Grand Coulee Dam Area Visitors’ Guide
2020-2021
A Supplement to The Star Newspaper
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GRAND COULEE GRAND COULEE Center Lodge Center 404 Spokane Way, Grand Lodge Coulee, WA 99133
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Your room is ready! Clean, Comfortable, Convenient. Grand Coulee Dam View (some rooms) Second Floor Private Decks• Outdoor Pool • Hot Tub • Sauna• Fitness Room • Guest Laundry • Meeting Room Accessible Unit • All Suites are Non-Smoking • In Room: Refrigerator, Microwave, Coffee Maker, High Speed Internet, A/C
10 Lincoln St., Coulee Dam, WA 99116 / Fax: (509) 633-2100
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Steamboat Rock is silhouetted by a spectacular sunset that also graces the cover of this visitors guide. The area’s beauty is on display all year. This photo was shot in November.
Electric City Located on the shores of Banks Lake and minutes from the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Electric City has much to offer visitors to the area.
A Beautiful Place With Beautiful People
Come and see the historic Grand Coulee Dam, “the largest concrete structure in the United States.” Enjoy the warm summer weather, and (hopefully) in 2021 if the health emergency is past, attend the Colorama festival and Pro-West Rodeo on Mother’s Day weekend.
Incorporated in 1950, Electric City offers outstanding recreational activities like golfing, fishing, boating, Come experience some of the area’s annual events climbing, camping like the Triple Fish and generally enjoy- City of Electric City (509) 633-1510 electriccity.us Challenge in April, ing the wonderful Skydeck Motel (509) 633-0290 skydeckmotel.com Koulee Kids Fest in eastern Washington June, the amazing Coulee Playland (509) 633-2671 couleeplayland.com climate. Located just Festival of America Sunbanks Resort (888) 822-7195 sunbanksresort.com a few miles from the Grand Coulee Dam Banks Lake Golf (509) 633-1400 bankslakegolfcourse.webs.com in July, and the Harvest Festival in and Lake Roosevelt, September. numerous opportunities exist to enjoy yourself. Electric City is a beautiful But even now, go on a hiking adventure at Northrup place with beautiful people. Canyon, view the unique Ice Age Flood geology, or just relax and get away from the big city for a while. Electric City offers year-round fishing, an 18-hole golf course, access to miles of lakes for water sports, and No matter if you’re in pursuit of fur, feathers, horns or a wide variety of camping, lodging and RV facilities, scales, the Grand Coulee Dam area has much to offer a like Steamboat Rock State Park, Sunbanks Lake Resort, dedicated sportsman. Coulee Playland, and the lakefront SkyDeck Motel. Whether it’s fun and recreation, or rest and relaxation, Electric City is waiting just a few hours away from anywhere in Washington. 1
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
Table of Contents
Basic Questions................................................................. 3-5 Grand Coulee Dam Facts.............................................6-14 Where Can I Camp?............................................................15 Are the Fish Biting?..................................................... 16-18 Monthly Fishing Guide.............................................. 17-18 Hunting the Coulee.................................................... 18-19 Lake Roosevelt Facts.................................................. 20-21 Four-town Map............................................................ 24-25 Parks and Viewpoints........................................................26
Coulee Facts.................................................................. 27-28 Colville/Native People............................................... 30-32 Other Great Day Tours............................................... 33-39 Welcome to Okanogan County.............................. 36-38 Wilbur.............................................................................. 38-39 Hiking the Coulee ..............................................................41 Adventures in Okanogan County.......................... 42-43 Ad Index.......................................................................... 44-45 National Park Service........................................................46 Laser Light Show Facts.....................................................47
Coulee in Covid
Most of the information on schedules in this guide are designed to help our visitors in normal times. At this writing, nothing is normal, yet. Our area offers plenty to do and see at the dam and the surrounding area, so we offer those regular schedules, hoping that normalcy will return soon. But check with phone calls or website visits before planning.
On the cover
A woman enjoys a moment in the park below Grand Coulee Dam as water spills over the top. That occurrence is relatively rare, but enjoyed by all when it happens. Because the dam makes electricity using the Columbia’s energy to turn generators, spilled water is money down the river. When more water flows than demand for power, it spills, usually in spring.
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Only Locally-Based Guide Walleye, Bass, Kokanee, Trout, Burbot-Perch For the best fishing knowledge of Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt and Rufus Woods Lake
Hurd's Guide Service Pro Guide: Dwayne Darlington
(509) 293-1491 Put your business in this Visitors‘ Guide in print and online at gcdvisitor.com. Need more guides at your visitor location?
Call 1-509-633-1350 or email to
star@grandcoulee.com
• Family clothing • Swimsuits • Shoes • Candy • Spices • Cosmetics • Crafts • Notions/Yarn • Domestics • Fishing/camping • Seasonal • Souvenirs • Small electronics • Greeting cards • Office supplies • Party decorations • Pet supplies • Toys, games, puzzles
Coulee Wall VARIETY STORE
414 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee
509.681.0468 / facebook.com/couleewallvariety
Coulee Wall VARIETY STORE
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Basic Questions
What town am I in?
There are four towns adjacent to the Grand Coulee Dam. The city of Grand Coulee is above the dam. Electric City is two miles west of Grand Coulee. These two municipalities are located in Grant County. To the north, the town of Coulee Dam is directly below the dam. Coulee Dam — divided by the river — lies within three counties: Okanogan County on the east side of the river, and Douglas County and a tiny portion of Grant County on the west side of the river. The town of Elmer City, less than two miles north of Coulee Dam, also is in Okanogan County. The Colville Indian Reservation begins in the middle of the Columbia River Bridge in Coulee Dam and extends north to Omak. The east side of Coulee Dam and the town of Elmer City are within the boundaries of the reservation.
What time does the laser light show begin? The laser show is normally held nightly at Grand Coulee Dam. It is not currently running but should have (and may yet) followed this schedule in 2020: May 23to July 31 at 10:00 p.m. Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m. The show is about 28 minutes in length. There is no admission fee. Call 509-633-9265 for more information.
Where can I view this show?
• The best location: the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center (VC) at the dam and from the park below the VC. These areas are covered by an outdoor sound system. • On the east side of the bridge and across the street from the Coulee Dam Casino, a terraced, grassy park makes a great place to watch the show and hear the accompanying audio. • Other view spots: from Douglas Park in Coulee Dam, from Crown Point Vista atop the granite cliffs and above Lake Rufus Woods — access from SR-174 toward Bridgeport. • The USBR broadcasts the audio portion of the Laser Light Show nightly at 90.1 FM.
