Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge

30-Acre Lake Hiking Trail connects the east and north sides of the Pine Creek Auto Tour Route.

Starting from the east trailhead, northern harriers are often seen soaring above the pine trees and aspen groves. From there the trail follows the edge of 30-Acre Lake, curving through wetland habitat dotted with aspen groves before transitioning to riparian vegetation and Palouse Prairie.

The open prairie provides excellent opportunities to spot wildlife, including deer and moose. Look for footprints and scat on the trail indicating a heavy wildlife presence in the area.

There is limited parking available at both the east and north trailheads.

Trail surface: Dirt and natural surfaces

Blackhorse Lake Boardwalk is a great accessible trail that features benches for wildlife viewing, making it a great spot for birdwatchers of all ages. The area is home to numerous songbirds including nuthatches and red-winged blackbirds. Also worth keeping an eye out for is the California quail a non-native game bird that never ceases to delight with their curious head plumes. Birds aren’t the only highlight for this trail. Starting in spring, look for sunbathing turtles and listen for Pacific chorus and spotted frogs.

Trail surface: Paved with stretches of boardwalk.

Bluebird Trail is an out-and-back trail that largely follows an old maintenance road through a Ponderosa pine forest. This is a quieter, less-frequented trail and offers potential for more intimate wildlife viewing.

Starting at the south trailhead, the route begins as a singletrack path through a seasonally wet marsh with aspen, red-osier dogwood, and cattails. The trail gradually inclines, opening to wide views of grassland habitat before veering sharply north to follow a powerline service road.

Beyond the powerline, the trail continues as a doubletrack, winding through lightly forested ponderosa pine and wetland habitats, providing ample opportunities to spot forest birds, deer and moose. The trail ends at the north trailhead.

Trail surface: Dirt and natural surfaces with sections of gravel. Please note that during spring runoff, sections of the trail may be completely submerged.

East Blackhorse Trail is a short loop through ponderosa pine forest with views of Blackhorse Lake on the north side of the trail.

The parking area provides a vault toilet and a covered pavilion with picnic tables.

Trail Surface: Dirt and natural surfaces.

Headquarters Trail, though short, offers a scenic walk past riparian, forest, and wetland habitats, making it an excellent stroll for birdwatchers. The route includes a covered picnic area that provides a peaceful place for visitors to enjoy lunch while watching for wildlife.

The trail begins near the Environmental Education Building and follows the edge of Headquarters Pond, where the forest and riparian habitat meet — creating a prime spot to listen for both wetland and forest songbirds.

Further along, the trail passes several fenced restoration areas, where young aspen and dogwood plants are protected from grazing moose. It then continues past Windmill Pond, a favorite spot for ducks such as pintails and buffleheads. This pond is particularly active during spring and fall migrations.

The trail loops back to the Environmental Education Building via a short stretch of maintenance road.

Trail surface: Dirt and grass with sections of gravel

Kepple Lake Lookout Trail is a short walk and brief climb to a fenced ledge overlooking Kepple Lake.

Depending on the season, visitors can expect to see geese, grebes, and the occasional swan. Intrepid wildlife watchers might even spot one of the many beaver inhabiting the lake.

Trail surface: hard packed dirt and other natural surfaces

Kepple Peninsula Trail is a great place to take a break, enjoy lunch, and watch for wildlife. This partially-accessible trail features several benches for resting and observing nature.

About 200 feet in, you’ll find covered pavilion — a perfect spot for a picnic. The shelter overlooks Kepple lake and is encircled by wetland songbirds.

The trail continues to an accessible bird blind overlooking the west side of the lake. From there, you can either return to the parking lot via the paved path or continue to the unpaved section of the Kepple Peninsula Trail to complete the loop through ponderosa pine forest.

Trail surface: Paved with an optional section of dirt single track.

Pine Lake Connector Trail is a short gravel path that connects the refuge headquarters to the Pine Lake Loop. For a fully paved, accessible route, park at the Pine Lake Loop trailhead instead.

Trail surface: Gravel

Pine Lake Loop Trail is the largest accessible paved trail in the refuge, circling Middle Pine Lake. It is one of the most popular trails and features benches for resting and enjoying the view.

The lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including several species of duck, trumpeter swans, great blue herons, and beavers. Keep an eye out for lodges and other evidence of beaver activity and listen for red-winged blackbirds, whose songs permeate the lake.

To access the loop, park at the trailhead on Smith Road across from the comfort station where the paved path gently descends into the wetland habitat. The loop is also accessible from a gravel connector path that begins across from the refuge headquarters.

Trail surface: Paved, but please note that natural root growth has caused uneven surfaces in some areas.

Stubblefield Trail is the refuge’s longest trail, offering expansive views of the Palouse Prairie a unique rolling grassland known for its deep rich soil. This five-mile, lollipop-shaped route winds through forests, wetlands, and grasslands, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and a colorful display of wildflowers in spring and summer.

The trail begins at Headquarters Pond in a forested area often visited by moose. About a half mile in, it intersects with the southeast Middle Pine Lake trailhead before continuing toward the loop section. Heading east, the trail opens into vast grasslands dotted with ponderosa pines and mima mounds —small, oval-shaped hills unique to Washington that are famous for their mystery as scientists still debate how they were formed. To the northeast, hikers can take in views of Mt. Spokane.

The path then skirts Stubblefield Lake before entering a lightly forested area. Here, hikers can see scorch marks from prescribed burns, which help improve wildlife habitat and reduce wildfire risk. The trail continues past Lower Pine Lake (Cheever Lake), a prime spot for spotting nesting trumpeter swans, otters, and various duck species. Beyond the lake, the loop reconnects with the main trail.

While some sections may be muddy during spring runoff, they offer rewarding views of wetlands teeming with waterfowl before gradually drying out in summer.

Trail surface: Gravel, dirt, and natural surfaces

West Blackhorse is a lollipop-shaped trail where visitors can stop at one of the refuge’s outdoor pavilions. Keep an eye out for black-capped chickadees — one of Turnbull’s most curious year-round residents — who often investigate passing hikers.

Beyond the pavilion, the trail loops through a ponderosa pine forest surrounded by marsh habitat, offering opportunities to spot diverse wildlife.

The trail shares a parking area with Blackhorse Lake Boardwalk and has four parking spaces including one accessible and an accessible vault toilet.

Trail surface: Woodchips dirt and other natural surfaces.