Eastern Washington

[REDbaron]

Hello everyone. I have recently moved to Eastern Washington, specifically Spokane. Being new to this area I am hoping to get some insight on the local camping/backpacking scene. Where are some good hikes where camping is allowed (hammocks camping obviously)? Also where might I find some good hanging spots near water (rivers or lakes)? If anyone has some ideas please share.

[Montexan]

You have a LOT of choices and most of it will be USFS, but anywhere around the Columbia and its tributaries are a mosaic of USFS, DNR, DoE and PUD managed lands. Spokane and up to Colville are the foothills of the Rockies (Pend Oreille pon-do-ray, Priest, Roosevelt). Head East and you'll be in the Rockies (Clark Fork and Flathead river). Head West and you'll have desert (Banks and Potholes). And South you have hog-heaven (the Snake and Dworshack).

Do you have a boat, powered or human? I love Banks lake for some boat-in beach-camping this time of year. Set up an Otentik or E-Z shade in the water with a camping chair and beer. It's real rough. Low light-pollution too; here's a photo a friend took this last 4th out at Banks.

banks.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/Day-Hiking-Wa...dp/1594854947/

http://www.wta.org/

http://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=47.82....16924&z=9&b=t

And Welcome to WA!

[gfortune]

There isn't much in our immediate area that fits my style, but the Cascades to the west are great and Idaho has a bunch of really nice spots. I love the area around Riggins, ID. Northeast Washington has a number of good spots for camping as Montexan mentioned too. The Selkirks and the Kettle Crest trails are nice, but quite dry. It's a couple hour drive in any direction to the kind of spots I like.

Welcome to Spokane

[REDbaron]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate there links you sent as well if looks like some good stuff.

[waredbear]

Welcome to Spokane. Always nice to have another hanger here. I just did a hang at the Liberty Lake campground and hiked the 9 mile loop up to the falls with my grandsons last weekend. There are really nice tent spots but no trees to hang. I took my TurtleDog stands and the boys were in a tent. I have made it thru a couple wilderness hangs out in the woods by a small stream. You have to be up to making it in the wild for those types of hangs. Beautiful areas and no company except animals which I haven't seen but hear coyotes yelping. Maybe we can get together....

[Benson Burner]

Riggins! Love that salmon River! Go watch the ice break up in June where the river has heaved massive granite spires. The power!

[Benson Burner]

Hwy. 95 in Idaho is eye water buetiful.

[LglyBlindPacker]

I am in the Pullman,Wa area just south of you. I have been going down to Umatilla NF as well as Feather Creek Trailhead in the Boville, Id. area. Both are a little drive for you, but well worth it. In Umatilla, if going over the weekends, you might have to deal with the sounds of people shooting firearms, but, other than that, wonderful scenary, and some areas along creeks and small lakes.

[Christian]

Thought I might revive this thread a little bit. I just moved here to and am looking for some recommendations or a hang sometime. Got some stuff on order to make my first hammock... We'll see!

[Dogbone]

Surprised no one suggested the St. Marie's area and the St. Joe River. It's not that far from Spokane.