Outdoor Guide to the Palouse

University of Idaho Arboretums - View Map

The Charles Houston Shattuck Memorial Arboretum is a 14-acre mature tree grove north of the president's residence and UI water tower. A creation of Charles Houston Shattuck in 1910, the grove was initially called "Arboretum Hill" but was named after Shattuck two years after his death in 1933. Adjacent is an amphitheater and tennis courts. Across the street and next to the golf course is the 63-acre UI Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which has water features and divides a myriad of flora into geographical sections: Asian, European, Eastern, and Western North American.

Idler's Rest - View Map

About seven miles from Moscow lies a cedar grove spared by the logging of the early 1900s. Take Mountain View Road (on the east side of Moscow) north until the road comes to a T — take the right path to enter Idler's Rest Road, which passes a small parking area to the left of the road just before it hits a dead end. After parking, choose one of three short trails to explore. One follows Paradise Creek through the towering cedars, one enters a grassland and the last one is a steep climb uphill. Watch out for the burned, abandoned cabin in the nearby woods and enter at your own risk.

Phillips Farm County Park - View Map

Virgil Phillips, a Moscow native born in 1912, gave his land to the city in 1972 "for the benefit and use of the children of Moscow for recreation purposes." Today the park is managed by Latah County, and it is comprised of 160 acres of dirt trails, fields, wetlands and ponds. In the orchard near the parking area, you can find three different types of apples on one tree. The park is utilized by students and biologists studying local species of amphibians, birds and other wildlife which frequent the area. Open to the public from 7 a.m. to sunset, the park is also home to some great climbing trees.
Take U.S. Highway 95 north from Moscow and turn left as indicated by signs advertising the park. Drive down the hill to the parking and picnic area below.

Moscow Mountain - View Map

Also filled with giant cedar trees, Moscow Mountain lies north of the city and east of Idler's Rest. The mountain, nearly 5,000 feet tall, is scattered with trails popular with hikers, runners, climbers and mountain bikers. Many trails are on private property but are open for public use. Getting there is easy: Take Mountain View Road north until turning right on Moscow Mountain Road. The road winds through the hills for a while before entering the forest.

Spring Valley Reservoir - View Map

About 18 miles east of Moscow and three miles northeast of Troy is Spring Valley Reservoir, 99 acres popular with swimmers, campers, picnickers and especially anglers. Stocked with trout and bass, this body of water is so small that only boats with electric motors are allowed. Farther down the highway near Bovill is Moose Creek Reservoir, which spans 30 acres and is similar to Spring Valley in terms of features and regulations.
After taking State Highway 8 past Troy, take a left turn on Spring Valley Road and stay left at the forks to reach the reservoir. To get to Moose Creek Reservoir, continue east on State Highway 8. Just before Bovill, take a left on Moose Creek Road and follow it to the reservoir.

Rose Creek Nature Preserve - View Map

The trail through this wetland is narrow, lined by bushes and overhanging tree branches and littered with damp, decomposing vegetation. It's the closest you'll get to being in a rainforest while living on the Palouse. Birds and bugs chirp and buzz, and the forest smells distinctly green. Both live snails and their shells are scattered across certain stretches. Eventually the trail reaches Rose Creek and continues on the other side. Last week, however, the bridge to cross over had been destroyed. Jump or wade across the creek at your own risk, and watch out for the little man-made waterfall on the right.
From Pullman, take Grand/State Highway 27 north until you reach Pullman-Albion Road. Turn left and continue until you reach Banner Road. Make a right turn and drive for a little more than three and a half miles. Turn left at Palouse-Albion Road and continue until you come to a pair of roads on the right: Shawnee and Collins. Make the initial right turn and take the left at the Y to stay on Shawnee. On the right will be a gravel drive with newspaper boxes. Park on Shawnee and walk a little way down the drive until you reach the trailhead on the left.

Kamiak Butte - View Map

From Pullman, take Grand/State Highway 27 north until you reach Clear Creek Road on the left. Turn here and continue straight at the Y to enter Fugate Road. Continue for a short drive until you see the Kamiak Butte sign, and turn left on Kamiak Butte Park Road. Continue as the rolling hills of the Palouse rapidly become a forest. Eventually you will reach a parking area next to a playground and trailhead. Continue further to reach a small campground and another trailhead. The Pine Ridge Trail loops 3.5 miles around the perimeter of the butte, which stands at 3,641 feet above sea level. Camping at the park requires self-payment at the campground entrance — $15 per night per site, with $5 added on per extra vehicle. Up the road is a ranger station, so don't try to avoid paying.

McCroskey State Park - View Map

Dedicated to the memory of pioneer women, McCroskey State Park is 5,300 acres of forested ridgeline. From Moscow, drive north on U.S. Highway 95 until reaching Sky Line Drive. Turn left, and follow Sky Line as it weaves through the park and provides access to 32 miles of trails. The gravel road ends near the town of Farmington, Wash., but by no means do you have to follow the entire road to get the McCroskey experience. Within the park are other roads, primitive camping sites, informative signs and picnic areas.

Steptoe Butte National Park - View Map

From Pullman, continue on State Highway 270 toward Colfax until it merges with U.S. Highway 195. Continue north on 195 through Colfax — follow the signs to Spokane — until reaching the Old State Highway to the right. Turn and continue as the Old State Highway splits into a Y. Take the right fork to enter Hume Road, and continue until reaching Steptoe Butte Road on the left. Turn and on the left you will see Steptoe Butte State Park — keep going straight, and the road will wind up like a spiral to the top of the butte. Park and enjoy the unobstructed view of the Palouse from 3,612 feet up.