HOME
Close to town with lots of miles, this is a nice place to get in a hike in any season. I took advantage of the lower elevation making the loop in winter but the trail is known in spring as being a flower show. As a natural area, you might even see some wildlife. During my loop I saw wild turkeys and a bald eagle. Being a natural area, no pets, swimming or biking is allowed. Technically, this is two trails. The Knothead Trail for most of the route with the 1.7 mile Painted Rocks Trail connection that is mostly flat along the south river portion of the triangle loop. If the weather is good, take the spur trail that goes to some big overlooks.
Riverside State Park
WillhiteWeb.com
Hiking Distance: 7-mile loop (viewpoint will add 1 more)
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Alternate Name: Also known as the Little Spokane River Natural Area
Access: Paved

Knothead Trail - Riverside State Park

Eastern WA Hikes
Access
The Knothead Trail is accessible from either the intersection of Highway 291 and North River Park Lane, or the Indian Painted Rocks Trailhead from Rutter Parkway.
Knothead Trail knothead loop map Knothead Trail Knothead Trail Knothead Trail Knothead Trail Natural Area Knothead Trail little spokane river little spokane river Painted Rocks Natural Area Knothead Trail Knothead Trail trail 501 Knothead Trail Wild Turkey
Painted Rocks historic site
Wild Turkey
Little Spokane River Natural Area
Little Spokane River
Trailhead for the Highway 291 parking area is just a short walk up a private road.
Little Spokane River
section is Trail 501.
Knothead Trail is 500