Recreation
Auto Touring
Auto Tour Route:
The 5-mile auto tour route is open year-round. Includes an overlook
trail, (Kepple Lake), 2 accessible trails (Kepple Lake Interpretive
Trail and Pine Lake Loop Trail), and a Boardwalk at Black Horse
Lake.
Foot Travel
Columbia Plateau Trail, a Washington State Parks managed trail
that traverses the closed area of the Refuge is now open to the
public. Visitors may hike, ride bicycles or horses on the trail
but are reminded the Refuge itself on either side of the Trail
is closed to all public access.
Kepple Peninsula Interpretive Trail:
This beautiful, 0.44-mile trail leads you through the four habitats
found on Turnbull. A variety of flora and fauna species can be
observed in the grassland, ponderosa pine forest, riparian and
wetland habitats. An interpretive trail guide was developed to
assist you on your walk. The accessible portion of the Trail was
widened and paved. This trail leads to an environmental education
shelter and wildlife observation blind built by refuge volunteers
for school groups and the visiting public. The wildlife observation
blind overlooks a large wetland slough where a variety of waterfowl
and other wildlife can be observed.
Interpretive Programs
In addition to hosting one of the largest Environmental Education
Programs in the Region, the refuge outreaches to 8,000-30,000
people annually through science fairs, festivals, community service
awareness days, and special events. Turnbull staff and volunteers
participate in many events including America's Kids Run, Northwest
Museum of Art Festivals, Bighorn Show, Sunrise Elementary Community
Presenter's Night, Silver Lake Camp (hosted by the Cheney School
District), FOTNWR Winter Festival, FOTNWR Annual Auction, etc.
A 5’ x 10’ porcelain, enamel on steel mural is in the hallway of Lincoln
Heights Elementary in Spokane thanks to Seattle artist Tina Hoggatt.
The artwork was modeled on Turnbull and its wildlife in the hopes
of inspiring students on the importance and beauty of wildlife refuges
and the Channeled Scablands.
The Kepple Peninsula Interpretive Trail brochure leads students
and the public on a self-facilitated interpretive walk on one
of the refuge’s environmental education and public use trails.
The brochure was made possible through the cooperative effort
of Eastern Washington University, refuge staff, and the Friends
of Turnbull.
Kepple Peninsula Interpretive
Trail Brochure (PDF 10 MB)
Wildlife Viewing
In our Public Use Area, there are many opportunities to view wildlife.
We suggest you arrive at sunrise with a pair of binoculars and some
warm outdoor gear as it is often chilly, even during the summer.
There are a variety of different habitats in which to sit quietly
and observe wildlife in their natural environment. Find a log or
rock near some of the many wetlands that you can hike to and spend
time watching some of the 27 duck species that can be observed at
Turnbull. If you’re lucky, you might see one of the refuge’s magnificent
bull elk or perhaps a white-tailed deer that has come to the water’s
edge to feed and drink. Last year, there were 20 species of mammals
seen in the public use area. This included deer, elk, moose, badger,
coyote, and many more. There are many birding opportunities year-round
on the Refuge. Over 200 species of birds have been observed at Turnbull.
Over 100 nest here and may be observed during spring and summer.
An additional 76 species pass through the Refuge during spring and
fall migration. Even during the winter, there are over 40 resident
bird species that may be observed. So come on out and enjoy the
wildlife.
- 2,300 acre Public Use Area (approximately 14% of 15,628 total
refuge acres).
- 40,000 people visit refuge per year.
- Entrance fee of $3.00/car is charged March through October.
An annual refuge pass is available for $15.00.
- Several wildlife view points.
- One outdoor environmental education (EE) site is located near
refuge headquarters; 3 more EE sites with short trails are located
on auto tour route.
- Five interpretive panels are located on the Boardwalk. An Interpretive
Plan proposes a Visitor Contact Kiosk with interpretive panels
along the Auto Tour Route and on the Pine Lake Trail.
- Facilities available to visitors include: public restroom, 4
vault toilets, EE classroom, Friends of Turnbull NWR bookstore.
Public Use Activities:
- Wildlife observation is the major recreational use. Visitors
also hike, ride bicycles, cross-country ski or enjoy photography.
- Public may participate in a variety of community service projects
(trail maintenance, riparian planting & site maintenance,
weed control).
- Special events are sometimes hosted for public, including bird
walks, night hikes, tours.
- No hunting or fishing allowed on the Refuge.
- Law enforcement focuses on public safety, public closure trespass
and illegal taking of refuge wildlife.
- Refuge has had some form of EE for most of its existence. Friends
group was established in 1997 to bolster the program.
- EE is now year-round, serving up to 6,000 to 10,000 people (students,
youth & civic groups) per year.
- Facilitated field trips and in-classroom programs
are offered to all age groups.
