Indian Creek Community Forest –Arboretum Loop Trail

Eastern Washington — Selkirk Range

Explore a wheelchair-friendly interpretive trail built by WTA volunteers in partnership with the Kalispel Tribe.

By Anna Roth

The Arboretum Loop Trail, which is open to the general public, is slightly over a half mile with very little elevation change. It was designed to be an easy hiking route to highlight the native tree and shrub varieties of this ecosystem. Interpretive signage is located along the route, so a hike here is meditative and educational. The signs along the route highlight the Kalispel Tribe’s cultural connections to the plants of the area and also offer interesting biological tidbits. At the point farthest from the parking lot, two benches provide a lovely place to stop and enjoy the sounds of nature at a viewpoint facing the Pend Oreille River near the mouth of Indian Creek.

The way is wide and flat, with very little outslope. It is made of packed dirt. While it was built to be accessible, conditions may change depending on the season. It is highly recommended you check trip reports before you go and write your own when you’re done hiking here, so the next person knows what to expect.

The trail is open to hiking in the summer, and Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Biking is not permitted. Visitors should note that hunting may occur on the property during various Washington hunting seasons, so blaze orange or pink is recommended during those periods.

Note: The Arboretum Loop Trail is the first recreation trail completed within the Indian Creek Community Forest property. This area will eventually connect to the Geophysical Area trails nearby.

Distance: 0.58 mile ◆ Elevation gain: 35 feet

Highest elevation: 2,200 feet ◆ Permit: None

Dogs: Leashed

Info: wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/indian-creekcommunity-forest-arboretum-loop-trail

Trailhead: From Newport, travel east on Highway 2. Immediately after crossing the Pend Oreille River, turn north on Le Clerc Road. Travel 7.3 miles to Indian Creek Road and turn right. Continue 0.4 mile to the top of the hill. The driveway to Indian Creek Community Forest is on the left. Proceed to the parking lot for the Arboretum Loop Trail to the left of the main drive, marked by a large kiosk.

Nearby Hikes

Cheney Tertiary Wetlands: Cheney Tertiary Wetlands is part of an enhancement to the Cheney Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Facility. It features a looped trail system with wheelchairfriendly routes just outside of Cheney. (5 miles of trails, elevation gain varies)

Waikiki Springs: The trail from the parking lot to the river is wide with paved sections between dirt and gravel. It loses 200 feet of elevation over a mile on the way to the river, which you have to make up on the return trip. (4.8 miles of trails, 588 feet of elevation gain)

Fish Lake: Visit this rails-to-trails paved path connecting West Spokane to Queen Lucas Lake. Enjoy this multi-use, ADA-accessible trail with a mild uphill grade that currently ends at Scribner Road. (7.6 miles one-way, 382 feet of elevation gain)