The famed 1,000-step staircase sits at Greenwood Cemetery, with a safer, legal stair climb next door at Edwidge Woldson Park.
The phrase “1000 Steps” points to two stair experiences on Spokane’s west and south hills. One is the crumbling, lore-heavy staircase inside Greenwood Memorial Terrace. The other is a public hill climb beside Edwidge Woldson Park and the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens. This guide lays out how they differ, how to see the area without trouble, and what to plan for a smooth visit.
Quick Facts And Choices
Use this at-a-glance view to pick the experience that fits your plans. One is private with strict access rules. The other is public, scenic, and legal to climb.
| Aspect | Greenwood “1,000 Steps” | Woldson/Tiger Trail Area |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Historic cemetery staircase with heavy lore | Public park stair paths by heritage gardens |
| Access | Private property; hours enforced; patrols present | Open during posted park and garden hours |
| Condition | Broken segments; uneven; hazards | Steep paths and old stone steps; maintained |
| Goal | View a storied site from a respectful distance | Legit stair workout with skyline views |
| Best For | History buffs and urban lore fans | Walkers seeking a legal climb near downtown |
| Parking | Inside cemetery during open hours only | Street or nearby lots around Cliff Drive/Seventh Ave |
| Dogs | Follow posted cemetery rules | Leashed in park; mind garden rules |
| Fees | None for respectful visits during hours | None |
| Photography | Keep low-profile; no staged shoots | Common, but avoid blocking paths |
Climbing The 1,000-Step Staircase In Spokane: What To Know
The cemetery staircase sits on a terraced hillside west of downtown. The steps once linked lower access points to upper burial terraces. Time, weather, and heavy use left sections cracked or missing. Stories grew around it, and the name stuck. Today, the site is patrolled and entry outside hours can lead to a ticket. Even in daylight, the steps are rough and easy to slip on. Treat the site as a memorial area first, a historic place second, and a photo subject last.
Where It Sits
The staircase rises inside Greenwood Memorial Terrace along Government Way. The lower flights face a busy road; upper flights weave into older plots and tree cover. Because the structure is unstable, the safest approach is to view from obvious paths while staying within open, permitted areas. Skip night visits. Skip dares. Give families and grounds crews room.
Why People Talk About It
Decades of tales turn a worn set of steps into local lore. Ghost stories pull attention, but the true draw is the mashup of early Spokane history and hillside engineering. You see hand-poured concrete, terraced design, and the scale needed to climb a steep bluff before cars and modern roads took over.
Safety And Etiquette
- Go only during posted hours at the cemetery entrance.
- Stay off blocked or collapsing segments.
- Keep voices down; this is an active burial ground.
- No litter, no alcohol, no night missions.
- Wear shoes with grip; carry water in summer.
A Legal Stair Workout Next Door
If you want a solid climb with downtown views, shift a half-mile east to Edwidge Woldson Park and the adjoining heritage gardens. Paths here are steep, with old stone treads and dirt connectors, but the routes are intended for public use. You get the same bluff-top feel and a clean shot at sunrise or sunset light.
Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens
The hillside gardens sit immediately beside the park on South Hill. The setting includes original stairways and terraces dating to the early 1900s. The city keeps the historic layout intact, so you’ll meet steps, slopes, and sections without handrails. Plan footwear with grip and take your time on the steeper pitches. The official garden page explains the terrain and the preservation goals in clear terms—see the city’s page for Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens.
Views From The Bluff
From the lawns and paths above the gardens, you’ll see the river valley, downtown towers, and far hills. The stair paths drop you from Cliff Drive to the lower edges of the park in minutes. On hot days, aim for early morning shade. In winter, ice forms on shaded risers; trek poles help on those days.
Suggested Route Options
Here are simple loops and out-and-backs that deliver the stair vibe without trespassing. Start times assume a downtown base, but any nearby lot works.
Short Scenic Loop (25–40 Minutes)
- Park along Cliff Drive near the park overlook.
- Walk the rim for skyline views.
- Drop into the garden paths via a signed stair.
- Climb back to the rim using a different set of steps.
Workout Climb (45–70 Minutes)
- Warm up on the rim path for five minutes.
- Descend a steep stair line toward Seventh Avenue.
- Turn at the bottom and power back up, pausing at landings.
- Repeat one more descent and ascent on a nearby line.
- Cool down on the lawn with gentle stretching.
History-First Stroll (40–60 Minutes)
- Start near the gardens’ upper gate.
- Walk past stone walls, water features, and old plantings.
- Pause at signage to read about the early families who built on this hill.
- Finish with a slow rim walk and a sit on the grass.
