🌤 Weather at Columbia Plateau Trail State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32–74 °F | 50–90 °F | 31–79 °F | 27–46 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Connell 1 W, 17 mi away, elevation 1,020 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Columbia Plateau Trail State Park is a public state park in Washington near Cheney in Franklin County County. Spanning 3,880 acres and established in 1991, this park offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | Washington |
| Nearest City | Cheney |
| County | Franklin County |
| Park Size | 3,880 acres |
| Established | 1991 |
Location & Getting There
Columbia Plateau Trail State Park is located near Cheney, Washington. The park’s coordinates are 46.4887031, -118.6247422.
Things to Do
Washington state parks offer an incredible diversity of outdoor recreation — from the rain-soaked old-growth forests of the Olympic Peninsula to the volcanic landscapes of the Cascades, the arid canyonlands of Eastern Washington, and the island-dotted waters of Puget Sound. Popular activities include hiking through moss-draped temperate rainforests, beachcombing on wild Pacific shores, kayaking through the San Juan Islands, camping beneath towering Douglas firs, fishing for salmon and steelhead in glacier-fed rivers, rock climbing basalt columns, mountain biking forested trails, and cross-country skiing in winter. Many parks also offer historical interpretation, including military forts, pioneer homesteads, and Native American cultural sites.
Best Time to Visit
Washington’s outdoor season varies dramatically by region. Western Washington (including the coast and Puget Sound parks) is driest and warmest from June through September — this is peak season. Spring and fall bring fewer crowds and mild temperatures but expect rain. Eastern Washington parks enjoy more sunshine year-round, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The San Juan Islands are best visited May through September for whale watching (orcas) and calm seas. Mountain parks in the Cascades open as snow melts, typically July through October. Winter transforms many parks into cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destinations. Always carry rain gear west of the Cascades, regardless of season.
Visitor Tips
Washington state parks require a Discover Pass ($30/year or $10/day) for vehicle access. Purchase one online through the Washington State Parks website before your visit — it covers all 100+ state parks. Camping reservations are made through the state parks reservation system up to 9 months in advance. Popular parks like Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment book months ahead for summer weekends. Many parks in the San Juans and islands are accessible only by ferry or boat — check Washington State Ferries schedules in advance. Cell service can be unreliable, especially on the coast and in mountain parks.
Wildlife & Nature
Columbia Plateau Trail State Park — a 130-mile rail-trail stretching from Cheney to Ice Harbor Dam near Pasco — crosses the stark, beautiful landscape of the channeled scablands carved by catastrophic Ice Age floods. The trail follows the former Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway corridor through some of Washington’s most dramatic geology — basalt coulees, ancient flood channels, and remnant grasslands. Raptors — red-tailed hawks, ferruginous hawks, and American kestrels — hunt from fence posts along the trail. Mule deer browse in the coulees. Rattlesnakes sun on the basalt outcrops. The trail passes through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (managed separately), which hosts 200+ bird species.
Nearby Attractions
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge — adjacent — protects 15,000+ acres of wetlands and pine forest. Cheney is the western trailhead with Eastern Washington University. Palouse Falls State Park is accessible from the eastern section. Spokane is 15 miles north.
Explore More Washington State Parks
Columbia Plateau Trail State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Washington. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Washington guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Lyons Ferry State Park is within about an hour’s drive, and Palouse Falls State Park is within about an hour’s drive.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Columbia Plateau Trail State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 8 ft maximum leash required; pets must be under physical control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on designated swim beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed inside vacation houses but are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins and yurts (e.g. Grayland Beach, Seaquest, Ike Kinswa — Cape Disappointment does NOT allow pets in its yurts), typically up to two pets, with a pet fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $15 per night pet fee in pet-friendly cabins/yurts
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Director-designated off-leash areas are exempt from the leash rule and are conspicuously posted
Are dogs allowed at Columbia Plateau Trail State Park?
Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.wa.gov. More: Washington state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Columbia Plateau Trail State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
