When you think of Washington hiking trails, you probably are thinking of the gorgeous alpine lakes and fern-covered forests of the Cascade Mountains.
However, tucked away in Eastern Washington are trail gems all in their own right!
From the basalt cliffs to lava flows, and sweeping views of the Selkirk Mountains to meandering walks along the Spokane River, we’ve collected the best hikes in Spokane in this post for you to enjoy!
Before you begin reading, we’d like to acknowledge that Spokane and these trails in the PNW are situated on Spokane and Palouse Tribal land. We recognize and honor the first stewards of this land.
Of all the hikes in Eastern Washington, the Indian Painted Rocks Trail (also known as Knothead Loop Trail) is one of the best hiking trails in Spokane!
At the Indian Painted Rocks Trail, you’ll walk along the marsh and wetlands of the Little Spokane River, continue up a bluff and around Knothead Loop Trail, and hike back to the main parking lot for a moderate 6.8 miles with 1,049 feet of elevation gain.
The Indian Painted Rocks trail is a wonderful hike no matter the season, with vibrant yellow aspens in the fall, serene, snowy landscape views in the winter, bustling wildlife in the spring, and shady benches to take a break from the hot sun in the summer.
One of the coolest features of this hiking trail in Spokane is that there is a collection of petroglyphs painted at the trailhead by the Spokane Tribe over 250 years ago!
These petroglyphs at the Indian Painted Rocks trail have been well preserved, as the boulder on which the petroglyphs are drawn protects the markings from the elements and the porous rock has fully absorbed the paint.
The petroglyphs at Indian Painted Rocks are easily accessible from the parking lot, making it a unique attraction in Spokane, even if you’re not up for a hike!
High Drive Bluff Park is a large natural space with over 500 acres of Ponderosa Pine forests and bunchgrass meadows!
With beautiful views of Latah Valley, High Drive Bluff Park has over 20 miles of trails that are ideal for mountain biking, running, hiking, and walking (with your dog, too!)!
High Drive Bluff Park is also one of the best locations in Spokane for watching stunning sunsets.
Some hikes at High Drive Bluff Park are more challenging and have steep terrain, but there are also some easier options, including walking along the High Drive Parkway sidewalk in the South Hill neighborhood instead of entering the park.
Try as much or as little of the High Drive Parkway Trail–a moderate 9.7-mile loop trail in Spokane that captures the beauty of Eastern Washington (1,263 elevation gain).
Don’t fret, you’ll still get the best sunset experience from the sidewalks, benches, and parking spots at High Drive Bluff!
Surprisingly enough, Waikiki Springs in Spokane Washington is not named after the beach in Hawaii.
Rather, it was rightfully named by a dairy farmer after the meaning of the word waikiki, which means “bubbling or sprouting water,” and perfectly describes the nature preserve’s Little Spokane River that gushes water out from the Spokane aquifer.
Some of the best hikes near Spokane are at Waikiki Springs (including several brand new trails!), such as the entrance to the nature preserve, which is locally known as the “Switchbacks” (easy, 2 miles), Granite Trail (hardest), Aster Trail, and Eagle Trail.
Check out a map of the new trail system at Waikiki Springs here!
Another thing of note about this area is that the Spokane Tribe has been working on restoring the presence of salmon (which have historically been diminished due to dams along the Columbia and Spokane Rivers) at Waikiki Springs, which overall helps the ecosystem of the PNW in astonishing ways!
You do need a Washington Discover Pass to park at the trailhead; however, there is nearby street parking if you don’t have one of these passes, or you can visit the preserve on a Discover Pass free day!
The Centennial Trail was constructed in 1989 to celebrate Washington State’s centennial as a state and stretches across 63 miles of the Pacific Northwest near Spokane and into Idaho!
The Centennial Trail is great for bikers and urban walkers (check out the views of downtown Spokane and Spokane Falls at the Kendall Yards portion of the Centennial Trail!).
From Spokane, the Centennial Trail is highly accessible along many points in the city and many locations don’t require a Washington Discover Pass!
To complete the entire Centennial Trail, you must enter at Nine Mile Falls and follow the paved trail until it terminates at Gateway Park on the Washington-Idaho border.
Locals and visitors love this Spokane classic!
Riverside State Park is one of the most popular hiking areas in Spokane.
With an iconic picture perfect view of the Spokane River, Riverside State Park and its accompanying campground (one of the best in Spokane!) are often bustling with activity.
The most popular hike at Riverside State Park is the Bowl and Pitcher Loop Trail–an easy, 2-mile loop trail with 124 feet of elevation gain that passes over a suspension bridge.
