Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail

Originally built in 1989 to mark 100 years of Washington statehood, the Spokane River Centennial Trail offers 37.5 miles of paved, multi-use path. Even better, it links up with the North Idaho Centennial Trail at the state border, creating a continuous 61-mile route all the way to Coeur d’Alene.

Beginning at Mile 0 near Nine Mile Recreation Area and Riverside State Park west of Spokane, the Washington section runs 37.5 miles east to the Idaho state line, just past Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley.

The trail offers a fantastic variety of scenery along the way:

  • • Spokane Valley – Quiet, tree-lined suburban stretches that wind right alongside the river, passing popular stops like the Islands Trailhead and Mirabeau Point.

  • • Downtown Spokane – A vibrant urban segment cutting straight through Riverfront Park, with views of Spokane Falls and smooth paths through the Gonzaga and WSU Spokane campuses.

  • • Riverside State Park – The rugged western portion, featuring dramatic basalt formations, towering pine forests, and high footbridges crossing over deep river canyons.

 

About the Ride

My husband is a fantastic planner who often chooses our hotels based on their proximity to a trail we want to ride. That was certainly the case when he booked our stay at the Tru by Hilton in Spokane Valley, Washington – located just a third of a mile from the Spokane River Centennial Trail.

We smelled smoke almost immediately upon stepping outside, and within just a few miles, my eyes were burning. Despite the hazy air, blue skies dominated and we had a wonderful time out on the trail. Our ride took us right past both Gonzaga University and Washington State University’s Spokane campus, where we paused to snap photos of their bulldog and cougar mascot statues.

Tragically, just a week after our ride along the river, fast-moving wildfires fueled by 40 mph wind gusts swept through Spokane, destroying over 600 homes and structures.

 

Ride Overview
  • • Location: Centennial Trail in Spokane, Washington
  • • Course Type: out-and-back
  • • Course Surface: paved
  • • Bike: Salsa Warbird
  • • Distance: 25.05 miles
  • • Moving Time: 1:57:23
  • • Average Speed: 12.8 MPH
  • • Elevation Gain: 571 feet
  • • Elevation Range: 1,869 to 1,986 feet
  • • Weather: 69° and sunny with very low humidity and high levels of smoke, climbing to 77°
  • • Date of ride: July 24, 2026
  • • Start time: 6:40 AM
  • • Strava map:

Spokane River Centennial Trail

 

Fun Pictures from Along the Way

Even though our ride started near Mile Marker 9, this sign at Mile Marker 19 was actually the very first picture I snapped along the path.

 

Just to the left of the Mile Marker 19 sign, the trail opens up to a peaceful view of the Spokane River, with the historic Greene Street Bridge visible in the distance.

 

Riding right through campus brought us past Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center, home to the Bulldogs’ famous basketball teams.

 

Farther along the campus path, we passed Luger Field, home to Gonzaga’s soccer teams.

 

Across the calm water of the Spokane River, the distinctive copper spire of Gonzaga’s Jundt Art Center and Museum reflected beautifully in the morning light.

 

Pine and birch trees lined this beautiful stretch of trail along the Spokane River, offering a smooth transition from the Gonzaga campus into scenic, tree-canopied corridors leading toward Riverfront Park.

 

Riding past Washington State University Spokane, we spotted this life-sized bronze cougar statue leaping across the rocks—a great nod to the WSU Cougars.

 

Reaching Riverfront Park brought us right to the iconic Great Northern Railway Clock Tower, standing tall along the edge of the Spokane River.

 

After our turnaround, the dappled morning sunlight filtered through the trees as we rode back along this walled stretch near Mile 22.

 

Rimming the trail under an overpass, colorful fish and water motif tile artwork brightens up the massive concrete bridge pillars.

 

Across the water, we caught sight of a bright yellow seaplane docked along the far bank of the Spokane River.

 

I snapped a quick riding selfie with my husband as we rolled along a sunny, pine-lined stretch of the Centennial Trail.

 

Cruising past wide-open golden fields, enjoying the clear skies and quiet pavement, I couldn’t help but smile!

 

The water was so exceptionally clear here that you felt as if you could see every pebble resting on the riverbed.

 

Pausing for a quick photo of my Salsa Warbird on the bridge with the sparkling river and pine-covered hills as the backdrop…

 

My husband snapped this shot near the end of our 25-mile ride along the Centennial Trail.

 

Garmin Stats

Post-ride Garmin…

 

Garmin map and elevation graph…

 

Final Thoughts on the Ride

Even with the smoke being a bit bothersome at times, it was an incredible morning on two wheels. We only scratched the surface of what the Spokane River Centennial Trail has to offer, and we both wished we had time to ride further east to explore even more of the route. There are still so many miles left to explore, which just gives us a great reason to go back.

 

Questions
  • • Have you ever been to Spokane, or even Washington for that matter? ~ This was my first trip to Spokane, but I went to Seattle for a business trip many years ago.
  • • Do you prefer out-and-back trails or looped routes? ~ either
  • • What’s your favorite trail or river pathway to run, walk, or ride? ~ The W&OD Trail is so convenient for me and I really do enjoy it; however, my husband and I absolutely loved the George S. Mickelson Trail in South Dakota!

 

I’m linking up with Jenn from Runs with Pugs and Jenny of Runners Fly for Tuesday topics Link-Up. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!