RIVERSIDE STATE PARK
Riverside State Park is a 10,000-acre camping park along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers in Eastern Washington. The park supports a wide variety of recreational activities and is rich in history. Freshwater marshes, running rivers and beautiful countryside make up the terrain. Riverside features a 600-acre off-road vehicle riding area for dirt bikes and snowmobiles, as well as 37 miles of hiking along the Centennial Trail and many more miles on other trails. Horseback riding and bicycling are possible in the park, along with all manner of watersport activity. Interpretive programs invite exploration of the region's history. This is a large park with several natural areas abundant with wildlife.
Nine Mile Recreation Area features a boat ramp and two docks. Motorized boating, canoeing and kayaking are permitted on Lake Spokane.
Park hours/updates:
Riverside State Parks is open year round.
Summer: 6:30 to dusk.Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Camping:Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.Check-out time, 1 p.m.Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Nine Mile Recreation Area is open May 22 through Sept. 15.
The ORV area is open all week, 8 a.m. - dusk through winter. The equestrian area will be open weekends only through November and then will close for the winter starting Dec. 1.
Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Badgers? Bears? Bobcats? Chipmunks? Coyotes? Deer or Elk? Foxes? Marmots? Marten? Minks? Moose? Muskrats? Otters? Rabbits? Raccoons? Skunks? Squirrels? Weasels? Crows or Ravens? Doves or Pigeons? Ducks? Eagles? Geese? Grouse? Hawks? Herons? Hummingbirds? Jays? Ospreys? Owls? Pheasants? Quail? Turkeys? Woodpeckers? Wrens? Bass? Bluegill? Bullhead? Catfish? Trout
Environmental Features Physical Features Plant Life Special ? Douglas Fir? Ponderosa Pine? Poplar? Poison Ivy
The park contains a protected Indian petroglyphs area.
The Civilian Conservation Corps developed the park from 1933 to 1936. The area was a major gathering site for Native American cultures in prehistoric times. The park contains the oldest log structure in Spokane County.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
Available in the park Available in the area? Boat rentals? Camping? Park store? Pay phone? 1 Horse stable? Fire wood? Auto repair? Airport? Camping? Diesel? Fishing/hunting? Gasoline? Gifts? Golf? Groceries? Hardware? Hospital? Overnight Accommodations? Pay phone? Postal service? Propane? Recreational equipment? White gas? Wood? Swimming
Guided float tours and interpretive and campfire programs are available at the park.
Riverside 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 campground is located in the Bowl and Pitcher area. For reservations call (888) CAMPOUT (888) 226-7688. Riverside campsite maps are available.
Nine Mile Recreation Area has three tent sites and 21 RV sites of varying length. Nine Mile Falls campsite maps are available.
Group Accommodations:One group camp has 13 utility hookup sites with electricity and water and two large tent areas that accommodate 30 or 60 people. Fees are based on number of campers. For information call (360) 902-8844. The two group camps are reservable year round by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
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 during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
The park has a boat ramp and 60 feet of dock. The Little Spokane River is restricted to kayaks, canoes and rafts. Innertubes are not allowed. The Spokane River is hazardous in places, and should not be run without local knowledge.
A daily permit is available for watercraft launching, vehicle parking and trailer dumping at the park for $5.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Enjoy fishing in the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers, home to Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Bullhead Catfish and Smallmouth Bass. The park also offers ice-fishing during winter months. For fly fishermen, there are designated areas along both rivers where you can cast your line for trout species.
Riverside State Park is located near Deer Park, Spokane
Riverside State Park: The park offers two kitchen shelters without electricity, plus 10 sheltered and 122 unsheltered picnic tables available first-come first served.
A kitchen shelter with electricity is reservable call (888)CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. This shelter is built of logs and provides a wood stove, sink and eight picnic tables, accommodating a maximum of 50 people.
Nine Mile Recreation Area: The park offers three reservable kitchen shelters with electricity. Two will accommodate 40 people; one will accommodate 20. To reserve call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Riverside State Park offers numerous picnic spots with tables, grills and restrooms. Some areas also provide stunning views of the Spokane River.
Birdwatchers can spot species such as the American Goldfinch, Bald Eagle and Red-tailed Hawk. The park's diverse habitats attract a variety of birds throughout the year. Birding trails offer opportunities to see waterfowl along Spokane River or songbirds in forested areas. Raptors are often sighted soaring above basalt cliffs while owls inhabit old growth forests.
The Spokane House Interpretive Center at Nine Mile Falls tells the history of the early fur trade in the area and its effects on the Native American population. The center is open Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day. An interpretive trail in Riverside State Park features guide-posts and a self-guiding brochure connecting the Indian Painted Rocks area with the mouth of the Little Spokane River. A kiosk at the site of Seven Mile camp tells the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps and its role in building the park.
Activities Trails Water Activities Other? 1 mi. ADA Hiking Trails? 55 mi. Hiking Trails? 55 mi. Bike Trails? 25 mi. Horse Trails? Boating (freshwater)? Boating (freshwater, non-motorized)? 2 boat ramps (freshwater)? 120 feet of dock (freshwater)? Fishing (freshwater)? Water Skiing (freshwater)? White-water Kayaking? All Terrain Vehicles Permitted? Bird Watching? 3 Fire Circles? Interpretive Activities? Mountain Biking? Museum? Rock Climbing? Wildlife Viewing
All-terrain vehicles are only permitted in off-road vehicle area.
The park provides a 600-acre off-road vehicle area for dirt bikes and snowmobiles and more than 37 miles for bike riding on the Centennial Trail, as well as other bike trails.
An equestrian area features several hundred acres with loop trails and the park offers 40 miles of linear trails for horseback riding.
Located northwest of Spokane, Wash., on the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers in Spokane County.
To Riverside campground: From I-90 take exit 280 (Maple Street) go north across the Spokane River, turn left at the second stop light onto Maxwell. Follow Maxwell, which becomes Pettit Dr., then Downriver Dr. and then becomes N. Aubrey L. White Pkwy at the park entrance. Continue on for two miles downriver to the Bowl & Pitcher day-use area and campground.
To ORV park: From I-90 take exit 280 (Maple St.) go north across the Spokane River. Take a left on Northwest Blvd. Stay on this road until Francis Ave. (Hwy 291) take a left. When the road bends north, it becomes Nine Mile Rd. Take a left on Seven Mile Rd. and follow the signs to the ORV area (approximately two miles).
Riverside State Park headquarters: From I-90 take exit 280 (Maple St), travel north across the Spokane River. Take a left on Northwest Blvd. Stay on this road until Francis Ave. (Hwy 291) take a left. When the road bends north, it becomes Nine Mile Rd. travel for six miles. After going through the town of Nine Mile Falls, take a left at the dam (Charles Rd). The park headquarters is on the left across the dam.
Nine Mile Recreation Area: From I-90, take exit 280 (Maple St.), travel north across the Spokane River. Take a left on Northwest Blvd. Stay on this road until Francis Ave (Hwy 291), take a left. When the road bends north, it becomes Nine Mile Road. Travel for six miles. After going through the town of Nine Mile Falls, take a left at the dam (Charles Road). Continue west on Charles Road for 1.3 miles and turn right (across from the church) into the park entrance.
Went to Riverside State park it was Earth Day and I had read the we were not going to need a Discovery pass. As I pulled in I asked the ranger who was working, male bald rude, if we needed a pass. He replied yes in a harsh tone then told me I had to go buy one. I parked, then walked up the pay station and on the bulletin board it was listed as a free day and people came up and told me not to pay because it was free. That was Ranger was rude and a idiot for not knowing his own job. Learn your job
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