When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and green, with high river flow and lively rapids below the Bowl and Pitcher.
Pack Layers, grippy footwear, and a rain shell for fast-changing weather.
Summer
Warm and dry, the prime camping, biking, and paddling window with busy weekends.
Pack Camp reservation, sun protection, and water for exposed bluff trails.
Fall
Crisp and quieter, with strong river-canyon color.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and traction for leaf litter on rock.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with snow and ice on the trails and bridge approaches.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a check on seasonal facility closures.
Top things to do
Bowl and Pitcher and the suspension bridge
The park's signature scene: hulking basalt formations in the Spokane River, crossed by a historic Civilian Conservation Corps suspension bridge that carries the main loop trail.
Bowl and Pitcher Loop Trail
A popular riverside loop starting at the suspension bridge, framing the rapids and rock formations and suitable for most ability levels.
Little Spokane River and Deep Creek areas
Quieter corners of the sprawling park, with calm-water paddling on the Little Spokane and basalt canyon scenery at Deep Creek for hikers who want to escape the main bridge crowds.
Anchor the day around Bowl and Pitcher and the suspension bridge
Keep one flexible slot in the day, because weather, parking, and energy usually decide more than the map does. For one day in Riverside State Park, make Bowl and Pitcher and the suspension bridge the non-negotiable, add Bowl and Pitcher Loop Trail only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Little Spokane River and Deep Creek areas as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Bowl and Pitcher and the suspension bridge: The park's signature scene: hulking basalt formations in the Spokane River, crossed by a historic Civilian Conservation Corps suspension bridge that carries the main.
- 2Add Bowl and Pitcher Loop Trail: A popular riverside loop starting at the suspension bridge, framing the rapids and rock formations and suitable for most ability levels.
- 3Use Little Spokane River and Deep Creek areas as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Riverside's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Riverside State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Riverside State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Riverside State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionTrail running shoes, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Riverside
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Riverside
The buying guides that match what Riverside asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp at the Bowl and Pitcher campground for the easiest access to the suspension bridge and river loop, or use the Lake Spokane campground upstream for a quieter, water-oriented base. Spokane itself is nine miles away, so hotels and food are close when you want them.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve the Bowl and Pitcher campground for summer weekends.
Riverside has more than one camping area, but the Bowl and Pitcher campground is the one most people want for its bridge, rapids, and trail access, so it should lead the plan.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Washington State Parks books reservable campsites up to nine months ahead, with same-day campsite reservations available until 2 p.m.
- A Discover Pass is required for day-use parking throughout the park.
- The Bowl and Pitcher campground mixes standard tent sites and partial-hookup RV sites with showers.
- Lake Spokane campground upstream is a quieter, more water-focused alternative.
Where to book or verify
Official Washington State Parks reservation portal for Riverside campgrounds.
Park profile with the Bowl and Pitcher, trails, facilities, and Discover Pass details.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Bowl and Pitcher campground
Details- Booking
- Up to nine months ahead, with same-day reservations until 2 p.m.
- Sites
- Standard tent sites plus partial-hookup RV sites, with restrooms and showers.
- Best first check for the classic Riverside trip, steps from the suspension bridge and river loop.
Lake Spokane campground
Details- Booking
- Up to nine months ahead through the Washington reservation system.
- Season
- Generally a warm-season campground; verify dates before shoulder-season trips.
- Sites
- Riverside and reservoir campsites in a quieter upstream setting.
- Choose this for a calmer, more water-oriented base away from the busy Bowl and Pitcher.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Riverside State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Washington
Car strategy
Riverside sits about nine miles northwest of downtown Spokane along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers, with the Bowl and Pitcher entrance the most popular.
Car strategy
A car is the practical way to reach the park and to move between its widely separated units.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
Washington Filmworks acts as the state film office but issues no permits; Washington State Parks require a commercial filming and photography permit with published fees, plus a Discover Pass to drive in.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bowl and Pitcher at Riverside State Park?
It is the park's signature landmark: large basalt rock formations standing in the Spokane River, crossed by a historic suspension bridge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The main loop trail starts here.
Do you need a Discover Pass at Riverside State Park?
Yes. Washington requires a Discover Pass for day-use parking, currently about $10 per day or $30 per year. Camping reservations cover your vehicle during the stay.
Can you camp at Riverside State Park?
Yes. The Bowl and Pitcher campground offers standard tent and partial-hookup RV sites with showers, and the upstream Lake Spokane campground is a quieter alternative. Both are reservable through Washington State Parks.