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1008 Crest Dr, Coulee Dam, WA 99116-1259
Phone: 509-633-9441
Fax: 509-633-9332
Open All Year
Overview. The Columbia River was named by Captain Robert Gray after he sailed his ship, Columbia, across the bar at the mouth of the river in 1792. Thirteen years later, Lewis and Clark came down the Snake River to the Columbia on their exploration. When Lewis and Clark first explored the western territories in 1804 and 1805, they made their difficult way through present-day Washington's mountains, soon realizing that one main river drained the area. This mighty river turned out to be the Columbia; Lewis and Clark touched off almost two centuries of exploration, settlement, and use of the Columbia. In the early 20th-century, a burgeoning west coast population demanded ever more electricity. A new use for the Columbia was found, and in 1941 the enormous Grand Coulee Dam was completed. This 24-million-ton, 5,223-foot-long concrete and steel behemoth generates 6.5 million kilowatts of power and helps irrigate over a half million acres of basin farmland. It also creates Lake Roosevelt, a long, winding lake stretching almost 150 miles upstream from the dam. With mountain ranges towering over the valley, thick coniferous forests lining the banks, and placid, cool waters, the lake has become a prime marine recreation area notable for its scenery and temperate weather.What to see and do. The park's headquarters are located in the town of Coulee Dam, while the Bureau of Reclamation runs the main visitor center at the dam and conducts the dam tours. A self-guided tour of the dam is an awe-inspiring experience because it's one of the largest concrete structures ever built. While at the center, open daily except for major holidays, pick up schedules of ranger-guided tours, programs, and talks. You'll also want a detailed map of the area's 23 boat ramps and 38 campgrounds, and list of marine facilities. Primitive and developed campgrounds pepper the shoreline, providing plenty of opportunity to camp or picnic. Any camping within the Spokane or Colville Confederated Tribe's Reservations, which border parts of the lake, requires a tribal permit. Consider taking a guided walk with a ranger to familiarize yourself with the terrain on shore, or perhaps a guided canoe tour to introduce yourself to the waterways. At Fort Spokane, you can tour the old fort structures. Between 1880 and 1898, soldiers occupied this fort located at the strategic confluence of the Spokane and Columbia rivers. The visitor center is open intermittently in the summer. Call ahead, or check at the dam center for hours. If you'd rather not boat or swim, scenic drives offer another way to appreciate the rich scenery. One such route starts at Fort Spokane, winding north along the eastern shore of Lake Roosevelt and through the Huckleberry and Kettle River Mountains. Another starts about 15 miles from the dam at Keller Ferry, whence it heads north into the Colville Indian Reservation and Okanogan National Forest along the Sanpoil River, eventually heading east through the Sherman Pass until it end at the lake again, close to Kettle Falls. Whether driving, sailing, or canoeing, you're sure to see wildlife. Deer quietly step close to the shoreline for a sip of cool water, while black bears may be in the underbrush, and an occasional eagle or osprey casts a quick shadow as it glides overhead. Some hunting is permitted in the area; check for regulations. Fishing is excellent. Anglers await a walleye, salmon, or rainbow strike, and white sturgeon grow to enormous proportions. Food and supplies are readily available at several marinas.
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Beach |
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Bird Watching |
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Boat Launching |
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Fishing |
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Food Service |
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Guided Tours |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Historic Sites |
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Motor Boating |
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Museum/Exhibits |
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Non-motor Boating |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Swimming |
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Visitor Center |
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Water Skiing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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