Complete information for Mount Spokane

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. 15 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.

Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks

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.

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.

Overnight Accommodations

For a unique and memorable vacation, spend the night in the fire lookout that sits atop the rocky summit of Quartz Mountain in Mount Spokane State Park. Perched at an elevation of 5,129 feet, the lookout provides stunning views of the Spokane valley, the north Idaho panhandle and the Selkirk Mountains. In the summer, the landscape is wildflowers and huckleberries. The lookout is 14-by-14 feet in size. It is a wood-frame structure with wrap-around windows and deck and sleeps four comfortably. Visitors may take along their own food and a propane stove is available for cooking. There is no electricity in the lookout.For more information visit the cabins/yurts page To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

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, 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 #2


List of all downloadable Washington State Park 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	• Camping • Fishing/hunting • Overnight Accommodations

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 50 kilometers of Nordic ski trails through widely varying terrain for both classic and skate skiing when there is snow. The Nordic trails are professionally groomed 5 days a week (weather permitting). For a daily grooming report call (509) 238-4025. 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. For a daily snow report call (509) 238-4025. Groomed snowmobile trails are open until 10 p.m.

Events

Events
Date/time	Event description	State Park
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

Full list of events at Washington State Parks

Winter Recreation

• Skiing
• Cross-country Skiing
• 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