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Riverside State Park
No trip to Spokane is complete without a stop at Riverside State Park. Approximately nine miles from Spokane, Riverside provides recreational opportunities for almost every type of visitor. From mountain biking to horseback riding, rock climbing and hiking. Riverside has it all!
You can go as easy or hardcore as you like here. Fifty-five miles of trails will keep hikers and mountain bikers busy. The 40-mile, mixed-use Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail extends from the Idaho border to Nine Mile Recreation Area. Equestrians will find a horse-friendly campground, 25 miles of trails, obstacle course, and riding arena with a 60-foot round pen. Off-road vehicle drivers have 600 acres of special terrain. The Little Spokane River welcomes paddle-sports enthusiasts (inner tubes, bikes, and pets prohibited). Lake Spokane invites boaters, anglers, and water sports fans. And, for those who equate vacation with relaxation, day-use areas, picnic shelters, and three different campgrounds offer solid family and camp chair time.
In winter, Riverside is a prime recreation hub for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Riverside has deep historical significance as a gathering place for Native American tribes and as a thriving fur trade hub. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many of the park's structures during the Great Depression, which still stand today. The pedestrian suspension bridge at Bowl and Pitcher replaced a CCC bridge built in 1940.
Riverside is close to restaurants, shops, and coffee stops in Spokane. Indeed, Riverside has everything a traveler could want, except more vacation time.
Park features
Riverside State Park occupies 9,194 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. With nearly 200,000 feet of shoreline, Riverside is home to Ponderosa pines, a lake, marshes, and a wide variety of wildlife.
Automated pay station: This park is equipped with four automated pay stations for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass.
ADA amenities/facilities
- Campgrounds
- Restrooms
- Hiking trails
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities
Picnic & day-use facilities
Bowl and Pitcher offers two picnic shelters without electricity and 30 unsheltered picnic tables available first-come, first-served. The shelter closest to the main day-use parking lot has one picnic table and the shelter across the river has four picnic tables. The CCC Kitchen Shelter at the Bowl and Pitcher is reservable by calling (509) 327-2635. This log shelter accommodates a maximum of 60 people, includes electricity, a wood stove, sink, and six picnic tables.
Nine Mile Recreation Area offers three kitchen shelters with water and electricity. Shelters are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Activities
Trails
- 55 miles of hiking trails
- One mile of ADA-accessible hiking trail
- 55 miles of bike trails
- 25 miles of horse trails
Water activities & features
- 120 feet of dock
- Boating (motorized and nonmotorized)
- Fishing (freshwater)
- Swimming
- Watercraft launches (3)
- Waterskiing
- White-water kayaking
Winter recreation
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Snow play
Other activities & features
- Bird watching
- Dump stations (2)
- Interpretive activities
- Interpretive center
- Mountain biking
- Off-road vehicle park
- Rock climbing
- Wildlife viewing
Concessions
- PNW Guided Trail Rides - If you are seeking a quiet and peaceful activity with some amazing scenery, consider a horseback trail ride. One and two hour and half-day rides are offered at Riverside March through December. To learn more and reserve a time, visit their website or Facebook.
Interpretive opportunities
Spokane House Interpretive Center in Nine Mile Falls explores the history of the early fur trade in the area and local Native American culture. The center is open Saturdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1 through September 30, and by appointment year-round.
Self-guided interpretive trails are located at Spokane House, along Little Spokane River between Painted Rocks and Highway 291 trailheads, and at Deep Creek.
A wayside exhibit at the site of Seven Mile Camp tells the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps and its role in building the park. Exhibits at Bowl and Pitcher explore the early history of the park as well as local tribal culture.
Additional information
- The park provides a 600-acre off-road vehicle area for all-terrain vehicles. All-terrain vehicles are only permitted in the off-road vehicle area. View printable brochure here.
- Centennial Trail offers more than 40 miles for biking, hiking, and other recreation along Spokane River.
- An equestrian area features 500-acres with loop trails and 40 miles of linear trails for horseback riding.
- Indian Painted Rocks Trailhead, in the Little Spokane River Natural Area, contains a protected Native American pictograph area.
- 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 and Wildlife website.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
Boating features
Located on Lake Spokane in Spokane, Stevens, and Lincoln counties, Riverside State Park has three watercraft launches and 120 feet of dock.
