Northeast Washington Trails

06/15/2026

The Sherman Trail #12 in Ferry County provides one of the quickest routes to connect with the Kettle Crest National Recreation Trail. It's only 1.3 miles to the intersection with the Kettle Crest, but it is a bit of a climb. The trail takes you through cool forest, and crosses several streams along the way. In the spring you'll be crossing mossy creeks and enjoying the lush, new green growth. This area is renowned for it's fall colors that features the Western Larch (or Tamarack) tree, so around the middle of October this trail will be flush with autumn's splendor.


U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest
📷: Tri County Economic Development District

06/13/2026

Yes! There is such a thing as a water trail, and there is a particularly magnificent one on the north-flowing Pend Oreille River. There are many places to put-in up and down the river, so you can tailor you paddling or boating distance to as long as you like. For maps and more information, please visit https://newashingtontrails.com/pend-oreille-river-water-trail/.


Pend Oreille River Water Trail
📷: Tri County Economic Development District

06/11/2026

The Frater Lake Trail system, on the U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest, includes a series of loop trails. The 1.8 Tiger Loop follows the southern and eastern shores of Frater Lake. A clockwise travel direction is suggested for the steeper 4.8-mile Coyote Loop. The 2.8 Lake Leo Trail and the 1.7 Lions Tail Trail are shorter loops. A picnic area and warming cabin are located near Frater Lake. The cabin is open all year and is available for day use only. It may just be a perfect place to warm up during a winter hike!


📷: Tri County Economic Development District

06/09/2026

Fish Lake is a small lake just north of Long Lake, on the U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest near Republic. High-elevation Fish Lake is a small, shallow lake favored by fly fishermen. The short trail that skirts the lake connects to the Long Lake Trail that ultimately takes you to the Long Lake Campground. The Fish Lake Trail has hardly any elevation gain, and is an easy hike.

There is one boat launch on the north end of the lake for non-motorized boats and fly fishing only. Either along the shoreline or from a boat, anglers can fish for rainbow trout. Two-pole fishing is allowed.

Opportunities for visitors to enjoy wildlife are excellent at Fish Lake. An abundance of waterfowl, American dipper, deer, moose, bear, turtles, songbirds, and common loons have been observed.


📷: Tri County Economic Development District

06/08/2026

Have you caught the latest Washington State Hiking Podcast episode in your playlist? Podcast hosts Jennie Thwing-Flaming and Craig Romano Guidebook Author talk with Shelly Stevens from Tri County Economic Development District about visiting, hiking and generally enjoying some of the amazing trails and outdoor recreation in Northeast Washington. The entire month of June will feature the region- so be sure and add the podcast to your playlist! 😃

Shelly Steves from the Tri County Economic Development District joins Jennie and Craig to talk about remote Northeastern Washington and she and Craig discuss their favorite places to stay, campgrounds, hiking trails and places to eat after a hike....

06/07/2026

If your idea of an excellent trail is one that provides snacks along the way, here's one for your list. This not-too-long hike to a beautiful remote spot, 20.2 acre Carl's Lake, is perfect for a summertime adventure. Parking access is easy enough, right off of Hwy 20, west of Tiger. The forest service road to access the lake is gated and closed to motorized traffic. It's about 2.5 miles one way to get to the lake, and the elevation is such that you'll enjoy many wildflowers and huckleberries in season. Bring your bear spray! This hiker spotted fresh tracks near the lake. You may want to bring along your fishing pole (and license)- although this lake hasn't been stocked with rainbow trout since 2018.


U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest
📷: Tri County Economic Development District

06/05/2026

Did you know that the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge is more than just the 42,000 acres southeast of Colville? The Refuge also includes units in Cusick, Springdale, Okanogan County and the 716-acre Kaniksu Unit, just north of Deer Lake. Getting to the Kaniksu Unit using North Deer Lake Rd. can be a little bit exciting, especially in the summer when the very narrow road that winds through vacation homes along the lake shore is especially congested. But once you're through there, the road turns to gravel and there is a good chance you won't see another vehicle until the return trip. The Refuge area begins almost as soon as you're north of the lake, continue on for a mile or so and you'll find a parking area and kiosk with more information, and a map to help you get your bearings. Hikers, birders and non-motorized recreation enthusiasts are welcome to explore the Refuge, which includes a rehabilitated creek bed being restored to its natural state. If you drive a bit further up N. Deer Lake Rd you'll come to a gate, but there is a nearby parking area and visitors can continue on foot or bike via a pass-through to the side of the gate. Horses are allowed here, but pulling a trailer through the lake area could be problematic. Equestrians might want to enter the refuge from the north on trails that come off of the Colville National Forest. Enjoy the solitude, there is a good chance you’ll spot some wildlife while exploring in this off-the-beaten path neck of the woods.


Friends of the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
📷: Tri County Economic Development District

06/03/2026

The Deer Creek Summit North Trail is a hiking spot in the spring, summer and fall, and uncrowded, peaceful cross-country skiing in the winter. The area experienced extensive fire damage in 2015 from the Kettle Stickpin fire, but is rapidly recovering. The staging area is located at one end of the Kettle Crest National Scenic Trail. The parking lot is large and can handle large vehicles. Here you’ll find restrooms, and an instruction area. If you plan on staying more than one day, the Deer Creek Forest Campground is located right across the road. The campground can accommodate large vehicles. Hunting season can be the busiest time here, be sure and wear your safety orange if heading out in the fall.

In the winter, Deer Creek offers 12 miles of groomed cross-country trails. Further out you’ll find snowmobile-free, dual-track, ungroomed trails, with view points along the way. Keep an eye out for lots of wildlife (or their tracks), including moose and snowshoe hares. A Sno-Park permit is required during the season, which may extend into April.


U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest
📷: Tri County Economic Development District

06/01/2026

The Geophysical Trails is a popular trail system, located near Newport, WA, known for it’s excellent group of well-marked Nordic trails that cross-country skiers, snowshoers and fat-tire bikers enjoy. In the warmer months, these trails offer a system of easy hiking, biking and horseback trails that wind through stands of Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine. The trails are mostly flat with a few rolling pitches. The trail system lies in a big game winter range which provides opportunities for seeing deer and other wildlife.

The trails are groomed weekly during the winter months and are part of the Washington State Sno-Park System, so a Sno-Park pass from Washington State Parks is required in winter.

The parking area at the trail head is large enough to accommodate horse trailers. Make note that there are no toilet facilities here.


U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest
📷: Tri County Economic Development District

05/30/2026

The Rufus ORV Trail is a multi-use trail on the U.S. Forest Service - Colville National Forest. Trail users may encounter hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers or motorcycle riders. The west side of the trail is suitable for ATVs under 50", but the east side limits motorized use to motorcycles. The west side will take you towards Frater Lake, and the east side can take you as far as Granite Peak for spectacular views. Wildflowers are abundant in the meadows, as well.

For maps and more information, please visit https://newashingtontrails.com/rufus-trail/.


📷: Tri County Economic Development District