Sports and Recreation

Spokane is the perfect base for all sorts of activities. You'll find mountains for skiing, hiking and biking, lakes and rivers for swimming, boating and fishing, and golf courses with challenging holes and unmatched scenery. All in a fantastic four-season climate with 260 sunny days each year.

Whatever your idea of fun, Spokane has something for you, from secluded mountain trails to bustling shopping centers, pristine lakes and rivers to Broadway performances, glittering amusement parks to glowing sunsets. With so many different activities to explore, you may even discover a side of yourself you never knew existed.

Climbing
Minnehaha Rocks, also known as John H. Shields Park, has a small outcropping of granite along the Spokane River near Upriver Dam with a variety of lead and top rope climbs for beginners and experts alike. Many bolted anchors have been installed at the top. Ten to thirty minutes from the city are areas for climbers from novice to experienced. Within an hour and a half of downtown you'll find great advanced climbing areas.

Fishing
For more than a quarter century, anglers have taken superb fly fishing adventures. Guides can take fishermen to the gems of the Idaho Panhandle - the crystal waters of St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene rivers where you enjoy a fulfilling day of fishing for native west-slope cutthroat trout. Or spend the day at one of the private lakes in eastern Washington. Half and full-day floats are available.

Hiking / Biking
The scenic path called Centennial Trail follows the Spokane River from Riverside State Park to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. There are numerous access points for walking, bicycling, running or in-line skating. Call the trail office at 509.624.7188.

Winter Sports
49 Degrees North Mountain Resort is the inland northwest's favorite family resort just an hour's drive north of Spokane. Set in the beautiful Colville National Forest. Averaging over 300 inches of snowfall annually. 450 new acres for you to explore with 1,851 feet of vertical drop, 2,325 acres of terrain and over 350 acres of legendary gladed tree skiing. Mt. Spokane Ski & Snow Board Park is located 30 miles northeast of downtown Spokane on State Route 206. Five ski lifts and beautiful park terrain service a 2,000 foot vertical drop. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow-mobiling are also offered.