Columbia Plateau State Park Trail is a day use park located in Eastern Washington. You can enjoy varied activities throughout the year including hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, birdwatching, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The amazing geologic story of the area is on display for you to see reminders of one of the world's largest volcanic fields eroded by the Ice Age floods. Mileposts along the trail are distances from Portland.
North portion: Spokane County
Travel along the semi-arid channeled scablands, starting at Fish Lake Trailhead in Spokane County. This 23-mile improved portion provides rest and swim stops at Cheney and Amber lakes, ending at Martin Road, south of Sprague. The first 3.75 miles is an asphalt trail, while the remaining 19.25 miles are crushed gravel with a gentle grade, which may be difficult for some visitors. The trail runs through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, home to deer, elk, moose, small mammals and 200 species of birds. The best times to visit are early morning and evening. Between March - May and September - November, you'll be treated to spring and fall bird migrations; you may even see a trumpeter swan. Make sure to stop at milepost 358 as this is the high point between Portland and Spokane.
South portion: Lincoln to Franklin counties
The southern end of the trail overlays the former Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railroad, which opened in 1908. This undeveloped portion of the trail continues along a portion of the Palouse River to Washtucna and on to the Snake River Canyon, where the canyons become larger and the cliffs steeper. Along the way, there are five tunnels (three of which are concrete-lined) ranging from 200 feet to nearly one-half mile long. The trail has several U.S. Army Corps of Engineers access points, and offers a connection to Sacajawea State Park at the southern end.
Winter Schedule
Learn about seasonal closers and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.