You could hike for days and not see the same view twice at Mount Spokane State Park. One of Washington's largest state parks, Mount Spokane has 100 miles of trails in the richly forested Selkirk Mountains. The summits of Kit Carson, Day Mountain, and Mount Spokane are waiting to be conquered. The charming, historic Vista House atop Mount Spokane and the Quartz Mountain fire lookout provides stunning views of the Spokane Valley, the north Idaho panhandle, and Canada. In early summer, hikers stroll among bear grass, lupine, and other wildflowers, through Ponderosa pine and subalpine meadows. By late summer, the meadow grasses turn amber, huckleberries ripen and the fireweed is blooming. More than 79 miles of trail also are open to mountain bikers and equestrians, so feel free to take a good long ride. Just watch out for giant moose known to amble across the trail or road. Winter is the sparkly season at Mount Spokane State Park. Ice-encrusted trees stand out against crisp blue skies, while bundled skiers and snowshoers glide across blankets of white. Feeling the need for speed? Don your warm, windproof gear, and gas up your snowmobile; Mount Spokane has enough snow for both human-powered and motorized winter fun. When you tire of energy bars, electrolytes, and other hiking food, you can get a good meal in the bustling hub of Spokane. Mount Spokane has eight first-come-first-served campsites and the Quartz Mountain fire lookout, but more camping is available at Riverside State Park only 35 miles away. PARK FEATURES Mount Spokane State Park is a 12,293-acre camping park in the Selkirk Mountains with 100 miles of trails and panoramic views from the summit of 5,883-foot Mount Spokane. In winter, the park receives approximately 300 inches of snow. The state park also features nearly 60 kilometers or 37 miles of Nordic ski trails through widely varying terrain for both classic and skate skiing when there is snow. The Selkirk Lodge in the cross-country ski area provides restrooms, water, tables, and a wood stove. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. December through March. Along the trails, you can enjoy a break at the Nova Hut which offers tables and a wood stove. The Nordic trails are professionally groomed five days a week (weather permitting). Sixteen miles of groomed roads are available for snowmobiles and all types of non-motorized use. Other designated trail systems in the park that aren’t groomed are also open to non-motorized use including snowshoeing, back-country skiing and snowboarding, and fat-tire biking to name a few. Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page. Automated pay station: This park is equipped with an automated pay station for visitors to purchase a one-day or annual Discover Pass and a one-day or seasonal Sno-Park permit. Sno-Park permits are required at Mount Spokane from December through March.

No trip to Spokane is complete without a stop at Riverside State Park. Approximately 9 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 Nine Mile Recreation Area east to the Idaho border. Equestrians will find a horse-friendly campground, 25 miles of trails, and an obstacle course with a 60-foot round pen. Off-road vehicle drivers have 600 acres of special terrain. The Little Spokane River welcomes paddlesports enthusiasts (and prohibits inner tubes, bikes, and pets). Lake Spokane invites boaters, anglers, and water sports fans. And, for those who equate vacation with relaxation, day-use areas, picnic shelters and four different campgrounds offer solid family and camp chair time. In winter, Riverside is a prime recreation hub, boasting some of the best snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling east of the Cascades. 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 stands today. The pedestrian suspension bridge at Bowl and Pitcher replaced a CCC bridge built-in 1940. Riverside is close to the restaurants, shops, and coffee stops of Spokane. Indeed, Riverside State Park 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 just north of Spokane. With nearly 200,000 feet of shoreline, Riverside is home to Ponderosa pines, lakes, marshes, and a wide variety of wildlife. https://www.parks.wa.gov/573/Riverside

The western-most section of the Centennial Trail (Miles 27-39) begins at the south side of TJ Meenach Bridge, behind Spokane Falls Community College, in Riverside State Park. It ends at the Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area. This is by far the most challenging section of the Trail. Users are rewarded for their exertion with breathtaking views of the river and the wild beauty of Riverside State Park. The Urban section (Miles 13.5-27) follows Upriver Drive, continues through Mission Park, Gonzaga, and Riverpoint campuses, through Riverfront Park, Kendall Yards, and the West Central neighborhood, and takes you south across TJ Meenach Bridge. This portion is a great option for commuters and those wishing to explore downtown Spokane. Trail users should be aware of challenging intersections at Mission Park and construction in Riverfront Park and Post Street Bridge. For a leisurely ride, the Valley section (Miles 0-13.5) is the most suitable, with a mostly flat span extending west from the state line, past the Spokane Valley Mall, through a treed canopy alongside the river, ending approximately at the Maringo Trailhead, just east of Argonne Road in Millwood. https://spokanecentennialtrail.org/