Cover photo courtesy of Summer Hess
Looking for something fun or new to do on a hot day or a place to explore that you’ve never been to for a longer trip this summer? Use our annual guide to summer adventure in the Inland Northwest for ideas and inspiration!
Walk or Roll Your Way through Summer Parkways June 16: Spokane’s largest block party closes roads to car traffic and opens them for human-powered recreation through the Comstock and Manito neighborhoods on Spokane’s South Hill. Walk, bike or skate the four-mile route and stop for games and to join impromptu activities like hula hoops, yoga, live music, art and more happening along the way. Food vendors and booths from community organizations are also set up. Bring the whole family and every form of people-powered fun you can imagine.
Hike as Many Spokane County Conservation Areas as You Can: Spokane County’s 17 Conservation Futures-funded conservation areas scattered around the county offer incredible close-to-town hiking, mountain biking and wildlife viewing opportunities. See how many you can visit in one summer!
Tackle the Greater Spokane Parks Challenge: The Greater Spokane Parks Challenge is a free way to explore the region’s parks, trails and conservation areas on your own time and at your own pace. Each month all summer long has a unique challenge that you can enter at Sccu.net/parks-challenge for the chance to win prizes.
Spokatopia Mountain Bike Demo, June 20: Head to Spokane’s Camp Sekani Park for mountain bike demos, riding the trails and supporting Evergreen East’s advocacy for our bike trails by enjoying a beverage in the beer garden.
Listen to Bluegrass Music Under the Pines in Medical Lake Aug. 7-9: The Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival is a unique outdoor experience for fans of bluegrass music. This annual three-day festival takes place at beautiful Medical Lake Waterfront Park. Come for the day or camp out for a night or two. Music workshops are held all weekend.
Paddle to Pee Wee Falls on the Pend Oreille: Pee Wee Falls on the Pend Oreille River in Northeast Washington is reachable only by watercraft, making it a true paddler’s hidden gem. The paddle from the launch above Boundary Dam takes you up the river canyon surrounded by dense forest and towering cliffs. Keep an eye out for the nearly 240-foot waterfall about a mile from the put-in. Water levels fluctuate in the reservoir, so be aware of current and other hazards.
Ride the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes to the Beach at Harrison: The paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is one of the most dependable all-ages bike adventures in the region. Start in Plummer for the mostly downhill ride to Harrison, or begin in Harrison and pedal along the lake and wetlands for an out-and-back that can be as short or long as you want. Save time for the beach.
Hike and Birdwatch at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge: Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places near Spokane to spend a summer morning with binoculars. Drive the auto-tour loop, walk the short trails and scan ponds, wetlands and grasslands for the many critters that call this beautiful wild area home.
Bike the Little Pend Oreille Refuge: The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge near Colville has a gravel-road auto-tour loop you can drive or bike while you look for birds and other wildlife. Make time for stopping at the wildlife viewing areas and interpretive signs along the way.
Camp, Hike and Swim at Christina Lake, BC: A few hours north of Spokane in British Columbia, Christina Lake is noted as one of the warmest tree-lined lakes in Canada. Grab a spot at the Texas Creek Campground for a few days of swimming, paddling and hiking or biking on area trails.
Watch the Sunrise over the Palouse: Pack a backcountry breakfast and coffee and make the early-morning hike to the Big Rock area in the Dishman Hills from Spokane Valley or drive up to Steptoe Butte near Pullman to watch the sky come alive with the first morning light over the Palouse.
Hike to the Top of Hall Mountain above Sullivan Lake: This challenging hike to the top of Hall Mountain above Sullivan Lake climbs around 4,000 feet in 7 miles, making for a long, 14-mile round-trip day. Much of the hike is in the shade and along Noisy Creek, but the views open up near the summit where a fire lookout once stood. Camping is available near the trailhead, and a swim from the public beach after your trek shouldn’t be skipped.
Volunteer on a Trail Crew: Spend a day giving back to the hiking and biking trails you use. Local organizations including Washington Trails Association, Idaho Trails Association, the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation, Evergreen East, Pend Oreille Pedalers, Lake City Trail Alliance and other groups host regular work parties on Inland Northwest trails. Volunteers help clear brush, remove downed trees and fix trail tread. You will leave tired, dirty and more connected to our public lands.
Bike to a Farmers Market: Turn a market run into a ride. Load up a backpack or panniers and head off on your bike for some fresh food purchased from local farmers at one of the region’s many farmers markets.
Bike to Lake Spokane or Fish Lake for a Swim: Ride from Spokane through Riverside State Park on the Centennial Trail toward Lake Spokane and the public lake access or ride the Fish Lake Trail and a stretch of paved road to Fish Lake for a dip. Book a campsite and pack your gear to make the Lake Spokane trip into an awesome urban bikepacking trip.
Rally Friends for the Spokane Bike Party Ride June 21: Join this 10-mile community ride on a route through beautiful stretches of Spokane. The ride starts at 7 p.m. at the Olmsted Brothers Green in Kendall Yards and ends at the same location. Bring bicycle lights, your helmet and experience the thrill of riding with hundreds of your neighbors.
Road Trip on the International Selkirk Loop: Take a road trip along the International Selkirk Loop route through Washington, Idaho and BC with stops for hiking and wildlife viewing along the way. Stagleap Provincial Park at Kootenay Pass east of Salmo, BC, has several hiking options, or check out the trails near Sullivan Lake a few miles from Metaline Falls, Wash., like the Lakeshore or Red Bluff trails. Don’t miss the massive Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area near Creston, BC, for hiking, paddling and wildlife viewing.
Mountain Bike Brush Lake and the Tungsten Mountain Trail: These rides near Bonners Ferry, Idaho are great for families or groups with mixed ability or fitness levels. The Brush Lake Trail is a relatively easy 6-mile loop around the lake, while connecting up to the Tungsten Mountain Trail makes for an out-and-back, 20-mile ride with several thousand feet of climbing. Stay for a night or two at the campground.
Camp on a Priest Lake Island: Plan a paddle or boat trip to one of Priest Lake’s islands. Not all of the islands on the lake allow camping, so make sure you know the rules and availability. If you don’t have a campsite reservation, there are quite a few first-come, first-served spots. Pack everything you’ll need to camp, as there are no services other than vault toilets near some sites. Then enjoy being marooned on an idyllic island out in one of the Northwest’s most beautiful lakes.
Go Rafting in Riggins, Idaho: The class III stretch of the Lower Salmon River near the town of Riggins, Idaho, is one of the most fun and easily accessible summer whitewater runs around. Riggins is home to multiple outfitters to book a guided trip. Summer weather along the Salmon River is typically hot, and the cool river, frequent calm sections and white sand beaches inspire swim breaks and water fights. Roads along the river, allowing for easy rapid scouting, and the intermediate-level summer whitewater make it a great proving ground for private boaters looking to build skills.
