History of the
Centennial Trail
From ancient heritage to modern recreation, discover how the Spokane River Centennial Trail became 40 miles of community connection and pride.
Ancient Roots
The Spokane River has been a lifeline for people for more than 11,000 years. Indigenous tribes relied on its salmon fisheries for food, its cataracts for power, and its shores for ceremony and community. Later, pioneers, industry, and settlers drew from the same waters for transportation, irrigation, and growth.
In the early 1900s, the Olmsted Brothers, nationally recognized park designers, urged Spokane to make the river the centerpiece of its park system. Their vision laid the foundation for protecting and celebrating the river as a community asset.
Transformation of the Riverfront
By the 20th century, much of downtown Spokane’s riverfront had been consumed by rail yards and industry, cutting residents off from the natural beauty of the river. That changed with EXPO ’74, Spokane’s World’s Fair. The event restored public access, transformed the downtown riverfront, and left the community with Riverfront Park as a lasting legacy.
The Idea of a Trail
In 1979, Spokane County Parks proposed a bike and pedestrian pathway from Argonne Road to the Idaho border. The Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce nurtured the idea in the mid-1980s, and by 1986 a plan emerged for a 10.5-mile trail to be built in time for Washington State’s Centennial in 1989.
The vision grew quickly into a two-state trail that would eventually stretch from Lake Spokane to Lake Coeur d’Alene. Community leaders, businesses, and agencies worked together to make it happen. Land trades with the Inland Empire Paper Company, a $7.5 million federal matching grant, and innovative partnerships like AT&T laying fiber optic cable along the corridor cleared the way for construction.
Building the Spokane River Centennial Trail
By 1992, roughly 30 miles of safely separated trail were completed. To ensure long-term stewardship, the Centennial Trail Steering Committee formally incorporated in 1991 as Friends of the Centennial Trail, a nonprofit 501(c)(3).
Today, the Spokane River Centennial Trail is administered by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and maintained through a cooperative agreement with Riverside State Park, the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Liberty Lake, Spokane County Parks, and Friends of the Centennial Trail.
A Living Legacy
Today the Centennial Trail stretches 40 miles from Nine Mile Falls through downtown Spokane to the Idaho state line. More than 2.5 million people use it each year for walking, running, cycling, and commuting. Monuments along the trail share its rich history, while every mile reflects decades of advocacy, fundraising, and volunteer work.
The Spokane River Centennial Trail stands as a testament to what a community can accomplish when people come together to honor their river and create a lasting gift for generations.
