The Waikiki Springs unit of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area is 115 acres of property on the Little Spokane River. It is named for the many springs that flow from the hillside into the river, keeping the water temperature moderate year-round. This area is a hidden gem of natural area in the middle of densely populated neighborhoods in northeast Spokane and an important piece in maintaining the ecology of the Little Spokane River.
Waikiki Springs has miles of walking trails and access to the river for kayakers, anglers, and other outdoor recreation. It is also popular for dog walking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Limited parking is available at the switchback trail-head, located near the corner of N Mill Road and N Fairwood Drive, which provides walk-in access to the over 100 acres of wildlife area.
The Waikiki Springs Unit is located just north of Spokane in Spokane County.
This unit is part of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 124
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Wildlife viewing
The area features a ponderosa pine forest, meadows, ponds, and a riparian corridor of land along the river that makes it great habitat for wildlife of all kinds. Common wildlife to see in this area includes moose, deer, ducks, geese, Great Blue Herons, bald eagles, and coyotes. Fishing and bird watching are popular activities at Waikiki Springs.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Land stewardship
Waikiki Springs was added as a unit of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area in October of 2020.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 1973.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program |
| US National Park Service | Land and Water Conservation Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2015 Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revised the management plan for Swanson Lakes and Revere wildlife areas in 2015. The new plan, which was developed through a public process, addresses the status of wildlife species and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities. The plan covers management activities for three distinctly different landscapes in the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, the Reardan Audubon Lake Unit, and the Revere Wildlife Area. Every eight to 10 years, WDFW revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments.
Planning Advisory Committee
Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Advisory Committee