Best Hikes Near Spokane, WA

Spokane is surrounded by amazing hiking places, whether you want to go on a short hike or a day-long adventure. You can explore the Spokane River, Riverside State Park, the Selkirk Mountains, Rocks of Sharon, and rimrock canyons, as well as public parks and conservation areas. There’s no shortage of outdoor scenery to enjoy in the area, hence our decision at Spokane Hyundai to share a few of the best hikes near Spokane, Washington.

Dishman Hills Natural Area

Image via Flickr under CC BY 2.0 by D.Taylor in Idaho

Download a self-guided brochure to plan your hiking adventure in the Dishman Hills Natural Area, starting with the 1-mile loop known as the Enchanted Ravine. You can access this spot through the Camp Caro Trailhead located at 300 S. Sargent Road. Another exciting loop in Dishman Hills is the 1.5-mile Deep Ravine. On either of these hikes, you’ll enjoy the natural beauty of some of the oldest rock in the state and unique plant communities. That attractive landscape features wildlife such as squirrels, marmots, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, pheasants, and over 50 species of moths and butterflies.

Other trails in the Dishman Hills Natural Area are the 1.51-mile Goldback Loop Trail, 1.06-mile Eagle Peak Loop Trail, 1.96-mile Nimbus Knob Loop Trail, 1.39-mile Pinecliff Loop Trail, and 1.56-mile Pond Loop Trail. These trails are interconnected, so you can visit one or more on your hiking trip. That said, the Dishman Hills Natural Area asks all visitors to abide by their trail ethics to help protect the wildlife and natural beauty while enjoying their hike. Also, all hikers are to remain on the established trail at all times.

We recommend you stop frequently to take in your surroundings and the beauty Disman Hills has to offer. Remember to take plenty of photographs to document your visit to Dishman Hills Natural Area, and most of all, to have fun on your hike. If you have any questions about your visit to Dishman Hills, ask the right personnel.

What’s more, visitors must leave nature to nature, which means no souvenirs of rocks or flowers can be taken out with them.

Riverside State Park

Riverside State Park offers 55 miles of trails to keep hikers busy in this 9,194-acre park along the Little Spokane and Spokane rivers north of Spokane. Trails include Centennial, Pine Bluff, Morin, Inland Road, and Deep Creek. There’s also a 1-mile ADA-accessible hiking trail for people of all abilities to get out and enjoy the Nine Mile Recreation Area of Riverside State Park. Many of these trails are even equestrian-friendly for those horseback riders who want to spend a day in nature.

One of the park’s most popular areas is the Bowl and Pitcher area, which you can access by crossing the Civilian Conservation Corps-era suspension bridge. You’ll experience some of the most breathtaking views from the bridge, featuring massive basalt rock formations, a scenic riverbank, and wildlife galore. We reckon you’ll enjoy the lakes, Ponderosa pines, marshes, and wide variety of wildlife at Riverside State Park.

Palisades Park

Rimrock Drive is one of the most popular trails at Palisades Park, a 700-acre park with trails set atop a basalt cliffside overlooking Spokane. The Selkirk Mountains provide the backdrop for Rimrock Drive, which is not accessible to vehicles. Other trails in Palisades Park include Waterfall Loop, South Trail Green Loop, and Indian Meadow Loop. Two of the popular attractions at Palisades are Indian Canyon and Indian Canyon Mystic Falls.
Overall, the trails are relatively flat, making them accessible to hikers of all abilities. So, grab the kids and head out for a day spent immersed in nature.

Iller Creek Conservation Area

Iller Creek Conservation Area is a part of the Dishman Hills Natural Area and consists of 966.62 acres of open space. One of the most iconic features of Iller Creek is the big rock known as the Rocks of Sharon, which are massive granite outcroppings that reach out of the earth up to the sky. Stevens Creek and Iller Creek Trailheads border a 5-mile loop trail that circles the area. The trail is sectioned, and you can cover as much ground as you wish via the Iller Creek East Ridge, West Ridge, and Upper Valley.

If you start from the Stevens Creek Trailhead, it’s approximately a 1-mile hike to reach the Rocks of Sharon. And for those hikers interested in expanding to rock climbing, they can bring their gear to scale the big rock or other outcroppings with permanent bolts designed for rock climbers.

At Iller Creek Conservation Area, you’ll enjoy seasonal creeks, granite monoliths, and beautiful views of the Spokane Valley. You may also encounter two types of amphibians, 120 bird species, 163 invertebrates, and 15 mammals, including the frequently seen black bear and moose.

Mount Spokane State Park

With over 100 miles of hiking trails in the Selkirk Mountains, Mount Spokane State Park is one of Washington’s biggest state parks. This 12,293-acre park features camping, hiking, and a cross-country ski area with 37 miles of Nordic ski trails. On-site, there are groomed roads for snowmobiles and other types of non-motorized use, such as snowboarding, mountain biking, and snowshoeing, depending on the season.

Trails include a 1.5-mile Entrance Loop Trail, 7-mile Mount Kit Carson Loop Road, 4-mile Mount Kit Carson Loop, and 5-mile Day Mountain Loop. Park hours are 6:30 a.m. to dusk, with a winter schedule of 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Mount Spokane State Park is also home to many species of plants, trees, birds, animals, and insects, providing you with a great experience in nature.

Thanks for reading the Spokane Hyundai list of the five best hikes near Spokane. If you have one you’d like to see added to the list, reach out to our team at 509-944-3600. You can also contact us via our online messaging system or stop by to see us at 8801 E. Sprague Ave. We’d love to hear about your favorite spot to spend the day on a hike in the Spokane area.