Upper River, Spokane River
This section of the Spokane River from Upriver Dam to Monroe Falls Dam is probably most well know as compared to other parts of the river due to the popular Spokane Falls and Riverfront Park. Riverfront Park is also the site where the 1974 Worlds Fair took place. This park is a must stop for those wanting to view some of the most beautiful falls in the world and enjoy one of the cleanest cities in the nation. Before the falls there is a section of the river that is popular with kayakers and is considered a class 1 float if even that. There are either 2 or 3 consecutive sets of rapids depending on water level. All of which are only about 1 to 2 miles below the Upriver Dam. No motorized water craft or persons are allowed in any section of river or its falls between Upper River Dam and Monroe Street Dam. Up river of the Upriver Dam there are 6 areas for kayaks/canoes to access to the river. It is a MUST that one float this section of the river ONLY when the river flow is slow, not during spring run off or during very wet times of the year, etc..
INTERACTIVE GOOGLE MAP COMING SOON!
Restrictions: Watercraft with motors are not allowed on the section of the river from Park Road (Park Road is about a mile up river from Upriver Dam and the park, and slightly up river from Boulder Beach) to Plese Flats Park. Wearing a Life Jacket is required. Click here for Spokane River water levels at http://www.avistautilities.com/environment/ourpart/recreation
RIVER ACCESS POINTS
This is the first up river access site for the river between the Upriver Falls Dam and Upriver Dam. One can park in the very small gravel parking lot along N. Upriver Dr. just south before the road Y's with E. Upriver Dr. & E. Frederick Ave. From the road one traverses down a trail to a level and large grassy area. The bank is steep to get down to the river edge. This is an excellent place to fish from but is not suited for swimming due to it's close proximity to the dam. Of course one should be aware that you are immediately below the dam and the spillways can be opened unexpectedly at anytime. Please check the dams notices and information, river flow status, etc. at http://www.avistautilities.com/environment/ourpart/recreation Restrictions: Watercraft with motors are not allowed on the section of the river from Park Road (Park Road is about a mile up river from Upriver Dam and slightly up river from Boulder Beach) to Plese Flats Park. Wearing a Life Jacket is required. Directions: In the city of Spokane take Exit 287 off of I90 and proceed North on N. Argonne Rd. to the intersection of N. Argonne Rd. & E. Upriver Dr. Turn left/west onto E. Upriver Dr. proceed down the road a few miles until you near Upriver Dam. Once past the dam turn left/south onto N. Upriver Dr. Immediately on this road to your left/south you will see a small parking area; this is the place. Maps: Go to google.com/maps and type Spokane, WA, US. On I90 locate Exit 287 and follow above directions to view the park.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Parking along the road is mostly gravel with some paved areas. Mostly level. You must park completely off the road; PATHS/TRAILS... There are dirt trails down to the river, and they are extremely steep at about a 7% grade. Not accessible at all. Big rocks and boulders to go over to get down to the water; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Large rocks and boulders; Terrain: Steep 7% grade to put-in; H2O/Water: Water in the river is normally pretty clear. Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 degrees and freezing the rest of the year. Extreme currents and rapids/white water; Environmental Conditions: Extreme currents, fast water, and rapids/white water; Resources: Food, water, and gas in town and at River Front Park.
