Sydney Sweeney has named two outdoor destinations near her Spokane-area roots: Schweitzer Mountain Resort and Coeur d’Alene. She has also recalled childhood berry picking and “hidden little waterfalls” north of Spokane, but did not identify those falls. Her interview offers personal memories and favorites, not a ranked list of the region’s best spots.
What Sydney Sweeney says she enjoys outdoors near Spokane
In a Travel + Leisure interview updated February 28, 2026, Sweeney said she grew up outside Spokane near the Washington–Idaho border and returns home often. “I go home all the time,” she told the publication. She described the Pacific Northwest as a place where “everything that you can do outdoors” is beautiful, and recalled picking berries with her mother and brother.
Her childhood memories include “hidden little waterfalls” north of Spokane, near the border. Sweeney did not name a waterfall, trailhead, route, or access point, so the recollection cannot be used as directions to a particular site. The interview also does not establish whether the falls she remembers are publicly accessible or safe to visit.
The two named places in her interview
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Schweitzer is the clearest named mountain destination in Sweeney’s comments. “During the winter, it’s a beautiful ski resort, and during the summer, you can mountain bike and hike,” she said. Travel + Leisure places the resort about 80 miles northeast of Spokane and describes it as Idaho’s largest ski and snowboard destination. The distance and resort description are the publication’s claims in its 2026 feature.
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Coeur d’Alene and its lake
“Coeur d’Alene’s really beautiful,” Sweeney said, connecting the area with “hikes and nature” and spending time outdoors. Travel + Leisure describes Lake Coeur d’Alene as Idaho’s second-largest lake, with 135 miles of shoreline. That figure is attributed to the publication’s 2026 feature, rather than an independently verified measurement here.
Other Spokane-area trails and outdoor ideas
The following options come from regional and county visitor information, not from Sweeney’s personal recommendations. They can help turn the general appeal of Spokane’s outdoors into a practical trip plan.
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Hiking routes listed by Visit Spokane
Visit Spokane’s hiking guide includes Iller Creek/Rocks of Sharon, Rimrock Drive and Palisades Park, Dishman Hills Natural Area, Liberty Lake Loop, Mount Kit Carson, Palouse Falls, Bowl and Pitcher, Knothead Loop, Deep Creek Canyon, Antoine Peak, Saltese Uplands, Beacon Hill, and Tubbs Hill. The guide lists Iller Creek/Rocks of Sharon as a five-mile loop from the Iller Creek trailhead and describes Rimrock Drive/Palisades Park as having multiple route options. Distances, difficulty, and access can vary; consult the current Visit Spokane hiking guide before setting out.
Spokane County conservation areas
Spokane County says its Conservation Futures areas are open for passive, non-motorized, trail-based recreation. The county suggests McKenzie or James T. Slavin for easy-to-moderate hiking; Mica Peak, Dishman Hills, or Antoine Peak for a workout with a view; and Saltese Uplands for mountain biking. These are county suggestions, not places Sweeney named. Check the county’s Conservation Areas information for site details.
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More ways to get outside
Visit Spokane’s outdoor activity guide also covers the Centennial Trail, Liberty Lake Regional Park, rafting, and climbing. It describes the Centennial Trail as a 42-mile paved trail; the guide does not state a publication date for that figure. See Visit Spokane’s outdoor activity guide for visitor information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use Sweeney’s list when planning a visit
Choose based on the outing you want, rather than treating the interview as a ranking. Schweitzer is the named resort option for winter skiing and warm-season hiking or mountain biking; Coeur d’Alene is the named lakeside setting associated in her comments with hikes and nature. The regional trail and conservation-area suggestions offer additional possibilities, with different activity types and routes.
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- Match the destination to the season and activity, such as skiing, hiking, biking, or water recreation.
- Check current trail conditions, access rules, and seasonal operations with the relevant official destination manager before traveling.
- Keep the waterfall memory in its proper context: it is an anecdote, not a named or mapped attraction.
Sources
- Travel + Leisure: “Discover Sydney Sweeney’s Favorite Outdoor Escapes,” updated February 28, 2026
- Visit Spokane: Spokane hiking trails
- Spokane County: Conservation Areas
- Visit Spokane: Outdoor activities to guide your trip
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