This past weekend my family and I vacationed (if that’s what you want to call it) for two nights and three days at a campground not far from our home called Fort Spokane, Washington. We were looking for a economy friendly activity to do with our children as we do not have unlimited funds rolling in. So my husband and two kids met my brother and sister in-law at the Fort Spokane campground about an hour and a half away from us. The actual camping spot was a total of thirteen dollars. The most expensive part of the trip is of course gas, although one tank will easily take you to and from the camp spot. The second most expensive is the food but there again you can cut back some. After all it is camping and usually just requires hot dogs, chips, and junk food.
Fort Spokane camp ground offers hiking and a boat launch from a short distance. Not far from our campground (a less than three minute car ride) is a lovely beach after a short hike. That was located by a casino although we did not go to the casino and are not gamblers. So as to not promote the casino, lets just say if you looked it up on a map you would see the beach off of the Idaho River not far from Fort Spokane. It is actually very close to the fork in the two Rivers where Idaho River and the Columbia River join. The water is beautiful and refreshing. Not far from the beach is a park for children with green grass and shade if that catches your fancy also. Plus there is a gas station and convenience store just in case you get into a bind. As a personal suggestion I suggest lots of sunblock and water!
Fort Spokane offers a free tour and activities for your children. Your children can become junior rangers by completing an activity sheet ( with help from an adult.) and taking a tour of the fort. Then later are sworn in by a park ranger and receive a badge as a junior ranger in Fort Spokane. The park ranger informed us that if your children also attend activities in other national parks, they can collect badges from all places. Which is also free.
The tour of Fort Spokane is quite interesting. The fort was actually a Military fort and an Indian boarding school in 1900. The students there were from the Spokane and Colville Indian reservations as well as from places as far away as Alaska. But the Military was a major part of the fort also. (This information is from the Junior Ranger worksheet that the children are given to complete that is published by Northwest Interpretive Association.) There were only a couple of buildings still standing and they had been renovated. Mostly there were foundations of buildings no longer standing but the ranger was able to tell us the history of the fort and the hike was quite relaxing. We also saw wild life such as deer and a couple snakes which kept the children interested as well. They also got to search for bats in the stables with the park ranger which kind of turned it into an expedition for them.
It was a wonderful weekend filled full of swimming, hiking, the Fort Spokane tour, and the usual camping with a fire. Oh and don’t forget the smores. The site was very affordable and it is a relaxing spot without needing much income to complete. I would suggest this spot to anybody and everybody looking for some fun.
Reference:
- Vacation
- Inexpensive vacation
