The road winds through a countryside blonde with wheat, then dips into a brush-choked gorge. Three of us—me, my husband, and my 82-year-old mother—let out a harmony of “ahs” at the sight of the lovely creek and decide this is the place to stop for a tailgate coffee break. We park in a gravel pullout, situate mom in a folding chair under a poplar tree, and pour coffee. While we sit, five species of songbirds sound off, accompanied by frogs and buzzing insects. It’s a beautiful moment in an afternoon outing.

Over the past several years, my husband and I have formed a habit of taking mom on outings such as this. The challenges of aging—pain, dementia—are wearing on her and nature seems to give her a measure of relief and pleasure.

Experts agree that time outdoors is an important part of overall healthfulness for elders. That’s exactly why Ryan Griffith, Spokane Parks & Recreation’s assistant recreation director, partners with local senior centers to take groups of elderly patrons kayaking and snow shoeing. He says that seniors benefit from being outdoors in myriad ways including exercise, mental stimulation, getting away from the television, and social interaction.

Griffith observes that even seemingly simple occurrences like a bird singing or snow falling on a jacket sleeve help relax the mind. Griffith suggests taking along snacks, water, and trekking poles, and recommends approaching the activity with a flexible mindset.

Fortunately, the Inland Northwest provides a wealth of opportunities for older residents to get outdoors safely. Together, my husband, mother, and I have been to the summit of a mountain, explored a cave, lolled in green orchards, and wandered through wetlands.

Here are four outings around the Spokane area—field tested by mom—to consider planning with your elders.

Mukogawa Institute Stroll or Roll

Drive Government Way to Fremont Road and turn into the Mukogawa Institute (officially called Mukogawa U.S. Campus, an extension of Mukogawa Women’s University in Japan). Park along Offut Road in front of McNally Recital Hall. Walk west 0.25 mile along Custer Drive under graceful Douglas firs. A row of beautifully maintained red brick officers’ quarters line the way and placards note the year each building was built.

Rest on the benches at the roundabout, then either stroll back to your car on the opposite side of the sunshine-dappled parade grounds (along Randolph Road) or wander another 0.2 mile into the forest along paved paths to discover the tiny hidden chapel near Takaoka Hall.

• Comforts: Shade trees, wheelchair accessible (advise keeping to the low-traffic road instead of the uneven sidewalks), benches at the roundabout and near the Nellie Garry Guest House, covered gazebo with picnic table at corner of Fremont and North Wright Drive.
• Walking or rolling distance: 0.5 mile along quiet paved roadway with options to extend.
• Sensory: Birdsong, busy squirrels, historic buildings and interesting architecture, towering pine and fir trees.
• Cautions: No public restrooms along this route.

Mount Spokane Summit and Vista House

Drive north from Spokane to Mount Spokane State Park. At the entrance, stay on Mount Spokane Park Drive and continue uphill to North Summit Road. Follow the narrow strip of blacktop to the parking area. Walk up to Vista House.

• Comforts: Wheelchair accessible outhouses along the road and at waysides and picnic tables at Bald Knob Campground.
• Walking distance: 0.25 mile out-and-back gravel pathway to Vista House.
• Sensory: Dense forest and undergrowth, broad views, sunshine, and an interesting stone house.
• Cautions: Sections of narrow winding road with steep no-guardrail drop-offs, and it can be windy up top.

Valley Chapel Road Trip

From Spokane’s South Hill, take Palouse Highway south to the intersection with South Valley Chapel Road. Travel along Stevens and Latah creeks and take a break at one of the pull-offs to enjoy the babbling water.

Stop at Mt. Hope Chapel (corner of East Valley Chapel Road and South North Kentuck Trails Road) to stretch legs and enjoy the quiet wheat fields.

Take a 4-mile out-and-back side trip drive south on North Kentuck Trails Road to Hanging Tree Historical Monument (watch for the marker pointing the way) and pause for a moment of silence to consider the gravity of events that occurred here. Then continue to the Highway 27 intersection.

