest the third full weekend in September.

Ten Pin

Right next to Lake Bowl, in Moses Lake, this brewery is only throwing strikes. Ten Pin (est. 2013) features a head brewer with a genius bio: “Jim can guide you along the Appalachian Trail, tell you the best skinny-dipping spots from Pennsylvania to Mexico and on North to Alaska, and provide hours of entertainment lecturing about polymerization.”

Ten Pin is arguably one of central Washington’s best breweries and a great detour after exploring the paddling and angling paradise of Moses Lake and dozens of other nearby lakes.

NORTH IDAHO

Laughing Dog

“Fetchingly Good Beer!” Yes, Laughing Dog (est. 2005) is fetchingly good. The brewery blends a Sandpoint passion for creativity and North Idaho know-how into every bottle of beer. Laughing Dog also gives back to the community through several races and events. Your Selkirk or Pend Oreille Lake adventures will feel more complete after a Laughing Dog beer in the taproom located in Ponderay.

Matchwood

Located on the Sandpoint/Dover Community Trail, Matchwood shares its parking lot with the Sandpoint Rock Gym and Evans Brothers Coffee. This is the North Idaho intersection for climbing, biking, coffee and beer. The taproom is constantly rotating through craft beers, and the food is substantial and affordable. Definitely try the Pale Ale.

Moscow

Surrounded by wheat and barley fields, it’s easy to see how Moscow Brewing Company developed its passion for craft beer. Moscow (est. 2013) is at the heart of an agriculture community, but it’s also the hub for several fantastic community bike paths, like the Latah Trail, and close to the Moscow Mountain trails. Moscow Brewing showcases the region with local ingredients in its brews, and the atmosphere is always warm.

North Idaho Mountain Brew

One of two breweries in Wallace, North Idaho Mountain Brew (est. 2008) is located just north of I-90 in the City Limits Pub, which couldn’t be much closer to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Enjoy a wide range of beers on tap, from the Baldy Blonde to the Sunset Red, as well as a full restaurant menu and bar after your next Silver Valley adventure.

Radio

Inspired by the golden age of radio broadcasting, this Silver Valley brewery embodies a love for beer and anything related to old time radio. In Kellogg, not far from the Silver Mountain Resort, Radio Brewing (est. 2016) offers many tasty beers plus a great menu with lunch and dinner options.

In the summer, the brewery features live music, making a perfect ending to a day of bombing down the trails at Silver Mountain Bike Park or pedaling along the Trail of The Coeur d’Alenes, a 72-mile paved biking trail two blocks from the brewery.

Selkirk Abbey

In Post Falls, halfway between the Spokane River and the Centennial Trail, the Selkirk Abbey (est. 2012) brews Belgian beers, from tongue twisting sours to a rich malty Trappist. The taproom is warm and inviting with beers for every palate imaginable. There’s no need to repent if you bring a few extra bottles home.

Slate Creek

Named after a little-known tributary to the St. Joe River, Slate Creek has long been a secret spot for anglers and whitewater boaters. Located on the corner of 5th and Spruce in Coeur d’Alene, Slate Creek Brewing (est. 2013) features multiple mainstay beers and several seasonal beers.

If you’re looking for an excuse to pay Slate Creek a visit, Tubbs Hill and McEuen Park are less than a mile away, and the Canfield Mountain biking trails are a short pedal away.

Utara

Pronounced (oo-tah-rah), this British-style brew pub brings exciting new flavors and Anglo-Indian dishes to Sandpoint. Utara Brewing Company (est. 2017) specializes in crafting delicious ales and refreshing lagers, paired with affordable Indian appetizers and curry. Located near Greasy Fingers Bikes N Repair, Utara makes for a great gathering place after a North Idaho ride.

Wallace

With mining and bordello-inspired artwork, the Wallace Brewery (est. 2009) produces brilliant beers, and all of them tell a story. The 1910 Lager refers to the 1910 Fire, the Redlight Ale refers to the town’s bordellos, and the Huckleberry Shandy is made with local huckleberries.

