Riverside

Riverside State Park is Washington's second-largest state park at over 10,000 acres, located northwest of Spokane along the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers. Established in 1933 and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933-1936, the park protects extensive ponderosa pine forests characteristic of the Okanagan dry forest ecosystem. The park offers diverse recreation including hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, and camping across its vast acreage. Its unique inland dry forest environment and dramatic basalt formations make it distinct from western Washington's rainforest parks.

The park's dry pine forests and river corridors support diverse wildlife adapted to eastern Washington's semi-arid climate. Mule deer and white-tailed deer are commonly observed, while elk occasionally move through more remote areas. The rivers attract river otters, beavers, and muskrats, while raptors including red-tailed hawks, osprey, and occasional bald eagles hunt across the landscape. Black bears and cougars inhabit the park's more remote sections, though sightings are rare. The ponderosa pine forests provide habitat for songbirds such as western tanagers, mountain bluebirds, and various woodpecker species, while the riverside habitats support great blue herons and kingfishers.

The park protects one of the finest examples of Okanagan dry forest in Washington, dominated by ponderosa pine with an understory of native bunchgrasses including bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue. Douglas fir grows in moister north-facing slopes and canyon areas, while riparian zones along the rivers support black cottonwood, willow, red-osier dogwood, and water birch. The understory includes serviceberry, ocean spray, snowberry, and bitterbrush, providing important browse for deer and habitat for smaller wildlife. Spring wildflowers include arrowleaf balsamroot, lupine, and various lilies, creating colorful displays across open meadows. The park faces ongoing challenges from invasive species including cheatgrass, knapweed, and Scotch broom.

Riverside State Park's dramatic landscape was shaped by multiple geological forces, most notably the Columbia River Basalt flows that created the region's characteristic dark volcanic rock formations between 17 and 6 million years ago. The Spokane River has carved deep canyons through these basalt layers, exposing columnar jointing and creating impressive cliffs and rock outcrops popular with climbers. During the last ice age, catastrophic Missoula Floods scoured the landscape, enlarging river valleys and depositing erratics and other glacial features. The Bowl and Pitcher area features distinctive basalt pillars and formations created by differential erosion, while Deep Creek Canyon showcases layered basalt flows and ancient river channels.

The park experiences a continental climate with four distinct seasons and lower precipitation than western Washington, averaging approximately 15-17 inches annually. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures often reaching the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit, creating fire danger during drought periods. Winters bring cold temperatures with averages in the 20s and 30s, and annual snowfall of 40-50 inches, though snow cover is often intermittent at lower elevations. Spring and fall are transitional seasons with variable weather, while summer nights cool down significantly due to the inland location and elevation. The dry climate supports the unique ponderosa pine ecosystem and creates conditions distinct from the wet Pacific Northwest coastal regions.

The Spokane River valley has been home to the Spokane Tribe for thousands of years, with Spokane Falls serving as an important fishing site and gathering place for indigenous peoples. The tribe's traditional territory encompassed the rivers and forests now within the park, supporting a lifestyle based on salmon fishing, hunting, and plant gathering. European-American settlement arrived in the 1870s with the development of Spokane, bringing logging, mining, and agriculture to the region. The area's ponderosa pine forests were extensively logged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, though some old-growth groves survived. The Civilian Conservation Corps left a lasting legacy through the park's historic structures and infrastructure built during the Great Depression.

Riverside State Park was established in 1933 during the Great Depression as part of efforts to preserve natural areas and create jobs through the Civilian Conservation Corps program. Between 1933 and 1936, CCC crews built roads, trails, bridges, and facilities including the historic Bowl and Pitcher suspension bridge and picnic shelters. The park was assembled from various land parcels including former homesteads, logged forest lands, and public domain, growing to over 10,000 acres through subsequent acquisitions. The park has evolved from its CCC-era development to accommodate diverse modern recreation including mountain biking, equestrian use, and rock climbing, while maintaining its historic character and protecting the Okanagan dry forest ecosystem.

The park features over 55 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, ranging from easy riverside paths to challenging upland routes through pine forests. The Bowl and Pitcher area is the park's most iconic feature, with dramatic basalt formations, a historic suspension bridge, and popular rock climbing routes. The Spokane River offers Class II-III whitewater opportunities, fishing for trout and smallmouth bass, and scenic float trips through basalt canyons. Deep Creek Canyon provides backcountry hiking and exploration opportunities in more remote terrain. The Equestrian Area offers specialized facilities including horse camping, corrals, and dedicated trails, making it popular with horseback riders from across the region.

Riverside State Park is located approximately 6 miles northwest of downtown Spokane, easily accessible via State Route 291 and various city arterials. The park offers multiple camping options including the Bowl and Pitcher Campground with 32 standard sites and utility sites, group camps, and equestrian camping with corrals. Day-use facilities include picnic areas, restrooms, a visitor center at the Bowl and Pitcher area, and numerous parking areas serving different trail systems. The park is open year-round with winter activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though some facilities close during winter months. Multiple access points serve different park sections, with the main Bowl and Pitcher area offering the most developed facilities and information services.

Riverside State Park protects critical Okanagan dry forest habitat, one of Washington's most threatened ecosystems due to development, fire suppression, and invasive species. Management includes prescribed burns and forest thinning to restore natural fire regimes that historically maintained open ponderosa pine stands with native grass understory. Invasive species control focuses on knapweed, cheatgrass, and other non-native plants that alter fire behavior and compete with native vegetation. The park participates in wildlife monitoring programs tracking sensitive species including Columbia spotted frogs and various bat populations. Water quality protection for the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers is a priority, with riparian restoration projects and bank stabilization work ongoing. Educational programs connect visitors to the unique dry forest ecosystem and the importance of preserving eastern Washington's natural heritage in the face of Spokane's urban expansion.