The area surrounding the Blue Moose Cabins is an outdoor recreation destination worth the visit itself. Within close proximity is an International Scenic Byway, a National Scenic byway, a National Recreation Area, a National Wildlife Refuge, a National Forest, containing numerous camp grounds, lakes and rivers . Every year people come to enjoy backpacking, bird watching, boating, canoeing, fishing, golf, camping, hunting, kayaking, off-roading, mountain biking, hiking & nature walks, snorkeling, star gazing, swimming, tubing, wildlife viewing & photography, and windsurfing.
Listed below are some of the favorite attractions that visitors have enjoyed.
Hunt for all the popular game such as: whitetail deer, bear, elk, pheasant, grouse, and wild turkey, not to mention plentiful waterfowl, ducks, and geese. If you are hunting with your camera, the opportunities are even more extensive. For seasons and regulations go to: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/ Hunting is available on the Colville National Forest and the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge.
For updated information on the hunting seasons ... Click HERE.
For some important Hunting Dates ... Click HERESherman Creek Wildlife Area, located in the foothills between Lake Roosevelt and the Kettle Mountains northwest of Kettle Falls, offers 7,508 acres of deer hunting and upland bird habitat. In addition to the wildlife and state forest areas, the region offers private lands open to hunting. Private lands provide some 70-75% of some of the best deer habitat and thus some of the best hunting. Deer populations are are highest in the hunting units where puplic lands are mixed with private farm and woodlands. The Northeast Washington area averages about 50% of all bucks killed in the overall harvest each year. Plan ahead - scout the areas you plan to hunt. Just because you have always hunted in a specific area for years does not mean you don't need to check with the landowner each year. Owners change, so remember to check each year.
Antlerless hunting is by permit only. Although this area is known primarily for white tailed deer, some good mule deer hunting is available in mid to high elevations. Ferry County has the highest mule deer population. Hunting pressure is actually high in all areas early in the season, but as the season progresses, pressure drops rapidly.Stevens and Pend Orielle County also have some pockets of mule deer populations but they tend to be difficult to reach because of the rugged terrain.
The wide open spaces of Lake Roosevelt and the numerous lakes and streams ranging in size from Williams Lake's 3 acres to Lake roosevelt 82,000 surface acres and 660 shore miles offers outstanding opportunities for a wide variety of game fish in an ideal and tranquil destination. There are over 30 species of fish in the lake. Annually, over 500,000 rainbow trout and 500,000 kokanee are stocked in the lake. Other common sport fish are large and small mouth bass, walleye, and perch. Huge Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Bass and Walleye are the favorite catches here, and year 'round fishing is available for the hearty. Lake Roosevelt the largest fish found is sturgeon and have been known to measure over 13 feet long and weigh an impressive 1000 pounds. Each third weekend in June the annual Washington Govenor's Cup Walleye Tournament is held.
Lake Roosevelt is the Columbia River on the North side of Grand Coulee Dam. There are more types of fish to catch here than you'd ever imagine. You can rent houseboats and go for days without even seeing another boat or get into a crowded place during peak season and the action is pretty fast paced and frantic. There are plenty of campgrounds and places to fish from the shore or a boat and lots of other activities including water skiing in lots and lots of calm bays and inlets. Of course, we like the idea of you staying at Blue Moose Cabins. Where to fish? Don't restrict your fishing to mouths of streams. Almost any beach will do. There are miles of accessible beach on the lake and it is hard to beat fishing along a beach on a warm, moonlit, summer night
Even though many lakes are open year round and are planted as early as mid-March, they dont get much angling pressure until the traditional "opener" near the end of April. Suffice to say the many anglers are missing a pretty good bet for early season trout success. Trout fishing especially for 'Rainbow' in lowland lakes, is usually best in spring and fall when the water is cool (but not frigid). Larger, deeper lakes can be good for trout ALL year. June & July are usually best for Kokanee. Many alpine or high elevation lakes are stocked with cutthroat, rainbow, and golden trout between June and October. A few lakes have naturally producing populations.
Walleye fishing in the Columbia river and Lake Roosevelt is mostly a year-round opportunity, with most trophy fish caught in late winter and early spring. Mountain whitefish are popular stream catches in winter when they school to spawn. Some streams have special "whitefish-only" winter seasons.
There are 486 miles of trails open to hiking in the Colville National Forest. Many of these trails rise from low elevation trailheads to the magnificent ridges and peaks along the Kettle and Selkirk mountain ranges. The trails transect crystal-clear streams and magnificent forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, sub-alpine fir and engelmann spruce. Most hiking trails are also open to horseback riding. Some are open to mountain bikes. Motorized vehicle use is prohibited along many of these hiking trails so that recreationists can find solitude in the forest for a peaceful experience ... away from the din of civilization.
Every lake is accessible by private or public boat launch facilities. Thirteen miles from Colville, you can take big boats and houseboats on Lake Roosevelt, 151 miles of lake water behind Grand Coulee Dam. You may contact them at 509-738-6366 or http://www.nps.gov/laro/ Smaller boats, canoes and rubber rafts find their own challenges in the Kettle River or maybe in more laid back setting on one of the many lakes. There are a number of fine picnic areas on the banks of many area lakes. Stevens County has 306 lakes, 315 ponds, 125 marshes and swampy areas and 175 creeks.
National forests are popular places to take off-road vehicles and riding rugged terrain is a challenge. Another challenge that ORV enthusiasts face is a responsibility to 'Tread Lightly' and protect the environment that they use. Here are some guidelines that will make your trip safer and more enjoyable when recreationing in Colville National Forest.
