Riverside State Park

Riverside State Park is a Washington state park located 9 miles (14 km) northwest of Spokane in the community of Nine Mile Falls. The park protects 11,162 acres (4,517 ha) of Okanagan dry forest along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers. It is the second largest state park in Washington after Mount Spokane State Park and is a popular recreation area for locals.[2]

Riverside State Park
Park area called the Bowl and Pitcher
Location in the state of Washington
LocationSpokane, Washington, United States
Coordinates47°44′36″N 117°32′07″W[1]
Area11,162 acres (45.17 km2)
Elevation1,857 ft (566 m)[1]
Established1933
OperatorWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission
WebsiteRiverside State Park

History

The park came into being with various gifts of land in 1933 and 1934.[3] It was developed by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Evidence of the CCC's work can be seen at the Bowl and Pitcher area's suspension bridge, kitchen shelter, restroom, park residence, office, and maintenance shop. CCC workers also constructed the rock walls and much of the roadway of Aubrey White Parkway, the restroom on the Centennial Trail near the Carlson Trailhead, and various trails in the park.[4]

Features

Areas of the park include the Bowl and Pitcher, the Nine Mile Recreation Area, the Little Spokane River Natural Area, the 600-acre (240 ha) off-road vehicle park, the equestrian trails area, and a portion of the 37-mile-long (60 km) Spokane River Centennial Trail. The Spokane House Interpretive Center has exhibits about the Spokane Indians, early pioneers, fur trappers, traders, the area's fort and military history, and Spokane House, the fur trading post established nearby.[2] Numerous hiking and biking trails exist throughout the park.

Activities and amenities

Park activities include camping, fishing, swimming, picnicking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, ATV riding, horseback riding, biking, hiking and rock climbing. Campgrounds are located at the Bowl and Pitcher, Nine Mile Recreation Area, and Lake Spokane.[2]

The Bowl and Pitcher campground offers 16 standard campsites and 16 partial hookup sites, the Nine Mile campground has three tent sites, 17 partial hookup sites and four full hookup sites, and the Lake Spokane campground has 11 primitive campsites. There are two group campsites at the Bowl and Pitcher campground that can accommodate 40-60 tent campers. Boat launches are available at the Nine Mile Recreation areas and the Lake Spokane campground. [5]

References
  1. "Riverside State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "Riverside State Park". Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  3. "Park History". Riverside State Park Foundation. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  4. "CCC at Riverside". Riverside State Park Foundation. Archived from the original on February 25, 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  5. https://parks.state.wa.us/573/Riverside

Further reading
  • Mueller, Marge. Washington State Parks: A Complete Guide, The Mountaineers Books, 2004, ISBN 0-89886-893-9.
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