When it comes to outdoor adventures and recreation in Spokane, the sky is the limit. From hiking and snowshoeing to downhill and cross-country skiing, you’ll find countless reasons to get outside this winter. So, where should you start? Check out nine fun outdoor activities in Spokane.
Riverfront Park
If you’re short on time or if you’d rather stay close to home, you’ll find tons of outdoor options in the heart of Spokane. Perched on the banks of the Spokane River, Riverfront Park spans 100 acres and has something for everyone.
Grab a hat and a pair of boots and enjoy the many snow-dusted sculptures along the waterfront. You can also strap on a pair of ice skates and glide around the Numerica Skate Ribbon, which promises a unique experience. If you need to warm up for a few minutes, step inside and visit the Expo ’74 U.S. Pavilion or the early 20th-century carousel. Dotted around the ice skating area, you’ll also find hot chocolate available for purchase and fire pits where you can get cozy.
Centennial Trail
If you’re looking for more space to explore, head to Centennial Trail, which you can access from Riverfront Park and dozens of other locations. This National Recreation Trail stretches for more than 60 miles and is your destination for wintertime activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
It also connects to popular outdoor sports destinations like Nine Mile Falls and Liberty Lake. If you’re up for a challenge, access the trail from Nine Mile Falls Recreation Area or Spokane Falls Community College. The beautiful views of the surrounding area make your hard work well worth the effort.
Iller Creek Conservation Area
Just 10 miles east of downtown Spokane, the Iller Creek Conservation Area is a world away from the city. The Iller Creek Conservation Trail is one of the area’s highlights and a must-visit for snowshoeing enthusiasts. You can snowshoe on this 5-mile loop trail during the winter months, and you can even bring leashed dogs. Don’t forget your camera so that you can capture the gorgeous views of the Spokane Valley.
McKenzie Conservation Area
Located about 30 miles northeast of Spokane, the McKenzie Conservation Area spans 421 acres, including wildlife habitat and 3,000 feet of lakefront. The trails here are a combination of old logging roads and single-track trails, and they make for a fun challenge in cold weather. Bring along your snowshoes or ice-climbing boots to explore the tracks and spot whitetail deer and snowshoe hares.
Riverside State Park
Just 9 miles northwest of town, Riverside State Park is an essential stop for outdoor enthusiasts in Spokane. The fat bike trails are popular during the warmer months, but Riverside State Park transitions into a cross-country skiing wonderland as soon as the snow starts to fall.
Starting at the Seven-Mile Trailhead, the Riverside State Park Cross-Country Ski Trail follows closely along the Spokane River and offers 5 miles of gorgeous vistas. You can even bring your pup along for the chilly fun as long as you keep them on a leash. If you’re looking for more cross-country fun, check out the nearby Indian Canyon or Dwight Merkel tracks, both of which are groomed trails.
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Just 20 miles south of Spokane, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to spot an impressive range of native wildlife. Part of the massive Inland Northwest National Wildlife Refuge Complex, this refuge is most popular in the spring, when wildflowers bloom and waterfowl migrate.
Although Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is a little quieter in the winter months, the area is just as stunning. Woodpeckers, red crossbills, and several types of nuthatches call this refuge home all year round. You can also search for animal tracks in the snow — telltale signs of the mammals that live here all year.
Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park
Sitting about 35 miles northeast of Spokane, Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park has all of the winter adventures you’re looking for. Grab a one-day lift ticket or a season pass to enjoy as much downhill skiing and snowboarding as you can handle. On select evenings, you can head to the mountain for a one-of-a-kind night skiing experience.
The park also has a tubing hill open to all ages and terrain parks for snowboarders. Grab your snowboard and choose from four terrain parks that offer options for beginners, freestylers, and advanced boarders.
Mount Spokane State Park
Nestled in the scenic Selkirk Mountains, Mount Spokane State Park is a popular destination all year round. When the temperature starts to drop, the snow-covered mountain range makes this area an essential winter destination.
As the only Washington state park that offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, Mount Spokane State Park boasts 52 designated ski runs spanning over 1,700 snowy acres. This state park is also home to 16 miles of snowmobile trails and almost 40 miles of Nordic ski trails. When you need to warm up, seek out a cozy spot near the wood stove in the Nova Hut.
Manito Park
Back in the center of town, Manito Park has been one of Spokane’s most popular outdoor recreation spots for more than a century. The park first opened in 1904, and it featured some flowers and a few picnic areas. Fast forward more than 115 years, and the park is now packed with 78 landscaped acres and 20 stunning acres of botanical gardens.
Garden enthusiasts often flock here in the warmer months, but Manito Park boasts a unique type of beauty in the winter. As you stroll along the snow-covered paths, stop by the calming Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden or walk the trails to the Lilac Garden or Rose Hill. You’ll also want to visit the scenic Mirror Pond and the Gaiser Conservatory, which features plant and flower displays all year round. The conservatory also hosts seasonal events, so be sure to check the calendar before you go.
Want to explore the Spokane area in style? Check out the new vehicle specials at Wendle Ford and get behind the wheel of a Ford truck or SUV today.
Image via Unsplash by pierrejarray
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