A stone house and trees covered in snow

Top five state parks to see near Spokane and the Idaho Border

Not only does Spokane get four distinct seasons and lots of sunlight, it has two of our largest state parks, including one within Spokane’s city limits. This Pacific Northwest destination is an outdoor playground for equestrians, hikers, ORVers, mountain and road bikers, boaters, paddlers, skiers and snowshoers. No matter what your outdoor passion is, these inland Northwest state parks have something for you.

Larger Than Life: Five State Parks Near Spokane to Expand Your Horizons

Riverside (within Spokane)

What to do:

Where do we start? Everything! Seriously, this huge park has land and water-based activities for everyone who loves the outdoors.

  • Boating, paddling, swimming, mountain biking, off-roading, horseback riding, rock climbing, visiting historic sites and scenic overlooks, picnicking or napping in dappled sunlight.
  • For your first visit, we recommend starting at the churning Bowl and Pitcher area on the Spokane River, where you can cross the suspension bridge originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and rent a cabin for the night.
    A forest and winding river as seen from an overlook above.

Spokane River Centennial Trail, 25 min.

What to do:

  • Begin at the western end of the trail next to Nine Mile Falls and ride bikes on a paved trail through several Northwestern landscapes.
  • Cruise through the Ponderosa pine forests of Riverside State Park and then through historic downtown Spokane.
  • Pedal eastward into the Spokane Valley and extend your trip to the Northern Idaho Centennial Trail, which crosses the Trail of the Coeur d’ Alene.
    A view from a hill of a green valley with a river and bridge. Two bicyclists on the bridge.

Columbia Plateau Trail North, 35 min.

What to do:

  • Cycle the northern portion of this long-distance trail, starting at Fish Lake.
  • Ride south and west through the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge to Amber Lake — this makes for a 20-mile ride with a car shuttle, or up to 40 round-trip. Don’t miss this wetland refuge, a little-known treasure that sees over 200 species of birds, plus moose and elk.
Two interpretive panels at an overlook in front of a lake.

Palouse to Cascades Trail East, 50 min.

What to do:

  • Take a short drive south to Malden and ride bikes to Tekoa near the Idaho border.
  • If you like riding solo, recruit a friend for a key swap bike ride, or leave a second car at Tekoa at the eastern end of the trail and bike together through the golden fields, granaries and small towns of far eastern Washington.
  • Finish by crossing the historic Tekoa Trestle for a bird’s-eye view of the town amid rolling hills that turn green in spring and mauve in the evening.
    By Robert Ashford. Bridge trestle as seen from underneath, blue sky.
    Tekoa Trestle at the Eastern end of the Palouse to Cascades Trail. By Robert Ashworth of Bellingham.

Mount Spokane, one hour

What to do:

  • Take a mellow hike or a monster hike — Mount Spokane has over 90 miles of hiking and mixed-use trails in the Selkirk mountains, so you can cobble together a two, 12 or 25-mile adventure – or anything in between.
  • Hike among the wildflowers in June and July and pick berries in August! Parkgoers are serious about their huckleberries, so bring your pail and train your eyes to find these tiny delights, but don’t expect anyone to tell you where their best bushes are located.
  • Snowshoe or cross-country ski in winter. Mount Spokane becomes a Sno-Park with snowshoeing and groomed Nordic ski trails, warming huts and sparkly views.
  • The Mount Spokane Ski Area operates a downhill ski resort on slopes that hold excellent powder.
    A sunset over a lake and valley with a mountain casting a pyramid shadow over the land.
    Sunset shadow of Mount Spokane on the valley below. By Kristina Shupe.

Main header image: Mount Spokane Vista House in snow. By Andrew Fielding. 

Originally published February 05, 2026

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