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Riverside State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,480 Google reviews · Running trail in Nine Mile Falls, Washington · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 100 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Riverside State Park'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.
14,000 acres of woodlands along the Spokane River offering campsites, trails & an off-roading area.
What runners say about Riverside State Park
“Trails are well maintained, the suspension bridge is really quite fun.”
“You need a discover pass to park at the trail head campground but there's a turnout a half mile before where the view is gorgeous and it connects to the main trail so I never pay.”
“It looks like Italian parsley in the leaves at the base of the plant, and it grows a stalk that reaches 4 to 7 ft tall with a thin canopy of white flowers at the top.”
“The trail is very easy to walk, the views are spectacular and is a very quiet place to gather your thoughts.”
I live in Walla Walla and this place is always worth the drive to Spokane. Hardly anyone there. You need a discover pass to park at the trail head campground but there's a turnout a half mile before where the view is gorgeous and it connects to the main trail so I never pay. Also worth noting.
Trails are well maintained, the suspension bridge is really quite fun. There are lots of trail options, some places to get your feet wet a but off the trail. Of note, 1) you need a Discovery Pass to stay in there park, yes there is a kiosk to buy day passes, 2) there is a camp ground and it looks really nice, 3) there…
Even on a March day, the water was tempting when the sun was out. Beautiful views of the forest and the River from here. Riverside State Park is an extensive area with many clearly marked bike and pedestrian paths.
Always a quiet place to explore somewhere in this vast park. I grew up hiking, fishing, floating, paddling and exploring this river and surrounding terrain from from the gun club to nine mile falls. But 2 years ago I discovered a foreign plant that is now invaded the green water ways of the river banks .
Trail conditions & character
“You need a discover pass to park at the trail head campground but there's a turnout a half mile before where the view is gorgeous and it connects to the main trail so I never pay.”
“The driving directions weren't quite exact to the day use parking location, but the campground which was thankfully very close by.”
“It looks like Italian parsley in the leaves at the base of the plant, and it grows a stalk that reaches 4 to 7 ft tall with a thin canopy of white flowers at the top.”
“We really enjoyed our ride (30 miles) and are already considering visiting again on our own.”
“There is a campground, picnic areas, plenty of parking, restrooms, and lots of trails.”
“The trail is very easy to walk, the views are spectacular and is a very quiet place to gather your thoughts.”
“We had a blast with the swinging bridge, the small flowers beginning to bud, and the (mostly) flat trails we took.”
“I go year round, highly recommend taking the kids out or bring the dog.”
“Once you are above the stairs, the trail is smooth and wide enough for a stroller with big tires, like a jogging stroller.”
Plan your run at Riverside State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- Distance100 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- 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, water — 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.state.wa.us
- Phone+1 509-465-5064
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Nine Mile Falls
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Indian Painted Rocks Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 261 reviews
Area for hiking and kayaking with varied terrain, including a viewpoint, and petroglyphs.
Little Spokane River Natural Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 543 reviews
Landscape features hiking trails through marshy bogs & forests with various birds & other wildlife.
Wyakin Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 85 reviews
Quiet park featuring plenty of trails for biking and hiking and a painted-rock labyrinth to discover.
