Scenic weekend get-aways

When planning a summer vacation, the best destinations can be within a few hours of home. In the Pacific Northwest, camping, canoeing and hiking at one of the many scenic natural parks or lakes of the region can provide a relaxing and inexpensive experience.

Washington:

• Potential destinations: Olympic National Park, Mount Rainer National Park, Lake Chelan, Kachess Lake, Lake Wenatchee State Park, North Cascades National Park
• Maximum travel time from Pullman (by car): 6.5 hours
• Featured activities: Camping, fishing, hiking, wineries, kayaking/canoeing, boating

Oregon:

• Potential destinations: Crater Lake National Park, Mount Hood National Forest, Nehalem Bay State Park, Cape Lookout State Park, Diamond Lake, Timothy Lake
• Maximum travel time from Pullman (by car): 9 hours
• Featured activities: Hiking, camping, skiing, fishing, trail running, fly fishing, oceanfront trails, beaches

Idaho: 

• Potential destinations: Priest Lake, Farragut State Park, City of Rocks National Reserve, Sawtooth National Forest, Lake Coeur d’Alene, Lava Hot Springs, Boise National Forest
• Maximum travel time from Pullman (by car): 9 hours
• Featured activities: Camping, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, hot springs, zip-lining, waterparks

Montana:

• Potential destinations: Glacier National Park, St. Mary, Bowman Lake, Lolo National Forest, Gardiner, Hungry Horse, Gallatin National Forest, Flathead Lake
• Maximum travel time from Pullman (by car): 9 hours
• Featured activities: Camping, hiking, fishing, mining, hunting, rafting, sailing, kayaking/canoeing

A day on the Palouse

By Jennifer Ladwig | Evergreen editor-in-chief

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Brunch in Palouse:

• Eat at Palouse Caboose Bar and Gill
• Visit the Open Eye Consignment Shops
• Visit Dot’s Vintage Funk
• Stop by the Bank Left Gallery
• Palouse hosts events throughout the year, including Haunted Palouse in October and its annual hotrod show. Coming up this summer is the 2016 Palouse River Duathlon on June 11, Artists’ Showcase June 24-26, Ice Cream Social on July 10 and the Palouse Music Festival on July 30.

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Afternoon snack in Uniontown:

• Have a snack at the Sage Baking Co
• Visit the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn
• Visit Miss Maggie’s Antiques
• Stop by the Wawawai Canyon Winery
• Uniontown is a great little town to visit on the way to the Lewis-Clark Valley. The Artisans at the Dahmen Barn will host their annual photography invitational June 9 – 26, and there will be a flea market and yard sale in August, although dates have not been set.

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Dinner in Colfax:

• Get dinner at Westside Pizza
• Visit Main Street Books
• Stop by Pawn of Colfax
• Browse at Flowers & More…
• Colfax is a quaint, sleepy town but it still hosts events all through the year. June 26 is the Colfax Ice Cream Social. Colfax First Thursday is July 7 and the Concrete River Festival is July 8 – 9. Finally, there’s the St. Ignatius Ghost Hunts July 8 – 9. This event features a three-hour ghost hunt in the abandoned hospital in Colfax.

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Adventure just down the road

By Jennifer Ladwig | Evergreen editor-in-chief

Coeur d’Alene:

• Food: Drummin Up BBQ, Fire Artisan Pizza, Adventures in Deliciousness
• Attractions: Hovercraft Rides on Lake Coeur d’Alene, Coeur d’Alene Parasail, North Idaho Centennial Trail, Coeur d’Alene City Park and Independence Point

Lewis-Clark Valley:

• Food: Tomato Bros in Clarkston, Rooster Waterfront Restaurant in Clarkston, Main Street Grill in Lewiston
• Attractions: Boating through Hells Canyon, Nez Perce Historical Park, Basalt Cellars, Clearwater Canyon Cellars and Lindsay Creek Vineyards

Spokane:

• Food: Casper Fry, Wandering Table, Santé Restaurant & Charcuterie, Hey J’s Bistro
• Attractions: Riverfront Park, Best of Broadway, Riverfront Park SkyRide