Return directly to Spokane via Highway 27 or take a few more twists and turns through farm, field, and forest on rural gravel roads.

• Comforts: Outhouse (not wheelchair accessible) and shade trees at Mount Hope Chapel.
• Walking distance: As desired at chosen rest stops.
• Sensory: Birdsong, frog song, rippling creeks, pastoral views.
• Cautions: Limited restrooms, winding roads.

St. Aloysius Walk or Roll

Park on Astor Street in front of St. Aloysius church on Gonzaga campus. Stroll or roll along wheelchair accessible sidewalk to the church, then head east along the smooth brick and stone promenade to Rosauer Center.

Walk south between buildings, then follow the walkways, this time west, back to St. Aloysius. To extend the outing, continue on to the performing arts center, visit the Jundt Art Museum or cross the grass to the river’s edge.

• Comforts: Wheelchair accessible sidewalks and paths, numerous benches, shade trees.
• Walking or rolling distance: 0.75-mile loop (expand or shorten as desired).
• Sensory: Prayer Grotto (located east of the the church) and Gonzaga University campus’s impressive rhododendrons, basalt-blocks, pocket gardens, statuary, rockwork and architecture, shoreline, birdsong.
• Cautions: No public restrooms along the route.

Tabitha Gregory enjoys exploring, hiking, and skiing in the Inland Northwest. She’s written for Out There Venture and North Columbia Monthly and is the author of the historical nonfiction book “Valdez Rises: One Town’s Struggle for Survival After the Great Alaska Earthquake.”

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Mount Spokane State Park hopes to enhance its entrance and expand the visitor experience with the Bear Creek Lodge property.

Just before the park entrance, Bear Creek Lodge was once the widest span wooden structure west of the Mississippi, River. The lodge, completed in 1952, has changed hands many times in subsequent years, adding a tubing hill and campsites to its amenities and facing and recovering from financial challenges. And now it is possible this beautiful local gem could be owned by Washington State Parks.

The Bear Creek facility currently boasts 10 guest quarters, a restaurant and lounge, tubing hill, and campground. It also serves as an event center for corporate retreats, weddings, birthday celebrations, and more.

At the January 2022 WA State Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, commissioners authorized staff to use proceeds from the pending sale of a piece of property in Auburn, Wash., for acquisition of the Bear Creek property. State Parks also has partial grant funding in-hand through Washington State’s Recreation and Conservation Office.

As of February 2022, that amount is $1.9 million. Formal negotiations have not yet begun for either the Auburn or Bear Creek properties at this time, and property appraisals would need to be completed for both properties in order to determine sale and purchase prices.            

Assistant Director of Parks Development, Peter Herzog, says, “Acquiring the Bear Creek Lodge property would allow us to create a true entrance to Mt. Spokane State Park. We are excited to explore options to welcome visitors to the park and provide them with easier access to park staff, services, location orientation, and additional information.”

State Parks hopes to see both transactions completed by the end of 2022.

Learn more about Mount Spokane State Park and recreation opportunities within the park.

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Whenever another parent tells me they’ve never been skiing, I recommend they try cross-country skiing. It’s easy to learn and relatively inexpensive. Also called Nordic skiing, it’s said that if you can walk, you can learn to cross-country ski.

The traditional classic style is easiest to learn and has a relaxed pace, making it best for beginners and families with varied fitness levels. Skate skiing is faster, more strenuous, and requires different gear and a different type of groomed trail.

You can become acquainted with the basic technique by watching the 13-minute video on REI’s YouTube channel called “Classic Cross-Country Skiing for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started,” created in collaboration with Professional Ski Instructors of America.

If your family is willing to give it a try, here are four steps to make that happen.

1. Ensure you have proper base layers and outerwear for winter weather.

Every family member needs waterproof outerwear and other winter clothing to stay warm, dry, and comfortable. Visit the Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) website for a list of essentials.

The key is to dress in layers—you’ll get warm while skiing, but get chilled when you stop and rest. Be fully prepared.

