Riverside State Park spans over 14,000 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers, offering diverse camping sites near Nine Mile Falls, Washington. Most camping options in this area sit at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet, creating moderate temperature swings between day and night even in summer. Fire restrictions typically begin in July and extend through September due to the region's dry eastern Washington climate.
What to do
Hiking the suspension bridge trail: At Bowl and Pitcher Campground — Riverside State Park, visitors can explore the unique geological formations along the Spokane River. "This is a larger campground great for RV, trailers and tents. The sites are enclosed in a circle, making a nice walk or bike ride... my favorite thing was the suspension bridge over the river. Lots of space for swimming and fishing!" notes Mary C.
Horseback riding on dedicated trails: The Riverside State Park Equestrian Campground provides specialized facilities for horse enthusiasts. "This area accesses many miles of hiking/biking/horseback trails along the scenic Spokane River... There is also an arena, round pen, and trail training course a quarter mile up from the campground," explains Gary M.
Swimming in designated areas: Lake Spokane offers summer swimming options for families wanting to cool off. "The park by the lake was very well taken care of as most of the campers there spent the day swimming in the nice gated off swim section at the lake," reports Jake A. about his experience at Lake Spokane Campground.
What campers like
Proximity to Spokane with natural setting: Many campers appreciate how close some campgrounds are to urban amenities while maintaining a wilderness feel. "We actually live right down the road from this park and now a days, hike here regularly. This is a nice little campground with plenty of tent sites and trails to check out. It is really close to Spokane but is nestled in such a way that you would not realize the city is there," shares Terrie M. about Riverside State Park.
Free camping with Discover Pass: Several Washington state park sites offer economical options. "Free 3 nights with a Discover Pass. Really clean pit toilets. Nice camp host. Beautiful nature, can't complain about a thing!" reports Rowan R. about Dragoon Creek Campground.
Clean facilities and responsive staff: Well-maintained campgrounds receive positive feedback. "The campground is tiny but well worth the visit whether you're boating, swimming, or just wanting to get to get out of town. Friendly care takers and rangers," writes Andrew H. about his Lake Spokane experience.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Despite proximity to Spokane, connectivity varies widely at area campgrounds. "This is a perfect getaway for people looking to unplug as no cell service (tested on sprint, verizon, and google fi) is available," mentions Mary C. about Bowl and Pitcher Campground.
Mosquito presence on trails: Insects can be problematic in certain areas, particularly near water. "We enjoyed the beauty of the Spokane River, walking across the suspension bridge and hiking the trails. The mosquitoes on the trail were very present, but in the campground we saw very few," notes Lisa K. at Bowl and Pitcher.
Wasp populations at some sites: Dragoon Creek Campground has recurring issues with stinging insects. "The only downside here would have to be the number of wasps throughout the grounds. Wasp traps would be a nice investment but when you're outside you have to be prepared," warns Serena G. Another camper was more direct: "This campground has way, way too many bees. They are a nuisance can't relax without having to worry about a bee flying in your face."
Tips for camping with families
Look for protected swimming areas: Sites with designated swimming spots provide safer options for children. "There is a nice cement slab just in the water so it makes a safe place for kids," mentions Arica C. about Willow Bay RV Resort & Marina.
Reserve early for summer weekends: The most family-friendly sites fill quickly, especially those with water access. "We were put off by the reviews so carried onto LSC. When we got to LSC we found that it's not actually on the lake and pretty much all of the sites do not have lake views, so we turned around and headed back to Willow Bay Site," shares Bryony C.
Consider noise factors: Train tracks and airports affect some camping areas. "This is a campground on a military base, access is limited to active and retired military. use the Rambo Rd gate during normal business hours," notes Jim T. about Fairchild AFB FamCamp, which offers a quieter environment for military families.
Tips from RVers
Check site length restrictions: Some campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "Bowl and Pitcher campground has several partial-hookup sites with electricity and water, and several with no hook ups. The largest site length is 45 feet, so large RVs won't fit," advises Joel R.
Look for concrete pads: Northern Quest RV Resort offers more level options for RVs. "Nice park with concrete sites available. But free Internet leaves something to be desired," mentions John, while another reviewer noted, "Nice level concrete slabs."
Consider campsite privacy: Many RV sites in the area have limited separation. "Sites are pretty open not offering a good amount of privacy, though most are along the Spokane River. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, with bbq grate," explains Mary C. about Bowl and Pitcher Campground.
