Washington State Parks

Park overview:

Centennial Trail State Park is a 37 mile paved trail, managed by Riverside State Park. The park consists of a paved trail meandering along the Spokane River and extending from Nine Mile Falls to the Idaho state line.

Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.

Park hours/updates:

Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

The park is open year round for day use.

Agency information:

Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.

Campsite Information:

This is a day-use park, but two campgrounds are available at nearby Riverside State Park, located at mile 31 of the Centennial Trail. The Bowl and Pitcher area campground has 16 standard campsites, 16 utility hookup sites with electricity and water, one dump station and two restrooms, both with showers. Maximum site length is 45 feet (may have limited availability). The Nine Mile Recreation Area, two miles past the end of the trail, has three tent sites and 21 RV sites of varying length. For reservations call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

Driving Directions

Located along the Spokane River, between Nine Mile Falls, Wash., and the Idaho state border in Spokane County.

Centennial Trail can be reached from any major crossroad that intersects the Spokane River. The park trail follows the river from Nine Mile Falls, WA to the Idaho state line.

Park Maps

List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.

Park Features

This park consists of a 37-mile long, 12-foot wide paved trail extending from Nine Mile Falls (near Spokane) to the Idaho border. (On the Idaho side, the trail continues on.) The trail allows hikers, bikers, inline skaters and other foot-powered travelers to enjoy a leisurely stroll or an energetic workout. The trail follows the Spokane River, and is marked by sites of historic and archaeological interest.

History

The trail was dedicated and named the Centennial Trail in 1989, in commemoration of Washington state's 100th birthday that year.

The trail contains interpretive signs and 42 historical sites, most of which remain unmarked. Traveling west from the state line, one passes the site of the first bridge built over the Spokane River in 1864, and the site of the white settlement that preceded the city of Spokane. At milepost #2 sets the Horse Slaughter Camp monument. This is the site on which, in 1858, Colonel George Wright and his troops rounded up and killed 800 Indian horses to discourage future Indian uprisings. The bones of the horses remained visible until WWII and some are still found in the area.

Down river from the Maribeau Park area is Plantes Ferry County Park. Here Isaac Stevens, the first territorial governor, met with the Upper and Middle Spokane in December, 1855. Also on this site, Antoine Plante operated a ferry from 1852 until 1864, when the Spokane bridge was built.

At milepost 22 the Centennial Trail runs through Riverfront Park, the site of the 1974 World's Fair and Spokane Falls. Miles 28 through 37 run through Riverside State Park on Aubrey L. White Parkway which was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and still features CCC stone work and retaining walls.

Interpretive opportunities

Washington State Parks is currently working with the Spokane Tribes and the Friends of the Centennial Trail to create marking and interpretation of over 40 sites. Contact Riverside State Park for questions regarding interpretive opportunites at (509) 465-5064

Services/Supplies

	Available in the area
	• Camping • Fishing/hunting • Pay phone • Swimming

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 37 mi. Hiking Trails • 37 mi. Bike Trails	• Fishing (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) • White-water Kayaking	• Bird Watching • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Wildlife Viewing
The park, which is a 37-mile-long trail, is open to hikers, mountain bikers, joggers, roller bladers and (in some spots) equestrians. The trailheads are marked with the Centennial Trail logo. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website.

Events

Find other events at Washington State Parks

Winter Recreation

• Cross-country Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Snow Play

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Badgers • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Foxes • Marmots • Marten • Moose • Muskrats • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels • Weasels	• Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Grouse • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Swans • Woodpeckers	• Catfish • Trout • Walleye

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
At mile marker #36, the visitor can explore fossil beds in the Deep Creek area of the trail. The Center of Northwest Anthropology at Washington State University conducted an archaeological survey at the site, uncovering evidence of life dating back 11,000 years. The study determined that civilizations past used the Spokane River for transportation, a food source, and a place of gathering.		• Douglas Fir • Ponderosa Pine • Alder • Apple • Maple • Paintbrush • Rose • Berries • Ferns • Poison Oak

Park photo gallery