With the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes running through Wallace, and the Route of the Hiawatha nearby, there are plenty of ways to build your thirst for a Wallace Brewing pint.

NORTHEAST OREGON

Terminal Gravity

Terminal Gravity is the technical term when a beer has fermented and aged appropriately. In Enterprise, Terminal Gravity (est. 1997) embodies the spirit of the Wallowa Mountains and the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

The people behind the brewery have a passion for the outdoor pursuits that make Wallowa County so incredible, from backcountry skiing and boating to bow hunting, and have outdoor ambassadors that help spread the TG word. Long live the Terminal Gravity IPA!

This “Beer & The Great Outdoors Northwest Guide” was originally published in the April 2019 print issue.

[Updated Sept. 2021]

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Begin with a “backcountry lite” experience, or seeking out enough primitive wilderness without totally roughing it. This includes staying at remote and rustic National Forest Service campgrounds accessible by car. You have no cell service and are many miles from the closest small town, yet you have potable water and vault toilets.

Another way to teach children about the rigors and requirements of backcountry travel is with day hikes. Kids can carry their own small pack with supplies, learn map and compass-reading skills, and practice Leave No Trace principles, including sanitation guidelines. Hiking round-trip in a day and returning to a campground, hotel, or returning home, is a significant accomplishment.

For any hike, always carry the “Ten Essentials,” which includes 10 gear categories: navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first-aid supplies, fire, repair kit and tools, nutrition, hydration, and emergency shelter.

Accidents happen and the power of nature can foil plans.

When your family seems ready for an overnight backpacking trip, begin with a one or two-night itinerary to a kid-friendly destination, such as a lake. Experts say that a child’s pack should weigh no more than 10-15% of his or her bodyweight. Find packing list ideas in guidebooks and from Washington Trails Association’s website (wta.org).

My friend and fellow Spokane mother Rebecca White recommends bringing special treats. For her kids, she packs M&Ms, freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, and tinfoil S’mores. Also, she packs extra clothes that remain behind in the car at the trailhead—“so you know everyone has a clean set when you’re done,” White says. She and her husband, Chris, first took their two children backpacking when the kids were about 10 years old. She recommends destinations like Plowboy Campground at Upper Priest Lake, which provides vault toilets. The 3-mile Navigation Trail is flat and easy, or you can boat in.

Parents Joal and Elizabeth Lee, from Pullman, chose Upper Priest as their family’s first backcountry destination. “Our daughters were 5-years-old, 2-year-old, and 6-weeks-old [at the time],” says Joal. “Elizabeth was able to carry a fully-loaded backpack while pushing our baby in a jogging stroller.” Accompanied by another family, Joal and the other dad canoed to the campsite with most of the gear. “It went really well, though, thinking back on it, I wouldn’t recommend taking a child that young. Even if a person is well-prepared, there is a lot that can quickly go wrong with infants,” he says.

The Lee family has since experienced three more backpacking trips, including to the Seven Devils in Idaho and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in northeast Oregon, where they summited the 9,572-foot Eagle Cap peak. “The farthest we’ve backpacked in a single day is 8 miles,” says Lee.

In the backcountry, be sure you’re prepared to respond to serious injuries. Consider registering for Wilderness First Aid or a Wilderness First Responder course, both offered locally by Peak 7 Adventures. There’s also the more comprehensive Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) course designed by National Ski Patrol. For families living in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon, an annual Life Flight network membership is a wise financial and peace-of-mind investment should emergency air transport ever be needed.

To reduce heavy gear requirements, families can hike to a backcountry cabin or yurt. To reduce hiking mileage, consider traveling by boat to a backcountry destination, such as a cruise across Lake Chelan to Stehikin Village, a gateway to North Cascades National Park. There are four primitive wilderness campgrounds (permit required) located 0.5-5 miles from the boat landing. In Glacier National Park, Glacier Park Boat Company provides trips across lakes where you can then hike to backcountry campsites. Local guidebook writers Harvey and Abby McAllister have published family guides to Glacier, Yellowstone, and Utah’s Big Five National Parks—all part of the Adventuring with Kids series from Mountaineers Books. Another good resource is “Babes in the Woods: Hiking, Camping & Boating with Babies & Young Children” by Jennifer Aist.

