35 Close to Home Summer Adventures in the Inland NW
With so many lakes, rivers, trails, and public land acres throughout the Inland Northwest, adventure is always close by. Here are 35 ideas, activities, and destinations to find it.
Summer Adventure Guide
Take a Moses Lake Weekend Road Trip
For uncrowded recreation, open skies, and wide vistas, central Washington is the place to go. At the heart of the region, the city of Moses Lake will provide all the play you could ask for on a summer or fall weekend. You’ll be able to hike for hours in the larger Columbia Basin Wildlife Area, …
Take a Long Weekend in Silver Valley, Idaho
Located in North Idaho along the Bitterroot Mountains, the Silver Valley has an extensive Western history and has converted from the mining boom that defined it to a modern-day outdoor recreation mecca. Now, it’s easy to fill a weekend in the Silver Valley’s forested hills, from touring historic mines to checking out the local breweries, fishing, …
Full Moon Pedaling in North Idaho
The brightest night of the lunar cycle is as good a time as any to go ride a bike. In North Idaho, there are now three opportunities to join other earthlings and pedal under the full moon. The Full Moon Bike Club (FBC) in Sandpoint turned 7 in April and will be holding their 94thFull …
Two Oregon River Trips for Families & Beginners
If you are looking for outdoor adventure, whitewater rafting will deliver. But an excellent way to add even more adventure is to spend three or more days floating a longer section of river while camping along the riverbank as you go. The Inland Northwest abounds with such opportunities, and if you are looking for an …
Laid-back on the Lake: Don’t Miss these Festivals & Celebrations in Harrison, Idaho
Harrison, Idaho, is a small resort town at the intersection of a world-class cycling trail and the scenic south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Tucked into the scenic Idaho Panhandle mountains, the refreshing recreation opportunities are many, but what makes Harrison unique is its authentic, laid-back lake town feel. The result is a super relaxed …
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Know Before You Go
“Know before you go” is a simple summary for safely enjoying camping and hiking, suggests Franklin Pemberton, Public Affairs Officer on the Colville National Forest. First, know yourself. How rugged of an experience are you, your vehicle, and companions prepared to have? Maintained campgrounds offer easier road access, water, fire rings, vault toilets; they are …
6 Ways to Play on the Water in Harrison, Idaho this Summer
Everyone loves a lake town where you can walk straight from the downtown streets onto a sandy beach and into cool, clear mountain water. The small town of Harrison, Idaho, fits the bill, sitting right on Lake Coeur d’Alene with close access to the Coeur d’Alene River and a chain of lakes connected to the …
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Adventure Homes on Wheels: Tiny Homes, Custom Vans, and More
Whether it’s building a tiny home or repurposing a used van, thinking outside the norm is enabling Inland Northwesterners to live the lives they want and have the adventures they crave. Several of them share their stories of how adventure rigs and scaled-back living situations have changed their lives for the better. Maddie Seipp—2003 Volkswagen …
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100 Ways to Play Outside This Summer
Rejuvenate your June-through-August routine and take advantage of some of the best outdoor opportunities the Northwest has to offer.