How do I take a tour of Grand Coulee Dam?
At the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Visitor Center on SR-155 just north of Coulee Dam, tours are offered. The VC offers movies about the dam, informational displays, and guides can answer questions. Youcangetthelatestinformationthere,orcall509-633-9265.
Where are public restrooms? • Steamboat Rock State Park, SR-155 eight miles south of Electric City • Coulee Playland, SR-155, Electric City • North Dam Park, SR-155, west of Grand Coulee • Grand Coulee City Hall, SR-155, Grand Coulee • Grand Coulee City Park, SR-174 • Etheta Anderson Memorial Library, Grand Coulee • Spring Canyon, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, SR-174 east • Visitor Center and park below • Mason City Memorial Park, Coulee Dam, across street from Havest Foods and Variety. • Coulee Dam Town Hall, 300 Lincoln, Coulee Dam
Where can I find overnight accommodations? • AREA MOTELS: Coulee Dam - Columbia River Inn, 10 Lincoln Ave., 509633-2100, 800-633-6421; Coulee House Inn and Suites, 110 Roosevelt Way, 509-633-1101,800-715-7767 Grand Coulee - Grand Coulee Center Lodge, 404 Spokane Way, 509-633-2860, 866-633-2860; TrailWest Motel, 108 Spokane Way, 509-633-3155, 866-633-8157 Electric City - The Skydeck Motel, on Banks Lake, 509633-0290 • AREA CAMPGROUNDS - Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake, 11 miles south of Electric City on SR-155, 509-633-1304; Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt, 1.4 miles east of Grand Coulee on SR-174, 509-633-9188; Coulee Playland Resort on Banks Lake in Electric City, 509-633-2671; Lakeview Terrace Mobile Park, 2.4 miles east of Grand Coulee on SR-174, 509-633-2169; King’s Court, SR-174 toward Wilbur, 509-633-3655.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Where can I eat? Family Style
Café Espresso, Grand Coulee Fusion Café & Espresso, Electric City Hometown Pizza, 121 Bridgeport Hwy.Grand Coulee Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille, 113 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee PK’s Culinary, 415 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee R&A Cafe, 514 Birch St. or Coulee Dam Casino, across the street, Coulee Dam. Voltage Coffee House, Grand Coulee
Fast Foods
Jack's, Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam Electric City Bar & Grill, Electric City
Specialty
Siam Palace (Chinese/Thai/American), Main St., Grand Coulee La Presa (Mexican), SR-174, Grand Coulee
Where can I have a picnic?
Where can I buy postcards, gifts, and souvenirs?
Many area retailers carry postcards, as do motels, restaurants and area concessionaires. • In Coulee Dam: Colville Tribal Museum Harvest Foods & Variety Coulee View & Fuel • In Grand Coulee: Coulee Wall Variety, Jack's Four-Corners, Spring Canyon Exxon VISITOR • In Electric City: Coulee Playland Resort H&H Grocery Coulee Pioneer Museum • Outer Area: Trading Post, Nespelem Grant Co. Museum, Ephrata
What else is there to do besides tour the dam?
• 12 Tribes Coulee Dam Casino, 516 Birch, Coulee Dam • Banks Lake Golf Course,public golf,SR-155 west of Electric City, 7 a.m. - dark • Hiking trails abound in the coulee area. See Hike section pages 40-41 • Houseboat, skiing and fishing boat rentals on Lake Roosevelt • Boating on Banks Lake,Lake Roosevelt and Rufus Woods Lake; Small boat, party boat and pedal boat rentals at Coulee Playland, Electric City • Swimming at Steamboat Rock State Park and Coulee Playland on Banks Lake, and at Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt • Canoeing on Crescent Lake, below the city of Grand Coulee. • View Gehrke Windmills, North Dam Park, Grand Coulee • Panoramic view of Grand Coulee Dam at Crown Point Vista. Take Highway 174 two miles west toward Bridgeport and watch for signs. Great spot for camera buffs. • Bowling at Riverview Lanes in Coulee Dam View from the park below • Public library, Federal Avenue, Grand Public launches on Banks Lake are at: the Visitor Center Coulee Coulee Playland, Jones Bay, Northrup Point and Steamboat Rock State Park. On • Tennis courts at North Dam Park, Grand Lake Roosevelt, local launch ramps are at Coulee; behind the Federal Credit Union in CrescentBayinthecityofGrandCoulee,andatSpringCanyon Coulee Dam's Cole Park; and at Lake Roosevelt High School campground, both operated by the National Park Service. • Year-round fishing The Columbia River below Grand Coulee Dam (Lake • Skate Park, North Dam Rufus Woods) can be accessed at Seaton's Grove, north • See gcdvisitor.com for updates and other activities. of Elmer City. • Steamboat Rock State Park, SR-155, eight miles south of Electric City in the Grand Coulee • Spring Canyon, SR-174 east toward Spokane • Grand Coulee Dam’s Visitor Center Park, below dam and Roosevelt Memorial Park. (Look for the bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt off SR-155 near the top of the dam.) • Municipal parks are located at: North Dam Park,SR-155,Grand Coulee (covered eating area); Grand Coulee City Park, SR-174 east toward Spokane; Douglas Park, SR-155, Coulee Dam; Cole Park, just off SR-155 on Columbia Avenue (do not cross Columbia River Bridge); Mason City Memorial Park, across street from Coulee Dam shopping center; National Park Service headquarters, Crest Drive, Coulee Dam.
Where can I launch a boat?
Continued on page 5
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
People enjoy a game of softball at North Dam Park.
Where are the grocery stores/mini marts?
Grand Coulee. Take SR-174 toward Bridgeport, watch for road signs. The center is on the right just past the four-corners as you head toward Bridgeport.
• Electric City — H&H Grocery, Coulee Playland. • Grand Coulee — 4 Corners where SR-174/155 meet; Spring Canyon on Grand Coulee Ave., Safeway on SR174. • Coulee Dam — Harvest Foods & Variety, Coulee View, 2 Okanogan Ave. • Outer Area — Trading Post, SR-155, Nespelem
Is medical care available?
