see http://sites.google.com/site/mikebetz/places/idaho for more possibilities. Esp in Idaho county, Idaho
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/id/id.html
Keuterville, ID is 2 hr away http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/id/keuterville.html
Mt Idaho, ID is 2 hr away http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/id/mountidaho.html
Potlatch, ID, including Scenic 6 Park ... near the site of what was once the largest stem-powered sawmill in the world.
Places relatively near Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Pine City, WA is 1 hr + away http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/wa/pinecity.html ... just a small old farming town.
Adams county is west of Pullman, and contains:
Tokio (nothing left),
Ralston, http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/wa/ralston.html
Packard (not much) http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/wa/packard.html,
Benge, http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/wa/benge.html (northeast of washtucna)
View Pullman in a larger map
http://digitum.washingtonhistory.org/u?/genphotos,261
http://www.trailsgalore.com/states/wa.html
Jim Lyle Rotary Park, in Moscow, Idaho
Text is adapted from http://www.moscowchamber.com/ThingsToDo/Hiking_Camping_And_Fishing/Hiking_Camping_And_Fishing.htm
HOBO CEDAR GROVE BOTANICAL GARDEN is well worth the hour and a half drive from Moscow! The area has old growth trees that were just seedlings in 1492, and in 1980 it was designated a National Natural Landmark. Call (208) 245-2531 for information, or you may contact the Moscow Chamber for detailed driving directions.
HELLS GATE STATE PARK, located 35 minutes south of Moscow, includes 200 developed acres that border the Snake River as the gateway into Hells Canyon, famous for being North America’s deepest gorge. There is plenty of grassy space for picnicking, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and wildlife viewing. The park offers 93 RV/tent camp sites, 8 cabins, and a Lewis & Clark center. Call (208) 799-5015.
http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/hellsgate.aspx
ELK CREEK FALLS RECREATION AREA, located 54 miles east of Moscow, has a series of waterfalls that plunge almost 300 feet into a forest canyon. The trail winds through a forest of pine and cedar trees. Elk Creek and nearby Elk Creek Reservoir are favorite spots for catching rainbow and brook trout. Take State Highway 8 to Bovill; follow sign toward Elk River.
McCroskey Skyline Drive
Phillips Farm County Park - 7 miles from the SUB - View Map
Virgil Phillips, a Moscow native born in 1912, gave his land to the city in 1972 "for the benefit and use of the children of Moscow for recreation purposes." Today the park is managed by Latah County, and it is comprised of 160 acres of dirt trails, fields, wetlands and ponds. In the orchard near the parking area, you can find three different types of apples on one tree. The park is utilized by students and biologists studying local species of amphibians, birds and other wildlife which frequent the area. Open to the public from 7 a.m. to sunset, the park is also home to some great climbing trees.
Take U.S. Highway 95 north from Moscow and turn left as indicated by signs advertising the park. Drive down the hill to the parking and picnic area below.
McCroskey State Park - 27 miles from the SUB - View Map
Dedicated to the memory of pioneer women, McCroskey State Park is 5,300 acres of forested ridgeline. From Moscow, drive north on U.S. Highway 95 until reaching Sky Line Drive. Turn left, and follow Sky Line as it weaves through the park and provides access to 32 miles of trails. The gravel road ends near the town of Farmington, Wash., but by no means do you have to follow the entire road to get the McCroskey experience. Within the park are other roads, primitive camping sites, informative signs and picnic areas.
Rose Creek Nature Preserve - 20 miles from the SUB - View Map
The trail through this wetland is narrow, lined by bushes and overhanging tree branches and littered with damp, decomposing vegetation. It's the closest you'll get to being in a rainforest while living on the Palouse. Birds and bugs chirp and buzz, and the forest smells distinctly green. Both live snails and their shells are scattered across certain stretches. Eventually the trail reaches Rose Creek and continues on the other side. Last week, however, the bridge to cross over had been destroyed. Jump or wade across the creek at your own risk, and watch out for the little man-made waterfall on the right.
From Pullman, take Grand/State Highway 27 north until you reach Pullman-Albion Road. Turn left and continue until you reach Banner Road. Make a right turn and drive for a little more than three and a half miles. Turn left at Palouse-Albion Road and continue until you come to a pair of roads on the right: Shawnee and Collins. Make the initial right turn and take the left at the Y to stay on Shawnee. On the right will be a gravel drive with newspaper boxes. Park on Shawnee and walk a little way down the drive until you reach the trailhead on the left.
Moscow Mountain - 12 miles from the SUB - View Map
Also filled with giant cedar trees, Moscow Mountain lies north of the city and east of Idler's Rest. The mountain, nearly 5,000 feet tall, is scattered with trails popular with hikers, runners, climbers and mountain bikers. Many trails are on private property but are open for public use. Getting there is easy: Take Mountain View Road north until turning right on Moscow Mountain Road. The road winds through the hills for a while before entering the forest.
Pierce, Idaho ... not very close, but interesting