As Amelia Earhart famously said, “Adventure is worthwhile in itself”—especially when that adventure is in a thick forest, along a quiet trail, or near an alpine lake with spectacular star-gazing views. //

Amy McCaffree is Out There’s special section editor. Her all-time favorite backpacking trip was in Glacier National Park’s Belly River area.

[Feature photo: White family backpacking in Hoodoo Canyon. // Courtesy of Rebecca White.]

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1.Experience thrilling downhill mountain bike riding at Silver Mountain Bike Park, with its network of named trails, categorized by difficulty level, from easy to expert.

2.Climb, swing, and zip for self-guided, high adventure at the new Tree to Tree Adventure Park in Athol, Idaho. This family-friendly aerial experience includes progressively challenging courses featuring ladders, balance beams, tight ropes, and bridges; includes two courses specifically for ages 6-9. Reservations required at treetotreeidaho.com.

3.Whitewater raft through the Class I-III rapids of lower Spokane River Gorge with ROW Adventures. Trips typically run daily from June 2-July 1. ROW also provides guided whitewater trips down the Clark Fork, Lochsa, St. Joe, Moyie, Clearwater, and Selway rivers.

4.For a serene float without big rapids, opt for ROW Adventure’s half-day float trip down the lower Spokane River (ages 5+). Season begins June 18.

5.Ride railroad tracks along the Pend Oreille River, thanks to the local Lions Club and its four-seated, pedal-powered RailRiders. Travel a 12-mile round-trip route, departing from Ione, Wash. Available only on select dates; online reservations required at lionsrailriders.com

6.Take a cruise aboard the Lady of the Lake to upper Lake Chelan to begin a backcountry adventure in North Cascades National Park.

7.Demo bikes and water sports gear at the 4^th annual Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival on Saturday, July 7 at Camp Sekani Park (free general admission). Or register for an outdoor adventure clinic to try a new sport, such as rock climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, tandem kayaking, SUP yoga, inflatable whitewater kayaking, and more ($10-20/person). Festival also includes free kids activities, live music, adult beverage garden, and hourly gear giveaways.

8.National Get Outdoors Day is Saturday, June 9. Visit and explore a state park, conservation area, or wildlife refuge.

9.Go “herp hunting” (searching for amphibians and reptiles) in Idaho, exploring along riverbanks and lake shorelines to find western toads, spotted frogs, and Western terrestrial garter snakes. Use a field guide (there’s one online at idfg.idaho.gov). Follow Leave No Trace principles by not disturbing wildlife or their habitat.

10.Get your adrenaline pumping with Mica Moon Zipline Tour in Liberty Lake, Wash. or Timberline Adventures in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

11.Hike to the Rocks of Sharon and Big Rock to enjoy stunning views and rock climbing. Located in Dishman Hills Conservancy in south Spokane County. Dishmanhills.org.

12.Forage for morels in the Kootenai National Forest (permit required), and visit the small Montana towns of Troy and Libby.

13.Be awed by Kootenai Falls—Idaho’s largest free-falling, undammed falls. A short trail leads to a 100-foot high swinging bridge that crosses the Kootenai River gorge, featuring a gradual loss of 300 feet of elevation. Part of the 1994 adventure crime-thriller movie “The River Wild,” starring Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon, was filmed here.

14.Soak in Stanley Hot Springs, near Lowell, Montana, which requires a challenging 6-mile, one-way hike from Wilderness Gateway Campground. Plan to backpack camp so you can enjoy the 103-degree hot springs water in the cool evening or morning. Learn more at idahohotsprings.com or use the Hiking Hot Springs in the Pacific Northwest guidebook by Evie Litton and Sally Jackson.

15.Take your paddling gear or motor boat to visit Crow Butte Park, a watersports park located on a 1,500-acre island in the Columbia River. Only accessible by boat, the park has a day use swimming area, playground, and 50 full-service campsites.

