LATAH COUNTY, IDAHO

CITY OF DEARY

Outdoor Recreation

DEARY, BOASTING FOUR SEASONS AND IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO BEAUTIFUL FORESTS AND RURAL RECREATION, IS AN IDEAL GATEWAY FOR EVERY NATURE-LOVER.

Scenic Byways

For information on scenic byways in the Idaho Panhandle, please reference this brochure, which includes details about the White Pine Scenic Byway, the Elk River Backcountry Scenic Byway, the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, the St. Joe River Scenic Byway, and others.

For information on the Palouse Scenic Byway, please reference this website.

SPUD HILL -

Head up Main Street and onto Park Street in Deary to reach the access road for "Spud Hill" (Potato Hill Road). Follow the road to the top for a beautiful view of Deary and the surrounding country, or explore the spur trails that dive off the main road. Spud Hill is popular for both ATVs and hikers, so be sure to share the road.

LITTLE BOULDER CREEK - 6.8 miles

only a short drive out of Deary, the Little Boulder Creek Campground, open seasonally, has 17 developed sites nestled along the Potlatch River. Just across the road is access to the Potlatch Canyon Trail, a 5.5 mile single track loop trail following the river and the adjacent ridge. The first mile of the trail is paved and ADA accessible.

MOOSE CREEK - 10.5 miles

Moose Creek Reservoir lies just west of Bovill on Highway 8. There are 24 developed campsites, and the lake is stocked with trout. Great for fishing boats, but also for paddling in canoes, kayaks, and even paddleboards. Nearby Blue Lagoons are a fun swimming destination as well.

ELK CREEK FALLS - 26.9 miles

The Elk Creek Falls National Recreation Trail provides access to three waterfalls. There is a main loop trail with spurs off to each of the falls. The Middle Falls is the highest falls in Idaho, and there is a short spur to a swimming pool at the bottom of the Upper Falls. Be sure to stay on the designated trails and hike with caution, as there are sharp drop-offs and the terrain can be slippery during certain seasons.

ELK RIVER - 27.1 miles

Elk River, population just over 100, is the access point for Elk Creek Reservoir, a popular fishing, swimming, and paddling destination. The reservoir is stocked with trout. There is a total of 64 campsites in campgrounds and parks around the reservoir. Elk River is also a popular destination for ATV and snowmobile trail riding. The Elk River Lodge is known for its huckleberry ice cream.

PALOUSE DIVIDE/NORTH-SOUTH SKI BOWL - 27.3 miles

The Palouse Divide, best known for the Palouse Divide Lodge and the Nordic Ski Area, is a prime location for winter sports, including cross country skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing. The original lodge, built in 1938 by the USFS, hosted WSU's ski team dating back to the 1950s.

FOSSIL BOWL - 23.8 miles

The Fossil Bowl, located just outside of Clarkia, is both a popular motocross race track and a fossil digging site. Fossils are abundant, and you get to take home what you find. The parking space/campground can get busy and crowded on race weekends, so plan accordingly!

EMERALD CREEK GARNET DIGGING - 30.5 miles

There are only two places in the world where you can find star garnets: India, and the Idaho Panhandle. The 12-sided (dodecahedron) garnets range in size from grains of sand to golf ball size or larger. The Forest Service has developed the dig site with designated sluice boxes to protect the river and wildlife. Tickets are by pre-reservation only through recreation.gov.

MARY M McCROSKEY STATE PARK - 52.9 miles

McCroskey State Park, a 4,400 acre parcel, was donated to the state of Idaho by Virgil T. McCroskey in 1955. The state did not think the park would bring in enough revenue, and only agreed to dedicate it if the park was maintained at McCroskey's expense for the first fifteen years; a request the then-70 year old McCroskey accepted and fulfilled. Now, the park is home to Skyline Drive, an 18-mile unpaved road through ponderosa and cedar forests, providing access to over 30 miles of multi-purpose trails open to hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, and ATVs. There are currently 9 developed campsites, with other dispersed camping options.

ED CORKILL MEMORIAL RIVER TRAIL - 15.8-20.7 miles

The Ed Corkill Memorial River Trail is a paved walking and biking trail that parallels Highway 3 and the Potlatch River between Kendrick and Juliaetta. The whole trail (out and back) is 10.5 miles, and there are easy access points from Centennial Park in Juliaetta, or the high school in Kendrick.

DWORSHAK RESERVOIR - 40.9 miles

Dworshak State Park is located on the western shore of Dworshak Reservoir. Freeman Creek Campground or the Three Meadows Group Camp provide overnight camping options, and Big Eddy Marina and Lodge offers full-season boat slips, fuel, a marina store, and a conference area. Perfect for camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, Dworshak is a great option for a day or weekend full of outdoor fun.

