Riverside State Park is to Spokane what Central Park is to New York City or Golden Gate is to San Francisco. Located a few miles from downtown Spokane, this 11,162-acre park is almost too big and diverse to wrap your mind around. All that beauty and diversity means you could spend weeks at Riverside and not do the same thing twice!
Go easy or hardcore:
Over 50 miles of trails keep hikers and mountain bikers busy.
The 40-mile, mixed-use Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail extends from Nine Mile Recreation Area east to the Idaho border.
Equestrians find horse-friendly campsites, 50-plus miles of trails, an obstacle course, an arena and a 60-foot round pen.
Off-road vehicle drivers have 600 acres of special terrain, including a special beginner area.
Paddlers swear by the Little Spokane River.
Boaters, anglers and water sports fans love Lake Spokane.
And, for those who equate vacation with relaxation, picnic shelters and campgrounds offer social and camp chair time.
Seasonal Spectacles
For a fall color show, stroll among the willows, black cottonwoods and quaking aspens on the Spokane and Little Spokane River. Spring is Riverside’s most vibrant season, when the balsamroot, lupine and lomatiums come into bloom.
Winter White
Crisp mornings and bluebird days make October the perfect time to get active at Riverside, but the park doesn’t shut down in the snow. Dressed in sparkly white, this is a winter recreation hub for family fun.
Historic Significance
In addition to scenic beauty and the multitude of activities, Riverside State Park has historical significance as a gathering place for Native American tribes and a fur trade hub. The Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the park’s structures in the 1930s, including the suspension bridge across the Spokane River at Bowl and Pitcher.
Take a Walk or a Spin Down the Centennial Trail
One of Washington’s five long distance trails, the Centennial follows the sometimes tumultuous Spokane River over bridges and trestles.
Walk or ride through historic downtown Spokane.
Keep hoofing or pedaling east to the valley, where Arbor Crest Winery and Antoine Peak views meet suburban conveniences.
Take a Day Off
Just need an urban day on your visit to Riverside? Give the camp stove a rest, stash the hiking poles and head into Spokane. Shopping and dining await you in eastern Washington’s biggest city. Find coffee houses to fill latte cravings, visit the site of the 1974 World’s Fair and the Great Northern Railroad depot clock tower, built in 1902.
Indeed, Riverside State Park has everything a traveler could want, except more vacation time.
More information: http://parks.state.wa.us/573/Riverside
