Floating the Spokane River is a great way to spend a summer day outdoors. In many ways there are dangers in floating the river by tube which can be challenging for beginners. Fortunately, this guide points out the safest practices of the most popular tubing route of the Spokane River – Peaceful Valley to TJ Meenach.

If you have a kayak, canoe, or paddle board, you have the largest variety of opportunities to get out on the water. There are places almost every section of the river, as well as the Little Spokane and Hangman Creek. Read an account of paddling the entire river to understand just how many options there are and what it is like on each stretch.

You can use the same section as the tube float. To make the float a little longer, you can launch from Redband Park. This section may be extra challenging for paddle boards, as it does have some swift sections.

To float through the University District, you can put in at Mission Park or McKinstry near Gonzaga, and paddle to Division Street.

Further upriver, there are access points all throughout the river from just below Post Falls dam at McGuire Park to Upriver Dam in Spokane Valley. Be aware, this section has a few whitewater features that may be challenging at certain flows.

Non-motorized craft can also launch downstream at Plese Flats and float towards Nine Mile Dam. Or float from the Hwy 291 Boat Launch to the Nine Mile Recreation area boat ramp.

Riverside State Park, one of Washington's largest, has many miles of shoreline trails.  A great way to explore the river by foot! Explore the park, one of Washington's largest, by taking a 2.1 miles stroll along the Spokane River and viewing the dramatic Bowl and Pitcher and Devil's Toenail rapids. Grab your Discover Pass (or buy one at the trailhead) and drive down to the Bowl and Pitcher Park entrance on Downriver Drive.  Head over the suspension bridge and take a right to view the Devil's Toenail, another dramatic basalt formation that provides challenging whitewater to expert rafters.  Washington Trail Association has a great guide to this hike on their website.

Looking for urban trails? The Centennial Trail is a great option for a nice paved trail, with plenty of access points. From Riverfront Park, you can take the Centennial Trail through Kendall Yards, down to People’s Park and use the South Gorge Trail to return to Riverfront Park. Learn more about the loop on AllTrails.

Not in Spokane? You can visit the River in Post Falls at Q’emiln Park via a network of trails along the south channel of the River. Or visit Long Lake via hiking trails at Devil’s Gap or South Shore.

The Centennial Trail offers a 40 mile paved biking or hiking experience along the Spokane River west from the Idaho-Washington State Line through the city of Spokane, ending in Riverside State Park.  The relatively flat portion extending from the state line to the Maringo Trailhead allows users to see a 14 mile section of the river on a separated trail (no cars!).  Park at one of the many access points for free, grab your bike and hop on. Only three miles of the trial are shared with roadway, so don't end there!  The Centennial Trail extends much farther.  Check out the Friends of the Centennial Trial website for more information.    

The whitewater sections on this river should be only be done with a professional guide or experience whitewater boat operator. If you are looking for a guide, we recommend FLOW Adventures and Wiley Waters.

The most well known section of whitewater on the Spokane River is the whitewater section through Riverside State Park (from TJ Meenach to Plese Flats), including the major rapids Bowl & Pitcher and Devil’s Toenail. Further upstream Harvard Park to Mirabeau Park is a nice training ground for kayakers with Class II rapids. And near Post Falls, there is another fun surf wave called “Trailer Park Wave”, a fun spot for kayakers to play. Find more play waves and information about when they are surfable at surfspokane.com

Learn more about whitewater on the Spokane River at americanwhitewater.org

Be sure to check the river flows before you go!

Boulder Beach, Spokane Valley. This spot along the Spokane River may be as close as you will get. It’s free, it’s sandy and it’s about a 15-minute drive from downtown Spokane. Located right off Upriver Drive, the beach is nestled next to the Centennial Trail, meaning you can interrupt your scenic walk with a dip in the water. Be warned: crowds are a reality at this popular stretch of river.

Islands Swimming Area, Spokane Valley. While rather steep, the river bank is surmountable, so it’s possible to launch kayaks or canoes. The beautiful shallow cove on the south river shore is a favorite swimming spot for families. This trailhead also offers views of beautiful rock formations and a tranquil place to fish and picnic.

Q’emiln Park, Post Falls. This sandy shoreline 30 minutes east of Spokane sits along the Spokane River. It’s shielded from the current, so the stretch makes for an excellent swimming spot for swimmers of all kinds. The park features all the amenities you need for a day at the beach, including barbecue pits and picnic areas, plus an extensive trail system for a midday hike.

Lake Spokane, Tum Tum. Lake Spokane Campground and day use area is located on the western end of the lake and is open seasonally from Apr. 1 to Oct. 31. Enjoy fishing from the dock, swimming in the designated swim area or use the motorized boat launch. Along the water's edge are eight picnic shelters, available on a first come, first served basis.