Liberty Lake, Washington

Saltese Uplands Conservation Area is one of the conservation areas owned by Spokane County. Only a short drive from I-90, it's popular for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, though I have only hiked it so far. The outer loop of the trail is about a 3.6 mile loop, with ~649 feet of ele...

This 8 mile loop hike begins from Liberty Lake Regional Park, just 30 minutes away from Spokane! The first mile follows a dry grassy meadow and swamp. Make sure and look for beaver dams and houses! The trail winds up into the hills above Liberty Lake. At 2.0 miles, you reach one of Spokane's ...

Black Bay Park is home to a short series of paved trails and has a new bathroom facility! There's also a rope swing over the river and plenty of spots to swim or launch a kayak or sup if you're looking to cool off on a hot day. There are beautiful wildflowers in the summer but the park is very qu...

Iller Creek hike leads you on a 5 mile loop through lush shaded forest to a ridge with excellent views of the Eastern Washington Palouse. I love the variety of trees through the forest on this hike! Half way through the hike you reach the Big Rocks (Rocks of Sharon) which is a popular rock clim...

Looking for a short adventure hike on a road trip or a beach to hang out at for a weekend? Tubbs Hill features a 2 mile loop trail that winds along the shoreline of Lake Coeur d'Alene and through an Inland Northwest pine forest. You will see wildlife such as deer, squirrel, and many wildflowers...

Drive to Mt. Spokane State Park and park at Selkirk Lodge. This hike can only be accessed before the ski area opens because the trail up to the lookout is along part of the cross country ski area. If heading out during winter months, get there before the ski slopes open. You may need snowshoes ...

Mt. Spokane State Park is just 45 minutes outside of Spokane and a great day trip hike spot! Drive into Mt. Spokane State Park and then to the top of Mt. Spokane until you reach the lower Selkirk Lodge parking lot on the right. Trail 130 begins across the road next to the gate that closes the Vis...

Wander through a classic Inland Northwest pine tree forest as you climb up to Mineral Ridge. At the top, explore historical Caribou Cabin and take the spur trail to the left to an abandoned mine. There is a lot of history scattered on this short loop hike! Continue past the cabin and take in v...

With activities for everyone, The Cove at Long Lake is the perfect spot to go on a summer day! If you are driving from downtown Spokane, drive towards Nine Mile Falls. Before entering Nine Mile Falls you will come to a dam. At the dam take a left over the bridge. Continue through the little town...

Leaving Spokane and driving west down Interstate 90 isn’t usually where one might envision pretty nature existing. Yes, the farms and desert are pretty in their own way, but most people don’t want to go hiking on a farm. This area has some real hidden treasures though. To get to Hog Lake from Sp...

There are two entrances to Bead Lake - the boat launch and the ridge road. Turn right onto Bead Lake Ridge Road and follow it until you arrive at the parking lot. Start the hike at the marked trailhead #127 down to the lake through a dark cedar forest. Turn right at the boat launch and continue o...

To the layperson, the Palouse, an area that comprises some 4,000 square miles in parts of Washington and Idaho, looks to be rolling hills of grass. In fact, the Palouse is a complex geological wonder. And there is no better place to view the Palouse than from Steptoe Butte, which is located in th...

See both Fern Falls, just 0.2 mile from the parking lot, and Shadow Falls (20-25 ft tall), a beautiful cascade among moss-covered rocks. A footbridge takes you behind the falls, as well. These waterfalls are best photographed in the early morning hours or at dusk and twilight, before the sun has...