City Guide: Running in Spokane, Washington

Looking for the top places to run, local running stores, group runs, and more? Here’s your guide to running in Spokane.

(Feature photo by agnormark – stock.adobe.com)

Running in Spokane blends the best of city and trail running. Whether you’re in town for a Gonzaga basketball game, a business conference, or a visit to Fairchild Air Force Base, it’s easy to hop on a path to get in your miles. The Centennial Trail, for instance, can be accessed from various points of the city and runs right through Kendall Yards and downtown Spokane, plus there’s a state park with miles and miles of trail mere minutes up the road.

When you’re not on a run, stop by Fleet Feet, the local destination for all things running gear, and check out some of the local eateries. Craft coffee, craft beer, artisan pizza, burgers, pastries, and more — the food scene here is one to admire.

You’ll also notice most weekly runs meet at local breweries. These groups bring in large numbers of enthusiastic and friendly runners, such as the Flying Irish Running Club which was featured in a Runner’s World article a few years back. Stick around afterward for a post-run pint and get to know some new friends.

Bookmark this guide for your next trip to the Spokane area. Rather than researching where to go, you can spend more time on the trails.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Spokane?
Running in Spokane
Where to Run in Spokane
Running Stores in Spokane
Running Clubs in Spokane
Destination Races in Spokane
10 Spots for a Post-Run Sip or Bite in Spokane

When Is the Best Time to Visit Spokane?

Quite different from the rainy west side of the state, Spokane’s climate is dry and experiences all four seasons. It’s often below freezing and snowy in the winter and can exceed 100 degrees in the summer. In more recent years, nearby wildfires have caused smoky skies and low air quality in the months of July and August.

Because of these factors, spring and fall are ideal times to visit Spokane for a running vacation. Particularly April and May when the area blooms with lilacs, and September and October. These are also the months most destination races occur.

Running in Spokane

There’s something freeing about running in Spokane — it may be because, wherever you start your run, it’s easy to find connection points to different paths, parks, and trails. It may also be the dry, comfortable temperatures in the spring and fall, and even those early summer mornings.

The recommendations for places to run in this guide just scratch the surface of what’s available. At the northwest corner of Spokane is the 9,200-acre Riverside State Park with miles of trails, and to the east in Spokane Valley are several sets of trails in the Dishman Hills Conservation Area.

The paved Centennial Trail that runs through the city is 37 miles in length. When it reaches the Idaho state line, it continues for more than 20 more miles, wrapping around to the east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene. There are also plenty of parks around the city of Spokane. A few of which include Audubon Park and Dwight Merkel Sports Complex on the north side, and Manito, Cannon Hill, and Comstock parks on the South Hill.

Where to Run in Spokane

A sidewalk with green grass and flower gardens on both sides with pine trees in the backhground — Duncan Garden at Manito Park in Spokane (Photo by Kimberly Valentine)

Manito Park and Manito Boulevard
Manito Park is a green oasis on the South Hill. Sticking to the perimeter of the park requires running along some side streets without sidewalks, but most side streets aren’t too busy (running the perimeter will get you about 2 miles). Throughout the park are winding paved and dirt paths, with some paved routes open to cars.

Consider parking in the parking lot at the northeast corner of the park at South Grand Boulevard and East 18th Avenue. Follow the sidewalk south on Grand Boulevard until you reach Manito Place. Take a right here. Not far down the street you’ll have a decision to make: You can turn right to begin meandering through the park’s paths, or take a left onto Manito Boulevard.

Manito Boulevard is a beautiful tree-line street that leads away from the park. It has a dirt trail up the grassy median and sidewalks on both sides. This route will take you all the way up to Jefferson Elementary School (you’ll need to cross a few streets in crosswalks). Continue to follow Manito Boulevard, across a few more streets (no sidewalks on the other side of 37th Avenue), to reach High Drive. This is about a 2.5-mile add-on from the park.

