State Parks, Avista and DNR teaming up to improve Nine Mile and Lake Spokane area recreational opportunities

Washington State Parks, Avista and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are partnering to increase and improve recreational opportunities around Lake Spokane.

This includes State Parks managing:

• Approximately 2,000 acres of Avista and DNR property along Lake Spokane.
• Avista’s Nine Mile Falls and Lake Spokane Recreation areas, including:
  • Two scenic overlooks
  • Non-motorized boat access below Long Lake Dam (current area being redeveloped)
  • Non-motorized boat access above Nine Mile Dam (projected to be available in 2013)
  • 10 boat-in-only campsites on Lake Spokane (projected to be available in 2013)
  • DNR’s Lake Spokane Campground, which will be expanded in the future
  • Non-hunting season management of its South Shore Trailheads.

“We expect this partnership to benefit our communities with improved recreation experiences and opportunities at our sites along Lake Spokane,” said Speed Fitzhugh, Spokane River License Manager for Avista. “State Parks will provide daily operations and administration expertise, which helps reduce Avista’s costs. And it also provides for consistent management of the recreation areas around Nine Mile and Lake Spokane.”

At the same time said Chris Guidotti, Riverside State Park Area Manager, “This allows State Parks to offer additional public recreation opportunities with the resources we have available.”

Avista has agreed to compensate State Parks for management of these lands, including a contribution for the expansion of the DNR campground.

As with other state parks, the Discover Pass will be required for day use at these recreation sites. In addition, campsites will cost $12 per night and boat launching will be $7 per launch.