2. Make an easy plan for where to go.

The younger your children, the easier you need your first day to be—meaning less drivetime, maximum fun, and a way to warm-up and get dry. Cold, unhappy kids are an adventure joy-kill.

For max simplicity and ease, I recommend visiting a Nordic ski area that offers rentals on-site.

• 49 DEGREES NORTH NORDIC CENTER: rentals, lessons, and 25K (15 miles) of trails; pass required.
• MT. SPOKANE STATE PARK NORDIC SKI AREA: Fitness Fanatics rental trailer is located near the area’s Selkirk Lodge and trailhead for 60K (37 miles) of trails; Sno-Park Permit and special groomed-trail sticker required.
• SCHWEITZER: rentals from the Demo Center, located in the Village; 32K (20 miles) of trails; pass required.

3. Rent gear in town and ski at a local park.

If there is snow in town and you don’t want to drive to a mountain, rent gear at a local shop and visit a park with (or without) groomed trails. Shop employees can help figure out the sizes you need, and SpokaneNordic.org also has tips for fitting XC ski gear.

• SPOKANE: Daily rental packages are available from Fitness Fanatics and REI. Spokane Parks & Recreation groom trails at city parks (no fee required to use) as well as Riverside State Park—see my.spokanecity.org/recreation/outdoor/groomed-trails. Or head to any local snow-covered field in a park and break your own trail.
• NORTH IDAHO: Ski Shack in Hayden and the Tri-State Outfitters and Vertical Earth stores in Coeur d’Alene rent XC gear. Groomed trails are available at 4^th of July Recreation Area, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes (start at trailheads in Heyburn State Park or in the cities of Kellogg or Wallace), and Priest Lake.
• PERMITS REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC LANDS: Find out the requirements to park at your chosen trailhead.
• For Washington public lands, in most cases you will need a state parks Discover Pass or Sno-Park Permit and Groomed-Trail Sticker.
• For Idaho, a Park N’ Ski permit is required for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Priest Lake State Park, Priest Lake Golf Course, 4th of July Pass Recreation Area, and Palouse Divide (permit also valid in Oregon).

4. Before you leave home…

Prepare a backpack with a stash of hand-warmers, snacks, water bottles, and extra, dry clothes for the trail. Bring a thermos of hot water to make hot cocoa on the go, whether you drink during a rest-stop along the trail or leave in your vehicle to enjoy upon return.

Nordic Ski Lessons

If your family enjoys Nordic skiing and wants more, then consider taking lessons. Spokane Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) offers private and group lessons, a Nordic Kids program, and also partners with City of Spokane Parks & Recreation and Fitness Fanatics to offer weekday evening lessons in town. SNSA also hosts an annual Winterfest, every January, offering inexpensive lessons.

Additionally, Schweitzer and 49 Degrees North offer Nordic ski lessons.

Find more stories about cross-country skiing in the OTO archives.

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Uphill skiers and boarders at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park have new opportunities and responsibilities for winter 2021-22.

With the now-required season uphill pass and early hours parking permit ($50 or free for those with a downhill season pass), uphill skiers can park at the resort (with their passes visible on the vehicle dash) and begin skinning or hiking any of the designated uphill routes at 7:15 a.m.

Uphill enthusiasts are now allowed to access those designated uphill routes throughout the day until grooming begins at 4 p.m. on most days. Upon transitioning to downhill travel, all ski area policies and rules apply.

Designated uphill routes this year include the Teakettle Route (from Lodge 1 up and left on Hourglass, then left onto B-29 cat track, staying left and traveling along Teakettle to the summit); Lodge 2 to Lodge 1 (short connector route to return back to Lodge 1); and Northwood Route (merges from Trail 140 onto Jim’s Gem, stay right along Yellowbrick road until you reach the summit).

Maps of all three routes are available on Mt. Spokane’s uphill travel page. Uphill skiers and snowboarders need to stick to these designated routes and keep to the edge of ski trails to avoid accidents.