Coulee Medical Center is open seven days a week, with the emergency room open 24 hours a day in
Where can I get propane? King’s Court RV Park, Coulee Playland, Electric City
Where are holding tanks dumped?
Coulee Playland, Electric City; Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake; Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt; and Coulee Dam's station on Stevens Ave., one block off Columbia, near Coulee View 2 Mini Mart.
Your Senses… Come enjoy an authentic Mexican meal
• Authentic Mexican Food • Margaritas • Daiquiris • Beer & Wine
• Daily Specials • Banquet Room • Catering • Take-Out Orders Open Monday thru Saturday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
515 E. Grand Coulee Ave., Grand Coulee ORDERS TO GO - Call 509-633-3173
Also - 13308 W. Sunset Highway, Airway Heights • (509) 244-7001 5
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
In some years, you may be lucky enough to see a big “spill” of water over the top of the dam, but not often. Visitor tours usually do include a spectacular bus stop on top of Grand Coulee Dam to take photos from the top of the massive spillway and roiling river below. Some people find it hard to grasp the size of the dam, often thinking it’s smaller than it is. A careful peek over the edge is called for, and more than a few selfies are taken with smartphones.
Grand Coulee Dam Facts When was Grand Coulee Dam built and by whom? The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation began construction of Grand Coulee Dam in 1933 as the key structure in its multipurpose Columbia Basin Project.It has since become the linchpin in harnessing the second largest river in the United States. It took nine years to build the dam, but even more years of battling and political maneuvering before construction started. While it was recognized early in the century that the Columbia Basin had rich farmland that only needed water to flourish, the method for providing that water caused much controversy. A Spokane group 6
insisted upon a 134-mile gravity-flow canal from Lake Pend Oreille to the Basin, while a Wenatchee/Central Washington group favored building a big dam on the Columbia at Grand Coulee. The battle raged for 13 years. At its conclusion, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized $60 million to get the dam project started. In the Grand Coulee, life changed dramatically and quickly once work on the dam began in 1933. Not only did the undertaking of this massive project forever change the shape of the river, but overnight it created towns where nothing but sagebrush, sand and rocks had previously existed. Thousands came to the Grand Coulee looking for work in the midst of the Depression. They worked around the clock to finish the dam by 1942.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Big jobs on a the biggest power facility Above, workers are doing maintenance on the drum gates on top of the spillway on Grand Coulee Dam. Below, a shot of the (almost) full mile wide-plus dam. The Left Powerhouse is in the foreground on right, the Right Powerhouse is tucked past the spillway, and the Third Powerhouse extends to the left from there. The two photos together give some sense of the size of the dam, the power from which can be used to support other renewable energy production, such as wind and solar, which does not have ready-made energy storage, like Lake Roosevelt. Grand Coulee is the largest energy production plant in North America by capacity. Lake Roosevelt must be lowered at least 35 feet from full pool to do the work each spring on the drum gates.
How many dams are on the Columbia River?
How big is Grand Coulee Dam?
Altogether, a total of 11 dams have been built on the river in the United States, as it winds its way from the Canadian border toward the Pacific Ocean; Grand Coulee Dam is the keystone of the Columbia River system dams. Five other dams in the Big Bend region of the river also offer facilities for visitors — Chief Joseph Dam on Highway 17 in Bridgeport; Wells Dam, south of Brewster on Highway 97; Rocky Reach Dam, north of Wenatchee on Highway 97; Wanapum Dam, six miles south of the I-90 crossing of the Columbia; and Priest Rapids Dam on Highway 243.
Grand Coulee Dam dwarfs the Great Pyramids of Egypt and generates more power than a million locomotives. An engineering wonder, it is also the country’s largest hydroelectric project. Grand Coulee Dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world, containing almost 12 million cubic yards of concrete. It towers 550 feet above bedrock (as high as the Washington Monument) and is 500 feet wide at its base. There is enough concrete in the dam to build two standard six-foot-wide sidewalks around the world at the equator. 7
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
A group gets a special tour inside the a powerhouse at Grand Coulee Dam.
How is the electricity produced? Electricity is generated by unseen torrents of water rushing through the turbines within the dam’s hydroelectric plants. There are three powerhouses at Grand Coulee Dam with a total rated capacity of 6,809 megawatts,
making this dam the largest hydroelectric producer in the United States.
What is the dam’s main purpose? Actually, Grand Coulee Dam has three important functions: irrigation, power production and flood con-
Open 24 Hours
Great Convenience Store & Deli • Beer • Lottery 509.631.7466 212 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee on SR 155, north of Safeway 8
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 trol. Although electricity was not foreseen as a primary function when the dam was built, today the production of electrical energy is one of Grand Coulee Dam’s most important jobs.Recreation is another important function, facilitated by the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.
Espresso Yourself...
How many acres does Grand Coulee Dam help irrigate? Water supplied by Grand Coulee Dam irrigates more than 670,000 acres of rich farmland in the Columbia Basin annually. Water from Lake Roosevelt (behind the dam) is lifted 280 feet up a hillside to flow into the Banks Lake reservoir, where it starts a journey that eventually covers an area more than twice the size of the state of Delaware. Each of the six conventional pumps in Grand Coulee’s PumpGenerator Plant is powered by a 65,000-horsepower motor and will pump 1,600 cubic feet of water per second, or 781,128 gallons per minute. In addition, six pump-generators, each having a 67,500-horsepower rating, can pump 1,948 cubic feet of water per second. One of these 12 units can fill the water needs of a city the size of Chicago, Illinois.
Next to Coulee Hardware, Midway Ave. Grand Coulee - 633-1613
The Comfort Foods You Crave Day & Night . . . UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP 7am-9pm Daily • DAILY SPECIALS • burgers • fries • onion rings • steaks • veggie burgers • chicken strips • fish & chips • mac & cheese • chopped salads • & more
Thank you for your support!
509.633.8283 Midway Avenue, Grand Coulee 9
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Kayakers enjoy Banks Lake near Steamboat Rock.
“Friendliest Grocery on Banks Lake” Convenient RV & Trailer Parking
Video Rentals ~ ATM
Steaks - Seafood - Fresh Produce Camping & Fishing Supplies WE DELIVER! - Call for details!
Electric City (509) 633-2687 www.grandcouleedam.com/h&h
We are celebrating 35 Years!