It is said that the boulders on the beaches of the Spokane River at Riverside State Park resemble a bowl and a pitcher, but we’ll let you decide which ones they could be.
Even locals are still unsure which boulder is the bowl and which is the pitcher!
Make sure to bring your Discover Pass at this location.
Within Riverside State Park there are even more wonderful and popular places for Spokane hiking trails, such as Deep Creek Canyon.
One of the best trails in Deep Creek Canyon is Riverside State Park’s Trail 25–a 6-mile round trip hike with almost 1,000 feet of elevation gain that starts in the forest and eventually enters into a basalt field.
Deep Creek Canyon is popular not only to hikers, but to climbers as well as there are many excellent locations for rock climbing!
You do need a Discover Pass to park at Deep Creek Canyon.
Mystic Falls is such a cool hiking destination in Spokane during both the summer and winter seasons!
In the spring and summer, Mystic falls gushes water, and in the winter, the cascading water freezes!
Mystic Falls is located in Indian Canyon, which is a part of the larger Palisades Park.
To reach Mystic Falls, first you must park on South Indian Canyon Drive–no Discover Pass required!
Then, take Trail 121 (an easy, 1.1-mile loop with 124 elevation gain) for amazing views, and follow the trail down to the base of the waterfall.
Dishman Hills Natural Area is a protected area of land near Spokane that has many recreational and educational opportunities.
This area is family friendly, with many easy hikes, but there are also challenging hikes for those who want a bit more exercise in the outdoors!
One of the best hikes in Spokane is the Dishman Hills Pond Loop Trail, which is an easy 1.6-mile loop with 223 feet of elevation gain!
Harder trails at Dishman Hills include Glenrose Cliff Trails (moderate, 5.2-miles roundtrip, 1,122 feet elevation gain) and Dishman Hills Natural Area Trail (moderate, 3.8-mile loop, 551 feet elevation gain).
Hiking is very popular at Dishman Hills, though sport climbing is equally as prominent in the area!
Rocks of Sharon Trail is a favorite to locals of the Spokane area for both hiking and climbing.
First off, no Discover Pass is required to park at the trailhead of the Rocks of Sharon!
Rocks of Sharon Trail is also found in a gorgeous spot in the Iler Creek Conservation Area, with large granite outcroppings and sweeping vista views of the Palouse!
There are two trailheads in this Dishman Hills location that reach the Rocks of Sharon: Stevens Creek Trailhead (which gives you a quick 1 mile access to “Big Rock,” or the Rocks of Sharon) and the Iler Creek Trailhead.
From this second trailhead, the longer Iler Creek Loop Trail is a 5.4-mile hike with approximately 1,200 feet elevation gain that takes you around the whole area with spur trails that lead to interesting features like ponds and viewpoints.
This Spokane hiking area is not one to miss!
Located in Palisades State Park, Rimrock View Trail is a part of a network of trails on basalt cliffs that overlook the city of Spokane, Washington.
Surrounding Rimrock View Trail is 700 acres of park land for bikes, hikers, walkers, and horses!
Rimrock View Trail is an easy 2.9-mile loop with 82 feet of elevation gain.
From Rimrock View Trail, you can access Indian Canyon’s Mystic Falls, a stunning waterfall with rewarding views.
Found in the northern part of Spokane Valley lies the Little Spokane Natural Area, which covers 1,000 acres of Eastern Washington.
This area is known for its beautiful hikes, horseback riding, mountain biking, and trail running locations.
Popular hikes in this area include the St. George’s Trail to the Little Spokane River, which is a moderate 6.8-mile out-and-back trail with 1,279 feet of elevation gain, and the Spokane House Trail, an easy 2.5-mile round trip hike to an old cabin and barn!
Discover Passes are required in this area, so make sure to bring that to either of these fun hikes in Spokane!
Minnehaha Park is a public park in Spokane with many popular trails and top rope climbing.
Nearby Minnehaha Park is Beacon Hill, a popular hiking, biking, and running location in Spokane that has two trails to the top of the hill that start at the same trailhead.
To help you narrow down which hike to do near Spokane, here are two of our favorite trails in Minnehaha Park that we love:
Hangman Creek Natural Area (also known as Latah Creek, Nez Perce for fish) is a beautiful area near Spokane with a tragic past.
As the name suggests, Hangman Creek gets its name from the hanging of Chief Qualchan and other Palouse Tribe members on the shores of the creek by Colonel George Wright and his men.
Nowadays, the area surrounding Hangman Creek serves as a poignant reminder of the past injustices to all who visit.