Whichever route you take, be sure to navigate your way over to Duncan Garden, a gorgeously manicured European Renaissance-style garden. If you’re returning along Manito Boulevard, take a left on 25th Avenue and hop on the park-adjacent sidewalk. This will take you along Park Drive to the southwest corner of the garden.

A wooden suspension bridge leading into a forest with pine trees — Bowl and Pitcher at Riverside State Park in Spokane (Photo by iStock.com/BethanyFank)

Riverside State Park (trail)
For seemingly endless trail options, check out Riverside State Park at the northwest side of town. Bowl and Pitcher is a great place to start as it puts you close to the midpoint (4427 North Aubrey L. White Parkway, Spokane). A Washington State Discover Pass is required to park inside of Riverside State Park, which can be purchased for the day.

Once parked here, take the swinging bridge across the river and then decide to go left or right on Trail 25. While this is the main trail throughout the park — a 25-mile loop — there are many offshoots, so pay attention to your turns. Take Trail 25 to the left (south) and connect to Trail 100 to stay along the riverside. Trail 100 eventually connects to the paved Centennial Trail (at the T.J. Meenach bridge). Or take Trail 25 to the right (north), which continues all the way up to Deep Creek near Nine Mile Falls. You’ll pass a few Centennial Trail connection points here too, along with various offshoots to other trails.

Riverside State Park is not flat, but the inclines aren’t too daunting making this a great area for trail running. Check out this interactive map by the Riverside State Park Foundation to explore these routes and others in more detail.

Vivid fall colors of red, orange, and yellow at the Spokane Washington Riverfront Park along the Spokane River with the Great Northern Clock Tower in view. — Centennial Trail in downtown Spokane (Photo by iStock.com/Kirk Fisher)

Spokane River Centennial Trail
The Centennial Trail extends for nearly 40 miles in Washington state and continues into Idaho all the way to Coeur d’Alene. There are numerous access points to the trail, but for those staying in and around the downtown Spokane area, here are a couple of popular ones:

From Riverfront Park: If you’re interested in a downtown Spokane run, Riverfront Park, located at North Howard Street and West Spokane Falls Boulevard, is a great place to start. There are paid parking lots off of North Stevens Street and plenty of street parking.

Meander the park for a while or hop right onto the Centennial Trail running east (right). There are several bridges you can cross to run on the north side of the river (the Centennial Trail stays on the south side). If running on the north side, you’ll reach Gonzaga University — a short detour looping through the campus is worth it, especially in the fall.

The trails on both sides of the river eventually meet up at the Centennial Trail Engineering Bridge (if you’re on the south side, you’ll cross the bridge). Then continue along the Centennial Trail until you decide to turn back.

From Kendall Yards: Another Centennial Trail option is to start from Kendall Yards, which is on the north side of the river across from downtown. (Plenty of parking here.) You can run the same route as described above by going east (left) on the trail, passing under the bridge into downtown, or you can run west (right) on the trail, away from downtown.

The route to the west will take you along the ridge above the Spokane River, through a local neighborhood, down the .75-mile Doomsday Hill — just remember, you’ll have to come back up it! — and under the bridge to continue on either the paved Centennial Trail or the unpaved Trail 100 into Riverside State Park (easy access into the state park without a Discover Pass).

As with any running route, take the necessary precautions for a safe run. Whenever possible, run with a buddy. Tell someone you know well where you’re going and when you expect to return, bring your cell phone and an ID, and remain aware of your surroundings.

Running Stores in Spokane

Fleet Feet Spokane
Fleet Feet has become Spokane’s running destination. No matter which location you stop into, you’re sure to find a friendly staff member ready to chat all things running. That said, the Kendall Yards shop not only has the widest selection of running shoes and apparel but it’s located alongside the Centennial Trail, making it an ideal pre- or post-run stop. Indaba Coffee (more details below) is also inside this location!
Kendall Yards, 1315 West Summit Parkway, Spokane; 509-328-4786
10208 North Division Street, Spokane; 509-474-0648
13910 East Indiana Avenue, Spokane Valley; 509-309-2174

Running Clubs in Spokane

We aim to keep this guide updated regularly, but things can change quickly! Before attending a group run on this list, call the associated store or check the group’s site to confirm the date, time, and location. Note: Most group runs on this list do not meet during the winter months.

