Welcome to Friends of Phillips FarmFor over a decade, volunteers have helped build and maintain many parts of Virgil Phillips Farm County Park. Longtime friends of the farm have created a nonprofit to better organize these efforts and related fund-raising. This website showcases current and past activities and volunteer projects, coming events, and what's on the horizon for "friends" to do at Phillips Farm. Join us!
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Nature Day Camp in June 2026: Registration Open!
Do your kids enjoy summer outdoor adventure? Day campers at our Phillips Farm Nature Camp discover all that nature has to offer as they hike the trails, explore the pond, and learn about local wildlife. Songs, games, and outdoor adventures make this camp a summer highlight. We offer three five-day camps in June -- sign up for one or more!
Session dates: June 8th-12th; June 15th-19th; June 22nd-26th
Read details here.
Session dates: June 8th-12th; June 15th-19th; June 22nd-26th
Read details here.
Birds of the Month: Tree Swallow
The April Bird-of-the-Month for Phillips Farm is the Tree Swallow. Use our guide to help you spot this bird!
For past months birds -- Western Meadowlark, Bullock's Oriole, Swainson's Thrush, Western Wood-Pewee, Chipping Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Raven -- please see our Field Guides webpage.
For past months birds -- Western Meadowlark, Bullock's Oriole, Swainson's Thrush, Western Wood-Pewee, Chipping Sparrow, Red-tailed Hawk, Common Raven -- please see our Field Guides webpage.
Trail Use: Open for Hiking (Closed to Mountain Bikes)
Park trails are open for hiking (unless otherwise noted for maintenance).
- Enjoy hiking, snowshoeing or sledding, weather permitting!
- New kiosks provide a park map and information. New signage along the trails offers more about local flora and fauna.
- Notes:
- The Red-Tailed Hawk and Bluebird multi-use trails are closed due to severe erosion and weed infestations. As a result, biking at the park is no longer permitted. We regret that the park’s venture into mountain biking hasn’t worked out.
- In Fall 2025, Latah County has partnered with the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District to implement a fuels reduction project at Virgil Phillips Farm and neighboring private properties to reduce wildfire risk.
Park Vegetation Management Plan
One mission of Friends of Phillips Farm is "to restore and enhance habitat that is characteristic of the Palouse Bioregion." Our vegetation management plan describes vegetation management challenges facing the park, states overarching and unit-specific objectives for management, and proposes treatments to achieve goals. Read more about our project here and access our vegetation management plan here.