Some of the best hikes in Hangman Creek Natural Area include the moderate Hangman Loop Trail (3.6-mile round trip, 554 feet elevation gain) and the beautiful Centennial Trail.
Liberty Lake Loop Trail takes visitors of all kinds on a tour of Liberty Lake Regional Park and passes through cedar groves, past Liberty Falls (most full in the spring), and past old cabins–all with views of Liberty Lake itself!
Liberty Lake Loop is an 8.4-mile, moderate/hard hike with over 1,000 feet elevation gain!
The trail is well maintained and goes around the entirety of Liberty Lake as well.
This backcountry trail in Eastern Washington is a great opportunity to get outside and moving!
Up for staying overnight in this PNW forest? Stay at the Liberty Lake Regional Park Campground!
Found among the 100 miles of trails in Mount Spokane State Park is Mt. Kit Carson Trail (Trail 160)–a both gratifying and rewarding hike to the summit of its namesake.
Mount Spokane State Park is only a one hour drive north of Spokane, but is definitely worth it, as you’ll see beautiful views of the rolling hills of north Spokane on your drive to Mt. Kit Carson!
This moderate 7.6-mile trek with 1,500 feet of elevation gain begins at Saddle Junction and climbs a short, steep trail to the summit of Mt. Kit Carson.
You can visit Mount Spokane State Park and Mt. Kit Carson Trail year round, and it’s open for all types of recreation, including biking, hiking, snowshoeing.
Pack a picnic and enjoy the outstanding vista at Mt. Kit Carson!
The Palouse Falls Trail is found in the 94-acre Palouse Falls State Park and leads you along a steep and technical trail to Palouse Falls, a 200-foot columnar basalt gorge waterfall.
Palouse Falls Trail is a short, but difficult (and very rewarding!) 0.7 miles with 65 feet of elevation gain to the waterfall.
Whether you plan to hike or not, make sure to pause at Fryxell Overlook, the highest panoramic viewpoint of the waterfall that has the best perspective of Palouse Falls and Palouse River Canyon (accessible from the parking area)!
Within this part of the park, there are ADA-compliant viewpoints at the Palouse Falls Trail, there is no cell service, and you do need a Discover Pass to park here, even though the trail is accessible from the gravel road.
With this hike being less than two hours away from Spokane, make your visit to Palouse Falls State Park a weekend getaway and camp at the nearby Palouse Falls Campground.
A popular hike in the Little Spokane Natural Area is Knothead Loop, which is a 7-mile round trip hike with 1,000 feet of elevation gain!
To reach the Knothead Loop, you’ll start on the Indian Painted Rocks Trail for 1.7 miles then continue up the bluff and back around to the parking lot.
Don’t let the length get you down, because this moderate hike has rewarding views of the Little Spokane River and you can often see unique wildlife here.
Make sure to bring your Washington Discover Pass to this location!
A fan-favorite hiking area in the Little Spokane Natural Area is the Antoine Peak Conservation Area where you get stunning views of the Selkirk Mountain Range, Liberty Lake, and Spokane Valley.
The trail that is the most direct route to the top of Antoine Peak is the Emerald Necklace Trail–a moderate 4.6-mile trek around the base of the mountain that highlights unique wildflowers in the Spring (921 feet elevation gain)!
The Salted Uplands Conservation Area is a piece of land in Eastern Washington that is reserved for restoration and conservation.
It is also open to the public as a place to view wildlife, hike, and enjoy the outdoors!
Within the Salted Uplands Conservation Area, you can hike, go mountain biking, ride horses on equestrian trails, bring a picnic, cross-country ski, or snowshoe!
Some of the best hikes in Spokane are in the Salted Uplands Conservation Area, which include the Saltese Uplands Trail (moderate, 5.9-mile hike with 705 feet elevation gain), Uplands Loop (moderate, 4.5-mile hike with 623 feet elevation gain), and Carlson Hill Loop (moderate, 3.1-mile hike with 620 feet elevation gain).
Known for its wonderful environment for mountain biking, hiking, walking, and running, Beacon Hill area is a local favorite.
The most popular hike at Shields Park is the Beacon Hill Trail–a moderately challenging 2.5 mile loop with 557 feet of elevation gain.
To reach the trial, you can park at the Shields Park parking lot and follow the signs to the Beacon Hill Trailhead.
Just a few reminders before you go on the Beacon Hill Trail: dogs are allowed on a leash, but you do not need a Discover Pass to park here!
Just a 45-minute drive from Spokane is Coeur d’Alene, Idaho where Tubbs Hill resides on the lake.
