Where to Cool Off This Summer in Spokane
Looking for the best ways to get in the water this summer? From riding the Spokane River to exploring waterfalls in Spokane, here are the top ways to stay cool this 2022 summer.
![kayaking in Riverside State Park near Spokane](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/20170701_Recreation_Waterways_CanoeKayak_010_7b940627-8c41-416a-8bf8-ffa38090367c.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=3c0510957ef1f6e8b9b845617651835d 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/20170701_Recreation_Waterways_CanoeKayak_010_7b940627-8c41-416a-8bf8-ffa38090367c.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=88916d4220669926b6b0e3c8ac26f060 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/20170701_Recreation_Waterways_CanoeKayak_010_7b940627-8c41-416a-8bf8-ffa38090367c.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=c2fcd1ff61fe2c9ee65d622bdc2f464b 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/20170701_Recreation_Waterways_CanoeKayak_010_7b940627-8c41-416a-8bf8-ffa38090367c.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=2241ce11865e9a95a11f7ecb2f04e15f 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/20170701_Recreation_Waterways_CanoeKayak_010_7b940627-8c41-416a-8bf8-ffa38090367c.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d2f59b91295ce968f1009d17458e0ac4 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/20170701_Recreation_Waterways_CanoeKayak_010_7b940627-8c41-416a-8bf8-ffa38090367c.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5f9f3f67ed9a69b2eab22b406ffa5cc6 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/20170701_Recreation_Waterways_CanoeKayak_010_7b940627-8c41-416a-8bf8-ffa38090367c.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=91985045f80de5f5208fef13b81680b1 1920w)
PADDLE THE LITTLE SPOKANE
Don’t let the name fool you. The Little Spokane River offers as much fun as the main Spokane River it feeds into. The gentler size and flow make it perfect for kayaking. You can rent kayaks through the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department for $49. The rental includes a kayak, paddle, whistle, self-guided tour map, life jacket and shuttle service to the put-in spot at St. George’s. From there, you’ll enjoy a 6-mile, self-guided paddle through a breathtaking wildland area home to deer, moose, osprey, waterfowl, fish and other wild creatures. The rental season runs from July 2 through Sept. 4. Kayaks can be picked up starting at 11 am and are due back by 4 pm. More at spokanerec.org.
![Summer water activities in Spokane](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/local-business/Wiley-Water-4.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5b756dc4d14b0c67fefca6c9d7ae71f5 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/local-business/Wiley-Water-4.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7bfd687c1077f26aa67caabd30397fa2 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/local-business/Wiley-Water-4.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9a50e1f863a5d9ddf6c987afcdcf3fa5 600w)
RIDE THE SPOKANE RIVER
The Spokane River is iconic. And what better way to get to know the river than to spend an afternoon being tossed around by its whitewater?
Pangaea River Rafting offers guided rafting trips down the Spokane River at $79 for adults and $69 for kids. Wiley E. Waters has a similar guided trip at $69 for adults and $64 for kids. Each trip lasts a couple of hours and climaxes with the Spokane River’s most famous rapids: Bowl and Pitcher and Devil’s Toenail.
The rapids both score a class three on the international scale of river difficulty (six is the highest). Class three rapids generally come with moderate, irregular waves; they’re manageable for beginners but still exciting enough to get your adrenaline pumping. The Bowl and Pitcher rapid is located under the wooden bridge by Riverside State Park. It’s fast-paced and heart-pounding. Devil’s Toenail comes shortly after, with a series of twists and turns guaranteed to get you at least a little bit wet. Visit pangaeariverrafting.com.
If you’re looking for adventure on the other side of the border, try the ROW Adventure Center in Coeur d’Alene. The organization runs an all-day rafting trip on the Moyie River, a little-known gem with class two and three rapids that cut through the rugged pine and cedar forests of North Idaho. Trips are available June 4 through July 5 at $135. More info at rowadventurecenter.com and riverrafting.net.
Fishing Across Spokane
If rafting down whitewater sounds too fast-paced, you can slow things down with the gentlest of aquatic sports — fishing.
When you’re ready to cast a reel, Liberty Lake is a fantastic place to start. The lake is open for fishing from March 1 through Oct. 31. During the warmer summer months, you can find large and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and other prized warm water species. The lake is known for having one of the best brown bullhead fisheries in the area.
If fly-fishing is more your speed, the Spokane River and Grande Ronde River are great places to start. For Idaho, try the St. Joe River or the North Fork of Coeur d’Alene.
Summer Concerts at Lake Coeur d'Alene
There’s something about boats that just makes everything a bit more fun. Sure, you can catch one of the hundreds of concerts on land in the Inland Northwest this summer, but if you’re looking to spice it up, why not catch a show on a boat? Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises has six concerts scheduled for its Bands on Boats Summer Concert Series. Tickets start at $36.50. Spokane-based artist Jerry Lee Raines is headlining on Aug. 25. Visit cdacruises.com/bands-on-boats for details.
![splash pad](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Summer_1_fd013088-2c76-4915-8d82-a9b22bef8406.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=e32af0ad3c451875190e9094887106bf 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Summer_1_fd013088-2c76-4915-8d82-a9b22bef8406.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b83f4b5596537dc818288c864fc2cfc3 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Summer_1_fd013088-2c76-4915-8d82-a9b22bef8406.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d73e573fcffe33e5bb1135e16620cb3c 719w)
Summer Splash Pads for Kids
Kids and families looking to stay cool can check out one of Spokane’s 19 splash pads. The pads are open from 9 am-8 pm daily between May 27 and Sept. 6. They’re located at:
• Audubon Park
• Carlson Park
• Chief Garry Park
• Coeur d’Alene Park
• Franklin Park
• Friendship Park
• Glass Park
• Grandview Park
• Manito Park
• Pacific Park
• Thornton Murphy Park
• Riverfront Park: Ice Age Floods Playground
• Riverfront Park: Rotary Fountain
• Shadle Park
• Underhill Park
Splash pads sporadically close for maintenance. You can call 509-625-6960 to check for hours and closures.
![Palouse Falls Spokane hiking trails](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=852e93ff0a3ee87fd88095dd46ea3dc0 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=9a519431b4008008e4a806609bf11d88 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1743270ebfe2727368678090d42f13c2 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a0d836855c957d39c52d8ee1c52c40b1 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=0e9e8b0ba9b0f672c9c7dbe31ec8fa10 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=9fc190a50b34837167e7af37d82ab87a 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=a0496d341dd34b821bbd31730ba47188 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=74ef85269e143cde32c97d8710e299b0 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/atanas_malamov_nb_QcOJlRZ0_unsplash_97b02592-caa4-4729-92d0-7c1757ecc11b.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=01a01ab0bbe47f508844fb627feaa2c5 3840w)
Discover the Waterfalls of Spokane
The 198-foot Palouse Falls is Washington’s official state waterfall. They are stunningly gorgeous — and massive. Go in early summer to experience the full force of the snow runoff. The falls are just off the Snake River, about a two-hour drive from Spokane. If that’s too far, try checking out the Spokane Falls in the heart of the city. Huntington Park is a great place for an up-close view. For an aerial view, try the gondola. Tickets are free for children under 2, $5.75 for children 2-12 and $7.75 for adults. The ride lasts about 15 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the Riverfront Spokane website or on-site.