Visit Mt. Spokane’s uphill policy page for parking pass and uphill pass purchasing info as well as more details on how and where to park (varies by day/time), uphill access hours based on grooming and plowing schedules, and possible uphill policy updates as the season progresses.

If you park outside the Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, for instance at the Snowmobile Lot, you will need to purchase a Sno-Park pass through Washington State Parks.

Familiarize yourself with all of the details of Mt. Spokane’s evolving uphill policies to avoid surprises.

Find more stories about skiing & snowboarding or Mt. Spokane in the OTO archives.

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Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park launched their first season of kid’s camps this summer, including a Mountain Bike Skills Camp and Mountain Adventure Day Camp.

“We’ve seen big demand and camps are filling-up quickly,” says assistant general manager Jodi Kayler. According to Kayler, the July Mountain Bike Camp is already sold out with 40 riders, but there are still spots available in the three-day adventure day camps on August 4-6 and August 11-13 as well as for the August 18-20 mountain bike camp. 

All camps are led by experienced ski school instructors as well as curated counselors and mountain bike experts from the region. Safety is top priority, says Kayler, and the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol is generously providing mountain bike patrollers and assisting with safety and first aid.

“Our team is building a variety of trails for junior riders too, including a pump track,” adds Kayler.

For the mountain bike skills camps (ages 9-16), which cost $225, kids will work on jumps and other technical skill building as well as group riding and bike games. The camp also teaches kids how to fix a flat and about stewardship and trail maintenance techniques.

Camp coaches will put kids into groups based on ability levels, and all camp goers take home a t-shirt. Kids need to bring their own geared, front-suspension mountain bike and biking gear (see requirements online before registering).

The mountain adventure day camps for ages 6-11 ($179 per three-day camp), include games, outdoor activities, hiking, playing, and fun in a unique state park mountain environment. The camps have a special focus on environmental stewardship and all campers take home a t-shirt.

All camps take place at Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park with pick up and drop off at Lodge 2. More info and registration link at Mtspokane.com/summercamps.

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This free day is for everyone, and encourages people who otherwise may be limited or or unable to visit and enjoy recreation on these public lands. No day-use fee is required for walking or biking into a state park or state-managed natural or wildlife area.

In addition to more than 100 developed state parks throughout Washington State, according to the Discover Pass website, visitors can access:

• More than 350 primitive recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas
• Nearly 700 water-access points 
• Nearly 2,000 miles of designated water and land recreation trails
• More than 80 natural areas
• More than 30 wildlife areas

To learn about other Washington State Parks Free Days, visit discoverpass.wa.gov/136/State-Parks-Free-Days.

For an interactive map of all state parks in Washington, visit the Washington State Parks Foundation, waparks.org.

For regional recreation ideas at state parks, water access sites, and other public lands, visit the OTO archives: Washington’s two largest state parks, Riverside State Park and Mount Spokane State Park, are both located in Spokane County. Other state parks in Eastern Washington and close to Spokane include Steptoe Butte State Park, Palouse Falls State Park, and Spokane Centennial Trail.

[Feature photo by Shallan Knowles.]

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This winter, SNSA’s traditional Nordic Kids program isn’t available because Selkirk Lodge is unavailable as a warm refuge for groups. There are two alternative options, however, and Halloran encourages Nordic families to sign-up for both at SpokaneNordic.org.

• Option 1: SNSA-generated weekly emails on how to get your child out on snow, includes videos and tips and recommendations for you as a parent ($15).
• Option 2: Scheduled 2-hour lessons, with one instructor, for groups of 5 or fewer; available every Saturday in January and February ($10 per person).

Though lessons begin outside of Selkirk Lodge, Halloran says, “Plan to have zero access to the lodge.” Be prepared to warm-up in your vehicle, bring your own hot cocoa in a thermos, and use the state park’s vault toilets. The lodge will be mainly available for the Nordic ski patrol.