16.Explore Hanford Reach National Monument, north of Richland, Wash.—the first national monument created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This rustic area also includes Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge.

17.Backpack into northeast Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Swim in an alpine lake, hike to the summit of Eagle Cap, and enjoy epic star-gazing.

18.Venture to British Columbia, Canada. Nelson, a small Victorian town on the West Arm of Kootenay Lake offers hiking trails, Ainsworth Hot Springs resort, and all imaginable lake sports. Visit nelsonkootenaylake.com. Or check out Rossland for epic fun while mountain biking, hiking, or golfing at tourismrossland.com.

19.Explore the Wenatchee River Valley. Tube the Wenatchee River starting from Waterfront Park, near downtown Leavenworth. Camp and hike the trails in North Cascades’ Icicle Creek area, or camp at Lake Wenatchee State Park.

20.Enjoy a family hike at the Dishman Hills Camp Caro trailhead area in Spokane Valley, which has a children’s playground and trail map kiosk.

21.Go fishing during National Fishing and Boating Week, when state Fish and Wildlife agencies offer no-license Free Fishing Days. Dates this year are June 9 for Idaho, June 9-10 for Washington, and June 16-17 for Montana.

22.Visit Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park and camp at Wanapum Recreation Area along the west side of the Columbia River Gorge, near Vantage, Wash.

23.Boat or paddle to one of three islands in Priest Lake—Kalispell, Bartoo, or Fourmile islands. Stay and play for the day or camp overnight.

24.Learn about the Channeled Scablands by visiting Washington state parks created to showcase the geological evidence left behind from Ice Age mega-floods: Palouse Falls, Steamboat Rock, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls, Potholes, and Sacajawea.

25.Explore the remote, rugged wilderness of North Central Idaho, east of Lewiston, which includes the humongous Lolo, Nez Perce-Clearwater, and Bitterroot national forests. Plan an adventure that includes Red River or Lolo Hot Springs, the 56-mile Selway River Trail, Selway Falls in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, or Elk Creek Falls Recreation Area.

26.Stand-up paddleboard on the Spokane River. Rent equipment from Fun Unlimited at either their Post Falls or downtown Spokane location under the Division Street bridge. Cdasports.com

27.Road trip to Bend, Ore., which includes more recreation options than you probably have time for. Visit Mt. Bachelor for a scenic chairlift ride from its West Village base (6,300 feet) and hike to a snowfield. Mountain bike amazing trails from the Phil’s Trail trailhead near town. Backpack along the Pacific Crest Trail.

28.June is Great Outdoors Month, and June 2 is designated National Trails Day. Do good while hiking and bring garbage bags to collect litter and pack it out. For kids, make it a scavenger hunt competition and see who can find the most granola bar wrappers and beer cans or bottles.

29.Explore the trails and alpine lakes accessible near Superior, Montana. Visit Lincoln’s World Famous 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar (exit 16, Haugan), and its self-described “Montana’s largest gift shop” with quirky trinkets and souvenirs.

30.Combine local recreation in Idaho’s Silver Valley with one of Wallace’s outdoor festivals, such as the Gyro Days Carnival (June 14-16), Idaho’s Statehood Day (July 3, parade begins at 5:30 p.m.), Wallace Blues Festival (July 13-15), or Huckleberry Days (August 17-18).

31.Tube the Spokane River with FLOW Adventures—daily equipment rentals and shuttle service begin in July.

32.Take your dog hiking in the wilderness. Search for destination ideas using Craig Romano’s guidebook Best Hikes with Dogs in Eastern Washington.

33.Ride the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha Trail. A 20^th Anniversary Commemoration for “America’s Crown Jewel of the Rails to Trails” is June 22-23 in downtown Wallace.

34.Participate in Spokane Summer Parkways, a fun summer solstice event in the Comstock-Manito park neighborhoods, using only pedal or foot transport on Thursday, June 21 from 6-9 p.m.

