WA State Park Steamboat Rock State Park

Steamboat Rock is not what a lot of people consider typical NW camping, never the less it is a great place to visit. It is situated on Banks lake which is a fishing haven for small mouth bass. The grand coulee dam is close by to tour and the dam has lazer light shows at night which are pretty cool. Lake Roosevelt is behind the dam providing even more opportunities for swimming, fishing and boating. Dry falls is to the south which is very interesting geologic formation left by the huge floods which carved out the landscape of central Washington and Oregon 10 to 20 thousand years ago.

The campground itself is manicured with full facilities and hook-ups. There is a swimming beach with concession stand and a nice playground. There are hiking trails from the campgrounds but I haven't been able to talk my wife into going to the top of steamboat rock yet. Guess I'll have to wait until my boys are old enough to drag me up it. This is a great place to go in early spring or late autumn since it is warmer and drier then many destinations in the NW. It can be brutally hot (but dry) in the summer, but you can just spend the day in the water!


Steamboat Rock State Park
51052 Highway 155
Electric City, Washington 99123
Reservations: 888-226-7688

Park hours/updates:
The park is open year round for camping and day use.

Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.Winter: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

Winter weatherization occurs Oct 15 - March 31: The water is shut off at individual campsites. Please plan to use the winter water supply near the main restroom. Also, the watercraft launch docks are removed until the lake is no longer freezing.

Reservation and registered campers may enter campground after dusk.

Camping:Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.Check-out time, 1 p.m.Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

 

Re: Steamboat Rock State Park

Agree, it's an oasis in the beautiful Coulees area. The Laser Light show is interesting and worthwhile to see once. There's road just coming into town that goes to a look out of the dam area. The Dam Visitor Center is very informative on the Missoula floods



[/URL]

and Inside is interesting too

[/URL]

I have other trips pics of the PNW area Photo Gallery

photo 2


Going back again in a few months to check out the Dry Lakes.

[/URL]

and the view from the top:
[/URL]