All Forest Service roads that are maintained including paved, gravel, and dirt are considered public roads, so trail bikes must be street legal if they are driven on Forest Service roads. This means that the driver is required to have a properly endorsed driver's licence and the vehicle must have a current licence plate. Required equipment includes brakes, head and tail lights, a mirror, and an operating muffler system that limits exhaust noise to 105 decibels (at 20" from the exhaust).
Designated trails are the only places to ride ORV's and your vehicle needs to be trail legal. The following equipment is required for trail riding: an ORV tag or current licence plate, a working muffler system with a Forest Service approved spark arrester, brakes head and tail lights. Three and four wheelers are not allowed on dirt bike trails because they are too wide and cause damage to vegetation along the edges.
Here's how to 'Tread Lightly with ORV's
- Respect the right of hikers, campers, and others who use the National Forest.
- Know the operating limitations of your vehicle and keep it in good repair.
- Carry emergency repair equipment as well as food and warm clothes.
- Wear proper safety clothes.
- Stay off soft, wet roads and trails that can be easily damaged by vehicles.
- Don't drive into designated road less areas, they are closed to all motorized equipment
- Respect land owner's rights, get permission to travel across private land.
Check with the Forest Service at 225 West 11th in Kettle Falls to obtain a variety of maps that will show roads, trails. topography and closures. Become familiar with the area you are riding in and the regulations that govern it.
Golfers rarely pass on the opportunity to take advantage of blue skies, mild temperatures, reasonable prices and two outstanding golf attractions.
Dominion Meadows Golf Course - located on the eastern city limits of Colville on a plateau with vistas over several lakes and mountains in all directions. The course itself is an amalgam of several designs and elements. The picturesque layout , which measures 6,743 yards, par 72 course from the tips is reminiscent of a British Isles links with more than a few forced carries over existing wetlands those lurking ponds. If you like a challenge then here is a course that can play hard but is more a challenge than difficult. Visitors can play 18 holes with friendly rolling terrain, well conditioned fairways and smooth putting surfaces. They may find themselves sharing the course with Deer, Pheasants and Quail though.
The Chewelah Golf & Country Club boasts the only 27 hole course in inland Northwest. Carved into majestic conifers this 27 hole course challenges all levels of play with a slope of 125 and a 69.8 rating. The 18 hole course measures 6645 yards with each tee offering four tee positions. It is a beautiful setting where each hole is tree lined, and golfers must circumvent around five lakes and fifty white silica bunkers. Amidst plush bluegrass greens, thick rolling fairways and expansive views, dont be surprised if your round of golf turns up an encounter with deer or wild turkeys.
Other ammenities include 3 tennis courts, RV parking, and lighted airstrip. The clubhouse offers seating for banquets up to 200 indoors and an additional 100 on the deck, overlooking the number 9 green with its landscaped water hazard including a fountain and a waterfall.
Gambling
For those wanting a holiday with a Las Vegas twist then within a short drive of the Blue Moose Cabins is chance to turn nickels to dollars at two Casinos both fully owned and operated by the Spokane Tribe of Indians:
The fun and excitement never ends at Chewelah Casino! From nickels to dollars, Chewelah Casino offers the area's largest selection of exciting coin operated slot machines, including our Progressive Nickel machines. You can also get in on the action at one of our many blackjack, roulette and craps tables. And now Chewelah Casino offers the action and excitement of Three-Card Stud! Chewelah Casino is located south of Chewelah on highway 395
Two Rivers Casino invites you to try your hand at Vegas-style gambling. We offer REEL coin-operated nickel, quarter, and dollar slots. Come play Blackjack, Craps, or Roulette with the friendliest dealers around! Visit our RV Park and Marina for your year-round getaways. Sitting on the beautiful shores of Lake Roosevelt, Two Rivers Casino & Resort provides endless hours of outdoor and gaming entertainment. Two Rivers Casino & Resort is located 55 miles south of Kettle Falls, Washington on Highway 25 (Ph: 1 (800) 722-4031)
One of the wine world's classic maxims is "The quality of the wine starts in the vineyard." China Bend Winery has proven to be a popular attraction because of it's approach to wine making. It is one of only a handful of United States wineries offering wines made from organically grown grapes and the owners of the winery are proud to be one of the few wineries in the entire world specializing in 'unsulfited' wines. The word organic is now recognized as being synonymous with quality. Organically grown grapes are, for starters, free of any chemical insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers which compromise the taste as well as being hazardous to the consumer. Organic practices are based on the premise that healthy plants require soil. Living soil provides the complete nutrient requirements of the vines, which translates into grapes and wines which display full varietal character and flavor. The owners of China Bend Winery, their vineyard, garden, unique winery, and kitchen were created to maximize the natural goodness and health-giving properties of our wine and foods. This dedication to natural growing and processing also brings out the fullest flavor of our products. This attraction is well worth a visit during your stay at Blue Moose Cabins and can be reach by car or by boat (a popular day trip for guests)
Grand Coulee Dam, one of the largest concrete structures in the world, is an awesome sight. After decades of planning, it was built over an 8-year period, starting in 1933, as a depression relief project.
Grand Coulee is a hydroelectric dam, and part of the Columbia River Hydro System, a series of 14 dams harnessing the energy of the mighty Columbia River. Interestingly, the System is an example of the close ties between Canada and the US in this Pacific Northwest region, as it includes 3 dams above the border. Grand Coulee Dam is the largest U.S. producer of hydro-electric energy, generating 6,800 of the 35,000 megawatts of electricity generated by the System. That translates to about $500 million worth of power that is supplied to British Columbia and hundreds of towns and cities in the western states.
Grand Coulee Dam also provides water that irrigates over 500,000 acres of eastern Washington, and without which much of the farming you see would not be possible.
Designed & Maintained by 'Blue Moose Design'
Kettle Falls, WA
Website Link: Click Here
