Topographic map around McLellan Rocks
Destinations
WA, US

MCLELLAN ROCKS

Granite domes and ponderosa pines along the Spokane River — Eastern Washington's hidden sport crag

Climbing
1
Sport
1,900 ft
Elevation
5,063
Population

McLellan Rocks is a climbing area set among granite domes and corridors in an open ponderosa pine forest on the south bank of the Spokane River, roughly 30 miles west of Spokane. The area lies within Riverside State Park, managed as the Fisk Day Use Area. Small granite domes — typically 50 feet tall — offer more than 50 sport routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.12, plus bouldering problems. The compact layout and east/west-facing walls allow climbers to chase sun or shade throughout the day. Named walls include the Crisis Wall, White Wall, Morning Wall, Hummel's Landing, and The Hood. Climbing at McLellan began in earnest in the early 2000s and continues to see new route development.

1 sport to explore

ADVENTURE SPORTS IN MCLELLAN ROCKS

ClimbingMar–Jun, Sep–Nov
The hit list

TOP SPOTS

The places you can't miss in McLellan Rocks, best rated first.

Climbing

Crisis Wall

Climbing

Hummel's Landing

Climbing

White Wall

Climbing

Hood, The

Climbing

Bouldering

Climbing

Morning Wall

Plan the trip

GETTING THERE

A car is essential. From Spokane, take US-2 west toward Medical Lake, then follow South Banks Road along the south side of the Spokane River to the Fisk Day Use Area (approximately 13.5 miles from Riverside State Park headquarters). A Washington State Parks Discover Pass is required for parking at the Fisk Day Use Area lot. Car break-ins have been reported at the main lot — leave no valuables visible and consider using the pull-offs farther up the road or parking near the Fisk Day Use Area sign at the road intersection. Medical Lake (the nearest town) is roughly 10 miles from the crag and offers basic services.

Airports

  • GEG
    Spokane International Airport35 min drive
  • PUW
    Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport1 hr 30 min drive
Honest take

THE GOOD & THE REAL

Why McLellan Rocks

4
  • Only 30 miles from Spokane — an easy half-day or full-day trip with a short approach from the car
  • East and west-facing walls let climbers manage temperature by chasing sun or shade throughout the day
  • 50+ sport routes on quality granite across a compact area, with ongoing new route development
  • Relaxed ponderosa pine forest setting along the Spokane River with a low-key, uncrowded vibe

Know this

4
  • Car break-ins at the Fisk Day Use Area lot are a documented and ongoing problem — leave nothing visible in your vehicle
  • Mosquitoes are fierce in June and July, making midsummer visits genuinely unpleasant without repellent
  • Routes top out around 50 feet — limited appeal for climbers seeking longer pitches or multi-pitch objectives
  • Washington State Parks Discover Pass required for parking; South Banks Road can be rough in wet or winter conditions
For Families

FAMILY FRIENDLINESS

7/10
Good for families

10 family-scored spots; overall 7/10.

Family-friendliness is scored from real web evidence across multiple sources — trail difficulty, access, and how families describe each spot — not a single opinion.

Best bets with kids

Lilac Bloomsday Run

9/10
high confidence

This is a walk/run event suitable for children aged third grade and younger, with broader festivities including all ages.

Lincoln Park

8/10
high confidence

Lincoln Park features inclusive playgrounds with zip-lines, shallow wading pools, and heated saltwater pools. The park also offers calm waters suitable for paddleboarding and deluxe cabins for camping.

Secondary Face

8/10
high confidence

This location has easy-going, clearly marked trails suitable for families.

E. L. Hunter Field House

8/10
high confidence

This location has easy, clearly marked, and fairly level trails suitable for families.

Indian Canyon

7/10
low confidence

The trails in Indian Canyon Park are short and suitable for the whole family. The area is accessible in spring, summer, and fall.

Cliff Drive

7/10
medium confidence

The McLellan Conservation Area has easy-going trails that are kid-friendly. The area is also near rock climbing and extreme sports.

Liberty Park

6/10
low confidence

Liberty Park is a family-friendly destination with well-maintained grounds and a newly improved playground.

Hart Field Track

6/10
low confidence

The track is open to the public, but it may be occupied by schools during certain times.

UFO Wall

6/10
low confidence

The McLellan Conservation Area has short, well-marked paths suitable for families. The site also features granite domes and corridors for climbing.

Don Quixote Face

5/10
low confidence

The McLellan Conservation Area is described as kid-friendly and suitable for families.

By Sport

SEASON BY SPORT

SportJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Climbing
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Peak
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Off
On the Ground

LOCAL RESOURCES

storefrontGear Shops
  • REI Spokane — 1125 N Monroe St, Spokane, WA (full climbing section, gear rental available)
  • Wild Walls Climbing Gym — 202 W 2nd Ave, Spokane, WA (gear sales and beta at the desk)
  • Sportsman's Warehouse — Spokane, WA (general outdoor gear)
tourGuide Services
  • Spokane Mountaineers Rock Climbing School — spokanemountaineers.org (seasonal outdoor climbing instruction, lead climbing courses)
  • Wild Walls Climbing Gym — wildwalls.com (indoor instruction, clinics, beginner and youth programs)
restaurantFood & Drink
  • Lefevre Street Bakery & Cafe — Medical Lake, WA (pastries, sandwiches, coffee; closest cafe to the crag)
  • El Ixtapa — Medical Lake, WA (family Mexican restaurant)
  • Pizza Factory — Medical Lake, WA (pizza and casual dining)
  • Spokane city center — 30 min drive; wide range of restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops
Plan it

GO TO MCLELLAN ROCKS.

You've got the field notes. Time to put it on the calendar.

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