35.Paddle the 2.5-mile Thorofare to Upper Priest Lake.

36.Celebrate Great American Campout Day on June 23. Make campsite reservations, pack your gear, and go! Or tent camp in your backyard.

37.Backpack to an alpine lake—lots of possible destinations throughout the Inland Northwest. Find recommendations at outthereoutdoors.com.

38.Whitewater raft and camp along the Salmon River in the Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness. Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures, based out of Missoula, Montana, offers 6-day guided trips. Or choose their guided 3-day, 75-mile mountain bike camping trip along the Lolo Trail, starting from Lewis & Clark’s 13-Mile Camp (6,000 feet) near Lochsa Lodge.

39.Head to Rolling Huts or Methow Tents in Winthrop, Washington, if glamping is your style.

40.Do volunteer trail work. Washington Trails Association hosts day-long trail parties and week-long volunteer vacations throughout the state. Experienced backpackers can join a Backcountry Response Team.

41.Visit a National Park. Of the more than 400 national parks, recreation areas, and historic sites across America, there are five major parks 5-8 hours from the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene metro area: Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier in Washington; Glacier in northwest Montana; and Yellowstone in southern Idaho and Montana.

42.Go boating, fishing, paddling, waterskiing, and camping at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Relax on one of its sandy primitive beaches.

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

44.Scout for wildlife along local waterways, such as Latah Creek or the Spokane River. Hike the trails at People’s Park or Riverside State Park. Be alert for river otter, beaver, porcupine, coyote, marmot, osprey, and other critters.

45.Forage for huckleberries. Find the best stashes of this succulent wild berry of the Inland Northwest around Priest Lake and Mount Spokane. Wear your bear bells.

46.Kayak on Lake Coeur d’Alene with a 4-hour trip guided by ROW Adventures, or choose the 2-hour sunset kayak paddle on Fernan Lake.

47.Road trip to a regional outdoor festival, to celebrate nearly anything—from music and beer to lentils and sweet onions. Stay overnight to take advantage of nearby recreation opportunities wherever you go.

48.Drink regional beers along the Inland Northwest Ale Trail—hiking boots not required. Find the map at Inlandnwaletrail.com. Or travel to Sunnyside Summer Ale Fest in the heart of hop country on June 23 in Sunnyside, Washington

49.Canoe or kayak the Little Spokane River. Make it easier with Spokane Parks & Recreation’s weekend shuttle service. Pre-register at Spokaneparks.org.

50.Ride the Great Escape Quad high-speed chairlift to Schweitzer Mountain’s summit. Rides begin June 22.

51.Play disc golf at Farragut State Park near Athol, Idaho.

52.Rent a houseboat in Bayview, Idaho, for a vacation afloat Lake Pend Oreille.

53.Join a road running relay race, such as the Spokane to Sandpoint Relay or Centennial Beer Chase.

54.Go fly fishing on the Clark Fork River near Butte, Montana.

55.Venture to Fishtrap Recreation Area, with 8,000 acres of BLM land in Lincoln County, west of Spokane, for mountain biking, hiking, or fishing.

56.Explore unique destinations. Search for unusual place-names on a regional map, like Idaho’s Gospel Hump Wilderness, Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, or Seven Devils Mountains near Hells Canyon, and then go check it out.

57.Getaway to River Dance Lodge, an adventure resort near Syringa, Idaho. Stay overnight in a custom log cabin or luxury tent. Or stay in your tent or RV in the campground area. Explore the nearby Lewis and Clark Trail and Lolo Motorway, book a horseback ride, or hike or mountain bike one of the many trails along the Lochsa River. Consider the Wild West Getaway package, which includes rafting the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River.

58.Cycle the Centennial Trail, with lots of trailhead options and miles to explore. Complete the section between Liberty Lake, Wash., and Post Falls, Idaho, and your kids can boast that they literally biked all the way to another state.

59.When traveling out of town, plan to visit the local farmer’s markets, and blend in with the locals.