There are several spots to launch from along Upriver Drive. Be careful not to park in an area that is designated NO parking as your vehicle will be towed away. There are several locations along this road with turnouts to access the bike trail and picnic areas which also can be used for launching and retrieving. There are also a couple of things to be cautious of here... Be careful of sweepers (trees with limbs that hand low over the river) which can potentially (as the term replies) "sweep" you off your craft. One must also be careful to only access the river during slow current times of the year to avoid being taken quickly down the river to the falls. Restrictions: Watercraft with motors are not allowed on this section of the river from Park Road (Park Road is about a mile up river from Upriver Dam and slightly up river from Boulder Beach) to Plese Flats Park. Wearing a Life Jacket is required. Directions: In the city of Spokane take Exit 282 (282A if you driving west from Spokane Valley & Coeur d'Alene) off of I90 and proceed North on N. Hamilton St. to the intersection of N. Hamilton St. & E. Mission Ave. Turn right/east onto E. Mission Ave. and proceed down the road a few miles until you reach E. Upriver Dr. just before the bridge that crosses the Spokane River and next to Mission Park. Once on E. Upriver Dr. (some distance down this road the name changes to N. Upriver Dr. and then turns back into E. Upriver Dr. at the Dam and beyond) watch for various legal access sites along the river. Maps: To view a map go google.com/maps and type Spokane, WA, US. On I90 locate Exit 282 and follow above directions to view the river access sites.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Parking along the road is mostly gravel with some paved area. You must park completely off the road; PATHS/TRAILS... There no real designed trails to the waters edge. Its a very short distance from the road/parking lot to the waters edge. No designated accessible trails to the water; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Some areas have large bushes, etc. Some rocks and mud; Terrain: 2 to 5% grade; H2O/Water: Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 degrees and freezing the rest of the year. Extreme currents and fast water; Environmental Conditions: See weather reports at weather.com. Temperatures vary. Fast, Strong, Turbulent water; Resources: Food, water, and gas in the town.
This site is just before Mission Avenue (north of Mission Ave.) on E. South Riverton Ave. There is room to park, grass to picnic on, and river access. The trees here do hang over the river making launching a little more tricky. It would be better to launch just down the road after crossing Mission Ave. traveling southward. There are no restrooms at this location. Restrictions: Watercraft with motors are not allowed on this section of the river from Park Road (Park Road is about a mile up river from Upriver Dam and slightly up river from Boulder Beach) to Plese Flats Park. Wearing a Life Jacket is required. Directions: In the city of Spokane take Exit 282 (282A if you are driving west from Spokane Valley or Coeur d'Alene) off of I90 and proceed North on N. Hamilton St. to the intersection of N. Hamilton St. & E. Mission Ave. Turn right/east onto E. Mission Ave. proceed down the road a few miles until you reach the bridge that crosses the Spokane River and you will pass Mission Park & public pool facility. After crossing the bridge immediately turn left/north onto E. South Riverton Ave. Immediately to your left you will see a long gravel parking lot with grassy area and lots of trees; this is the place.
Maps: To view a map go google.com/maps and type Spokane, WA, US. On I90 locate Exit 282 and follow above directions to view the river access sites.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Parking along the road is mostly gravel with some paved area. You must park completely off the road; PATHS/TRAILS... There no real designed trails to the waters edge. It's a very short distance from the road/parking lot to the waters edge. No designated accessible trails to the water; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Some areas have large bushes, etc. Some rocks and mud; Terrain: 2 to 5% grade; H2O/Water: Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 degrees. Extreme currents and fast water; Environmental Conditions: See weather reports at weather.com. Temperatures vary. Fast, Strong, Turbulent water; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in the town.
Attention this site is in the works to become a fully developed park with marine/water access features such as summer accessible dock. Hopefully will include Direct Water Access for those using wheeled mobility devices and other disAbilities. Will post updates here as this project develops. There are several spots along this road that give access to the river such as this spot between Mission Ave. and the Railroad bridge across from Mission Park. This is not an aesthetically pleasing spot to launch from, but other than the Upriver Dam Put-In sit it is the easiest place to launch from because there are fewer trees and there is a nice gradual grade to the waters edge. There are no restrooms at this location. Restrictions: Watercraft with motors are not allowed on this section of the river from Park Road (Park Road is about a mile up river from Upriver Dam and slightly up river from Boulder Beach) to Plese Flats Park. Wearing a PDF is required. Directions: In the city of Spokane take Exit 282 (282A if you driving west from Spokane Valley & Coeur d'Alene) off of I90 and proceed North on N. Hamilton St. to the intersection of N. Hamilton St. & E. Mission Ave. Turn right/east onto E. Mission Ave. and proceed down the road a few miles until you reach the bridge that crosses the Spokane River and you will pass Mission Park & public pool facility. After crossing the bridge immediately right/south onto N. South Riverton Ave. Stay right; if you go straight you will drive onto N. Helena St. and move away from the river. A short distance down N. South Riverton Ave. before the railroad tracks on your left you will see a un-maintained open area. You will have to park along the road since there is no parking lot there. Maps: To view a map go google.com/maps and type Spokane, WA, US. On I90 locate Exit 282 and follow above directions to view the river access sites.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Parking along the road is mostly gravel with some paved area. You must park completely off the road; PATHS/TRAILS... There no real designed trails to the waters edge. It's a very short distance from the road lot to the waters edge. No designated accessible trails to the water, but it is a nice gradual decent to the water; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: This areas has bushes, etc. than at other locations near by. Some rocks and mud; Terrain: 2 to 3% grade; H2O/Water: Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 degrees or freezing the rest of the year. Extreme currents and fast water; Environmental Conditions: See weather reports at weather.com. Temperatures vary. Fast, Strong, Turbulent water; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in the town.
(Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute)
This site is ONLY accessible to kayaks and canoes. No swimming or wading allowed. Wearing a Life Jacket is required.
If you find the Old Spokane River Launch too busy, the SIRTI access site just down the road is an ok alternative. The launch site is steep and a short distance from the green designated parking lot. Extreme caution MUST be followed when launching or retrieving from this site during swift water times of the year and due to its closeness to the Upper Falls Dam. It MUST NEVER be accessed during spring run off. The official no boating and water/river access area is between Division Street bridge and Monroe Street Dam. Anyone who accesses this area will be arrested for endangering him/herself and those that will have to rescue him/her. Restrictions: Watercraft with motors are not allowed on this section of the river from Park Road (Park Road is about a mile up river from Upriver Dam and slightly up river from Boulder Beach) to Plese Flats Park. Wearing a Life Jacket is required. Parking info: The parking lot is large and on the southwest side of the SIRTI building. If you park here during the week you will receive a ticket and possibly get towed. During the weekend you could get a ticket but kayakers tell me the parking lot is not enforced during the weekend. To avoid a possible ticket unload your kayak and then drive to a lot where you can legally park (make sure not to leave your kayak unattended or it WILL be stolen). Directions: In the city of Spokane take Exit 281 (Division Street Exit) off of I90 and proceed North on S. Division Street. S. Division St. turns to N. Division St. when you get to downtown Spokane. On N. Division St. Just before the bridge that crosses the Spokane River you can turn right/east on either E. Spokane Falls Blvd. or E. Olive Ave. Turn left onto E. Riverpoint Blvd. Follow this road Until you see the SIRTI building (sign/letter is placed high near the top of the building and can be hard to see) to your right/southwest and a GREEN designated parking lot. Drive into this lot and proceed to the northeast corner next to the SIRTI building, this is the place. SEE PARKING INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE! Maps: To view a map go google.com/maps and type Spokane, WA, US. On I90 locate Exit 281 and follow above directions to view the river access sites.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Parking in level large parking lot. See parking restrictions in above text; PATHS/TRAILS... There no real designed trails to the water's edge. It's extremely steep to the water of 10% grade or more. No designated accessible trails to the water; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… None; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Large bushes, Steep grade to water, large rocks and boulders, etc.; Terrain: 10% plus grade; H2O/Water: Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 degrees or freezing the rest of the year. Extreme currents and fast water; Environmental Conditions: See weather reports at weather.com. Temperatures vary. Fast, Strong, Turbulent water; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in the town.
No swimming or wading allowed. Wearing your Life Jacket is required.
This launch is in front of Riverpoint Village Condominiums (ONLY accessible to kayaks and canoes, light weight watercraft's). No swimming or wading allowed. Wearing your Like Jacket is required. This is a great lesser known launch site just up river from the busy Division Street Bridge (see below... #7). Extreme caution must be used when launching or retrieving from this site during swift water times of the year (due to its close proximity to the Upper Falls Dam). It MUST NEVER be accessed during spring runoff. The official no boating and water/river access area is between Division Street bridge and Monroe Street Dam. Anyone who accesses this area will be arrested for endangering him/herself and those that will have to rescue him/her. This site is the original location of an old Spokane boat launch before this area was developed; in the old days people would launch their small powerboats and non motor powered watercraft here. Restrictions: Watercraft with motors are not allowed on this section of the river from Park Road (Park Road is about a mile up river from Upriver Dam and slightly up river from Boulder Beach) to Plese Flats Park. Wearing a Life Jacket is required. Parking info: This site can only be accessed by driving into the Washington State University (WSU) yellow designated parking lot across from the WSU Library building and next to the Riverpoint Village Condominiums via the Centennial Trail. The site to launch from is directly in front of the Riverpoint Village condominiums off of the Centennial trail. The launch area land is owned by the city and not by the condo owners. The area around the launch site is shallow, particularly during July and late summer. The river channel during the low water times of the year is approximately 5 feet deep near the middle of the river. More Parking Info: The parking lot is large. If you park there during the week when college is in session you will receive a ticket and possibly get towed. During the weekend you could get a ticket but kayakers tell me the parking lot is not enforced during the weekend (could get towed or a ticket regardless). To avoid a possible ticket unload your kayak and then drive to a lot where you can legally park (make sure not to leave your kayak unattended when moving your vehicle to park as your kayak WILL probably be stolen). Directions: In the city of Spokane take Exit 281 (Division Street Exit) off of I90 and proceed North on S. Division Street. S. Division St. turns to N. Division St. when you get to downtown Spokane. On N. Division St. just before the bridge that crosses the Spokane River, you can turn right/east on either E. Spokane Falls Blvd. or E. Olive Ave. Turn left onto E. Riverpoint Blvd. Follow this road until you see the WSU Library to your right/south and a YELLOW designated parking lot. Drive into this lot and proceed to the northeast corner next to the Riverpoint Village Condominiums and Centennial Trail; this is the place. SEE PARKING INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE! Maps: To view a map go google.com/maps and type Spokane, WA, US. On I90 locate Exit 282 and follow above directions to view the river access sites.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Parking in large parking lot. Lot is level with not slope. See parking restrictions in above text; PATHS/TRAILS... There is a large paved path/trail to the launch location, which is the bike/pedestrian trail called the Centennial Trail, no more than about a 2% grade. This trail does not take one directly to the water's edge, but close to it. Once you get to the launch site get off the trail quickly as to not cause any bike related accidents. There is a short bumpy path to the water of about 2-3% grade. During late summer there is a large sandbar, primarily made up of small pebbles and sand; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… None at this site but there is within Riverfront Park a mile or so west off of the Centennial Trail; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices. At this site one using a wheelchair could potentially get to the water with assistance; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Large bushes, Potentially some steep short drop offs caused by erosion, large rocks and boulders, etc.; Terrain: 3-10% plus grade; H2O/Water: Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 degrees but most of the year is freezing. Extreme currents and fast water; Environmental Conditions: See weather reports at weather.com. Temperatures vary. Fast, Strong, Turbulent currents; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in the town and within River Front Park.
No swimming or wading allowed. Wearing your Life Jacket is required.
ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Parking in large parking lot. See parking restrictions in above text; PATHS/TRAILS... No matter where you park to access this site is via bike/pedestrian trail called the Centennial Trail, no more than about a 2% grade. Right off this trail is the gravel launch, with about a 3% grade. See parking info above to avoid stairs and other barriers in accessing this site; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… None at this site but there is within Riverfront Park a half mile or so west next to the Centennial Trail; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. No person with a visual disability should launch and recreate at this location without a sight person with them to ensure one does not get to close to the dam, etc. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… None; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… This launch is not paved but some mobility devices with large knobby tires could potentially access the water here with assistance. Extreme caution should be applied due to the close proximity to the dam. This is not a swim location. Non-motorized watercraft use only; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... None; CAMPING... None; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Gravel launch may be difficult to traverse, etc.; Terrain: 2-3% grade; H2O/Water: Water temperature in the summer can be around 60 degrees other times of the year is freezing. Extreme currents and fast water most of the year except during mid to late summer when water level drops. Caution close proximity to Dam; Environmental Conditions: See weather reports at weather.com. Temperatures vary. Fast and turbulent currents; Resources: Food, drinks, and gas in the town.
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