Outdoor Resources
Explore Our Site
Getting Started
Wanting to get into outdoor activities but unsure where to start? The outdoors can seem intimidating at first, but in reality, getting outside is much more accessible than it seems! We recommend participating in EPIC Adventures events as they are perfect for beginners and people wanting to learn (you don’t need ANY experience to participate)! If you are unable to participate in EPIC, we still encourage you to find other organizations, classes and workshops in your community. Finding a community of people who enjoy outdoor activities can help you get started. Check out the resources in this section to get started!
Spokane Park and Rec publishes a catalog each season full of classes and activities that you can take part in. These events are a great way to get started in activities.
Meetup is a great resource to find people with similar interests as you. Check out the many outdoor groups. Events vary by group, but all are welcoming to newcomers.
Spokane Mountaineers offer clinics and events for climbing and other activities like hiking and snowshoeing. They have an annual student membership for only $35.
Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club is a great option for people wanting to spend more time out on the water. They offer clinics and events for teh community to sign up for.
Wild Walls is a climbing gym in Spokane that offers classes for beginners. If you have a climbing gym in your area, visit their website for class offering and events. Climbing gyms can be a great place to meet people who like to get outside.
Mount Spokane and other ski resorts offer classes and packages for beginners. Rent equipment from them or from us with your discounted student price!
REI Youtube has a huge library of videos to teach and inspire you about the outdoors.
REI’s Expert Advice Column is a large database of articles online to help you with whichever activity you are interested in. There are multiple resources for beginners in each sport category so take a few minutes to browse them.
Homemade Wanderlust Youtube – Check out Homemade Wanderlust’s hiking and backpacking basics.
Movement for Climbers Youtube – Check out the videos on this channel for beginning climbers.
Stomp It Tutorials Youtube – Take a look at this channel’s videos on beginning skiing techniques.
SnowboardProCamp Youtube – Browse through the “Beginning Snowboarding Tutorials” Playlist if you’re interested in trying out snowboarding.
Outside Online has resources, videos, articles and more to help you learn new outdoor skills.
Trip Planning
CalTopo Free online maps. This site allows you to look at different map types of the same area. There are good online tutorials to learn how to get the most out of this website.
GAIA This paid map service can be downloaded as an app on your phone and used as a navigational tool in the backcountry. We love this app, but you do have to pay for it (small fee that is worth it). This app allows you to download maps to use when you are out of service.
AllTrails Another online source for finding maps. They also have an app that can be used similarly to GAIA.
Interactive Forest Service Map This interactive map will show you forest service trails, campgrounds, roads and more. You can click on some areas to find out more information and gain access to recreation site webpages.
Forest Service 7.5 Topo Maps On this website, you can zoom in to any Forest Service region and click on the topo map you want. The website will produce a high quality PDF that can be printed for free.
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
WDOT Washington Department of Transportation
IDT Idaho Transportation Department
REI Camping Gear List Use this website as a resource for a camping gear list. This site provides links to purchase any gear you may not already have.
EPIC Gear Rentals Did you know we rent gear out at EPIC Adventures? You can rent anything from a tent to a raft to a hammock. We have gear for lots of activities at very affordable prices!
10 Essentials Use this list of gear as a starting point for any trip.
Activity Specific Resources
Hiking Project Great source to find local hikes. A crowd-sourced trail guide and mapping resource that includes GPS tracks, detailed descriptions, photos, ratings, and comments. Available online and as a phone app.
AllTrails Another great source to find hikes and view ratings, condtions, and maps.
AllTrails Another online source for finding maps. They also have an app that can be used similarly to GAIA.
WA Trails Association Another resource specific to Washington for finding hikes, maps, and passes.
Hiking Gear Checklist REI’s list of gear for a day hike.
Spokane Regional Interactive Bike Map This map allows you to see different bike routes around our region and what kind of trails are on the routes. This is a great resource for anyone wanting to commute on their bike more!
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – The nation’s largest statewide mountain bike association, representing thousands of riders through eight regional chapters. Evergreen is committed to sustainable recreation, trail maintenance, advocacy, education, volunteerism and trail building. Find Trail Maps and local info for Washington.
Mountain Biking in the Inland Northwest Facebook Group – Connect with locals and find up to date regional information about trails, events, and more.
Biking Checklists Check out REI’s checklists for whichever style of biking you choose to do.
Mountain Project – Rock climbing routes, photos, and forums. This is an online guidebook app that can be downloaded and used when you have no service.
Incident Reports – Rock and Ice provides well written articles that evaluate climbing incidents in hopes to educate and prevent future incidents.
BCC – Bower Climbing Coalition is our local organization that strives to maintain, expand, and preserve inland NW climbing.
Gear Checklist REI’s gear checklists for climbing. Check out their other guides under the Rock Climbing section.