VISITOR
Bruce Cheadle
(509) 633-0280 308 Spokane Way Grand Coulee
Auto • Home • Life • Health
State Farm Insurance Companies Home Offices: Bloomington, Illinois
GRANT COUNTY WA S H I N G T O N
Just Natural Ingredients
TREE LINED LAKESIDE PARK
Tenting, Full Hook-ups 2 miles to Golf Course and 2 miles from Grand Coulee Dam
LARGE SELECTION OF TACKLE/RODS, REELS MARINE/RV/CAMPING SUPPLIES BANKS LAKE APPAREL RENT: PONTOON BOATS, FISH BOATS, PEDAL BOATS, STAND UP PADDLE BOARD (SUP) - the SUP can be easily
Fishing • Hunting Camping • Hiking Watchable Wildlife
transported to other lakes - Lake Roosevelt, Crescent Bay, south side of Osborne Bay.
YURT — SLEEPS 5 Tribal & State Game Licenses Lake Roosevelt Boat Launch Passes www.couleeplayland.com
Reservations recommended but not required
401 Coulee Blvd. E. (509) 633-2671 Box 457, Electric City, WA 99123 10
Grant County Tourism Commission
P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823 • 800.992.6234
TourGrantCounty.com
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Chinese, Thai & American Family Dining Dine-In or Take-Out Banquet Room Available 325 Midway Ave. Grand Coulee, WA 99133 213 Main St., Grand Coulee ~
633-2921
• Ready-made lunch and breakfast items • Fresh pastries, cookies and breads made daily from scratch • Gluten free and dairy free options • Delicious Blue Star coffee ad espresso as well as tea, Italian sodas and other drinks • Cool remodelled historic building • Green packaging including non-plastic corn based cups and straws and fiber to-go containers OPEN: 6:30 - 2:30 daily (7:30 Sunday) 140 Spokane Way / Grand Coulee 509.631.2035 / voltagecoffeehouse@gmail.com 11
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
How does Grand Coulee Dam help in flood control?
Each spring, the water level of Lake Roosevelt, behind Grand Coulee Dam, is lowered to make space for massive amounts of water that will flow down the Columbia River in late spring and summer as rising temperatures melt snow in the Rocky Mountains. The water is “captured” in the lake to prevent flooding downstream and to provide a steady flow of water for the whole year.
How big is Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam?
VISITOR
The dam’s blocking of the Columbia River has created Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, which extends 151 miles upstream to the Canadian border. The reservoir has a shoreline of 660 miles, a surface area of 82,000 acres, and a total storage capacity of 9,562,000 acre-feet of water.
How is Lake Roosevelt managed for public recreation?
Recreation on the lake is managed cooperatively by three federal agencies and two Indian tribes.The National Park Service has authority for the portion of the lake and adjacent shoreland comprising the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LRNRA).The Colville Confederated Tribes and the Spokane Tribe manage public recreation along the areas of the lake and shoreline that fall within their reservation boundaries. Other partners cooperating in the lake’s management are the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Each year, more than a million visitors enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities of the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.
Every year, using observation and measurements of snowpack in the mountains from here to Northern British Columbia, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sets lake elevation goals for the drawdown of Lake Roosevelt. As the only big storage reservoir on the Columbia with the capacity for deep drawdowns, the lake’s level is sometimes dropped dramatically in the spring to capture as much runoff as possible to prevent flooding downstream.
How do I take a tour of Grand Coulee Dam?
This 50-minute guided tour is free of charge and available only on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour begins at the tour building, on the east side of the river above the Third Power Plant, where you will board a van and be taken to the Pump-Generating Plant. Highlights include a look at the large pumps used for transporting water from Lake Roosevelt to the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, concluding with a van ride across the top of the dam. Handicap-accessible tours are available with advanced notice by calling (509) 633-9265. All tour participants are required to pass through a metal detector prior to beginning the tour. Weapons, purses, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, and packages are not permitted on the tour. Cameras, but not camera cases, are allowed on the tour. On-site storage for personal belongings is not available. Be sure to lock your car. A federal armed security officer will escort all public tours.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Tours of the dam include stops on top of it, where visitors can peer over the edge to the river about 390 feet below.
About those tours … The Bureau of Reclamation has temporarily closed public visitation to the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center in support of the recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tours of the dam had been set to begin April 1, 2020, but were delayed until further notice. The health and safety of the public and em-
ployees is USBR’s number-one priority. Water deliveries and powerplant operations will continue without interruption. Mission-essential functions, such as security and law enforcement, will continue.
Normally… When not shut down for a pandemic, a 50-minute guided tour is free of charge, only on a firstcome, first-serve basis. Seating is limited. Groups should call (509) 633-9265 at least 15 days prior to their visit. The tour begins at the tour building where you will board a van or bus to be taken to the PumpGenerating Plant. Highlights include a look at the large pumps used for transporting water from Lake Roosevelt to the Columbia Basin Project, conclud-
ing with a ride across the top of the dam. Accessible tours are available with advanced notice by calling (509) 633-9265. Or check the website at All tour participants are required to pass through a metal detector prior to beginning the tour. Weapons, purses, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, and packages are not permitted on the tour. Cameras, but not camera cases, are allowed on the tour. Onsite storage for personal belongings is not available. Be sure to lock your car. 13
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Interactive exhibits offer fun at Visitor Center (located on SR-155 below the dam)
VISITOR
Exhibits at the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center aren’t just to look at. From hands-on experience of touching tools used to build the dam, to a newly produced (2014) documentary film in the upstairs theater, the Visitor Center offers something for everyone.
