Top 14 Natural Monuments around Spokane

Among the most popular natural monuments, you'll find the Upper Spokane Falls, known as the second-largest urban falls in the United States. Another favorite is the Bowl and Pitcher rock formations within Riverside State Park, famous for its dramatic basaltic features. Visitors also highly appreciate the Painted Rocks Nature Trail, which offers wildlife viewing and historical pictographs along the Little Spokane River.

Yes, several natural monuments around Spokane are great for families. The Upper Spokane Falls in Riverfront Park is easily accessible and offers various viewing points. The Painted Rocks Nature Trail is a well-maintained path along the Little Spokane River, perfect for wildlife spotting. Additionally, Duncan Garden, while a cultivated space, is considered a family-friendly natural monument with its vibrant floral displays and accessible pathways.

Spokane offers a diverse network of trails. Riverside State Park, home to the Bowl and Pitcher rock formations, boasts nearly 80 miles of trails for various skill levels, including the paved Spokane River Centennial Trail. The Dishman Hills Natural Area also provides a network of trails ranging from easy to moderate. For easy hikes, you can explore routes like the Spokane Falls Trail or the Northwest Boulevard Parkway to Bowl and Pitcher Viewpoint.

The Painted Rocks Nature Trail along the Little Spokane River is an excellent spot for wildlife encounters, with opportunities to see deer, chipmunks, turkeys, and various birds. The Dishman Hills Natural Area is also known for its diverse wildlife, including over 100 bird species, deer, elk, coyotes, and bobcats, making it ideal for observation.

Yes, the Painted Rocks Nature Trail is named for pictographs adorned on rocks by members of the Spokane tribe around the 1750s. The Upper Spokane Falls also holds significant historical and cultural importance as a sacred gathering place and food source for the Spokane Tribe of Indians, with informational signs along the riverfront detailing its cultural influence.

The Spokane Falls are most powerful and spectacular in early spring, when winter runoff significantly increases the river's flow. However, they offer a captivating urban natural experience year-round.

Yes, Duncan Garden within Manito Park is wheelchair accessible, offering paved pathways through its beautiful European Renaissance-style landscape. Many viewpoints around the Upper Spokane Falls in Riverfront Park are also designed for accessibility.

Absolutely. The Spokane area is popular for mountain biking. You can find various trails, including easy, moderate, and difficult options. Some routes include the Upchuck Trail Loop or the Camp Sekani Park – Beacon Hill loop. Riverside State Park also features trails suitable for mountain biking.

Spokane is renowned for its dramatic basalt rock formations. The Bowl and Pitcher rock formations in Riverside State Park are a prime example, carved by the Spokane River into distinctive shapes. The Spokane Falls themselves are a powerful display of the river tumbling over basalt formations in the heart of the city.

Yes, the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers, which flow through areas like Riverside State Park and past the Painted Rocks Nature Trail, offer opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing in calmer sections. Portions of the Spokane River also feature rapids for experienced paddlers.

The Indian Canyon Mystic Falls is a small, two-tiered waterfall that becomes a popular destination for ice-climbing during the winter months when it completely freezes over.

While there isn't one designated scenic drive linking all monuments, you can plan routes to connect several. For instance, driving to Riverside State Park allows access to Bowl and Pitcher and the Painted Rocks Nature Trail. The Spokane River Centennial Trail, accessible for gravel biking, also offers scenic views along the river, connecting various points of interest.