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Washington | Spokane River / Spokane County

Spokane RiverAubrey White Parkway public boat launch (water-entry edge) to Plese Flats public river access (water-entry edge)

A short Spokane River reach from Aubrey White Parkway to Plese Flats within the lower Water Trail corridor.

Access and safety sources last checked September 18, 2026.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 2.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAllow 3–5 hours with scouting and shuttle margin
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Spokane River flows beneath the SkyRide in Spokane, Washington.
River contextSpokane River same-river context; exact endpoint not claimed river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by ARCloud via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 2.5 river milesAubrey White Parkway public boat launch (water-entry edge) to Plese Flats public river access (water-entry edge)
DifficultymoderateThe lower Spokane changes from urban Class II water to the expert-only Class III–IV TJ Meenach–Plese reach and then flatwater above Nine Mile Dam. Choose for the hardest section included; scout rapids, bridges and dam boundaries.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream public access first, then drive to the upstream launch. Confirm parking, carry paths and any gate or fee before unloading.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm Washington State Parks, City of Spokane, utility and local access rules before launching.
CampingDay tripNo overnight river camping is included. Use established campgrounds or lodging near Spokane and Riverside State Park; do not camp at an informal shoreline access.
SeasonApr-SepDam operations, spring runoff and summer drawdown change the lower Spokane quickly. Check the Spokane gauge, trend, weather and utility notices immediately before launch; the flatwater pool above Nine Mile Dam needs a separate local check.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A short Spokane River reach from Aubrey White Parkway to Plese Flats within the lower Water Trail corridor.

Access map

Skip map

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Start

Put-in

Aubrey White Parkway public boat launch (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Water Trail lists both as public launches in sequence. Confirm the carry, parking, current and Plese Flats landing before launching.

Finish

Take-out

Plese Flats public river access (water-entry edge)
Open mapDirections to take-out

The Water Trail launch list includes dam boundaries and access-specific restrictions; stop at the documented take-out.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The Water Trail lists both as public launches in sequence. Confirm the carry, parking, current and Plese Flats landing before launching.
  • The Water Trail launch list includes dam boundaries and access-specific restrictions; stop at the documented take-out.

Watch for

  • USGS gauge context and utility releases
  • Cold water, strainers, bridges and changing current
  • Dam boundaries, technical rapids and private shoreline

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Checking trend.

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The Spokane River flows beneath the SkyRide in Spokane, Washington.
Spokane River same-river context; exact endpoint not claimed river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by ARCloud via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons license on linked file page

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Route and distanceAubrey White Parkway to Plese Flats; about 2.5 river miles

    Planning estimate for this start and take-out pair. Water Trail section distances are repeated where published; longer combinations may span sections and are not surveyed paddle distances.

    Source

  • Reach flow context1,350 cfs minimum; 3,700 cfs optimum (lower river); ~2,500 cfs practical lower-river reference

    The Whitewater Study values describe the lower river; Spokane Climate Project’s approximately 2,500 cfs reference applies to the lower river from Spokane Falls toward Nine Mile Reservoir. These are planning cues, not safety limits.

    Source

  • Gauge contextUSGS 12422500

    USGS 12422500 records Spokane River discharge at Spokane River at Spokane, WA; it is broad context, not a route-specific local reading or threshold.

    Source

  • Access and safety review2026-09-18

    Water Trail, Conservation District, City rules, State Parks and launch pages checked. Sullivan Park has two north-bank small-craft access paths; the bridge-side shoreline entry is imagery-georeferenced at about 50 ft uncertainty. Verify notices again before travel.

    Source

  • Campingnearby_basecamp

    Day-use route; use established campgrounds or lodging near the corridor.

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Washington

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Washington route guideBrowse every tracked Washington route.Spokane River / Spokane CountyJump to routes in this region.

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All 22
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Nearby routes within 75 miles

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Quick answers

Spokane River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Aubrey White Parkway public boat launch (water-entry edge) to Plese Flats public river access (water-entry edge) route on the Spokane River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Aubrey White Parkway public boat launch (water-entry edge) to Plese Flats public river access (water-entry edge) route on the Spokane River start and end?

This route starts at Aubrey White Parkway public boat launch (water-entry edge) and ends at Plese Flats public river access (water-entry edge), about 2.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Aubrey White Parkway public boat launch (water-entry edge) to Plese Flats public river access (water-entry edge) route on the Spokane River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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