Respecting The Greenwood Staircase
Curious about the backstory? Spokane historians have documented the cemetery steps and the tales around them. A concise overview sits on the local history site here: haunted staircase entry. You’ll find era photos, location context, and short notes on how the structure ties into the terraced layout.
What The Lore Gets Right
There is a long, steep stair line. It does climb through older plots. Sections are broken and easy to trip on. Patrols visit because the site attracts late-night dares and content chasers.
What To Skip
Skip any stunt that puts you off clear paths or past barriers. Skip filming others without consent in a burial area. Skip group meetups that clog lanes. The site is not a playground. Treat it like an outdoor chapel.
When To Go, Weather, And What To Wear
Spring brings flowers to the hillside gardens. Summer heat lifts off the bluff; shade sits along stone walls and tree pockets. Fall colors frame the skyline. Winter can glaze the stairs. Wear shoes with tread, layer a light wind shell on breezy days, and pack water even for short climbs.
Parking And Nearby Stops
- Cliff Drive Rim: Street parking by the overlook when open; watch signs.
- Seventh Avenue: Lower entries to paths; mind resident driveways.
- Downtown Add-Ons: Riverfront Park and the falls are minutes away.
Sample Half-Day Plans
These mixes pair stair time with nearby sights and coffee or snacks. Swap pieces to match your day.
| Time Block | Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30–9:00 | Sunrise rim walk, stair loop, lawn stretch | Cool temps; soft light for photos |
| 10:00–12:00 | History stroll through heritage gardens | Read signage; step slowly on old stone |
| 13:00–15:00 | Workout intervals on two stair lines | Bring water; cap sets at your fitness level |
| 17:00–19:30 | Golden-hour climb, picnic on the rim | Pack layers; winds can pick up |
Trip Tips That Save Time
Pick The Right Target
If your goal is a legal climb and views, steer to Edwidge Woldson Park and the heritage gardens. If your goal is lore, set expectations: view Greenwood respectfully during open hours and keep your visit brief.
Load One Official Page
Before you go, skim the city’s notes on terrain and stairs at the heritage gardens. The page explains elevation change, original layouts, and why you’ll see unrailed sections. Here’s the direct page again for quick reference: Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens.
Mind The Hills
South Hill climbs stack up. A short loop can still feel demanding. Add breaks at landings, shake out legs at the rim, and keep your stride short on the steepest risers.
Background And Context
Spokane’s bluffs created a need for stair links long before wide roads cut gentle grades. Many sets remain in pockets around town, each with a story. The cemetery line gained fame because it feels hidden and old, and because teen dares turned it into a rite of passage. Media pieces and message boards amplified that pull. The result: a place that draws curiosity, yet is fragile and best left quiet.
Why The Park Stairs Endure
The park and gardens sit on protected ground. Care teams preserve the look and feel of the early hill estate and its paths. That means you still climb original lines with native stone and dirt. It also means you accept steeper pitches and fewer handrails than a modern stair tower. That tradeoff keeps the charm intact.
Responsible Visiting Checklist
- Stick to legal access points and posted hours.
- Wear grippy shoes; old stone can be slick.
- Carry water; summer sun hits the bluff hard.
- Keep voices low near memorial areas.
- Pack out every wrapper, bottle, and tissue.
- Snap fast, respectful photos; no tripods in tight spots.
One Last Word On Lore
Spooky tales add color, and the staircase looks the part. Still, the real value sits in the hillside craft and the views across the city. If you want the stair feel without the risk, the public routes beside the heritage gardens give you the climb, the stonework, and the skyline—no ticket, no trouble.
Map Pins And Orientation
Greenwood Memorial Terrace Area
Government Way carries you along the base of the terraces. The old stair line is visible behind trees and masonry. Obey signs at the gates. If an area looks blocked, it is. Take a quiet lap by car during open hours to spot the layout, then move along.
Edwidge Woldson Park Rim
Cliff Drive edges the bluff with places to pull over and walk the rim. The lawns and paths sit just below, with stair links down toward Seventh Avenue. On clear days you can spot the river cut and downtown bridges from the grass.
Gear And Prep
- Shoes: Trail runners or sturdy sneakers with grip.
- Layers: Light shell for wind; hat for summer glare.
- Daypack: Water, a small snack, and a phone light if dusk sneaks up.
- Extras: Trek poles help on ice days; keep tips off fragile stone.
Respect For Place
The hillside holds stories of early Spokane families, the workers who cut and poured the steps, and the gardeners who shaped terraces. Treat every stair as part of that record. Step softly, speak softly, and leave it ready for the next set of feet.
Sources And Further Reading
For a short history note on the cemetery staircase, see the Spokane history entry on the haunted staircase. For terrain details and hours near the legal stair routes, use the city’s page for the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens.