Riverside State Park Trails Reopen Along Spokane River

Trails between Aubrey L. White Parkway and the Spokane River are open again more than three months after complex fires damaged the park.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Hiking

Wide view of a dirt trail through pines and cottonwoods beside a clear river, with dark basalt cliffs and a few charred trunks at the edge of the frame. — Trails between Aubrey L. White Parkway and the Spokane River at Riverside State Park reopened more than three months after complex fires forced closures across the park. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is now a good time for you to return to local parks after wildfires?

Trails between Aubrey L. White Parkway and the Spokane River reopened at Riverside State Park after complex fires burned thousands of acres and forced many areas of the park to close. Visitors can again use popular trails along the river.

Why it matters

The reopening restores access to a heavily used recreation area near Spokane while the park continues to recover from fire damage. Park rangers are asking visitors to respect remaining closure rules.

The fires burned thousands of acres in the park, and the trail reopening came more than three months after the blaze. The extraction does not say when the remaining closed areas will reopen.

The players

Riverside State Park

A Washington state park along the Spokane River that is managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and draws visitors for hiking and river access.

The details

Many areas of Riverside State Park were closed because the complex fires damaged them. Trails running between Aubrey L. White Parkway and the Spokane River are now open, and visitors can again use the popular riverside paths.

Complex fires burned thousands of acres in the park three months before the reopening.
Trails between Aubrey L. White Parkway and the Spokane River reopened on November 7, 2026.

Roadmap

Phased trail reopenings after wildfires are a familiar pattern in western state parks, where damaged corridors return to use before every closed area does. The Riverside reopening follows that sequence, restoring the river trails while other sections remain under recovery.

Hikers planning a visit can use the reopened trails between Aubrey L. White Parkway and the Spokane River, but should follow posted closure rules in areas still under recovery. Checking current park conditions before heading out can help avoid closed sections.

The takeaway

Recovery after wildfire often happens in stages, so check current closure notices before planning a trip to Riverside State Park. Respecting closure rules helps the park's damaged areas heal.