Three Convenient Locations to Serve You! EBT ACCEPTED
4 Corners Coulee Dam Food & Fuel
Where SR-174/155 meet
• Chicken • Subs • Burgers & More Bulk and Bag Ice
HOT STUFF PIZZA
Grand Coulee
Across from the Visitor Center Tae & Bake & Call In Orders
CAR WASH
633-2472
14
Burgers & More
633-2951
Spring Canyon 2 mi. west of
Spring Canyon
311 Grand Coulee Ave. Grand Coulee EXPANDED GROCERY MARKET!
633-3073
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Where can I camp? At a private campground Coulee Playland Resort , SR-155, 509-633-2671 King’s Court RV Park, SR-174 (East), Grand Coulee, 509633-3655, with laundry and more
At a state park Steamboat Rock State Park — One of the most popular attractions along Banks Lake, this park is 5,043-acre camping park with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline. Three campground areas and a large day-use area are protected from winds by tall poplars, a camping, swimming, hiking and boating mecca. One of more than 100 state parks, Steamboat Rock is among Washington’s best. It has a sandy beach and sheltered swim area (no lifeguards), plus a modern bath house and a concession stand. The wide grassy picnic area contains playground equipment (currently closed) and a truly unique view of Banks Lake and Steamboat Rock. For overnight camping,this state park offers 100 campsites with full hookups.Water, electricity, sewer, tables and stoves are on each site, and 26 standard sites with table, stove, and tent pad, plus 12 boat-in campsites located on the north end of Steamboat Rock. The restrooms have hot showers. The park also offers 80 primitive sites at Jones Bay and Osborn Bay Campgrounds, with tables, stoves and vault toilets, but no running water. Steamboat Rock State Park is part of the state’s reservation camping system. Reservations can be made year round by going online at www.parks.wa.gov or by calling 888-226-7688. The popular campground fills up fast and early reservations are recommended.The park is open for camping year-round. Please Note: A permit is required at all state parks for boat launching, and trailer dumping. Permits may be obtained at the park office or from the Washington State Parks Commission in Olympia, Washington.
At NPS campgrounds There are 35 campgrounds located along the 660 miles of shoreline around Lake Roosevelt. Five of these are maintained by the Colville Confederated Tribes, two others by the Spokane Tribes and 28 by the National Park Service. These facilities are available for camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing. NPS camping sites along the lake vary from fee campgrounds with major facilities, including picnic areas, swim beaches and interpretive programs, to primitive boat-in campgrounds.
Clear waters and sandy beaches on Lake Roosevelt make for happy dogs, as well as humans.
• Spring Canyon on SR-174 is the closest NPS campground; turn left approximately three miles east of the town of Grand Coulee. There are 87 campsites including RV (dump station but no hookups), tent and group camping sites. Fees are charged. Reservations are available by going online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Other major NPS campgrounds are located at Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay and Kettle Falls. • Keller Ferry is about 14 miles from Spring Canyon by boat, or 15 miles overland from the Highway 2 cut-off near Wilbur. This area includes a marina, store, and free ferry across the lake to the Colville reservation. • Fort Spokane, built in 1880 and used by the U.S.Army until 1898,became an Indian agency,boarding school and tuberculosis hospital until the late 1920s. It’s about 50 miles up the lake from Spring Canyon at the confluence of the Columbia and Spokane Rivers.To see Fort Spokane, take SR-174 to Highway 2 east, watch for road signs and turn north at Miles-Creston Road, just east of Creston. The Fort Spokane campground is the second largest in the recreation area. Picnic area, historic trail, swim beach and boat launch are available. • Kettle Falls, at the north end of the lake, is enjoyed for its beautiful setting and good boating. It has a houseboat rental operation.
Indian reservation camping when available Several campsites on the Colville Indian Reservation are normally open to non-members, although the Colville Tribes has closed non-essential travel through 2020 and barred non-members for camping during the Covid- 19 pandemic. When it is open again, various permits and random camp fees (for boats along the lake) can be purchased for one day, three days, seven days and seasonal use. 15
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Are the fish biting? Is fishing good in the GCD area?
The three largest reservoirs in the state of Washington are within 10 miles of Grand Coulee Dam — Roosevelt, Banks and Rufus Woods all offer excellent year-round fishing. McGinnis and Buffalo Lakes on the Colville Confederated Tribes‘ reservation can also be fished. Many changes have occurred to the warm-water fisheries on Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt. Increased smallmouth bass and walleye limits and reduced size restrictions should keep you out on the lake all day! Make sure you measure your fish and keep only what you can eat.
What kinds of fish are found locally?
There are over 14 species of game fish found in nearby Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, Rufus Woods Lake and Banks Lake. These include: largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, kokanee, perch, crappie, whitefish, ling cod, sunfish and sturgeon. The sturgeon is by far the largest, and has been known to measure over 13 feet and weigh over 1,000 pounds.For fishing information,call Coulee Playland Resort at 509-633-2671.
When can I fish Lake Roosevelt?
This major waterway is a year-round fishery in Washington state. Fishermen are reminded to adhere to state and tribal fishing regulations. Copies are available where fishing licenses are sold. Rainbow and kokanee are the stars of the lake, with walleye and smallmouth bass in supporting roles. In the summer months,trolling is the most popular way to fish the lake. During the cooler months, bank fishing is popular where fishermen can stand by a fire or sit in their rigs while waiting for the fish to strike. Still fishing is popular above Grand Coulee Dam during the winter and spring. A tribal license is required on the north side of the reservation on Colville Reservation and above the Third Powerhouse.
Banks Lake has a growing reputation and is becoming increasingly attractive to bass organizations hosting tournaments.For more information on these tournaments, stop by or call Coulee Playland Resort at 509-633-2671.
Tribal lakes closed to nonmembers during Covid Rufus Woods Lake – 52-mile reservoir stretching from VISITOR Grand Coulee Dam to Chief Joseph Dam in Bridgeport, is an excellent fishery too. Locally, a boat launch is located near Elmer City on Lower River Road. Heading north, turn left onto Lower River Road just past Lake Roosevelt High School on SR-155. Or ask one of the friendly folks in Elmer City.Boating is prohibited between the SR-155 bridge and Grand Coulee Dam. McGinnis Lake – Take SR-155 north from Coulee Dam toward Nespelem. Approximately one mile past Elmer City (three miles from Coulee Dam) turn right on Peter Dan Road. Drive about three miles, then watch for a sign which indicates a left turn toward McGinnis and Buffalo lakes. Three or four miles after this turnoff, the road comes to a “T.” Take the right turn and the lake is a quarter mile away. Buffalo Lake – Follow the same directions to McGinnis Lake, but turn left at the “T” instead of right. Buffalo Lake lies another three to four miles beyond,on a good dirt road.
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What kind of fishery is Banks Lake?