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From Selkirk Lodge, take Bear Grass trail to see its namesake plant erupt in bloom along the route. At the first junction, try either Sam’s Swoop or Blue Jay, and save the other trail for the return route.

At the second junction, the climb up Eagle Crest provides the first glimpse of Quartz before depositing hikers at Nova Hut. Drop slightly down the hill to reach intersection three and the connecting trail to Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout.

The lookout was originally perched atop Mount Spokane, but was moved to Quartz Mountain for use as a summer rental. From the summit, Newman Lake in Washington and Spirit Lake in Idaho are visible. Day hikers should respect the privacy of those renting the facility. See the Washington State Parks website to learn how to rent the lookout for an extend visit in the park.

The hike is open to hiking, mountain bike and equestrian use. Dog friendly; leash required.

Getting There

Take the Mount Spokane Highway (SR206) to the entrance of Mount Spokane State Park; proceed approximately three miles to the intersection of Mount Spokane Park Drive and the Summit Road. Bear right towards Selkirk Lodge. Park in the main lot in front of the lodge. Discover Pass required. More details about the hiking trail and journey at Wta.org.

For more recreation stories about Mt. Spokane State Park, visit the OTO archives.

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The amount of gear, household comforts, digital devices, and other artifacts of civilization that many campers load into their rigs and lug off with into the wilds is astounding. But hey, some might argue, if there’s room in the old Ford Extinction SUV for the 400 square foot cabin tent, dvd library and lap-top, and the ipod dock home sound system for a little camp mood music, why not, right?

Maybe that’s exactly right. Despite my recreational moralizing, I’m guilty of hauling an absurd amount of outdoor gear with me on most of my trips to favorite backwoods haunts. I even recently purchased a Scooby-doo era camper van to make it even easier to pack gear for just about every outdoor pursuit or occasion I may encounter. Could it be that our all-too-slowly waning obsession with larger and larger automobiles is at the heart of what’s gone wrong with camping? It seems to be a big part of it at least. Our supersized rigs have enabled us to turn good-old, get-back-to-nature camping into another demonstration of American gluttony and our alarmingly growing disconnect with nature and community.

For those, like myself, who just can’t help but slip an extra unnecessary camp item into the trunk before tearing down the highway towards them yonder hills, here’s a simple solution that may help you get back to the basics of spending a night out under the stars this summer. Car-free camping.

I’m not suggesting spending the weekend competing for camp sites with Spokane’s sizeable homeless population, and you don’t have to be a dirt-worshiping commie to put down the car keys and consider an alternate form of recreational transportation for a couple of days. Leaving the car behind and travelling to a nearby campground via bike, bus, or on foot does, however, mean taking fewer things with you, since you’ll be carrying everything you’ll need in your backpack or strapped to your bicycle.

But it also means you’ll have fewer barriers and distractions between you and the people, wildlife, sky, stars, trees, crickets, and water you’ll be spending the night with. You’ll also save a few bucks on the cost of driving your gas-guzzling, loaded down camper wagon from here to Timbuktu, and you’ll get to know the urban wilds around you in a more personal way than you ever could zipping by at 30 mph.

Possibly the best part about a car-free camping trip is that the adventure begins when you leave your front door. Enjoy the freedom from clutter and savor the summer pine forest smells as you ride up the Fish Lake Trail towards Cheney or hike on the Columbia Plateau Trail through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, or the gorgeous view of the Spokane River as you backpack along Summit Blvd on your way to Riverside State Park. Take the time to look out up at the largely undeveloped ridges of Tower Mountain and Mica Peak along the south edge of the Spokane Valley on your bus or bike ride out towards Liberty Lake. Once you’re all rested up at your destination camp, these options offer some of the Spokane area’s best trails, wildlife viewing, and swimming opportunities that should be easily accessible with your mode of transport of choice.

