Liberty Lake Regional Park - Split Creek Loop
Eastern WashingtonBest Mar–Nov
A gentle creek-side loop through forest and cascades at the edge of Spokane's best regional park.
About This Trail
Split Creek is the shorter, easier loop option at Liberty Lake Regional Park. The trail meanders alongside Liberty Creek through mixed forest, passing small cascades and crossing a bridge before connecting with the main park trail near the cedar grove. It is a solid pick when you want the feel of the woods without a full-day commitment.
The trail was extensively reworked by volunteers in 2015, with rerouted sections to avoid flood-prone spots and improved drainage. The result is a well-built path that handles foot traffic nicely. From the cedar grove, you can extend to Liberty Falls on the main loop if you want more mileage, or turn back for a shorter outing. The equestrian trailhead off Idaho Road offers free parking if the main lot fee is a concern.
Seasonal parking fees apply mid-May through September at the main entrance. Winter brings ice on the shaded sections near the creek and cedar grove. Microspikes are a smart addition from November through March. Year-round access makes this one of the more reliable trails in the Spokane area for any-season outings.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“As we got closer to the bridge that crosses the creek, we found it necessary to stop and put on our microspikes, as we were starting to find a lot of ice on the trail.”
Last report: Dec 7, 2025
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazard
- icy trail sections in winter (microspikes recommended Nov-Mar)
Getting There
Main entrance has a $10 vehicle fee mid-May through September. Season pass available for $70. Free parking at the Idaho Road equestrian trailhead and MacKenzie trailhead as alternatives.
From I-90 Exit 296, take Liberty Lake Road south 1 mile, left on Sprague, then to S Lakeside Road and right onto Zephyr Road to the park entrance. From the trailhead parking, walk through the campground keeping right to pick up the Split Creek Trail past the last campsite.
No early start needed. The trail is short enough for an afternoon outing. Combine with the main Liberty Lake Loop for a longer day.
Recent Reports
I have been wanting to check conditions at Liberty Lake for awhile, and discovered enough downfall to warrant a "rapid response" work party later this week (see the volunteer schedule to join the fun)! I was the first car in the parking lot and suspect that the first tree I found had just come down overnight, as it was freshly fallen and didn't seem to have a bypass route around it yet.
The road to the trailhead was free and clear of any snow and ice (although it has snowed since). As we got closer to the bridge that crosses the creek, we found it necessary to stop and put on our microspikes, as we were starting to find a lot of ice on the trail.
We did a hike starting at the Equestrian parking lot, out to the Cedar Grove via the Split Creek Trail, up to Liberty Falls, back to the Cedar Grove, and back to the Equestrian parking lot via the main trail. There is some compact icy snow on both trails between the Split Creek trail junction and the Cedar Grove, and I'd say about half the trail from the Cedar Grove to Liberty Falls is covered in icy snow.
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