The sprawling Banks Lake reservoir covers 30,000 acres and is regarded as one of the finest fishing lakes in the state for bass, perch and walleye. In spring, summer and fall, it provides plenty of room for fishermen, both along its shores and from boats. In winter, ice fishing is popular and, depending on the winter, can last as long as four months. Corner of Federal & Spokane Way, Grand Coulee
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16
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Can you fish on the reservation? Normally , yes. In 2020, no. Fishing is not currently permitted for non-members. Usually, Rufus Woods Lake and in the Colville Confederated Tribes’ ”designated fish area” can be fished with either a tribal permit.More designated areas will be added later. For updates,call the state Department of Fish and Wildlife at 509-754-4624. Non-members of the Colville Tribes must purchase a special permit for all other reservation waters. These can be purchased at certain local businesses, such as Coulee Playland Resort in Electric City. Please note: a state license is required when fishing from the shoreline of Douglas County on Rufus Woods Lake. Also, anglers fishing the Spokane Arm (of Lake Roosevelt) must have a Spokane tribal permit when they fish from the reservation shore out to the midpoint of the Spokane Arm’s channel. Anglers wishing to fish the Sanpoil River arm of Lake Roosevelt would do well to check with tribal authorities for permits.
Monthly Fishing Guide January: Ice fishing attracts its own special following in the coulee. Some years, Banks Lake has safe ice for four months; other years, for only two week; and at times, no ice at all. Ice may form as early as December and run through February, or be available only for a fortnight in January. A unique way to ice fish on this lake is at night using a gas lantern, with the prey being whitefish. The best ice fishing spot on Banks Lake is the causeway area west of Electric City—for perch. Many anglers fish the shoreline of Lake Roosevelt for large rainbow by parking their vehicle next to the lake. (Caution: unattended poles warrant a $100 fine.) A tworod endorsement may be purchased; check the fishing regulations. February:Walleye fishing now comes into its own,with boat fishermen launching their boats at the Elmer City ramp (below the dam; check on accessibility) and fishing either upstream to the Highway 155 bridge or downstream to Chief Joseph Dam, a distance of approximately 50 miles. Shore fishing continues along Lake Roosevelt for large rainbow and kokanee (silvers or landlocked sockeye salmon). March: During the month of March, the ice is about gone from Banks Lake and now the big walleye are caught. Fishing on Lake Roosevelt, is good not only from a boat but also from the shore. Crescent Bay Lake, midway
between Grand Coulee and the dam, offers spiny ray fishing from the bank. Boats with motors are not permitted on the lake. The fishing is also good for walleye and trout in the Columbia River below Grand Coulee Dam. April: The month of April is a continuation of March fishing patterns, with a few additions. The lakes on the Colville Indian Reservation open to fishing. McGinnis and Buffalo Lakes provide excellent trout fishing. McGinnis Lake has only eastern brook, with some exceeding three pounds. Buffalo carries “brookies,” rainbow and kokanee. Weekend bass tournaments are scheduled April through October on Banks Lake. Bass tournament headquarters are usually at Coulee Playland Resort (between Grand Coulee and Electric City). The Banks Lake Triple Fish Challenge is held the fourth weekend in April. May: Many area fishermen head for Grand Coulee Dam in May, where they fish directly upstream or downstream from the dam. Rainbow and walleye are caught not only early in the evening, but also during the pre-dawn hours. A major bass tournament is held on Banks Lake over the Memorial Day weekend. June: In Banks Lake, the walleye are taking jigs and spinners, just about anything tipped with a nightcrawler. Lake Roosevelt is dotted with boats fishing for rainbow and silvers. Some fishermen use “hardware” (Pop Geer and Ford Fenders) while others use small spoons fished from either leaded line or with a downrigger 30 to 50 feet below the surface. 17
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 July/August: Lake Roosevelt is usually warm enough by the end of July that the water is tolerable for swimming close to shore. During these warm months,however,fish will seek the cooler deep waters of the lake. Other spiny rays that offer fishing all summer long are perch and “slab” crappie in the small coves along Banks Lake. September/October: While the fishing is still exceptional in September, hunting season arrives.With the emphasis now on hunting, sportsmen tend to taper off their fishing during October. November/December: If the month of November has been cold, Banks Lake is beginning to freeze and ice fishing comes to mind.The small bays freeze first and offer fishing for yellow perch. By December, the lake is often ice-bound and holes are being cut in the ice. FISHING REGULATIONS KEEP CHANGING. PLEASE REFER TO THE CURRENT STATE AND TRIBAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Hunting the Coulee What’s it like?
To the outdoorsman who likes to hunt, the Grand Coulee Dam area offers unparalleled hunting pleasure. No matter if the hunter is in pursuit of fur, feathers or horns, the coulee has much to offer to the sportsman. Beginning in September with the opening of dove season, through the middle of March when the rabbit season ends, the hunter will find a variety of animals, birds and waterfowl to test his or her skills. Weather extremes are also a factor. The dove season opener usually brings the warmest weather of the year. A goose hunter in December and January may experience sub-zero temperatures, while the March rabbit hunter will encounter weather comparable to late October and early November. The mourning doves arrive in July and by the first of September, the normal opening day, this migratory buzzbomb is ready to test the mettle of the best wing shooter. They always fly fast. Then add a tail wind and they will appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. These birds can be found in stubble fields on both sides of the coulee walls and can also be found in sagebrush and scabland surrounding some stubble fields. With the end of dove season,usually around the middle of September, the hunter waits for the opening of the general hunting season in which upland birds, deer and waterfowl open on one glorious October Saturday. 18
VISITOR
Fishing is popular in the area.
Mule deer can be found in sagebrush-covered flatland and draws surrounding the coulee, as can a few whitetail close to timber. Special archery-hunting seasons can also be found in the area. Opening day also sees the upland bird hunter, with his flushing and pointing dogs, hunting the brushy draws for quail,the rugged hills for chukkar,and the stubble fields for Hungarian partridge or more commonly known as“huns.” At the same time, the waterfowl hunter, with his retriever, is scouring the small potholes and lakes for ducks and the stubble fields for geese. As any bird and waterfowl sportsman knows, the birds soon become wary. Quail, chukkar, “hun” and the occasional Chinese pheasant flush as the 4x4 stops and it is only the skillful hunter who can put birds in the game bag during this period.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 The ducks cannot be found, as they spend most of their days out of harm’s way on the waters of the big reservoirs. The goose hunter spends his days, when he is not hunting, driving the miles of back roads in the coulee looking for feeding geese. Once the birds are spotted and found to be using a particular field, the hunters dig their pit long before daylight the following morning. (They have, of course, been careful to obtain permission from the landowner first.) Once the pit is dug, they wait in hopes that the geese will return to the same field as they did the morning before. By the middle of November, the deer season is usually over,except for a few special hunts,and the only quarry to be bagged are the upland birds and waterfowl. By the end of December, the dedicated goose hunter becomes a solitary figure in the fields, as most seasons usually end the first of January. When goose season ends in the middle of January, a few hunters will begin hunting the cottontail rabbit until the end of February. And then there is always fishing if a hunter gets tired and wants a change of pace during the day. Coulee country encompasses many acres of state and federal land that offer free hunting. Write to the Department of Natural Resources, in Olympia, for information and maps of the area. Or visit one of the local businesses advertising hunting licenses.