HELL'S GATE STATE PARK - 49.0 miles

Hell's Gate State Park, once the site of a Nez Perce village, lies on the river bottom left from the Great Ice Age Flood. Carved by the Snake River, Hell's Canyon is the deepest canyon in North America. With 29 standard, 51 serviced, and 3 ADA sites, 8 cabins, a boat ramp and marina, picnic areas, hiking, biking, and horse trails, swimming and paddling opportunities, and historic sites, there are recreation options to meet everyone's preferences.

Steptoe Butte

Hell's Canyon State Park

Photo by Matteya Proctor

White Pine Scenic Byway

Latah Trail

SPRING VALLEY - 12.1 miles

Spring Valley Reservoir is a great fishing stop, as trout are stocked in the spring and fall. There is a 1.7 mile loop trail around the reservoir and multiple fishing docks. The trail does get muddy during spring runoff and after heavy rains, so be sure to prepare accordingly.

LATAH TRAIL - 11-12 miles

The Latah Trail in Bear Creek Canyon is a 4 mile (out) paved trail following an old rail bed down the canyon towards Kendrick. The trail starts at the water treatment plant just east of Troy, and is great for walking, biking, and even cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.
The Latah Trail continues from Troy to Moscow, a total of about 12 miles, where you can connect with the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail (via the Paradise Path near the University of Idaho) . There are multiple access points along the trail - the access from Troy City Park is a great place to start. Like the portion through Bear Creek Canyon, the trail is great for walking, biking, and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in winter weather. Just be sure to share the trail!

BILL CHIPMAN PALOUSE TRAIL - 32.8 miles to Pullman trailhead

The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail is a paved trail just over 7 miles long that connects Moscow and Pullman. Following a corridor of the old Union Pacific Railway that traveled from Colfax, WA, to Moscow, the trail has 13 original railroad bridges that cross Paradise Creek. On the west end, the trail overlaps with the Pullman Loop Trail for about a mile, and on the east end, the trail connects with the Latah Trail via the Paradise Path. The Palouse Trail is a popular trail for walking and biking.

MOSCOW MOUNTAIN - 21.2 miles

Moscow Mountain, the highest summit of the westernmost extension of the Idaho Bitterroot mountain range, has an elevation over 4900 feet. On a clear day, the Seven Devil mountain range is visible, and the viewpoint on the east side of the mountain offers views of the Clearwater and Snake River Canyons. Volunteer groups have established miles of trails open to all non-motorized users, and it is a very popular mountain biking destination.

U OF I ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS - 24.7 miles

The U of I "Arboreta are outdoor museums maintained for the acquisition and proper curation of a living collection of native and introduced plants hardy in the Inland Pacific Northwest." Nestled within the city of Moscow, yet away from the bustle, the arboretum is perfect for a quick stroll and beautiful photo opportunities, especially for flower enthusiasts.

MOSCOW FARMER'S MARKET - 24.3 miles

The Saturday farmer's market located on Main Street in Moscow is one of the area's best farmer's markets. Celebrating local farmers, craftsmen, artisans, and musicians, the market provides and opportunity to interact with the community and its visitors. The market runs every Saturday from May to October, between 8:00am and 1:00pm.

KAMIAK BUT TE COUNTY PARK - 37.3 miles

Kamiak Butte, a National Natural Landmark located near Palouse, WA, has an elevation of 3641 feet and offers great views of the rolling hills of the Palouse. There are a total of 5 miles of trail, but many hikers use the Pine Ridge Trail, a 3.5 loop trail along the ridgeline and top of the Butte. A short spur trail can take you to the peak, though the views along the ridge are equally spectacular. At the main trailhead, there are many picnic tables and shelters, as well as a playground. Just slightly further up the road is a small campground with 8 sites.

STEPTOE BUTTE STATE PARK - 50.9 miles

Steptoe Butte is made up of some of the oldest rock in the Pacific Northwest and marks the original northern border of North America. The National Natural Landmark has a lot of history, with information panels and picnic areas scattered throughout the day-use park. An old wagon road to the summit provides 360 degree views of the Palouse.

WAWAWAI COUNTY PARK - 51.5 miles

Wawawai County Park sits in the Snake River Canyon, and is a popular place for camping, fishing, picnicking, motorized and non-motorized water sports. There is a boat ramp for access to the Snake River, and there is also a small bay great for paddling and swimming. Unique to the park is the earth-sheltered Ranger's home.