Men and women runners in running gear standing in front of a gray brick brewery — Brick West Brewing Co. Run Club (Photo courtesy of Brick West Brewing Co.)

Uprise Brewing Run Club
When: Mondays at 5:15 p.m. (run starts at 5:30 p.m.)
Distance: 3-5 miles
Starting Point: Uprise Brewing Co. at 617 North Ash Street, Spokane

Brick West Brewing Co. Run Club
When: Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Distance: Varies
Starting Point: Brick West Brewing Co. at 1318 West 1st Avenue, Spokane

Run Perry Run Club
When: Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Distance: Routes vary with options for 3-ish miles or 5-ish miles
Starting Point: In front of the South Perry Lantern at East 10th Avenue and South Perry Street, Spokane

Iron Goat Running Club
When: Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Distance: 4-5 miles
Starting Point: Iron Goat Brewing at 1302 West 2nd Avenue, Spokane

The Flying Irish Running Club
When: Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Distance: 3 miles, more or less
Starting Point: Uprise Brewing Co. at 617 North Ash Street, Spokane

Manito Running Club
When: Saturdays at 8 a.m.
Distance: 5-6 miles
Starting Point: Manito Park parking lot at South Grand Boulevard and East 18th Avenue, Spokane

Read the Local Insights Q&A with The Flying Irish Running Club’s Maja DeWolf for more tips on running in Spokane.

Destination Races in Spokane

Spokane River Run: April | Spokane | 50K, 50K Team Relay, 25K, 25K Challenge, 10K, 5K
Bloomsday: May | Spokane | 12K
Windermere Marathon: May | Spokane | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
CDA Marathon: May | Coeur d’Alene, Idaho | Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
Mt. Spokane Trail Run: September | Spokane | 25K, 10K, 5K
The Boulevard Race: September | Spokane | 4 Miles
Hayden Lake Marathon: October | Hayden Lake, Idaho | Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon, 5K

For more details on each of these destination races, visit our Spokane Race Guide.

10 Spots for a Post-Run Sip or Bite in Spokane

A large patio space with red picnic tables and a brewery building in the background with trees and a blue partly cloudy sky — Brick West Brewing Co.’s downtown patio (Photo courtesy of Brick West Brewing Co.)

Brick West Brewing Co. — Brick West Brewing sits in an ideal downtown location with a large patio and even larger adjacent courtyard that plays host to a variety of events throughout the year. After a nice evening run (consider joining the Brick West Brewing Co. Run Club on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.), it’s a great spot to relax, grab a beer, and choose from a menu of sandwiches, salads, tacos, and small bites. The beer list covers all its bases — lagers, pale ales, wheats, ambers, New England to West Coast IPAs, stouts, a brown ale, porter, and more.
1318 West 1st Avenue, Spokane; 509-279-2982

The Flying Goat — Artisan Neapolitan-style pizza is the go-to item here: honey-apple barbecue and pulled pork; bacon, pear, gorgonzola cheese, and balsamic; arugula, chicken, and artichoke; yellow coconut curry, potato, carrot, and chicken. You really can’t go wrong, and gluten-free crust is available. To drink, choose from a rotating list of local craft beers, plus gluten-free beers, ciders, seltzers, and wine. Enjoy it all out on the patio in North Spokane’s Audubon neighborhood after a run at nearby Riverside State Park or Audubon Park.
3318 West Northwest Boulevard, Spokane; 509-327-8277

A barista pouring foam onto the top of a latte in a white cup — Indaba Coffee Roasters (Photo courtesy of Indaba Coffee Roasters)

