Downriver Golf Course

About This Course: Spokane’s Oldest Golf Course, Along the River

Downriver Golf Course in Spokane is the city’s oldest golf course, established in 1916, and the reason to play it is the setting: tall pines along the Spokane River, on the edge of Riverside State Park, with gently rolling ground and river views. The City of Spokane runs it as one of its four municipal courses, and the city says it has hosted many major tournaments.

It is a par 71 that plays 6,130 yards from the back tees, short by modern standards and friendly to every skill level, with a driving range, a clubhouse restaurant and 2026 green fees of $57 for 18 holes.

Downriver Golf Course Fast Facts

Course Overview

The City of Spokane dates Downriver to 1916 and calls it Spokane’s oldest golf course. The Spokane Public Library’s Northwest Room holds an early postcard titled “Down River Municipal Golf Course from Club House,” dated between 1916 and 1925, which shows it was a city course in its early years. Visit Spokane describes it as heavily treed, lying along the Spokane River and bordered by Riverside State Park.

The city pitches it as a layout that suits all skill levels, and the numbers agree: a 116 slope from the Blue tees is gentle, and 6,130 yards leaves room to hit less than driver. The pines are the defense. The card has four par 5s and five par 3s, and the two hardest holes, the 5th and the 12th, are a long par 4 and a long par 3.

Hole by Hole Highlights

Pars and handicaps below match on the Blue tee scorecards published by GolfPass and GolfingRecord. Published hole yardages disagree with each other and with the city’s 6,130 total, so this list leaves them out; check the card at the first tee.

• Hole 1, par 5: A par 5 to open, and the number 15 handicap.
• Hole 5, par 4: The number 1 handicap and the longest par 4 on the course. Bogey is no disgrace here.
• Hole 7, par 5: The longest hole on the card and the number 5 handicap. A three shot hole for most players.
• Hole 10, par 4: The number 4 handicap. A 2016 Inlander piece described looking down on the 10th from the restaurant patio.
• Hole 12, par 3: The longest par 3 and the number 2 handicap. Take enough club to reach the green.
• Hole 13, par 5: The first of back to back par 5s, with the par 5 14th right behind it. This is your best stretch to make up shots.
• Hole 17, par 4: The number 18 handicap and one of the shortest par 4s on the course.
• Hole 18, par 4: Another short par 4 to finish, and the number 16 handicap. A good score can still be saved at the end.

Amenities and Practice

Downriver has a driving range, and the city’s 2026 opening notice said the range, permanent greens and carts would all be available at opening. The city says it offers professional golf instruction year round at all four of its courses; call the Downriver golf shop at 509-327-5269 to set up a lesson. The city also runs junior golf programs across its courses.

You can walk or ride. The online booking engine sells walking rounds at the green fee and adds a cart at $22 a golfer for 18 holes or $11 for 9. If you own a cart, the city sells a daily private cart license for $20.

Food and Drink

Downriver has a clubhouse restaurant, and the city confirmed it would be open for the 2026 season. The city does not name it or post a menu online. When the Inlander visited in 2016, it described a spacious interior, a mostly covered patio under the pines looking down on the 10th hole, and a feel like a meal at a ski lodge, with coffee, beer and burgers on offer.

Plan Your Visit

Rates, Tee Times and Local Tips

The City of Spokane’s 2026 rates apply at all four city courses and include sales and admission taxes and the facility improvement fee. Eighteen holes cost $57 any day of the week, and 9 holes cost $41, but there is no 9 hole rate until after 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Juniors pay $20 for 9 or 18 holes, and a sunset rate is $35. Booking more than 7 days ahead costs $80 for 18 holes. Regulars can buy an $80 Players Pass, which drops 18 holes to $47, 9 holes to $38 and senior 18 holes to $45, or a $400 Loyalty Pass with $38 adult and $37 senior rounds. Military discounts are also offered.

Book on the Downriver tee times page or call 509-327-5269. The 2026 season opened March 6, and Downriver closes for the winter, so check the city’s golf page before a late fall round.

Our Spokane city guide covers the rest of your trip. Riverside State Park borders the course for a walk or ride after your round, and our Spokane coffee shops list handles the early tee time. For more city golf, try Esmeralda Golf Course or The Creek at Qualchan; city passes and gift cards work at every City of Spokane course.

How to Score Here

• Start fast. The 444 yard par 5 opener is the number 15 handicap.
• Take par and move on at the 5th and 12th, the two hardest holes on the card.
• Keep it in the fairway. At 6,130 yards, a hybrid or fairway wood off the tee leaves short irons and keeps the pines out of play.
• Attack 13 and 14, the back to back par 5s, before the short closing par 4s.

Final Word

Downriver is Spokane golf at its most traditional: a city course more than a century old, in the pines beside the river, at a city price.