Spokane Falls

About Spokane Falls

Spokane Falls is not one drop but two groups of falls on the Spokane River downtown: the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. HistoryLink describes the whole as a two-level, 80-foot cascade. No official source we found gives a height for each falls.

Upper Falls, Lower Falls and the dams

Both the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls are dammed. Avista operates the Upper Falls Dam, built in 1920, and the Monroe Street Dam, from 1890, per Wikipedia.

Monroe Street Dam at the Lower Falls was the first dam on the Spokane River. Wikipedia calls it Washington's longest-running hydroelectric facility.

History of Spokane Falls

Visit Spokane says the Spokane Tribe named the falls Stluputqu, meaning "swift water". The falls were a gathering place for fishing and ceremonies. Wikipedia notes they were also the site of a large Spokane village.

The falls gave the city its first name, Spokane Falls. Visit Spokane says settlers began using the river for electricity in the 1880s, and Washington Water Power, now Avista, was founded in 1889.

Riverfront Park, mostly on Havermale Island, was once a rail yard. It became the grounds of the 1974 World's Fair, Expo '74, according to Wikipedia.

Getting there and parking

There's no trail to hike. Visit Spokane lists several free viewpoints. Two are Huntington Park and the pedestrian suspension bridges near the upper falls. Others are the Post Street Bridge, the viewing area under the Monroe Street Bridge on the Centennial Trail, and A Place of Truths plaza.

Huntington Park sits between City Hall and Mobius Science Center. Visit Spokane describes stairs and meandering gravel paths leading down toward the lower falls, and notes a Tribal Gathering Place.

The city's visitor page gives Riverfront Park's address as 507 N. Howard Street and says vehicles can't drive through the park. A paid Park Connect Shuttle of electric carts loops the park every 20 minutes.

Parking downtown

The City of Spokane says all Riverfront Park lots require payment, at a kiosk or through the ParkMobile app. It lists four lots: Lincoln (50 spaces), Washington (149), Post (33) and Cataldo (45).

Rates are the same at all four: $5 for the first hour, then $1.50 an hour, up to $25 a day (6 a.m. to midnight). An early-bird rate of $4 applies Monday to Friday if you're in by 9 a.m. and out by 6 p.m. The Post Lot has no early-bird rate.

On event days, the city charges $25 from 2 hours before an event or concert through 2 a.m. Parking Services can be reached at 509-625-6605.

Elsewhere in the state, Snoqualmie Falls is another Washington waterfall tied to a hydroelectric project. Closer to Spokane, Palouse Falls is about 79 miles away in a straight line.

Map and nearby falls

Best viewpoints: parks, bridges and the SkyRide

On foot: for the lower falls, head to Huntington Park or the viewing area under the Monroe Street Bridge. For the upper falls, Visit Spokane points to the suspension bridges in Riverfront Park.

Numerica SkyRide: the city describes a 15-minute round trip in an enclosed all-weather cabin. It drops about 200 feet over the Huntington Park Natural Area, crosses the river in front of one set of falls, and passes under the Monroe Street Bridge.

The city lists tickets at $13.95 for adults and $9.95 for youth 3 to 12, with ages 2 and under free and tax extra (as listed Oct 2026). Veterans, active military and seniors 65+ get 10% off in person.

Buy tickets on site at the Skate Ribbon ticketing building, at Spokane Falls Boulevard and Post Street. The cabin windows open for photos, and the ride is wheelchair accessible.

The city says the SkyRide may close in high winds or when temperatures pass 90 degrees. Check the city's page for current hours before you go.

When to visit

Spokane Falls runs strongest in spring, and Visit Spokane singles out May, when snowmelt peaks.

Spring flow and the May peak

Visit Spokane says flow peaks with spring snowmelt and singles out May as especially powerful. The city says the best SkyRide views are March through June, when the water is high.

The USGS gauge on the Spokane River, charted on this page, shows the same pattern. Monthly flow peaks in May and drops to its lowest in August.

Late summer and fall expose more of the basalt, per Visit Spokane, so expect more bare rock if you visit then.

The city's visitor page says Riverfront Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. Its park rules say other city parks close from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Dogs are allowed on a leash in city parks. A 2014 city notice barred pets from Riverfront Park during major events such as Hoopfest, the July 4th celebration and Pig Out in the Park. Pets aren't allowed on the SkyRide, per an archived city page; service animals are.

Safety and swimming

Photos

Spokane Falls FAQ

Nearby waterfalls

No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.

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