Recreation
Besides generating clean, renewable hydropower, our Clark Fork and Spokane River Projects provide abundant recreational opportunities. They are surrounded by thousands of acres of land that offer outdoor recreational activities such as boating, camping, fishing, bird watching, swimming, hiking, and more.
The Clark Fork River and Spokane River are generally open to the public and accessible from both land and water for day-use recreational activities. As you enjoy the many activities this area has to offer, please play it safe above and below a dam and obey all posted warning signs.
Plan your next day trip along the Clark Fork River or Spokane River.
Please note: As of August 19, 2021, all Lake Spokane recreation sites, excluding Long Lake Dam Overlook and Long Lake Picnic Area, are closed due to wildfire activity.
Upriver Park
Construction has begun on Upriver Park, beginning with completing the North Center and Upriver Park intersection and thinning non-native vegetation along Upriver Drive. The Centennial Trail is being rerouted along Greene Street.
When the park is finished in late fall 2021, visitors will be greeted by a plaza at each of the two entrances and other park amenities, including a brick arch, new park benches, updated signage, a water fountain and picnic tables. The thinning and trimming of trees and removing invasive species along the shoreline will open new views of the river and offer improved, managed access to the existing shoreline.
The park also includes developing a carry-in-only boating access site to address the increase in demand for water-based recreation facilities within Spokane’s urban community and to provide additional access to project waters. Located on Avista-owned property, the carry-in-only site will consist of a boat put-in and take-out and an informal pedestrian path to the Spokane River.
Avista will maintain the Upriver Park in partnership with the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department as a valuable community asset open to all.
