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Columbia Plateau State Park Trail - Cheney Trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 85 Google reviews · Running trail in Cheney, Washington · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Columbia Plateau State Park Trail - Cheney Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
State park featuring a paved trail with some waterfalls and wildlife, and a restroom.
What runners say about Columbia Plateau State Park Trail - Cheney Trailhead
“Lots of Robin’s 🐦 playing chicken, lol beautiful view of the lake and the water is a little water is over the trail that is paved.”
“Best trail in the northwest for easy walking riding or skating!”
We had a beautiful fall walk. We went 2.5 miles out and then back. The trail is paved and level. (People, please pick up after your dogs!) A very pleasant walk.
Awesome trail with trail heads in several places. Great for a short walk or long bike ride and anything inbetween. We went from the Cheney trailhead to Fish Lake and it's all asphalt, but going the other direction (south) was packed gravel.
Wet and cold day. The trail to Fish Lake is paved and has two streams running down the sides. Pretty flat. Can be quite a bit of traffic, so watch out for other trail users. Waterfalls in a few spots which are pretty neat to look at. Lots of wildlife and every once in a while there's a train.
Very beautiful ride from the trailhead to fish lake. No open water source to be found along the 5.5 miles from trail head to Fish Lake. The trail was very flat, the asphalt was in a good condition making for a very easy bike ride.
Trail conditions & character
“Lots of Robin’s 🐦 playing chicken, lol beautiful view of the lake and the water is a little water is over the trail that is paved.”
“Lots of Robin’s 🐦 playing chicken, lol beautiful view of the lake and the water is a little water is over the trail that is paved.”
“We went from the Cheney trailhead to Fish Lake and it's all asphalt, but going the other direction (south) was packed gravel.”
“We went from the Cheney trailhead to Fish Lake and it's all asphalt, but going the other direction (south) was packed gravel.”
“Our dogs loved it, our kids loved it and we loved it.”
“The trail was very flat, the asphalt was in a good condition making for a very easy bike ride.”
“7 miles and then you have to turn around as there’s a private entrance passing the railroad crossing where the restroom is.”
Plan your run at Columbia Plateau State Park Trail - Cheney Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteparks.wa.gov
- Phone(509) 646-9218
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM–9 PM |
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