The following five car-free camping suggestions are but the tip of the iceberg of opportunities for Spokane-based, car-less outdoor adventure. While these trips can all be pulled off on a summer or fall weekend, and include designated campgrounds that you can access by hopping on a STA bus and/or hiking and biking a reasonable distance, there are nearly endless options for hiking, biking, bus and train hopping your way to other designated and unofficial (i.e., potentially illegal) camp spots around Spokane and the Inland Northwest.

Planning Your Car-Free Adventure

Each of the campgrounds highlighted here offer the basic necessities for tent camping like picnic tables, drinking water, restrooms and tree shade. Some have showers, and other amenities, including swimming, BBQ grills, and campfire pits. Hours of operation and space availability may vary wildly depending on the day of the week, local events, and other factors, so call ahead to check and reserve your spot if possible (especially for the Bowl and Pitcher campground).

You’ll also need to put some thought into the easiest or most enjoyable or scenic way to get to your campground of choice. I’ve included mileage estimates, general route suggestions for biking or hiking, recommended bus routes, and campground addresses when available, but you’ll need to use this information and the bus and bike/pedestrian route links provided to customize your own route. Print off an extra copy of your route description and map to take with you to avoid prolonged scenic detours.

Biking & Hiking Route Suggestion Links

• Washington Bikes (formerly named Bicycle Alliance of Washington)
• Spokane Bicycle Club: maps, list of local rides with links
• Bike Map – Spokane

Bus Route Info

• Spokane Transit
• 509-328-RIDE

Taking Your Bike On an STA Bus

Throwing your bike on a bus will help you shorten the riding distance to several of the campgrounds recommended in this article. Back when STA first started offering bike space on their buses, you needed to obtain a special card after watching an exciting instructional video before using their two-bike rack system. Nowadays, no card is necessary, and your only concern will be catching a bus that isn’t already maxed out with other bikes and making sure the driver knows you’re going to be taking your bike off the rack when you get off at your stop.

WHAT TO BRING: In addition to the no-brainers like clothes, comfortable shoes or boots, your tooth brush, etc., consider bringing the lightest weight and/or most compact versions of the following gear essentials plus anything else you can’t live without for a night or two away from home.

• Dry bag or backpack
• Bungee cords or rope for lashing gear to your bike
• Tent, sleeping bag and pad
• Rain gear
• Sandals
• Extra non-cotton warm clothes
• Headlamp
• Backpack stove w/ fuel, cook pot, mug, spoon, and lighter
• Lightweight canned or dried food
• Water bottles and/or hydration pack
• Sunscreen and non-toxic bug spray
• First aid/bike & tire repair kit

To learn about bikepacking including gear recommendations, use this link to archived stories.

Riverside State Park

Bowl & Pitcher Campground: 4427 N AUDREY L. WHITE PARKWAY, SPOKANE

Riverside State Park and the Bowl & Pitcher campground have long been Spokane hiking, biking, and camping staples. Just a half dozen or so miles from downtown await seemingly endless biking and hiking trails through pine forest and basalt cliffs along the Spokane River.

The campground, which normally costs $21 a night for tent, often fills up in the summer, so making reservations several weeks to a month in advance are recommended, especially if you’re hoping to score one of the better sites down by the river. There are primitive hike-in bike-in sites for only $12 that are available first-come, first-served and are usually not all filled even in the summer. Call the Park Ranger for details.

While the campground itself may be a bit crowded, you only have to cross the refurbished CCC era suspension bridge and head on down the trail to get away from it all.

GETTING THERE: A great hiking or biking route from downtown starts off through Peaceful Valley and north over the Spokane River at People’s Park/Sandifur Bridge and up into the West Central neighborhood. From there, head north along the river gorge on Summit Blvd and then N Pettet Drive down the hill and across the T.J. Meenach Bridge.

You can also get to this same area with a little less work off of STA bus route #20/33 (ask the driver for the best stop between SFCC and T.J. Meenach Bridge) and then hike or bike the rest of the way to the campground on the paved Centennial Trail or the highly recommended dirt-path River Trail (both start right around T.J. Meenach). The two trails parallel each other for several miles on their way downriver to the Bowl and Pitcher foot bridge, which you’ll cross to get to the campground, but they are different worlds: one paved and civilized, the other wild and primitive.