60.Walk or bike among Manito Park’s flower gardens, located on Spokane’s South Hill. Bring along a book and blanket for a rest at Duncan or Rose gardens, and lounge around like poet Walt Whitman or a character from a Jane Austen novel.

61.Hike or mountain bike the High Drive Bluff trails, followed by a stop at The Rocket Market for a refreshing drink, such as on-tap kombucha or beer.

62.Bike or walk along the Riverfront Park-Gonzaga 2.2-mile loop trail and tour Gonzaga University’s campus. Stop by Arthur Lake, check out the outdoor art sculptures, pat the head of the enormous brass Bulldog standing guard outside McCarthy Athletic Center, visit the Mother Mary grotto, enjoy the flowerbed landscaping, and play Frisbee on a lawn. To beat the heat, visit the Jundt Art Museum, Bing Crosby Museum, or Hemmingson Center.

63.Bike tour among neighborhood Little Free Libraries. Use the online map at Littlefreelibrary.org to plan a route—there are over 100 locations throughout Spokane and Spokane Valley.

64.Bike or walk Fish Lake Trail, coming in at 14.8 miles for a complete out-and-back round-trip.

65.Swim, fish, or paddle at Spokane County’s Fish Lake Regional Park, located off Cheney-Spokane Road.

66.Access the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park near Fish Lake. Bike the trail through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

67.Pedal around the Palouse cities of Pullman, Wash., and Moscow, Idaho.

68.Go boating in Hells Canyon and hike the Snake River National Recreation Trail. Located near Grangeville, Idaho, you can also visit the Hammer Creek Recreation Area and stay at nearby campgrounds.

69.Mountain bike the trails at Camp Sekani or Beacon Hill. Visit evergreeneast.org for trail maps.

70.Hike to the 3,612-foot summit of Steptoe Butte at its namesake State Park Heritage Site. Cool fun fact: the butte “marks the border of the original North American Continent” according to Washington State Parks website.

71.Attend a mountain-top festival at Schweitzer or Silver Mountain, combined with hiking or mountain biking.

72.Day-trip to Reardan, Wash., to tour the Inland NW Rail Museum, open Friday-Sunday. Visit inlandnwrailmuseum.com. Admission includes one narrow gauge train ride, and children under 5 are free. Visit the nearby Fort Spokane museum and visitor center at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Have a picnic and go swimming.

73.Visit Crawford State Park Heritage Site, near Metaline Falls, Wash., and take a guided tour of Gardner Cave—the state’s third longest limestone cavern. Hike the trail to the U.S.-Canadian border.

74.Go fishing at Round Lake near Sagle, Idaho, or at Williams Lake near Cheney, Wash., which is annually stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout.

75.Explore the Yaak wildlands in remote northwest Montana.

76.Join the fun at Paddle, Splash and Play, an annual free children’s event on Aug. 11, organized by the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club at Nine Mile Recreation Area on Lake Spokane.

77.Hike, explore, and look for wildlife at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

78.Paddle Lake Chatcolet and observe wildlife. Launch your canoe, SUP, or kayak from Hawley’s Landing campground at Heyburn State Park near Plummer, Idaho.

79.Go bike riding on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. Start at the Plummer trailhead for a long haul, or start in Harrison, which is the closest access point to cycle along the Coeur d’Alene River and through the Chain Lakes area. Look for moose.

80.Paddle and explore the scenic Coeur d’Alene River and Chain Lakes area—a series of small, shallow lakes accessible via narrow tributaries. Launch your watercraft in Harrison, where the river intersects with Lake Coeur d’Alene. Or begin paddling from the no-fee Rainy Hill Boat Launch, 23 miles east of Coeur d’Alene, which also provides access to Medicine and Cave Lakes.

81.Tour the Grand Coulee Dam and enjoy a free, 30-minute nighttime Laser Light Show at the dam. Shows run nightly throughout the summer, with different start times each month. Grandcouleedam.com.

