State Parks will manage areas owned by Avista at Nine Mile, Lake Spokane

OLYMPIA – May 3, 2022 – On May 1, Washington State Parks began managing more than 15 recreation sites owned by Avista Utilities. The properties sit around the Spokane River, Nine Mile Dam, Lake Spokane and Long Lake Dam.

According to a new five-year agreement, State Parks will operate the Avista sites as part of Riverside State Park. The land parcels, which total 2,000 acres, include six trailheads, two water access sites, two overlooks,10 boat-in campsites and one picnic area on Lake Spokane.

The trailheads are:

• Klondike Rocks
• Muley Canyon
• South Shore
• Devil's Gap
• Long Lake TDG
• North Shore

The boat-in campsites, which are all first-come-first-served, are located at:

• Muley Canyon
• South Shore
• North Shore

Day-use areas are:

• Nine Mile Dam take-out
• Nine Mile Dam overlook
• Klondike Rocks
• Muley Canyon
• South Shore
• Devil's Gap
• Long Lake Dam picnic area
• Long Lake Dam overlook
• Long Lake TDG
• Long Lake Dam put-in

Beginning July 1, day visitors must display a Discover Pass at all areas except for Long Lake Dam overlook, Nine Mile Dam overlook and Long Lake picnic area. Day users must purchase the Discover Pass in advance online at www.discoverpass.wa.gov or from a licensed vendor.

Visitors can camp overnight in designated boat-in camping areas. Pay stations will be located in the camping areas. Each campsite costs $12 per night.

One vault toilet will be located at the Long Lake Dam picnic area. Each camping area also will have one vault toilet.

As part of its federal license to operate five Spokane River hydroelectric facilities, Avista has expanded, enhanced and preserved local recreation sites. Improvements have included facility development and access for individuals with disabilities. Avista has also partnered with parks agencies to operate and maintain these resources. The new agreement allows Avista to further enhance its recreation areas by partnering with State Parks on maintenance, safety support and enforcement. State Parks and Avista had entered into a similar agreement from 2012 through 2018.

News media contacts:
Lara Gricar, Acting Area Manager, Inland Northwest, 509-570-2763, lara.gricar@parks.wa.gov
Meryl Lassen, Communications Consultant, Washington State Parks media@parks.wa.gov