LEWISTON LEVEE PARKWAY & CLARKSTON GREENBELT TRAIL
The Levee system in the Lewis & Clark Valley spans both sides of the Snake River. It is a huge asset to the area. I am always happy when I can go play on the trails when I visit the valley. This huge system of trails is very hard to break down. Your best bet is to go out and explore! Mileages differ depending on what resources you consult, but I will give you general mileages. Total mileages of both trails is approximately 18 miles: 6.2 in Washington and 11.3-13.5 in Idaho. There are many more parking areas than what I provide, but I will supply some main ones below. One important note: dogs are required to be on a leash, and if your dog is spotted without a leash, you may be cited. They are real sticklers on this one. Please clean up after your pet.
Built and managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the concrete levee protecting Lewiston from river overflow is perfection for folks wanting to get outside exercise without strenuous climbs or scrambles. Scenic views are plentiful and wildlife and waterfowl are abundant. Fishing is a common activity on the trail.
Routes
The Lewiston Levee Parkway Trail starts at the entrance to the day-use area in Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston and descends the Snake River on the Idaho side, then turns and runs up the Clearwater River on the levee to Locomotive Park. It continues through Locomotive Park and over Memorial Bridge, though the route is not well-marked. After crossing the bridge, the path turns to the left at the traffic light, doubles back beside the road, then crosses under the road when it nears the river. It then continues along the Clearwater River for nearly 5 miles until it meets Highway 12, where it abruptly ends. You can use Lower Goose Pasture parking lot as the end trailhead. Along this scenic route, you will find interpretive plaques describing the historic journey of Lewis and Clark as they traveled through the area on their way to the Pacific coast. There are good facilities and access points all along the trail including the state park, a marina, a boat ramp, the Kiwanis Park, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, the Clearwater Landing Interpretive Center, Locomotive Park and Clearwater Park. I am not sure of the total trail mileage, as everything that you read varies, but it is between 11.3 & 13.5 miles in length.
The Clarkston Greenbelt Trail runs up the OTHER side of the Snake River, running from Port of Clarkston on the Clearwater River (by the confluence), up the Snake River to Chief Looking Glass Park at Asotin, which is just over 6 miles.
The Corps is always working on updates to the pathway, including the addition of mileage markers. Maps and other information are available at the Lower Granite Natural Resources Management Section at 100 Fair St. in Clarkston.
Trail features
The wide, smoothly paved pathways provide recreational access on both sides of the Snake River. Restrooms and drinking water are along the paths, in addition to playgrounds, picnic tables, benches and swimming beaches. It is not uncommon to see people fishing from the riverbank.
The Lewiston side features two interpretive centers: one describes the historic journey of Lewis and Clark and the other, river navigation. Besides these built-in features, watch for wildlife: yellow-bellied marmots, gulls, geese and ducks are common.
Trail Access
Park at any of the several lots along the trail. Large, paved parking lots are at Chief Looking Glass Park in Asotin; Swallows Park and the Greenbelt Boat Ramp lot in Clarkston; and Kiwanis Park, Southway Boat Ramp,
Hells Gate State Park and along the Levee Bypass in Lewiston. I have included some parking coordinates in the waypoints section below. The trailhead at the Hells Gate day-use entrance features restrooms and picnic tables. The day use area has a swimming area and disc golf course. There is a museum and discovery center on the grounds, too. You can park at the visitor center or marina. You can park at the Visitors' Center for $5.00 per vehicle per day, or at one of the other free and fee-parking areas that dot the trail's route. You'll find restrooms and water on the trail, as well.
Trail tips
Trails get the highest traffic on warm spring weekends, so ride slow and keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists, children and pets - especially those on long leashes. The pathway speed limit is 15 mph. No motorized bicycles are allowed. Dogs are allowed if leashed.
The Clarkston greenbelt between the Interstate and Southway bridges gets high use because of the shade it provides, along with grassy play areas. I personally LOVE this path. On the Lewiston side, the pathway from Kiwanis Park to the Clearwater Landing sees the highest traffic. All three bridges have pedestrian/cycling paths for crossing, though the crossing over the Interstate Bridge is narrow and requires climbing a few stairs.
One of my sister’s favorite walking routes is what she calls “The Five”. She parks by Southway Bridge, walks down the river on the Idaho side, crosses Interstate Bridge, walks up the river on the Washington side, then crosses Southway Bridge back to her truck. I think recently we figured the mileage to be a bit less than 5 miles, but we still refer to it as “The Five”. It’s a very nice walk.
TRAIL MILEAGE BREAKDOWN FOR THE IDAHO LEVEE SIDE:
LEWISTON LEVEE PARKWAY……………………………………….......................……………...MILES..TOTAL
Entrance of Day Use in Hells Gate State Park to Hells Gate Marina Store……......…..……0.6…..0.6
Hells Gate Marina Store to Southway Bridge …………................…………………………....…….2.0……2.6
Southway Bridge to Southway Boat Ramp……………………………....................…………...…….0.6……3.2
Southway Boat Ramp to Kiwanis Park Playground……………….................…………...…………0.5……3.7
Kiwanis Park Playground to Interstate Bridge……………………..................………...……………0.6…….4.3
Interstate Bridge to Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center…………………........…........…………..0.3…….4.6
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center to Railroad Crossing Bridge……..…..….......…..…………0.6…….5.2
Railroad Crossing Bridge to Clearwater Landing……………………………................……...……0.5.……5.7
Clearwater Landing to Memorial Bridge………………………………………………........................0.7….…6.4
Memorial Bridge Crossing………………………………………………….................................…………0.4…….6.8
Memorial Bridge to Birling Pond…………………………………………….........................……...…..0.2….…7.0
Birling Pond to Clearwater Boat Ramp………………………………………….........................…….1.0….…8.0
Clearwater Boat Ramp to Lower Goose Pasture………………….......................…………………2.6….10.6
Lower Goose Pasture to Highway 12……………………………………............................……………0.7….11.3
Lewiston Levee Parkway Total: 11.3 miles
Lewiston & Clarkston Bike Trails
