We recently had the pleasure of staying at the Spokane KOA Journey campground, which served as the perfect home base for exploring inland Washington State in our campervan. The friendly staff and well-cared-for campsites made us feel right at home as we settled in.
And the great community amenities and mature trees make for a delightful stay.
We want to note that during our visit, the campground was undergoing renovations and upgrades, and we were excited to catch a glimpse of some of the enhancements already completed, with even more on the horizon.
So, let’s dive into this honest and colorful review of Spokane KOA Journey!
This review is sponsored by Spokane KOA Journey, but all opinions are our own.
Where Is The Spokane KOA Located
Address: 3025 N Barker Rd, Spokane Valley, WA 99027
The ‘Journey’ tier of KOA is intended to be conveniently located near the highways and byways of North America.
Spokane Journey KOA is just 15 minutes from downtown Spokane and 25 minutes from Coeur d’Alene Idaho. It’s just 4 minutes north of Interstate 90, making it convenient to shoot out on nearby adventures or an easy pit stop for weary cross country travelers.
And for those unfamiliar with the region, Spokane is the second most populous city in Washington (only Seattle is bigger). So it’s the main metropolitan hub of the region with tons of dining, entertainment, & more.
And Couer D’Alene is a fun small city located on the gorgeous Lake Couer d’Alene and surrounded by mountains and rivers.
But we’ll cover more of our fun things to do nearby later in this post.
Different Accommodations At The Spokane KOA Journey
This campground has a variety of campsites for all types of campers, from tent campers all the way up to the premium patio pull-through sites, and even some cabins as well.
RV Sites:
RV sites certainly make up the majority of this campground. But there are many different styles, from deluxe sites that provide extra space to spread out to more basic sites that give you a nice place to rest and get back on the road.
- Deluxe KOA Patio Pull-Thru (50/30 Amps, Full Hookups): These premium sites come with a private patio w/furniture, fire pit, swing, and BBQ grill.
- Premium Extra-Large Pull-Thru (50/30 Amps, Full Hookups): Spacious sites for larger rigs that can accomodate slideouts.
- Pull-Thru (50/30 Amps, Full Hookups): Standard pull-thru sites offering picnic tables and small grassy area.
- Pull-Thru (30/20 Amps, Full Hookups): Slightly smaller pull-thru, great for mid-sized RVs.
- Back-In (30/20 Amps, Water/Electric, Gazebo Patio): Back-in sites with water/electric and a gazebo patio.
- Back-In (30/20 Amps, Water/Electric): Basic back-in sites with water and electric.
Tent Sites:
You don’t need a fancy camper to enjoy your stay here. They offer a few different styles of tent sites.
- Patio Gazebo Deluxe Tent Site (Water & Electric, Tent Pad): For tent campers looking for a little extra comfort, these deluxe tent site come with water/electric hookups and a gazebo.
- Individual Tent Site (Water & Electric): Basic tent site with water and electric hookups.
- A-Frame Tent Site (Water Only, Tent Pad): Water-only site with a grass pad for a more rustic camping experience.
Cabins:
If you don’t have a camper or prefer a more comfortable accommodation than pitching a tent, KOA offers a couple different cabin styles.
- 2-Bedroom Deluxe Cabin (Sleeps 6): These are basically a mini home. They come equipped with a full bathroom, electricity, kitchenette, heating/AC, cable TV, and sofa. There is a private deck with a dining set, umbrella, and gas BBQ.
- One-Room Cabin (Sleeps 4): A little more rustic experience. These one-room cabins come equipped with electric plug-ins, heating/AC, porch swing, and a BBQ grill, giving you all the basics for a comfortable stay. There is electricity, but no kitchen or bathroom.
Do note, you will need to provide your own linens, utensils, and towels.
KOA Campground Amenities
Here’s a complete list of the campground amenities.
Outdoor Pavilion
This was our personal favorite upgrade! The KOA features a beautifully renovated outdoor pavilion with two premium grills available for free use, making it easy to cook up a delicious BBQ meal.
The pavilion’s ceiling is adorned with charming string lights that add a modern flair and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Plus, there are plenty of picnic tables for dining or gathering with friends and family.
On the side, you’ll find a community fire pit, as well as an additional propane fire pit near the office. Both perfect for cozy evenings under the stars, and for roasting those tasty smores! Just be sure to check with the office for any local fire restrictions before lighting up.
Wifi
We were thrilled to have complimentary WIFI during our stay at Spokane KOA Journey! It made it easy to stay connected without needing to set up other internet devices. Just keep in mind that they do ask guests to refrain from streaming, as it can slow down the internet for everyone if too many people are watching their favorite shows at once.
However, if you have a show or game you can’t miss, they do have a TV room for you to catch it!
Laundry
The laundry facilities feature 7 convenient washers and 3 spacious dryers, perfect for tackling all your laundry needs. Best of all, they come at incredibly affordable rates, just $2.50 for a wash and starting at only $0.50 (per 12 minutes) for drying.
Bathhouses
There are two sets of bathhouses. One near the main entrance and another toward the back of the campground. The front bathhouse was recently remodeled.
The back bathhouse is larger and yet to be remodeled. We found the showers to have plenty of pressure, temperature control, and cleaned daily.
Dump Station and Potable Water
At the full hook-up sites, you’ll enjoy the convenience of your own personal dump station and potable water connection. If you choose a non-hook-up site, guests still have access to a free dump station and potable water on site.