Tubbs Hill Trail is a very popular location for visitors and locals alike, as it supports hiking, running, picnics, and provides beautiful views of Coeur d’Alene Lake.
To access Tubbs Hill Trail, you can park anywhere downtown and walk to the trailhead or find parking closer to McEuen Park where the trail begins–no parking pass necessary!
After parking, you can begin your hike on Tubbs Hill Trail and follow it for 2.2 miles (round trip, 300 feet elevation gain) along Coeur d’Alene Lake.
There is another, less frequented trailhead on the east side of McEuen Park (at the south end of 10th street), which will lead you off the main trail and allow you to hike to the summit of Tubbs Hill.
Indian Cliff Trail is located in Heyburn State Park and is a moderate, 3-mile loop trail near Plummer, Idaho.
On Indian Cliff Trail, you’ll hike 564 feet of elevation gain and get peaceful views of the majestic Coeur d’Alene Lake.
The best time to visit Indian Cliff Trail is April-November!
Dogs are allowed on Indian Cliff Trail and may be off-leash in some areas along the trail.
At the trailhead, be prepared to pay a day use fee to park ($7 per vehicle), or you can purchase an annual pass to Idaho State Parks ($10 per vehicle; $40 for out of state visitors).
Quartz Mountain Lookout Trail is a moderate, 4.5-mile out-and-back trail that is known for hiking, cross-country skiing, and birding.
Because Quartz Mountain lookout Trail is open year-round, you can experience the beauty of Eastern Washington at any time and through all seasons!
What makes this trail unique is that you can hike up to the decommissioned Quartz Mountain Lookout, which is an old mountain cabin where park rangers would stay to watch for mountain fires.
Fun fact, the Quartz Mountain Lookout was originally built on Mt. Spokane!
Make sure to pack your Discover Pass for vehicle entry to the park.
Bring the pupper as well, because dogs are allowed on leashes!
Q’emiln Park (pronounced “ka-mee-lin”) near Post Falls, Idaho is a wonderful hiking location that is not even an hour away from Spokane!
You’ve got it all at this park: BBQ grills, a boat launch, picnic areas, concessions (seasonal), a playground, hiking, rock climbing, scenic views, shelters, and swimming!
Here are four trails we love at Q’emiln Park:
Located on eastern side of Lake Coeur d’Alene is the Mineral Ridge National Scenic Trail.
Mineral Ridge National Scenic Trail is found on Bureau of Land Management land (the first established in Idaho!), and has stunning views of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
First, park at the paved parking area near the trailhead and visit the Scenic Area where there’s a picnic area.
Then, get going on this 3.3-mile trail that has sweeping views of Lake CDA along a ridge portion of the trail and interpretive markers along the way!
One cool feature of this area is that each winter from November-February, a migrating population of over 200 bald eagles visit the location to feed on spawning Kokanee salmon.
Schedule an interpretive viewing of this astonishing sight during their peak migration from December 27-December 31!
Calling all bird lovers! This ADA-compliant loop around the lake is a popular spot for migratory birds, wetland creatures, and kayakers.
Medical Lake Loop is an easy 3-mile loop trail that is perfect for all kinds of outdoor adventurers.
While Medical Lake is a beautiful, quiet lake that is perfect for morning strolls, it is also a great place for families, too!
There is a waterfront park at the southern end of Medical Lake that has a playground and beach!
If you’re wondering about the origin of Medical Lake, the body of water has been an important site to the Spokane Tribe for centuries.
Therefore, the Spokane Tribe named the lake Medical Lake because they believed the water there has healing properties!
Bead Lake Trail is a scenic lakeside trail with tons of backcountry camping options!
The entire Bead Lake Trail is a moderate 11.4-mile out-and-back trek with 1,321 elevation gain, but you can turn back at any point along the way.
Bring your fishing gear because Bead Lake is a popular fishing area, full of Kokanee, Pike Minnows, and trout!
Bead Lake is also one of the clearest lakes near Spokane and is a perfect, chilling temperature to jump in and cool off during hot summer days!
Mirabeau Springs–a beautiful cascading waterfall into an enchanting pool below–is the place to be in the warm months!
The easy and quick hike, Mirabeau Point Loop, is a perfect outing for the whole family, as it is less than a mile (0.9) to Mirabeau Springs!
There is no Discover Pass required to visit Mirabeau Springs, as it is a city park, so make it a full day trip, pack a lunch, and enjoy the numerous shady picnic spots.
One super fun aspect of this hiking trail near Spokane is that there is a nearby Friday farmer’s market at Mirabeau Meadows in the summer and early fall!