MORE INFO:

• Riverside State Park (WA State Parks official page)
• Riverside State Park Foundation
• Campsite Reservations: 1-888-226-7688 (reservations)
• Ranger Station, Nine Mile Falls: 509-465-5064 (general info)
• Bowl & Pitcher Campground: (509) 625-5553

Peaceful Pines Campground & Fish Lake/Columbia Plateau Trails

Peaceful Pines: 1231 1ST STREET, CHENEY

In the years to come, the partially paved Fish Lake Trail will directly connect the Centennial Trail near downtown Spokane with the crushed rock surfaced Columbia Plateau State Park Trail that runs from Fish Lake near Cheney to Pasco, WA. However, you don’t have to wait to do a car-less trip incorporating stretches of these incredible trails.

In addition to the easier to reach Peaceful Pines RV Park and Campground highlighted here, this trail system provides mostly biking access to two other campgrounds on Williams Lake south of Cheney with a little creative back road route finding. Don’t expect a wilderness experience out of Peaceful Pines; it’s near Cheney and the railroad tracks, so load some Johnny Cash onto the iPod and bring some ear plugs, seriously.

On the flipside, for anyone wondering why the hell I’m recommending this place, it’s also only a couple miles from both the Fish Lake Trail trailhead off of Cheney-Spangle Road and access to the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge stretch of the Columbia Plateau Trail off of Cheney-Plaza Road, which makes it a great multi-trail launch pad for hikers or fat-tire riders.

The refuge itself, with more trails, is only a few miles out of town down Cheney-Plaza road. Also, as the camp host I talked to on the phone noted, if you pedal hard enough getting out there, you’ll sleep just fine through the trains. Camp sites are $25 a night, but you may want to ask for a hiker/biker/train noise discount.

GETTING THERE: From the western edge of downtown Spokane across the bridge from Browne’s Addition, head out from the Fish Lake Trail trailhead behind the church at Government Way and Sunset Blvd. To get all the way to Cheney, you’ll need to leave the trail at Scribner Road and ride the Cheney-Spokane Road the rest of the way to Fish Lake, where you can get back on the trail (which is paved again at that point) to Cheney. You may encounter other necessary detours, as paving work on dirt stretches of the trail is set to begin this year.

At the end of the pavement at Cheney-Spangle Road, head right down the road a mile or so into town, then head left on 1st Street and ride about a mile to the campground on your left. You can also take STA bus route #65 to Cheney from the downtown plaza with your bike or pack and get off at the far west end of town across the street from Peaceful Pines.

MORE INFO:
Peaceful Pines info @ 1-800-985-2966 or (509) 235-4966
Fish Lake Trail – Washington Trails Association

Centennial Trail to Liberty Lake Regional Park

Liberty Lake County Park and campground: 3707 S. ZEPHYR ROAD, CITY OF LIBERTY LAKE

This treasure of a county park, with a wetland and tall pines surrounding the campground and a surprisingly wild and scenic trail system a few feet from your tent door, makes this car-free camping option one of the finest close to Spokane. Moose, bear, elk, deer, and a variety of other animals, birds and waterfowl live in the surrounding forest and wetland.

Getting there is also a pleasure and a workout if you choose to bike out to the city of Liberty Lake via the Centennial Trail and then through the city to Liberty Lake Regional Park. The campground includes tent sites and rental cabins (and a sites for RVs). The main trailhead right across from the campground gives access to easy hiking along the nature trail up to a cedar grove, and a more challenging hiking loop w/ a waterfall or a sweet mountain bike climb and descent up the Edith Hansen Riding Trail. Find the latest details and campsite rates online at spokanecounty.org.

