Bluebird Hiking Trail is a 3.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Cheney, Washington that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
The Bluebird Hiking Trail in the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge near Spokane Washington is a short loop hike that is great for the whole family. Make sure to bring a field guide because 27 different duck species frequent the refuge. Also make sure to keep an eye peeled for moose and elk. This is a kid friendly and dog friendly hike, but your furry kids must be on leash. You can do this hike as an out and back hike, or hike the trail and loop back to the trailhead by hiking back along the very scenic road, or start your hike at the trailhead and have somebody pick you up at the other end. (Please note that the automobile road is a one way loop, so you will have to loop all the way around if you want to drive back to the trailhead.) While the Bluebird Hiking Trail is probably the least scenic trail in this very beautiful refuge, it is nonetheless a rewarding walk through this special place.
June 15, 2020I took this trail today, June 14 for some birdwatching. Had an encounter with a fledgling bluebird! also managed to spot several eastern kingbirds, a red winged black bird, a woodpecker of some kind. I got back to my car and found two ticks crawling on me which sounds much better than those that hiked this trail a month ago. The sign says "rough trail" but it's not so bad. it's just more natural than many well-traveled or paved over trails
May 9, 2020Don’t go for a while! I usually love this trail, but my dog and I are covered in ticks. Like 30 or so.
May 7, 2020This trail is covered in ticks. Boyfriend and I had at least 20 on both of us, and over 25 on the dog. We didn’t walk the whole thing due to there being too many ticks. The trail was nice, saw 2 deer and lots of turkey. Very easy walk. Bring extra clothes to change into for after your walk.
December 10, 2019Not moderate at all. Nice easy hike, half on a road
December 10, 2019Easy, enjoyable trail through the woods.
September 21, 2019Started on the Bluebird trail and then connected to other Turnbull trails. Hiking the road is surprisingly nice. Very little traffics. Nice surface. Shade. The Bluebird trail is also nice except for heavy gravel in center section where shared with service road. Not a good surface for hiking.
March 29, 2018The hike is an out and back, so it is not as interesting as other trails. However, it was still beautiful and a nice hike to do.
March 23, 2018I have hiked this trail many times over the past few years and my experience is different every time depending on the time of year. In March- April I have noticed a lot of bluebirds as the trail name suggests, both the western and mountain bluebird, nut hatches, northern flickers. Sometimes on the back side of the trail you can see Elk and Moose. My favorite experience so far is a couple bucks sparing in early October. May - August, There are some coyotes there that howl at sunset, a group in the public area and a group in the off limits area. One group will howl then stop and listen to the other group howl. It’s an amazing thing to hear. Only downside is there are a lot of ticks in Turnbull so bring the bug spray.
February 13, 2018Hike was really pretty. It was flooded in a few spots so we had to navigate around them but were able to make due :]
July 22, 2017The route shown for this hike is incorrect for the first part of the hike. The true trailhead is a short distance into the 5 mile driving route. You can either park at headquarters and walk down the driving route to find the trailhead or drive there and drive the rest of the one way loop afterward. The incorrect route takes you through the refuge's maintenance area and on a service road. I enjoyed this trail simply because it had coverage from the sun. Many other areas of the refuge are very exposed, and on a hot day that can be a lot to take in. Don't expect anything at the end though. It's a nice, but anticlimactic stroll through the forest.
April 26, 2017
First to ReviewThis is one of the many lovely nature trails in the Turnbull Refuge. I did this trail today as a loop, hiking back along the very scenic road. This trail is not quite as lovely as some of those that pass along the lakes and marshes, but it is a nice hike just the same. It is worth mentioning that I costs $3.00 for an access pass at the entrance to Turnbull Wildlife Refuge. You pay in an envelope at the gate, and put the dated receipt in your car window.
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