Construction to begin on the new Knothead Valley Trailhead and parking area

SPOKANE — Beginning next week, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will start work on a grant-funded project to build a new trailhead and expand parking access to the popular Knothead Loop Trail in Riverside State Park. Construction will tentatively be completed by July. 

Due to the popularity of the trailhead and the size of the existing parking area, State Parks has seen an increase in the number of cars parking along the side of the road. For the safety of our visitors and to improve their overall experience, State Parks will add 38 new parking spots with easy trail access and an additional vault toilet. 

In total, this project will add: 

• 38 additional parking spaces
• Two ADA Accessible parking spaces
• A new vault toilet
• A new information Kiosk
• Accessible trail access to the Knothead Loop Trail No. 500 and to the Little Spokane River Trail No. 501
• New parking lot gates that will be locked overnight 

A 750-foot section of the 7.5-mile trail will be closed periodically during construction. Visitors can still access and use the open portions of the trail, but they may not be able to complete it as a loop. Visitors may also experience periodic delays on Rutter Parkway. 

For your safety and the safety of our crews and landscape, please respect this closure and stay on the designated trail when visiting.