Autumn Ascents: High-Reward Hikes Around Spokane Valley

With summer behind us and school back in session, the comfortable temperatures and quiet trails of Spokane Valley beckon families to roam and relax in the beauty of fall. Cooler air means more comfortable outings, without the harsh heat or bothersome bugs, while clear routes, clean restrooms, and plentiful parking make hiking here easy and enjoyable for all ages. Whether you’re ambling smooth stretches or ascending steeper summits, the Valley’s varied trails welcome hikers of all ages and abilities to reconnect with the outdoors without the rush or crowds.

MOUNT SPOKANE STATE PARK

ENTRANCE LOOP

Distance: 1.5 miles〡Elevation Gain: 350 feet

This family-friendly loop links three trails at Mount Spokane’s entrance. Taking off on Trail 121, hikers head along Deadman Creek on a wide, well-maintained walkway. A steady ascent sends you to Trail 120, a byway built in 1909, before drifting down Trail 122 past amber leaves and aged logs. Tucked into the trail, families will find pedagogical signs and picnic spots to enrich your experience with reflection and refreshments.

BURPING BROOK LOOP

Distance: 3.5 miles〡Elevation Gain: 600 feet

Begin your adventure at the switchback parking lot, 1.5 miles past the entrance to Mount Spokane, where the gated Mount Kit Carson Loop Road invites you into a lush forest rich with history and quiet beauty. Follow Trail 100 as it veers right from the old road, crossing Burping Brook on wooden bridges. Though the route offers no sweeping destination views, its charm lies in the details—like the towering stumps along the trail, many marked with springboard notches. These remnants of 19th-century logging are believed to have contributed timber for rebuilding Spokane after the great fire of 1889. As you gently climb, bear left at the trail junctions and watch for secluded picnic clearings tucked into the greenery. The loop peaks at Smith Gap’s snowshoe warming hut, a cozy stop for snacks before descending through sun-dappled woods, completing a route that feels both untamed and thoughtfully crafted.

MOUNT KIT CARSON SUMMIT

Distance: 6 miles〡Elevation Gain: 1,380 feet

Begin your adventure at the Cook’s Cabin Trailhead, where you’ll park and walk around the gate to follow the historic Upper Kit Carson Loop Road downhill through shady cedar groves. After about 1 mile, you’ll arrive at Saddle Junction—complete with a vault toilet and several trail options—before climbing Trail 140 through a mixed conifer forest. At the next junction, bear left onto Trail 160 for the final ascent to Mount Kit Carson’s 5,282-foot summit, where rocky outcrops offer sweeping views of Newman Lake, surrounding farmland, and the distant Selkirk Mountains. This out-and-back route retraces your steps for a rewarding return journey. Couples will enjoy the historical charm of the CCC-built route and options to extend the hike to Day Mountain, while families with older kids can take on the summit’s rocky terrain for unforgettable 360-degree photo opportunities.

Mount Spokane State Park requires a Discover Pass for entry, with single-day access priced at $11.50. For travelers already dreaming of another season, the $45 annual pass makes returning simple and affordable.

This fall, you can also take advantage of fee-free entry on the following dates:

• 27 — National Public Lands Day
• 10 — World Mental Health Day
• 11 — Veteran’s Day

DISHMAN HILLS NATURAL AREA

EAST/WEST POND LOOP

Distance: 1.5 miles〡Elevation Gain: 150 feet

Starting at the west edge of Camp Caro’s main parking area, this gentle loop meanders through Dishman Hills’ wetland habitat, circling two ponds (which typically dry up in summer) before bursting into brilliant golds each fall as cottonwoods and aspens ignite the shoreline. Along the way, a viewing platform frames sweeping vistas of Mica Peak to the east and Mount Spokane to the north. After looping around the ponds, the path meets the Nimbus Knob Loop—offering an optional extension—before rejoining the main trail for an easy return to Camp Caro, letting hikers tailor the outing to their time and energy.

EAGLE PEAK LOOP

Distance: 5.0 miles〡Elevation Gain: 800 feet

Dishman Hills Natural Area’s Eagle Peak Loop guides hikers to the highest point in the Natural Area, delivering outstanding panoramic views of Spokane Valley and beyond. Starting from Camp Caro, visitors can choose a direct interior route to Eagle Peak or opt for a longer perimeter hike to maximize mileage and explore more of the area. The extensive trail system allows for easy extensions by adding any number of intersecting trails, making it a flexible adventure for both families and couples. Along the way, granite ridges and ancient potholes reveal the dramatic story of the Ice Age floods that shaped this unique landscape, adding a sense of discovery to every step.

ROCKS OF SHARON SUMMIT

Distance: 6.5 miles〡Elevation Gain: 1750 feet

Starting from the Stevens Creek parking lot, this loop features gentle switchbacks that make the ascent enjoyable for a wide range of hikers. The trail leads to Big Rock, a renowned destination for sport climbers and a dramatic vista point for all visitors. Big Rock and the other Rocks of Sharon are impressive granitic monoliths rising from a scenic ridgeline, surrounded by a rich ecosystem and thriving wildlife habitat. At the summit, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views overlooking the Palouse, where the surrounding wheat fields glow golden in the fall.

COEUR D’ALENE AREA

TUBBS HILL LOOP

Distance: 2 miles〡Elevation Gain: 300 feet

The most popular hike in Coeur d’Alene, this lakeside loop is the perfect blend of urban convenience and wild beauty. Located downtown on the scenic Tubbs Hill peninsula—over 165 acres bordered by Lake Coeur d’Alene on its west, south, and east sides—the trail draws families with its stroller-friendly crushed gravel surface and historical markers, while couples gravitate toward its hidden beach coves ideal for sunset picnics. With easy access and panoramic lake views, this beloved hike is a must-do for all ages.

MINERAL RIDGE NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL

Distance: 3 miles〡Elevation Gain: 800 feet

Idaho’s first BLM recreation trail rewards hikers with outstanding views over Beauty and Wolf Lodge bays of Coeur d’Alene Lake. Along the way, 22 marked stations—guided by an interpretive brochure—highlight the plants, animals, and ecological connections within the surrounding forest. A paved trailhead with picnic shelters makes for easy trip planning, while the fall offers a quieter hiking experience with lingering lake views and the chance to spot early-arriving bald eagles signaling the approach of winter migration.

ROUND MOUNTAIN SUMMIT

Distance: 5 miles〡Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet

Starting from the Indian Springs Trailhead off Forest Road 530, this loop offers a steady climb through sparse forest and dry-side rocky slopes, with scattered groves of trees providing occasional shade. While there aren’t many flat sections to catch your breath, the trail’s consistent grade makes the elevation gain manageable rather than overwhelming. The route winds through forested ridges and open meadows before rewarding hikers with sweeping summit views of Lake Coeur d’Alene—ideal for those seeking a challenging hike with great opportunities for wildlife spotting and photography.

SECURE YOUR STAY TODAY

Spokane Valley sits at the heart of hundreds of hiking trails, and the ones above are just a small sampling of what awaits in every direction. With interwoven loops and flexible routes, your adventure can be as short or as strenuous as you like. When it’s time to trade boots for blankets, Spokane Valley has you covered. From trusted hotel chains to charming boutiques, the Valley offers a variety of accommodations. Plus, with free parking and convenient freeway connections at every location, your stay will be seamless and stress-free. Make the Valley your fall getaway before the season slips away.