Mount Spokane: All Content
Park overview:
Mount Spokane State Park is a 13,919-acre camping park in the Selkirk Mountains. The view at the top of the 5,883-foot elevation includes surrounding states and Canada. The forested park features stands of old-growth timber and granite rock outcroppings. In winter, the park receives 300 inches of snow.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: Campground closed Sept. 1 to July 1, depending on snow conditions. The day-use area is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (after cross-country ski trails are groomed). A Sno-Park permit is required from Nov. 1 through May 1. Parking in snowmobile lots or cross-country ski areas requires a groomed trail permit.
Night skiing is available on lighted alpine trails and unlighted cross-country trails. Call park for specific seasonal information.
Campground closes Sept. 15, reopening depends on snow conditions.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Current alerts:
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.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has 8 standard campsites with water and a flush restroom. Maximum site length is 30 feet (may have limited availability). No ADA facilities.Group Accommodations:
The park provides a group camp that accommodates up to 60 people. A vault toilet is available. Fees vary with size of the group. Call the park for information at (509) 238-4258.2013 camping fees:
Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Brooks Memorial, Columbia Hills, Conconully, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Driving Directions
Located 25 miles northeast of Spokane, Wash. in Spokane County.Park address:
N. 26107 Mt. Spokane Park Dr.
Mead, WA 99021
From Spokane:
Drive north on Hwy. 2 to Hwy. 206. Follow Hwy. 206 for 15 miles to park entrance.
Park Maps
Mount Spokane downloadable pdf map #1
Mount Spokane downloadable pdf map #2List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.
Park Features
On fine days, the summit of Mount Spokane offers spectacular views of Washington, Idaho and Montana. The park is rich in winter snow-sport opportunities.
History
The mountain has been called Mount Carlton and Mount Baldy. The road to the top was constructed by Francis H. Cook in 1912. The area was the first state park east of the Cascades, and the Civilian Conservation Corps accomplished the initial development. The mountain has been a popular ski area since 1950. The area has undergone destruction by fire and construction by development since then. The park, the city, the river and most everything else in the area derive its name from an Indian word which, most experts agree, means "sun."Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Camping • Pay phone | • Camping • Fishing/hunting • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone |
Most services are available within 20 miles of the park. Snowmobile trails are groomed and open until 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 100 mi. Hiking Trails • 90 mi. Bike Trails • 100 mi. Horse Trails | • Bird Watching • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Wildlife Viewing | |
The park features 25 kilometers of beautifully groomed Nordic ski trails that are multi-use in the spring, summer and fall and for cross-country skiing when there is snow. The park has extensive ski areas and groomed trails for snowmobiling. Alpine night-skiing is permissible on all trails, though the Nordic trails are unlit. There are five chair lifts and a 2,000-foot skiing hill. Call the lodge at (509) 238-2220 for more information and (509) 238-4025 for a daily snow report. Groomed snowmobile trails are open until 10 p.m. | ||
Events
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Feb. 10 | Spokane Langlauf 10K Cross – Country Ski Race: Skiers of all levels of experience are invited to the 10K cross-country ski race through Mount Spokane State Park. This is the 35th anniversary of the 10- kilometer classic citizen race. Elite and Fast zones are open to those with USSA competitor’s licenses. Beginner skiers, very young athletes and participants wanting to enjoy the scenery of Mount Spokane are welcome to register for the Fun Zone. The first 400 registrants will receive a commemorative ski pin. Prize will be awarded to top winners. Hot soup and refreshments provided by Europa will be available to participants after the race. Online registration is open through Feb. 6. Late, in-person registration is available from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at Fitness Fanatics in Spokane. Presented by the Langlauf Association. The Spokane Langlauf is one of four events in the Selkirk Nordic Series. For more information, visit www.spokanelanglauf.org or email skixc@hotmail.com. |
Mount Spokane (509) 238-4258 |
| Feb. 23 | Group Health/Providence Health Care Challenge: The last race in the Selkirk Nordic Series, ski through Mount Spokane State Park during the Group Health and Providence Health Care Challenge. Registration required for participation. For more information, visit www.spokanenordic.org. |
Mount Spokane (509) 238-4258 |
| March 3 | Selkirk Challenge 35/50K: Take the Selkirk Challenge through Mount Spokane State Park, a 35K and 50K self-timed freestyle cross-country ski race. Registration required for participation. For more information, visit www.spokanenordic.org. |
Mount Spokane (509) 238-4258 |
| Oct. 6 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Mount Spokane 50K/25K: Transverse the trails of Mount Spokane State Park during the 50K and 25K up Mount Kit Carson, Day Mountain and Mount Spokane. Challenge yourself, then celebrate at the post-race party with refreshments. Registration and fee required for participation. Event t-shirts available for purchase. Presented by Rainshadow Running. For course details or to register, visit www.mtspokane50k.blogspot.com/p/info.html. |
Mount Spokane (509) 238-4258 |
Winter Recreation
• Skiing• Cross-country Skiing
• Dog Sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park has one kitchen shelter without electricity. Call the park office at (509) 238-4258 for reservations.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bears • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Marten • Minks • Moose • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels • Weasels | • Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Eagles • Grouse • Hawks • Hummingbirds • Jays • Owls • Turkeys • Woodpeckers | • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| Mount Spokane is the most southerly peak in the Selkirk Chain. The park has granite outcroppings. | • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Nobel Fir • Ponderosa Pine • Spruce • Yew • Alder • Ash • Birch • Maple • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Orchids • Paintbrush • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Thistle |
Park photo gallery