For man-powered vessels, Little Spokane River provides for a more scenic, slow-paced adventure. Inner tubes, dogs, bikes, swimming, and alcohol are not allowed.
Spokane River is for adventure seekers with whitewater rapids. Take caution as Spokane River is hazardous in places and should not be run without local knowledge.
Launching a boat at a state park requires one of the following:
- An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit); or
- An annual Discover Pass and a daily launch permit; or
- A one-day Discover Pass and a daily launch permit.
A daily watercraft launching permit for $7.
Annual launch permits may be purchased at Washington State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
motorized BOAT LAUNCHES
Hwy 291:
Latitude: 47° 47' 19.36" N (47.7887)
Longitude: 117° 31' 55.92" W (-117.5322)
NINE MILE RECREATION AREA:
Latitude: 47° 47' 38.04" (47.7939)
Longitude: -117° 34' 1.92" (-117.5672)
Lake Spokane campground:
Latitude: 47° 50' 2.76" (47.8341)
Longitude: -117° 45' 38.88" (-117.7608)
non-motorized BOAT LAUNCHES
Spokane River
Plese Flats
Latitude: 47° 43' 40.08" N (47.7278)
Longitude: 117° 30' 41.4" W (-117.5115)
Nine Mile Dam Take-Out
Latitude: 47° 46' 27.84" N (47.7744)
Longitude: 117° 32' 51.72" W (-117.5477)
Little Spokane River
St. George’s Kayak Put-In
Latitude: 47° 46' 4.8" N (47.7680)
Longitude: 117° 45' 50.4" W (-117.7640)
Indian Painted Rocks Kayak Put-In/Take-Out
Latitude: 47° 47' " N (47.7807)
Longitude: 117° 31' " W (-117.4965)
Hwy 291 Take-Out
Latitude: 47° 47' 8.88" N (47.7858)
Longitude: 117° 31' 52.68" W (-117.5313)
Campsite information
Bowl and Pitcher Campground has 16 standard campsites, 13 partial-hookup campsites, two full-hookup campsites, two cabins, one dump station, and two restrooms (both with showers). Maximum site length is 45 feet (may have limited availability).
Equestrian Campground has 10 standard and 10 partial-hookup equestrian campsites. Each campsite has a corral. There are two restrooms with no showers.
Lake Spokane Campground has 10 standard campsites, one companion campsite, a boat launch, boat wash station, and a bathroom with showers.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.
Group accommodations
Bowl and Pitcher Campground has two group camps that accommodate 40 to 60 tent campers with a water spigot but no electrical. No RVs. Fees vary based on group size.
Lake Spokane Campground offers one group camp to accommodate up to 25 campers; tents and RV/trailer allowed. There is space for one RV/trailer with full hook-ups.
cabins
Bowl and Pitcher Campground has two cabins that can accommodate a maximum of five people each. The cabins are 20-feet-by-20 feet, ADA compliant and open year-round. Each has a restroom with a shower and toilet and a kitchen with a sink and microwave oven. Each cabin features a futon that unfolds to accommodate two people and a bunk bed set that sleeps two people on the lower bed and one on the upper bed. Guests must bring their own linens, including towels. Cabin C2-Tamarack is pet friendly, with a maximum of two pets and a $15 per night fee. For outdoor enjoyment and cooking, each cabin area has a firepit with a grate and a picnic table. Cabins are heated but do not have air conditioning.
For more information, visit our cabins and yurts page.
Reservations & fees
Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. For fee information, check out our camping rates page.
Weather forecast
Contact Us
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RIVERSIDE STATE PARK
9711 W. Charles Road
Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026
(509) 465-5064
HOURS
Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed 12:00-1:00 p.m.
BOWL & PITCHER CAMPGROUND
Operating dates: year-round
4427 N Aubrey L White Parkway
Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 625-5553
NINE MILE RECREATION AREA
Operating dates: April 1 - Oct. 31
11226 W Charles Road
Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026
(509) 468-2286
LAKE SPOKANE CAMPGROUND
Operating dates: April 1 - Oct. 31
7453 Highway 291
Tum Tum, WA 99034
(509) 258-9115
Campsite & group accommodations
Phone: (888) 226-7688Website: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/
HOURS
April 1 - Oct. 31
6:30 a.m. - dusk
Nov. 1 - Mar. 31
8 a.m. - dusk