Indaba Coffee — Indaba’s first location on West Broadway Avenue opened in 2009 and the company has been growing ever since. All locations serve up smooth coffees and snacks, with an expanded food menu at the downtown Riverside Avenue location that includes avocado toast (gluten-free bread is available). The Kendall Yards location is inside Fleet Feet, making it the perfect stop following a run on the Centennial Trail.
1425 West Broadway Boulevard, Spokane; 509-443-3566
Kendall Yards, 1315 West Summit Parkway, Spokane; 509-385-2040
518 West Riverside Avenue, Spokane; 509-822-7182

A pizza with pepperoni, red peppers, and cheese crumbles — Pizza at Iron Goat Brewing (Photo courtesy of Iron Goat Brewing)

Iron Goat Brewing — This downtown brewery has a great lineup of taps, plus thin crust pizzas, sandwiches, and small plates. The pizzas are a go-to but the Green Goat Bowl, with jasmine rice, yukon potatoes, mushrooms, greens, and avocado is also an ideal post-run dish. The space has an industrial warehouse vibe with garage doors that open when the weather’s nice. On Wednesday at 6 p.m., join the Iron Goat Run Club for a 4- to 5-mile route.
1302 West 2nd Avenue, Spokane; 509-474-0722

Ladder Coffee — Swing by the Monroe Street location after a north Spokane run. The space is cozy and inviting, and there’s a nice side patio as well. Creative latte flavors on the regular menu include vanilla rose and brown sugar and clove. For food, choose from waffles, a breakfast sandwich, and avocado toast.
2823 North Monroe Street, Spokane; 509-315-4535
1516 West Riverside Avenue, Spokane; 509-598-8097
13105 East Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley; 509-290-6611

Manito Tap House — This South Hill gastropub serves up an extensive list of beers and wine, hearty dishes and burgers (gluten-free buns are available), plus vegetarian and vegan options. Swing by after an afternoon or evening run at nearby Manito Park.
3011 South Grand Boulevard, Spokane; 509-279-2671

Meeting House — This large coffee house has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s located just a couple of blocks east of South Perry Street. Stop in for a flat white and the Farmer’s Toast (gluten-free bread available) after a run at Manito Park, Lincoln Park, or around the lower South Hill neighborhoods.
1801 East 11th Avenue, Spokane; 509-443-3971 (additional downtown location)

Perry Street Brewing — Perry Street Brewing rotates its beer list with options such as IPAs, sours, Scotch ales, and more. For food, choose from street tacos, sliders, burritos that can also be served as bowls, and nachos. When the weather’s nice, the large garage door at the front of the building opens, joining the indoors with the South Perry Street-adjacent patio.
1025 South Perry Street, Spokane; 509-279-2820

Rockwood Bakery — This Spokane staple cafe has a cozy living room feel and its location is in easy walking distance from Manito Park — just a block from the East 18th Avenue and South Grand Boulevard parking lot. Stop in after a morning run for a latte and a homemade pastry or slice of quiche. At lunchtime, grab a soup or sandwich. Expect a bustling cafe on Saturday mornings, especially during warm-weather months.
315 East 18th Avenue, Spokane; 509-747-8691

The outside of a modern brewery building called Uprise Brewing Co. — Uprise Brewing located in Spokane’s Kendall Yards (Photo courtesy of Uprise Brewing Co.)

Uprise Brewing Co. — Located adjacent to the Centennial Trail in the Kendall Yards neighborhood, sip an IPA on the Uprise Brewing patio after a run and take in the scenic view of downtown Spokane just across the river. The menu features items such as taquitos, Nashville fried chicken and barbecue pork sandwiches, a pork verde bowl, and several salads. There are also many gluten-free and vegan options. In town on a Monday? Join the Uprise Brewing Run Club for a run.
617 North Ash Street, Spokane; 509-368-9411

Looking for more running destinations? Check out our other City Guides!

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO SPOKANE

Destination Races in Spokane and Northern Idaho

The Flying Irish Running Club’s Maja DeWolf Shares Tips on Running in Spokane