Area Attractions

The greater Grand Coulee Dam Area is surrounded by natural beauty found nowhere else - from the incredible lakes and mighty Columbia River to the geological wonders of the stunning coulee walls. Add to that the engineering feat that is the Grand Coulee Dam, and there is already a full day's worth of activity to take in. We have taken the time to put together a short list of some of the area's best attractions - or "Must See" things we feel will make your visit to the Grand Coulee Dam Area as great as it can be!

KXLY.com, Spring 2013
 


 
With 150 miles of shoreline, stretching from Grand Coulee Dam to the Canadian border, Lake Roosevelt offers fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation galore! Come and see for yourself!
 
With some of the best fishing in the state of Washington, Banks Lake is a destination for the whole family! With great water skiing, flat water for kayaking and canoeing - PLUS the incredible Steamboat Rock State Park, there is something for everyone!

 
NW Profiles, a preview to the American Experiences documentary.

Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center

The World Famous Grand Coulee Dam Laser Light Show airs nightly at 10:00pm from May 25-July 31, 2013, at 9:30pm nightly during the month of August and 8:30pm nightly during the month of September.  The Laser Light Show tells the Columbia River story through this narrated production of brilliant lasers that dance across the largest screen on the world – the face of Grand Coulee Dam! Learn about the building of the dam and enjoy the entertainment sections - with a patriotic finale, great for all ages!
 
If you are not in a "speaker" section, the audio can be heard on the radio at 90.1 FM. There are several areas to watch the show from. View the show from the Visitor Arrival Center bleacher area or park area below the center (speakers provided), Crown Point Vista, Mason City Park and Freedom Point Park across from the Coulee Dam shopping area on the east side of the bridge.
 
FREE Grand Coulee Dam tour times currently from 10:00am to 5:00pm daily, every hour, on the hour.  Visitors should arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour at the tour building. Follow the signs which take you across the bridge and to the tour building, which is located above the Third Powerplant (across the river from the Visitor's Center). NOTE: Tour capacity is 38 people, reservations are not available, and each tour is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to confirm tour times, call the Visitor Center at (509) 633-9265.

2013 GRAND COULEE DAM VISITOR CENTER HOURS:
The Visitor's Center is open daily (except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) from 9:00am to 5:00pm, with extended hours between Memorial Day and September 30.
 
   Date                                            Time Open                        Laser Show
   Oct 1, 2012 - May 24, 2013       9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.       Out of Season
   May 25 - July 31, 2013              8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.     10:00 p.m. Nightly
   August 1-31, 2013                     8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.      9:30 p.m. Nightly
   September 1-30, 2013               8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.        8:30 p.m. Nightly

Films are shown daily in the Upstairs Theater at the Visitor’s Center on a schedule that is subject to change. Please contact the Visitor’s Center at (509) 633-9265 for current show times.  Films currently available for viewing are:
"Columbia, Fountain of Life", 13 Min.
"The Great Floods", 14 Min.
"Desert Garden", 14 Min.
"Sculpted by Floods", 57 Min.
*New Movie* "Kettle Falls Fishery", 15 Min.
 
Grand Coulee Dam Area Tourism Video
View the YouTube version of the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce tourism video “Come To The Coulee” produced by Black Horse Productions and KDK-1 Media.













Outdoor Recreation Highlights

For the outdoor recreational enthusiast, the Grand Coulee Dam Area offers many exciting and refreshing adventures for people of all ages and experience levels! Lake Roosevelt and Banks Lake are two of the most beautiful and vast lakes in Washington, with few crowded areas. Fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, and water sporting can be found on both of these great reservoirs, and houseboating is available on Lake Roosevelt. The coulee walls and unique landscape of this area offer excellent hiking trails and rock climbing. You can learn about the historical buildings that were alive during the dam’s construction era by taking the Historical Walking Tour in the town of Coulee Dam. Don’t forget the 18 hole golf course on the shoreline of Banks Lake. While you’re recreating, you’ll be surrounded by geological wonders. The great floods carved out a "coulee" revealing a stunning display of layers of basalt rock.
 

Area Lakes

  • Banks Lake

    Over 27,000 acres of warm water from Grand Coulee to Coulee City, aligned with basalt-rock coulees. Steamboat Rock State Park is the centerpiece.  For more information call: (509) 633-1304
  • Crescent Bay Lake

    Non-motorized watercraft only, canoe trips and wildlife
  • Lake Roosevelt

    A scenic 151 miles long with 630 miles of shoreline from the Grand Coulee Dam to the Canadian border. For more information call Lake Roosevelt National Recreational Area at (509) 633-9441.  For information about Keller Ferry Marina call (509) 647-5755 or for information about Seven Bays area call (509) 725-1676.
  • Lake Rufus Woods

    Access from the Elmer City Lower Road Boat Launch. The Columbia River, from Grand Coulee Dam to Chief Joseph Dam. A secret hideaway!

Fishing

Year-round fishing on all area lakes feature kokanee, walleye, large and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, burbout, white fish, channel catfish, carp, perch, crappie and sturgeon.
 

