Eastern Region First Day Hikes

A group of people on skis and wearing winter clothes trekking through the snow

From snowshoe excursions to hiking adventures - Eastern Region First Day Hikes have a bevy of winter wonderland fun waiting for you! Scroll down to find your hike or snow sports adventure at parks (by alphabetical order) east of the Cascades in the North Central region, and in Northeast and Southeast Washington to the Idaho border. 

Please note: There is no charge for hikes and a Discover Pass is not required to park on state managed land on Jan. 1, a State Parks Free Day. Some hikes do have limited participation and require registration and/or may require a Sno-Park permit. Be sure to save your spot and get your permit(s) following the links included in the park's event descriptions.

  1. Parks C - F
  2. Parks L - M
  3. Parks P - S

AlTA LAKE STATE PARK

  • Name of Park: Alta Lake State Park
  • Time of Event: 11:00 a.m.
  • Name of Hike: Alta Lake State Park First Day Snowshoe Hike              
  • Trail Name: Alta Lake State Park Trail / Fire Road
  • Length of Hike: 2 miles
  • Where to Meet: Alta Lake State Park Office 1B Otto Rd. Pateros, WA 98846
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? Yes
  • Restrictions: None
  • Things to bring: Snowshoes, Yaktraks, Hiking boots. Dress for winter weather conditions. A campfire and smores will be offered at end of snowshoe hike. Park will have a small number of snowshoes available to borrow for hike please call ahead to reserve. (509-449-0136)
  • Registration Required: No
  • Cancellation Information: Joe Giampietri 509-449-0136
  • Description: Ranger Joe will lead a snowshoe hike around Alta Lake State Park. Come learn some snowshoeing basics as well as a brief history of snowshoeing during this 2-mile snowshoe route with views of Alta Lake and the Eastern edge of the Cascade mountains.


Columbia Plateau Trail

  • Time of Event: 1 p.m.
  • Name of hike: Snowshoe Hike
  • Name of Hike: First Day Hike- Columbia Plateau Trail
  • Trail Name: Columbia Plateau Trail
  • Length of Hike: 0.75 miles each way, 1.5 miles total          
  • Where to Meet: Fish Lake Trailhead, adjacent to Fish Lake Regional Park in Spokane County. Eastern terminus of S Myers Park Rd, 800 feet east of the intersection with Cheney Spokane Road.
  • Degree of Difficulty: Easy
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? Yes
  • Stroller Accessible? Yes
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? Yes
  • Restrictions: Dogs must be leashed at all times.
  • Things to bring: Weather dependent: hiking boots, shoe traction cleats (yaktrax or other), waterproof or water-resistant boots, sunglasses, sunscreen, snowshoes, gators or waterproof pants, trekking poles.
  • Registration Required: Yes. Please register through Eventbrite under the event name “First Day Hike- Columbia Plateau Trail,” event 454037226567.
  • Cancellation Information: Kara Frashefski: 509-505-7721
  • Description: Participants will walk south along the Columbia Plateau Trail to the railroad underpass at Minnie Creek, about ¾ mile, guided by Parks staff and volunteers. Along the way, participants will have beautiful views of Fish Lake. Snacks will be provided at the trailhead. Please register through Eventbrite under the event name “First Day Hike- Columbia Plateau Trail,” event 454037226567. Discover Pass is not required on January 1st.

Easton Reload Sno-Park

  • Time of Event: Noon
  • Name of Hike: Snowshoe Hike               
  • Trail Name: Easton Reload Sno-Park
  • Length of Hike: 3 miles
  • Where to Meet: Easton Reload Sno-Park Parking Lot
  • Degree of Difficulty: Moderate
  • Is this Hike for Beginners? Yes
  • ADA Accessible? No
  • Stroller Accessible? No
  • Are leashed dogs allowed? No
  • Restrictions: N/A
  • Things to bring: Snowshoes, Poles, Warm Clothing, Water
  • Registration Required: N/A
  • Cancellation Information: 509-859-3016
  • Description: All vehicles will require a Washington State Parks Sno-Park Permit.

Fields Spring State Park

  • Time of Event: 10 a.m.
  • Name of trail: Multiple, depends on group you go with
  • Length of hike: 3 miles
  • Where to meet: Snowflake Shelter, at the north parking lot near the campground
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Minimum age of participant: None
  • ADA accessible? No
  • Stroller accessible? No
  • Restrictions: A daily or seasonal Sno-Park Permit is required for each vehicle entering Fields Spring Sno-Park. Buy online or go  here to find out where to purchase your permit in person.
  • Dogs allowed on leash?  Yes
  • What to bring:  Snowshoes, with hiking poles if desired. If there is no snow, this outing will become a traditional hike instead.
  • Contact/Organizer: Call  509-256-3332 
  • Description: Before and during the hike, visitors will learn about the wildlife whose tracks are visible in the snow throughout the park. Fields Spring staff will first lead a one-mile loop hike on easy, groomed trails, then participants can choose to return to the Snowflake shelter for refreshments or continue the moderate difficulty portion of the guided hike to the summit of the butte and back. The park office has a dozen pairs of snowshoes and/or trekking poles for rent for $10 each, including two pairs of snowshoes sized for small children. Please call the office to pre-pay and reserve rental snowshoes. A Sno-Park Permit is required for winter parking at Fields Spring ($25 per day, $50 per season).