Mount Spokane State Park

Mount Spokane State Park: Washington’s Largest State Park with 100 Miles of Trails and Year-Round Mountain Adventures

Mount Spokane State Park stands as Washington’s largest state park, encompassing 12,444 acres of richly forested Selkirk Mountains terrain with an incredible variety of year-round adventures just an hour from Spokane. Located in Mead, this mountain paradise features 100 miles of trails winding through dense forests, subalpine meadows, and panoramic viewpoints, crowned by the historic Vista House at the 5,883-foot summit and offering everything from summer hiking and mountain biking to world-class winter skiing and Nordic trails.

Mount Spokane State Park Fast Facts

Park Overview

Mount Spokane State Park encompasses the most diverse mountain terrain in eastern Washington, featuring mixed varietal forests of Ponderosa pine, subalpine meadows filled with bear grass, wildflowers, and prized huckleberries that create a spectacular backdrop for outdoor adventures.

The park’s crown jewel is the historic Vista House, designed by architect H.C. Bertelsen and constructed in 1933, which sits at the 5,883-foot summit offering panoramic views across the surrounding Selkirk Mountains. The extensive trail system provides access to multiple peaks including Mount Kit Carson, Beauty Mountain, and Quartz Mountain, each offering unique perspectives of the region’s dramatic topography.

This mountain destination serves outdoor enthusiasts seeking both gentle forest walks and challenging peak adventures, with infrastructure developed through partnerships between Washington State Parks, the Civilian Conservation Corps legacy, and local ski clubs dating back to the 1930s. The park’s unique character combines serious mountain terrain with accessible facilities, making it equally appealing for families seeking meadow strolls and experienced adventurers tackling multi-peak challenges.

Activities & Recreation

Facilities & Amenities

Mount Spokane State Park provides comprehensive facilities reflecting its status as Washington’s premier mountain recreation destination. The historic Vista House at the summit serves as the park’s signature attraction, offering panoramic views and interpretive displays. Selkirk Lodge provides year-round amenities including restrooms, water, tables, and wood stove heating, operating daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during winter season.

The Nordic trail system includes two warming huts, Nova Hut and Tripp’s Knob Warming Shelter, each featuring seating and wood stoves. Multiple picnic shelters, restrooms with flush toilets, an automated pay station, and Wi-Fi connectivity serve day-use visitors. Nordic Hut operates equipment rentals for cross-country skis and snowshoes December through March from their trailer adjacent to Selkirk Lodge.

Camping & Accommodations

Bald Knob Campground offers eight standard campsites with running water and flush restrooms, operating July 1 through September 15 on a first-come, first-served basis with no RV hookups available. For a truly unique mountain experience, the Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout provides overnight accommodations atop the 5,180-foot rocky summit, sleeping four guests comfortably in the 14-by-14-foot wood-frame structure with wrap-around windows and propane stove. Available June 15 through October 1, this elevated accommodation offers outstanding views of Spokane Valley, North Idaho panhandle, and the Selkirk Mountains, though visitors must pack in all food and supplies as no electricity is available.

Planning Your Visit

Mount Spokane State Park operates on seasonal schedules with summer hours from 6:30 a.m. to dusk and extended winter hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. During winter season (December 1 through March 31), the park becomes a Sno-Park requiring Sno-Park permits instead of Discover Passes, available online or at the park office.

Summer visitors need a Discover Pass for day use parking. The park receives 300 inches of annual snowfall, creating excellent winter conditions but requiring appropriate traction tires and tire chains for vehicle access. Webcams at the park office and Selkirk Lodge provide current road and parking conditions. The park is located 23 miles northeast of Spokane via Highway 206, making it easily accessible for day trips from the metropolitan area.

What to Bring & Know

• Appropriate seasonal gear including layers for rapidly changing mountain weather conditions and elevation changes of nearly 3,000 feet
• Berry picking containers during summer for the legendary huckleberry harvest in subalpine meadows
• Camera equipment for capturing panoramic summit views spanning multiple mountain ranges and the Spokane Valley
• Winter traction devices and tire chains essential for safe access during snow season when 300 inches annually transform the landscape
• Wildlife awareness as moose, cougars, black bears, and other mountain species inhabit the park’s diverse ecosystems

Final Word

Mount Spokane State Park delivers Washington’s ultimate year-round mountain adventure, where 100 miles of trails lead to historic summit vistas and world-class winter recreation across the state’s largest park.

This park is part of the Explore Washington State Parks Directory—showcasing all of Washington’s State Parks from the rugged Pacific coast to the Cascade peaks. Whether you’re camping under old-growth forests, hiking scenic trails, or discovering local history, we’re highlighting the places where people connect with the state’s incredible natural and cultural heritage—all year long.

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Explore Washington State

Explore Washington State has been covering the real Washington for more than a decade. State parks, small towns, back roads, rest stops, and the people who make this place worth exploring. What started as a hyperlocal project covering individual communities grew into a full media project with more than 340 podcast episodes, a weekly newsletter with 3,800 subscribers, and coverage of all 146 Washington State Parks. The content here comes from people who have actually been to these places: locals, regulars, and lifelong Washington residents who care more about getting it right than getting clicks.

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