82.Visit Lochsa Lodge, off Highway 12 near Lolo Pass on the Idaho-Montana border. Stay overnight in a lodge or cabin. Explorers Lewis & Clark once camped nearby, and part of the historic Lewis & Clark Trail passes through the lodge area and travels 8-miles along the Lochsa River. Lochsalodge.com

83.Hike or bike the trails of Spokane County Conservation Areas, which are undeveloped, protected public lands. Find maps at spokanecounty.org.

84.Mountain bike or hike in Mount Spokane State Park. Picnic at Vista House and forage for huckleberries. Hike to the summit of Mount Kit Carson.

85.Stay overnight at Mount Spokane State Park’s Bald Knob Campground or Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout—the lookout is available by reservation only from June 15-Sept. 30.

86.Road trip to Missoula, Mont.—only a 4-hour drive east of Spokane. There is lots to do and see in this Big Sky city.

87.Play at Sandpoint’s City Beach. Swim in Lake Pend Oreille and walk or bike across Long Bridge.

88.Visit Glacier National Park and cross the Continental Divide with a journey along the 50-mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road. Stop at Logan Pass—at 6,646 feet— and hike to Hidden Lakes overlook.

89.Within Glacier NP, hike to Triple Divide Pass. Trailhead is at the primitive Cut Bank Campground on the park’s east side. Marvel at Triple Divide Peak at 8,020 feet, where the two Continental Divides intersect, and water can flow in three directions, with final output in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Artic oceans. The Cut Bank area also provides access to trailheads for Medicine Grizzly and Morning Start Lakes.

90.Swim and play at Liberty Lake with a camping trip or day visit to Liberty Lake Regional Park. Popular trails include Liberty Lake Loop trail and Split Creek Trail. $2/person entry fee during summer.

91.Bike, hike, or horse-back ride a section of Washington’s John Wayne Pioneer Trail near Tekoa or Rosalia, Wash.

92.Hike trails within an old-growth forest, such as the Hobo Cedar Grove Trail of old-growth cedars in the St. Joe National Forest; DeVoto Memorial Cedar Grove of old-growth western red cedars in the Clearwater National Forest, at Lolo Pass, Idaho; or Hoodoo Canyon (Trail #17) in the Kettle Range of the Colville National Forest near Kettle Falls, Wash.

93.Head to Okanogan County’s Methow Valley, in Washington’s Central Cascade Mountains, and visit Twisp and Winthrop. Recreation destinations and fun excursions include Pearrygin Lake State Park, Winthrop National Fish Hatchery, the western-themed Shafer Museum, Falls Creek Waterfall, and North Cascades Smokejumper Base (free tours daily during summer).

94.Visit Hells Canyon National Recreation Area—the deepest river gorge in North America. Paddle the Snake River, camp, hike, fish, or mountain bike.

95.Backpack a section of the Continental Divide Trail, a 3,000 mile long trail that passes through Idaho and Montana. Continentaldividetrail.org.

96.Hang out at the newly-renovated Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. Roller skate, in-line skate, scooter, or skateboard on the Skate Ribbon (free admission; helmets required). Enjoy a 15-minute SkyRide gondola tour over Spokane Falls. On Wednesday evenings, stay late to watch a movie on a giant screen in the park’s Lilac Bowl, the location for the BECU Outdoor Movie series, from June 13-Aug. 1.

97.Camp at Ross Lake National Recreation Area in north-central Wash. Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, and Gorge Lake reservoirs provide gateways to remote wilderness.

98.Mountain bike the Empire Trails in Spirit Lake, Idaho, and then rent a kayak at the public access near town and go paddling.

99.Kayak or canoe the St. Joe River, the highest elevation navigable river in the world. Depending on how far and long you want to paddle, there are a number of boat launches in Benewah County. For the quickest access to more quiet section, start from a boat launch near St. Maries.

100.Bike or drive along the scenic International Selkirk Loop that connects Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada. Selkirkloop.org //

Be Social: Share your summer adventure photos on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #GetOutThereOutdoors, or post directly to facebook.com/OutThereVenture. If you go adventuring with children, include the additional hashtag #OutThereKids.

[Feature photo “Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Chatcolet Bridge” by Amy McCaffree.]

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