10 under 200

Close-in adventures on a budget

[August 10, 2009]

The West is full of vacation-of-a-lifetime destinations. But if Disneyland is out of your budget and Yellowstone is too long a drive, consider 10 unique trips within 200 miles from Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.

Listed alphabetical, with helpful website links, some of these trips are over-nighters, others great day trips. All will leave lasting memories:

Auto Vue Theatre

What: The region’s last operating drive-in theater. $6 adults/$2 for 11 and younger. (509) 684-2863.
Where: Colville, Wash. (75 miles from Spokane; 108 from CdA).
While in the area: Visit People of the Falls Interpretive Center in Kettle Falls. www.kettlefalls.com/HistoricalCenter.htm

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Crawford Caves State Park

What: Free guided tours of a 1,000-foot limestone cavern with stalactites and stalagmites. Open through Labor Day, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. www.parks.wa.gov
Where: Near Metaline Falls, Wash. (90 miles from Spokane; 118 from CdA).
While in the area: Tour Boundary Dam. www.seattle.gov/light/tours/boundary/

Emerald Creek Garnet Area

What: The best place outside India to find star garnets. Visitors pay $10 ($5 for kids) to dig for garnets. www.fs.fed.us/ipnf (click on "Activities").
Where: Clarkia, Idaho (95 miles from Spokane; 88 from CdA).
While in the area: Hike Hobo Cedar Grove trails. www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/rec/yourplace/cgguide/39.html

Grand Coulee Dam

What: Nation’s largest concrete dam and world’s fourth-largest power producer. Free tours and museum. Bring lawn chairs to enjoy nightly laser light show. www.grandcouleedam.org
Where: Coulee Dam (90 miles from Spokane; 124 from CdA).
While in the area: Ride a free ferry. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Eastern/KellerFerry/

Hells Canyon

What: Jet boat into North America’s deepest gorge. Whitewater, bighorn sheep, pictographs. Several companies offer day-long tours, $150 to $250. www.gonorthwest.com/Idaho/Hells_Canyon/jetboattours.htm
Where: Clarkston, Wash. (119 miles from Spokane; 118 from CdA).
While in the area: Visit Lewis and Clark Discovery Center at Hells Gate State Park. http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

National Bison Range

What: Sprawling refuge with 500 bison and other free-roaming wildlife. Self-guided driving tour on 19-mile gravel loop. $5 per vehicle. www.fws.gov/bisonrange/nbr
Where: Moiese, Mont. (177 miles from Spokane; 143 from CdA).
While in the area: Visit historic St. Ignatius Mission. www.glaciermt.com/detail-go.php?id=200

Nelson

What: Picturesque British Columbian town on Kootenay Lake. Take walking tour of “high Victorian” architecture and galleries, ride a trolley, and enjoy thriving arts community. www.discovernelson.com
Where: British Columbia (148 miles from Spokane; 186 from CdA).
While in the area: Take a hike in Glacier Provincial Park. www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/

Route of the Hiawatha

What: Gravel bike trail snakes 17 miles through Bitterroot Mountains, over seven trestles and through 10 tunnels. $9 daily pass; $6 for kids. Bus shuttle available. www.skilookout.com/hiawatha/
Where: Two miles off I-90’s Taft Exit in Montana (106 miles from Spokane; 72 from CdA).
While in the area: Visit historic Wallace, Idaho. http://wallace-id.com

Stehekin

What: Isolated community in North Cascades National Park is accessible only by foot, plane, or boat. Great views, nice lodge, quaint shops, abundant wildlife, and outdoor activities. www.stehekin.com
Where: Lake Chelan (164 miles from Spokane; 198 from CdA).
While in the area: Visit a fruit stand. www.wenatcheevalley.org/todo_fruitstands.html

Stonerose Interpretive Center

What: Dig for fossils of plants, insects, and fish. Take up to three fossils home each day. $5 adults; $3 children, students and seniors. $4 to rent a hammer and chisel. www.stonerosefossil.org
Where: Republic, Wash. (123 miles from Spokane; 157 from CdA).
While in the area: Visit Curlew Lake State Park. www.parks.wa.gov

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