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Odessa Craters

Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene
47.4211, -118.6909 Map & Directions
Length
1.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
135 feet
Highest Point
1,783 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Easy
Odessa Craters on a cloudy day. Photo by trip reporter PNWstelladog
  • Good for kids
  • Wildflowers/Meadows
  • Wildlife

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None
Saved to My Backpack

This short loop encompasses a host of different craters, all formed during 15,000 year old floods. Native vegetation, interesting scenery and plenty of benches make this trail a great opportunity to embrace Washington's natural history with the whole family. Continue reading

Rating
2.80 out of 5

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Hiking Odessa Craters

The Craters trail encompasses several different craters, and in spring, flora blooms clear skies make the whole area delightful. If you embark on a counter-clockwise route, there's a short uphill jaunt, but either direction offers hikers a nice hour-long walk if stopping to take photos.

The trail is less than two miles but can take a long time owing to the uniqueness of the area. It isn't often one can get so close to something as dramatic as this.

The highlight of the area is Amphitheatre Crater. Dropping down into a basin, you'll encounter a small lake with concentric fins of rock ringing around the pool. Impressive for adults and children alike.

There are no water sources, so bring your own. Better yet, finish the trip with lunch back in town at the Odessa Drive-In.

WTA Pro Tip: Check out the Cache Crater Overlook across the road from Odessa Craters for even more cool geological marvels.

Toilet Information

  • No toilet at trailhead

More information about toilets

Hike Description Written by
Multiple authors contributed to this report, WTA Community

Odessa Craters

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 47.4211, -118.6909 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

None

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Odessa Craters are almost straight north on Highway 21 from the down of Odessa. Driving on I-90, take exit 206, signed for SR 21 and Lind/Odessa. From the exit ramp, turn north, then and drive 18 miles into Odessa. Pass through town, and continue 6.5 miles to the parking area signed for Odessa Craters.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

Eastern Washington > Spokane Area/Coeur d'Alene

Bureau of Land Management

Guidebooks & Maps

Best Desert Hikes: Washington (Bauer & Nelson - Mountaineers Books)

On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods (Bruce Bjornstad - Keokee Books)

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Moses Lake

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Odessa Craters

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