Deer hunting around the coulee area.
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19
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
This aerial view from the back side of Grand Coulee Dam over Lake Roosevelt at sunrise accentuates the fact that Grand Coulee Dam holds back a lot of water in the 150-mile-long lake. It holds 9,402,000 acre feet when full. The town of Coulee Dam lies just below the dam, where the Columbia River flows northward. Technically called Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, it is the 25th largest lake in the United States by volume.
Lake Roosevelt facts When was Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake formed?
When construction of the Grand Coulee Dam was completed in 1941, the waters of the mighty Columbia River began to backfill behind this enormous concrete structure. As a result, the waters of the once-untamed river swelled to create a 151-mile long reservoir, first called Columbia Reservoir. It was renamed Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake in honor of the 32nd President of the United States on April 17, 1945, five days after the death of Roosevelt.
What is the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area?
Lake Roosevelt is a federally-owned reservoir which is administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. However, recreation on the lake is managed cooperatively by three federal agencies and two Indian tribes. The National Park Service (NPS) has recreation authority for that portion of the lake and adjacent shoreland comprising 20
the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (LRNRA). The Colville Confederated Tribes and the Spokane Tribe manage recreation along those areas of the lake and shoreline that fall within their reservation boundaries. The two other partners in the management agreement are Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
How many campgrounds are there in the LRNRA?
Thirty-five campgrounds are located along the 660 miles of shoreline around Lake Roosevelt. Five are maintained by the Colville Confederated Tribes, two by the Spokane Indian Tribe and 28 by the National Park Service. The facilities provide opporunities for camping, picnicking, boating, swimming and fishing.
Is there a fee for camping?
Camping sites along the lake vary from fee campgrounds with major facilities, picnic areas, swim beaches and interpretive programs, to primitive boat-in campgrounds.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Does the NPS offer programs? The National Park Service often offers ranger-conducted canoe trips on Crescent Lake, below the city of Grand Coulee. All canoeing equipment (canoes, paddles, life vests) is provided. First come, first served. Visitors often see beavers, deer, muskrats, great blue herons, Canada geese, turtles, frogs and nesting cliff swallows. Other NPS-conducted activities at Spring Canyon include: • campfire programs at the amphitheater • hikes on the Bunchgrass Prairie Trail • night sky astronomy tours Contact NPS before making plans. All programs are subject to change. Call 509-754-7843 or check campground bulletin boards.
Where are the other major NPS campgrounds? Maintaining the giant
Bureau of Reclamation employees tackle maintenance on the big “drum gates” atop the dam. The gates, here completely lowered, float in water reservoirs that are controlled by operators. When you see the water spill before the laser light show, these enormous gates have been lowered slightly.
Which campground is closest?
The closest NPS campground is located at Spring Canyon on SR-174; turn left approximately three miles east of the town of Grand Coulee. There are 87 campsites including RV (dump station but no hookups), tent and group camping sites. Reservations are available online at www.recreation.gov or at 877-444-6777. A fee is charged.
What else is at Spring Canyon?
Spring Canyon has a beautiful sandy beach and adjacent shaded picnic area, including grills and playground equipment. There are restrooms plus boat launching. A fee is charged.
Where can I hike in the LRNRA? Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area consists mainly of Lake Roosevelt and has very little land base. As a result, there are few hiking trails within the park. There is a selfguided nature trail at Spring Canyon, which starts at the campground.There are also trails at Fort Spokane and Kettle Falls. When the lake level is low, you can walk many miles of interesting shoreline.
Major campgrounds are located at Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay and Kettle Falls. Keller Ferry is about 14 miles from Spring Canyon by boat, or 15 miles overland from the Highway 2 cut-off near Wilbur. This area includes a marina, store, and free ferry across the lake to the Colville Reservation. Fort Spokane, built in 1880 and used by the U.S. Army until 1898, became an Indian agency, boarding school and tuberculosis hospital until the late 1920s. It’s about 50 miles up the lake from Spring Canyon at the confluence of the Columbia and Spokane Rivers. To see Fort Spokane, take SR-174 to Highway 2 east, watch for road signs and turn north at Davenport on SR-25. Besides some of the original outposts, there is a visitor center and a trail. The Fort Spokane campground is the second largest in the recreation area. Picnic area, swim beach and boat launch are also available. Kettle Falls at the north end of the lake is enjoyed for its beautiful setting and good boating. It has a houseboat rental operation. St. Paul’s Mission includes the original site of Fort Colvile, once the second-largest center for fur trading in the Northwest, and a rustic log missionary church. Nearby are Sherman Pass and the Kettle River, where hiking and canoeing are popular.
Where can I get an Interagency Senior or Access Pass? You can acquire either at the Fort Spokane Visitor Center during the summer months.The LRNRA headquarters office, 1008 Crest Drive in Coulee Dam, and the Kettle Falls Ranger Station have the passports available all year. Interagency Senior Pass be obtained by persons 62 years of age or older. The Interagency Access Pass admits people into many federal fee areas, including national parks, for free and reduced fees in campgrounds. It is available for people with disabilities. 21
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
Part of Banks Lake Golf Course, seen here from the air looking north, is owned and operated by Grant County Port District 7. It’s an 18-hole, par 73 course nestled into Banks Lake just south of Electric City off highway 155.
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22
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 The
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23
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Four-Town Map The Grand Coulee Dam community is made up of four towns and more than a dozen unincorporated areas between and around those towns. Electric City is the farthest south on SR-155. Next, VISITOR heading north, is Grand Coulee, then Coulee Dam, which straddles the Columbia River, then Elmer City. Heading north toward Omak as you cross the river in Coulee Dam, you enter the Colville Indian Reservation.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
North Dam Park includes shade and lawn for all kinds of play, but also eight acres for hiking, two softball fields and a skate park.
