Recreation

NOTICE: All programs will meet guidelines in place at the time of the program, or they will be rescheduled/cancelled. Visit SpokaneRec.org to see available opportunities including virtual options. Read more.

Cross Country Ski & Fat Bike Trails

We are pleased to announce a new pilot program to groom cross country ski and fat bike trails at select locations around Spokane this winter. Grooming conditions are very weather dependent; Please call our snowline at 509.363.5418 for updated information. Please heed all signage on trails and follow best practices when using groomed trails.

A big thank you to the folks who made this happen: Indian Canyon Golf Course crews, Downriver Golf Course crews, Park Operations, Urban Forestry, Wheel Sport, Bike Hub & Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance, Mountain Gear, Fitness Fanatics, Spokane County Parks and Recreation, WA State Parks, Palisades Park Neighborhood, and Volunteers Groomers.

UPDATE 01/27/2021

Due to downed trees and other potential hazards left over from the windstorm on January 13, we will not be grooming Indian Canyon this season. We will start grooming Dwight Merkel Sports Complex and Riverside State Park 7 Mile trail head when we receive 5-6 inches of snow or more and temperature remain around freezing. Grooming schedules will be Riverside on Fridays and Merkel on Thursdays as conditions and resources allow.

Cross Country Ski Best Practices

STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS
Always check trail conditions and obey all signs and posted warnings.
Pets on groomed trails must be leashed
Always maintain control of your speed and direction. Ski in such a manner that you can stop or avoid other skiers or hazards.
Ski within your abilities and time allowances.
Don't block intersections and avoid stopping in the middle of hills. Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible to others. Move off the trail quickly if you fall or during rest stops and equipment adjustments. If you fall, fill in sitzmarks.
Move to the right to yield the track to a faster skier or to a skier coming downhill. On two-way trails, faster skiers and descending skiers have the right-of-way. To pass another skier, call "Track".
Always ski to the right when meeting on-coming skiers and when skiing on double track.
Don't walk in the set tracks or on the groomed trail. Keep to the side of the trail.
Don't litter – take out what you bring in.

Fat Bike Best Practices

STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS
ALWAYS CHECK TRAIL CONDITIONS AND OBEY ALL SIGNS AND POSTED WARNINGS
Bike tires must be a minimum width of 3.8" with a recommended tire pressure of 4-6 PSI.
Pets on groomed trails must be leashed
Always maintain control of your speed and direction. Ride in such a manner that you can stop or avoid other skiers or hazards.
Yield to all other users when riding. Skiers don't have brakes but you do!
Do not ride on or in the XC ski tracks.
Leave room for skiers to pass.
Be an ambassador for the sport: stay polite, educate other riders, and follow the rules.
Don't litter – take out what you bring in.

Indian Canyon (XC Ski Only) - CLOSED

The trailhead for the Indian Canyon cross country ski track is located at Whittier Park, 3405 W Hartson Ave Spokane WA 99224.

Riverside State Park Fat Bike Trail

The Wheel Sport fat bike groomer with Evergreen East Mountain Bike Alliance volunteers have groomed approximately 11 miles of loop single track trails starting at the Wilber Trailhead in Riverside State Park 7 Mile Airstrip area. A Discover Parking pass is required and can be purchased at www.discoverpass.wa.gov. State SnoPark Passes are not required and cannot be used in the place of the Discover Pass. Grooming is done weekly as snow conditions allow. Bike tires must be a minimum width of 3.8" with a recommended tire pressure of 4-6 PSI. Park hours are from dawn to dusk and pets must be on leash.

State Park Rules

The trail is located at the Wilber Trailhead at Riverside State Park.

Riverside State Park Cross Country Ski Trail

The City of Spokane has groomed approximately 5 miles of classic xc ski trail starting from the 7 Mile Trailhead fenced parking area in Riverside State Park. Grooming is done on Saturday and will continue as long as the snow and cool temperatures remain. Park hours are from dawn to dusk and pets must be on leash. A Discover pass is required for parking and can be purchased at www.discoverpass.wa.gov. State Sno-Park Passes are not required and cannot be used in the place of the Discover Pass.

State Park Rules

The trail is located at the Seven Mile Trailhead at Riverside State Park.