Climbing Techniques REI provides videos on various beginner and advanced techniques to get started and improve your climbing abilities.
Panhandle Backcountry – Participate in forums where you can organize tours and events, check trip reports and route information, share snowpack observations and conditions, and talk about or trade your gear.
Mt. Spokane 1 1/2 hr drive *from Cheney 1,425 acres
Silver Mountain 1 1/2 hr drive* 1,600 acres
Schweitzer 2 hr drive* 2,900 acres
49 Degrees North 2 hr drive* 2,325 acres
Red Mountain BC 3 hr drive* 4,200 acres
IPAC Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center
Gear Checklist REI’s gear essentials for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
River Levels USGS National Water Information System
American Whitewater Check water levels, see rapid descriptions, and follow posts about river conditions.
Gear Checklist REI’s gear essentials for kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding
Camping Reservations – Make camping reservations for campsites at most state parks, forest service, BLM and more in the US. Reserve, pay online, then show up on your planned days!
Camping 101 Tips and Links – This website put together by RAVE Reviews is a compilation of some of the best camping tips and tricks. Visit this site to find camping specific information and more resources.
Camping Gear Checklist REI’s list for essential camping gear.
How to Go Backpacking Take a look at REI’s articles before heading out to make sure you’re taking the proper steps on your next backpacking trip.
Backpacking Gear Checklist REI’s list for essential camping gear
Campfire Safety & How To Learn how to make a fire and safety practices while doing so.
Conversation
At EPIC, the outdoors are our office, our playground and our home. We have so much respect for the outdoors and for this reason, we feel a responsibility to protect it. This means educating ourselves about environmental issues, being responsible when venturing out into the wilderness and teaching others how to do the same. It is important for us to learn how to take care of the environment so we can continue to enjoy it for generations to come. Here are some resources to help you learn more about protecting the environment as well as opportunities to get involved.
Leave No Trace LNT offers research, initiatives, and education about protecting the outdoors. Check out their many articles before venturing out on a trip to ensure you’re properly taking care of the environment.
The Mountaineers Check out the courses you can take on conservation! They also have a Conservation Blog where you can find dozens of articles on protecting the environment and updates on Washington’s lands.
American Rivers Check out their articles under “Threats and Solutions” to learn more about protection, restoration, and conservation of rivers in the US.
The Nature Conservancy Take a look at their blog to learn more about conservation on a global scale.
Documentaries There are many environmental documentaries worth taking a look at to learn more about climate change. Here is a list of some noteworthy ones and where to find them.
Leave No Trace Volunteer with Leave No Trace in your area.
Patagonia Patagonia Action Works offers different ideas to become an activist of the outdoors.
Spokane Riverkeeper Get a group of friends or colleagues together to schedule a river cleanup trip. They also offer unpaid internships for students.
The Lands Council Volunteer at the Lands Council to help plant trees, fundraise, guide trips with community members, and more.
The Mountaineers Check out the Mountaineer’s volunteer page for a variety of opportunities
Another way to help is to donate to your favorite organization (if you have the financial means) and to vote/sign petitions for causes you believe in.
Diversity & Inclusion in the Outdoors
Diversify Outdoors – Diversify Outdoors is a coalition and a campaign to create outdoor diversity, equity and inclusion space online and in communities across the U.S. Check out their Resources page and Get Connected page to find people/groups to follow online and on social media.
Melanin Base Camp – Melanin Base Camp purpose is to inspire you with weekly content from Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous and Queer People of Color who love the outdoors. Check out their blogs and resources.
Latino Outdoors – Latino Outdoors focuses on expanding and amplifying the Latinx experience in the outdoors; providing greater leadership, mentorship, and professional opportunities while serving as a platform for sharing cultural connections and narratives that are often overlooked by the traditional outdoor movement.
The Black Outdoors – The Black Outdoors’ mission is to increase awareness of and participation in outdoor recreational activity amongst black people and other underrepresented groups.
EWU’s Office for Diversity & Inclusion – The Office for Diversity and Inclusion is a resource for diversity expertise and inclusive excellence. Their vision for inclusive excellence includes attracting and retaining the talents of diverse faculty, students and staff to facilitate teaching, learning, scholarship and service in a welcoming climate.
Nature Gap: Why Outdoor Spaces Lack Diversity and Inclusion
Can We Render the Outdoors Truly Inclusive?
Melanin Base Camp Guide to Outdoor Allyship
How to be an Ally to People of Color in the Outdoors
Why We Must Teach the Ugly Side of Public Lands History + a Tool to Help
Diversity in the Great Outdoors: Is Everyone Welcome in America’s Parks and Public Lands
A list of people and communities to follow on social media:
Here We Stand – Short Film
This Land – Short Film
The People of Climbing – Short Film
Outside Voice – Podcast
The Lady Alliance – Podcast
She Explores – Podcast