Co-Working Space
Another newly renovated area is the co-working space, featuring plenty of desks and chairs to help you get some work done. All with free, high-speed Wi-Fi to keep you connected.
Additionally, there’s a cozy area where you can unwind, watch TV, or enjoy board games with friends and family.
Recreation & Games
One thing we loved about the Spokane KOA was the abundance of fun games to play. They have a basketball court, which also doubles as a volleyball court and pickleball court.
They also have a wide open grassy area where you can play corn hole, soccer, football, etc.
Attached to the side of the main entrance is a fenced-in playground for the kiddos!
Pool
Spokane’s hot summer months are ideal for a relaxing pool day! This pool with a shallow end and deep end is great for all ages to enjoying a refreshing swim! The pool deck has plenty of beach loungers perfect for soaking up the sun and unwinding.
Just keep in mind that the pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Dog-Park
If you’re traveling with your furry companion, the KOA offers an amazing dog park where your pup can run free (well, in a fenced-in area). The “K9 Kamp” is equipped with plenty of agility features and shaded spots, making it a perfect place for your dog to stretch their legs and burn off some energy.
Just remember to bring some doggie bags to clean up after your four-legged friend so everyone can enjoy the space.
Your pet should be leashed around other areas of the campground.
Gift Shop
And if you want a keepsake for your fun camping trip at the Spokane KOA Journey, stop into their gift shop located in their newly renovated office. You can also pick some items you may have forgotten, like RV supplies, camp fixin’s, snacks, and more.
Use Code: ROAMING10 for 10% off your stay
Local Attractions Nearby The Spokane KOA Journey
The Spokane KOA is conveniently located 15 minutes from downtown and 25 minutes from Coeur d’Alene. Here are a few things we enjoyed during our stay at the Spokane KOA.
Centennial Trail
Just a quick 2-minute drive or a 0.6-mile walk takes you to one of the many trailheads for the Centennial Trail. This scenic path stretches approximately 37 miles (60 km), running from Riverside State Park to the the Idaho border. And from there, continues another 24 miles to Coeur d’Alene Idaho.
It’s a great spot to stretch your legs and enjoy easy access to the river, making it perfect for leisurely walks, running, and cycling.
Downtown Spokane
The Spokane KOA Journey is conveniently located just 15 minutes from downtown, making it the perfect base for exploring the city’s vibrant scene.
During our stay, we discovered a variety of urban parks, local breweries, and delicious restaurants.
Some of our favorite stops included Cochinito Taqueria, where we enjoyed inventive tacos, and Frank’s Diner, a charming eatery housed in a unique train car. We also loved unwinding at Yaya Brewing and Whistlepunk Brewing, savoring their refreshing drinks.
And you gotta visit Riverfront Park when you explore downtown. You can find Spokane Falls, the Skyride Gondola, the historic Looff Carousel, Massive Red Wagon, iconic clock tower and more.
Lake Coeur d’Alene
Just a short 25 minutes East, you can explore the quaint town of Coeur d’Alene. You can roam the downtown area, filled with charming shops, restaurants, and cafes or enjoy the lake encompassed by stunning mountains.
Lake Coeur d’Alene spans over 25 miles offering a variety of recreational activities, from boating and fishing to hiking and cycling along its scenic shoreline.
Golf Courses
Spokane has several scenic golf courses. A couple of popular courses in the area are Indian Canyon, Downriver Golf Course, and Esmeralda. But there are many others too.
Riverside State Park
Riverside State Park is a beautiful outdoor oasis featuring miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It’s famous for rocky cliffs and towers that jut out of the river. Our personal favorite stops were Bowl and Pitcher hike and the suspension bridge.
Silverwood Theme Park
If you’re seeking a little more thrilling adventure, just a 40 minute drive northeast is Silverwood Theme Park. You can easily spend a whole action-packed day going on exhilarating rides, cooling off at the waterpark, enjoying a themed show and more.
Green Bluff
Green Bluff is a charming agricultural area just outside Spokane, known for its fruit farms and local markets. You can enjoy picking your own fresh produce, local homemade goods, and just enjoy the scenic countryside.
Potential Downfalls
We want to keep this review honest and straight with you. So here are a few potential downsides of this campground to be aware of.
We visited in September, and due to the local climate, most of the grass in the campground was brown then. This lead to many sites being a little dusty. Probably not a big issue for vehicle campers, but people in tents might care.
It is adjacent to train tracks, so light sleepers, especially those in tents might have issues with that. The campground staff is very upfront about this reality, and will happily provide complimentary ear plugs. It’s personally didn’t really both us, but we slept inside our campervan, so we didn’t notice the noise at night.
They are currently working on an Art Wall Sound Barrier to minimize the sounds coming from the nearby trains and factories.
The bathrooms in the back had yet to be updated. But after seeing the gorgeous bathroom renovations in the front, I would expect a similar revamp.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we had a lovely stay at the Spokane KOA Journey. It’s proximity to Spokane and Coeur d’Alene allowed us to easily explore the vibrant local scene, from urban parks to delicious restaurants and breweries.
We were particularly impressed with the campground’s recent upgrades, which have added a fresh touch to the overall experience. The welcoming atmosphere, combined with their helpful staff added to the charm of our stay. We can’t wait to see the final touches as they complete their renovations.
Whether you’re looking for a base to explore the area or simply a comfortable place to relax, Spokane KOA Journey is a fantastic choice for your next trip!
Use Code: ROAMING10 for 10% off your stay
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