GETTING THERE: Get on the Centennial Trail from wherever you’re starting from, then bike out to Harvard Rd. and Liberty Lake. Or you can shorten your ride or make it a bus/bike/hike combo by using the STA bus route #72 or 74 out to Liberty Lake (these routes only run on weekdays) or the STA Sprague route #90, which runs 7-days a week out to Barker Road (a few miles shy of Liberty Lake), and then hike or bike your way through town and past the golf courses to the park on the southeast end of the lake. From the trail bridge over I-90 just off Harvard Rd. or from the Liberty Lake park and ride, it’s about 4 miles to the park.

MORE INFO: 509.477.4730, Liberty Lake Regional Park

Mount Spokane State Park

24817 N. MT. SPOKANE RD., MEAD

Mount Spokane State Park is probably best known for its ski lifts and cross-country ski trails, but the 13,919-acre park which tops out at 5,883-feet is also a treasure trove of pristine forest, diverse wildlife, and amazing hiking and mountain biking trails. There are also two options for legal camping. Biking from Spokane, the first and easiest camping option is at Bear Creek Lodge at about 25 miles from downtown. The campsites are nestled between the mountain road and the creek, just a short distance from the private lodge that serves eats, beer, and other beverages in their restaurant and lounge.

A few miles up the under-construction Mt. Spokane road and a few hundred feet below the summit, is the park’s Bald Knob campground with first-come, first-serve sites in a more remote, pristine setting than the roadside camping at Bear Creek Lodge. Make sure you have enough water for the park campground as H2O is not always easy to find there in the summer. You can also make reservations to stay in the park’s Quartz Fire Lookout. Both campgrounds have several trails nearby. In addition to some of the best hiking and mountain biking around Spokane, amazing views of the Selkirk Mountains and surrounding lakes from the summit shouldn’t be missed. The Friends of Mt. Spokane website offers great online resources and maps for planning your adventure agenda.

GETTING THERE: The entrance road into the park will be closed for construction this summer on Mondays through Thursdays, but the road will be passable for fat-tired bikes through the construction and up to the campground Friday-Sunday, and the trail system beyond the road is open all week long. The ride from downtown is a hearty 25 miles or more depending on your route choice and final camping destination. Once you reach Bear Creek Lodge (assuming you’re not camping there) or the developed trailhead just beyond the state park boundary, you can continue on the road or take one of several trails (#120 is the easiest ride up) that you can bike or hike-a-bike for access up to the state campground, which is signed along the road up to the summit. You can also shave some miles off your ride by hopping on or transferring to STA bus #25 or #28 with your bike and getting off near the Northpointe Shopping Center for the mostly scenic pedal out Hwy 2 and Mt. Spokane Park Dr.

MORE INFO:

Bear Creek Lodge: 509-238-9114, bearcreeklodgewa.com

Mount Spokane State Park: 509-238-4258, parks.state.wa.us/549/Mount-Spokane

Trail info and maps: mountspokane.org

Pend Oreille County Park

Another little-known and underappreciated Spokane area gem, this park and campground just a few miles north of the Spokane/Pend Oreille County line is a quiet, relaxing weekend retreat from the city. The campground sits under the canopy of beautiful tall trees with several $10 tent sites. To keep you busy after the 30-mile bike ride out to the park, there are 7 miles of loop hiking trails with great names like Veronica’s Prom, Penstemon Point, and Ginger’s End that wind through a mixed conifer native plant wonderland.

GETTING THERE: Choose the best route from your location using the route finding links provided earlier in this article and pedal your road or mtn bike-30 miles north from downtown Spokane. You’ll find the park entrance on your left about two miles after crossing over into Pend Oreille County. You can shorten the ride some by hopping on STA bus #25 or #28 out to Hwy 2 near the Northpointe Shopping Center.

MORE INFO: pendoreilleco.org/county/parks.asp

Originally published as “Car-Free Camping: Hike, Bike, Or Bus To A Cheap Night In The Great Outdoors” in the August 2009 issue.

[Feature photo by Carol Corbin – Biking on the Columbia Plateau Trail to the entrance of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.]

[Updated online: May 2021]

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