Camping & RV Parks

    Electric City

    Coulee Playland Resort • 401 Coulee Blvd. E, Electric City, WA  99133 • 509.633.2671 • 888.633.2671
    Full hook ups & tent sites • convenience store • souvenirs • deli • ice cream • small boat, paddle boat, & party barge rentals •free internet • free boat launch • showers • laundromat • dump station • state and tribal fishing licenses • tackle • boat fuel • YURT rental • picnic & swimming • minutes to Grand Coulee Dam • 65 sites
    www.couleeplayland.com

    Sunbanks Lake Resort • 57662 Hwy 155 N, Electric City, WA  99123 • 509.633.3786 • 888.822.7195
    20 acres of property on the shores of Banks Lake • 183 RV & tent sites • awesome views of Banks Lake • high speed internet • handicap accessibility • swimming beach • horse shoe pits • playground equipment • mini golf course • KJ Watersports power boat and jet ski rentals • 30 slip marina • convenience store • espresso stand • on-site restaurant and lodge
    www.sunbanksresort.com

    Grand Coulee

    Grand Coulee RV Park • Bridgeport HWY 174 W, Grand Coulee, WA  99133 • 509.633.0750 • 866.633.0750
    High speed internet & cable • covered picnic area & BBQ • restrooms & showers • laundry on site • tent sites • propane • horse shoe pits • 60 foot pull through sites • shuttle to dam on Friday & Saturday • 41 sites. grandcouleepark@gmail.com
    The King’s Court • Hwy 174 E • 212 E Grand Coulee, Grand Coulee, WA  99133 • 509.633.3655 800.759.2608
    Cable TV • public Laundromat • showers • shade trees • 38 sites • free shuttle to laser light show for guests • 1 room apartment rentals by the month (bring your own bedding) • no pets • propane • 2.5 miles from Grand Coulee Dam kingsco@bigdam.net 

    National Park Service & State Park Service Camping

    Lake Roosevelt
    Spring Canyon Campground National Park Service • 509.633.9188• 877.444.6777
    Reservations required through Reserve USA (above 877 #) • A few sites are first come first served • 78 campsites • sandy beach • boat launch fees • volleyball • picnic facilities • shade trees • playgroun • changing rooms • restrooms • swim area • Summer weekend amphitheater programs (including canoe trips) • no fee for boat-in sites & shore camping (must be self-contained and there are no hook ups) • covered group eating with BBQ

    Banks Lake
    Steamboak Rock State Park • State Park Service • On Bank’s Lake • 509.633.1304 • 800.452.5687
    216 campsites (80 primitive) • 136 full hook up sites • 3 cabins • 7 boat ramps • boat launch fees • 12 boat access sites • group  sites • basketball court • beach volleyball court • ADA accessible fishing pier • playground • hiking • concessions • restrooms • showers • swimming • wildlife & wildflowers • dump station
 

Golf and Country Clubs

  • Banks Lake Golf Club offers a challenging 18 hole golf experience south of Electric City on the shoreline of Banks Lake (509) 633-1400.
  • Big Bend Golf & Country Clubalso offers 9 holes of golf at Wilbur, just a 20 minute drive from the Grand Coulee Dam.

Hiking and Walking Trails

 
1-handicap accessible; 2-little difficulty; 3-moderate; 4-good exercise; 5-good hiking shoes & water a must!
  • Candy Point Trail (5) The main trail is largely constructed of hand laid stone including steps expertly placed in steeper sections. Park at the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union and walk 300 feet down to the park ahead.
  • Community Trail (1) All four towns are connected by well maintained trails.
  • Down River Trail (1) A new biking and hiking trail that follows the Columbia River north. Perfect for persons of all ages, 6.5 miles on Rufus Woods Lake.
  • North Dam Park (1) North Dam Park is located between Electric City and Grand Coulee and holds Banks lake. Walk across the man made dam and down below by the softball fields and then back up through the park.
  • Northrup Canyon Trail (5) Begins in a sheltered canyon and extends through the only forest in Grant County. At the top of the gorge is a picturesque lake which is stocked with trout.
  • Steamboat Rock Trail (5) Steep in spots, good hike. Wildflowers are abundant in the spring. This hike has a great view of Banks lake and the coulees! Start at Steamboat Rock State Park.
  • Bunchgrass Prairie Nature Trail (2) The National Park Service offers an excellent nature trail complete with an interpretive booklet to help identify plants as part of the program at Spring Canyon Campground. Brochures are at trail head, see park ranger for additional details or interpretive walks.
  • Historical Walking Tour - The town of Coulee Dam boasts a history rich in stories of the building of the mighty Grand Coulee Dam. From the well planned Engineer's Town to an entire section of Mason City that was moved to make way for construction, Coulee Dam holds a vast treasure of information just waiting to be explored. Start at the Visitor Arrival Center and follow the signs through this short excursion into the past. This trip through time is presented by the town of Coulee Dam.
  • Crown Point Vista - Overlooking the Grand Coulee Dam and surrounding communities …..Bring your camera!!!!
  • Geology on the Road - The great floods carved out a "coulee" revealing a stunning display of layers of basalt rock. Driving south on Hwy. 155 you'll see Steamboat Rock and the Devil's Punch Bowl across from it. 33 miles south is Dry Falls, part of Sun Lakes State Park, featuring an interpretive center and viewing point. It's "Washington's Grand Canyon".

Other Attractions