Parks and Viewpoints
What are the local choices for a picnic, viewing, easy hike or bike trail?
• Banks Lake Park – maintained by the Bureau of Reclamation, is located on SR-155, just 0.3 miles south of its junction with SR-174 just above North Dam Park. It overlooks Banks Lake and has picnic areas, water and restrooms. • North Dam Park is adjacent to Banks Lake Park and offers a shady picnic area, tennis courts, softball fields, amphitheater, horseshoe pits, a covered grill, picnic areas and playground equipment for children. A novelty of the park, the Gehrke Windmill Garden is a frequent tourist stop. Built by a local resident, who made over 680 of them before his death several years ago, the windmills are constructed of castaway iron pieces and painted in bright colors. Emil Gehrke’s windmills are recognized as“folk art”treasures and have been given media coverage on television, and in National Geographic and Sunset magazines. • Shane Proctor Park (formerly Grand Coulee City Park) – located on SR-174 east in Grand Coulee. A children’s play area and an adjacent picnic section are found in this tree-shaded park. A large basalt rock in the center is typical of the natural landscape of the Grand Coulee. Restrooms and water are available. A proposal was made 26
to the Grand Coulee City Council to rename the park in honor of Shane Proctor, who has distinguished himself on the professional bull riding and rodeo circuits, having won the World Champion PRCA Bull Riding title in 2011. Procter was a graduate of Lake Roosevelt High School in 2003 and has been a rodeo contender ever since. • Douglas Park – found on SR-155 in the town of Coulee Dam. This well-manicured park, just below Grand Coulee Dam, has large evergreen trees shading its picnic tables. A paved sidewalk takes the visitor to a scenic spot along the river, providing an excellent view of the dam. • Cole Park – also maintained by Coulee Dam, affords a variety of recreational activities.It is located just off SR-155, five minutes north of the Visitor Center. Do not cross the Columbia River Bridge but continue north onto Columbia Avenue past the bridge. The park is located one block ahead on the west side of the river next to the Coulee Dam Federal Credit Union. It is a pleasant area shaded by large trees and offers tennis, handball, horseshoes and basketball courts. • Mason City Memorial Park – a Coulee Dam town park, is located in east Coulee Dam adjacent to the shopping center and post office. It contains picnic table, grills and play equipment in a shaded setting. Mason City was the early name of a portion of the town now called Coulee Dam. The town of Coulee Dam boasts a new park with provisions for viewing the laser show at Grand Coulee Dam. Freedom Point Plaza is adjacent to the Columbia River Bridge, across the street from the shopping area, and features live performances from time to time.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Steamboat Rock at sunrise as viewed from above. You’re looking south down Banks Lake. The irrigation reservoir exists because the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation pumps all its water up 280 feet to a feeder canal. The lake waters 670,000 acres of farmland in the Columbia Basin.
Is Banks Lake a natural lake?
Coulee Facts
Banks Lake is a 31-mile long reservoir, which was filled by the Bureau of Reclamation in the 1950s to provide irrigation water to the Columbia Basin. The reservoir starts just east of the city of Grand Coulee and extends south to Coulee City.
What is a coulee?
As a geological term, coulee means a ravine or deep gully, usually dry, which has been cut by water. The Grand Coulee of Eastern Washington was formed over millions of years by eruptions of lava which solidified and was later swept away by massive and tumultuous Ice Age floods. Forty to 60 million years ago, a large inland sea covered the Columbia Basin. The basin was formed as a result of uplift in the surrounding territory. Ten to 15 million years ago, volcanic eruptions began to occur and many layers of lava flowed over the basin, forming the Columbia Plateau. Today, these layers can be seen as they erode, exposing the different lava flows. Approximately two million years ago,the Ice Age began. Several times, the ice pushed south and then retreated. Glaciers covered some of this area. It was during the last Ice Age, approximately 10,000 years ago, that an ice dam holding the waters of Lake Missoula (Montana) broke and massive floods swept through the area. Evidence suggests that one of the last floods had waters that were over 800 feet high. It is these successive floods that carved and shaped the coulees and other landforms that are so prominent throughout the area.
What will I find in the Grand Coulee?
Besides the geological wonder of the Grand Coulee and the Banks Lake reservoir, there are some surprises hidden here, too. It is a wonderful wildlife habitat for dozens of species of birds, as well as for deer and coyote. The only natural forest in Grant County is located in a canyon of the coulee. Called Northrup Canyon, it is located across the highway from Steamboat Rock State Park and is open to hikers.
Can I camp in the Grand Coulee?
Yes, campgrounds can be found at each end of the Grand Coulee and in the very heart of the coulee. • Coulee Playland Resort — In Electric City, it's two miles from Grand Coulee and two miles from the golf course. It features 40 sites with full hookups, 25 primitive and 10 tent sites, showers, restrooms, laundry, mini-store, dump station, playground equipment, boat launch, marine fuel, boat rental and overnight docking. Campers also will find a swimming area (no lifeguard). Open year round. • Steamboat Rock State Park — One of the most popular attractions along Banks Lake, this park is a 900-acre camp for swimming, hiking and boating. It has a sandy beach and sheltered swim area (no lifeguards),plus a bath house, a concession stand, a grassy picnic area with playground equipment, and a truly unique view of Banks Lake and Steamboat Rock.
Continued on page 28
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 It offers over 100 campsites with full hookups. Water, electricity, sewer, tables and stoves are located at each site, and 26 standard sites with table, stove, and tent pad, plus 12 boat-in campsites located on the north end of Steamboat Rock. The restrooms have hot showers. At Jones Bay and Osborne Bay are 80 primitive sites with table, stove, and a vault toilet, but no running water. Yes, the public may golf Steamboat Rock State Park is part of the state’s reserva- at Banks Lake Golf and tion camping system. Reservations for camping can be Country Club, located made online at parks.wa.gov or by calling 888-226-7688. approximately 1.5 miles The popular campground fills up fast and early reserva- west of Electric City and tions are recommended. The park is open for camping about five miles from year round. Grand Coulee Dam on Please Note: A permit is required for boat launching SR-155. A golfer chips up on Banks and trailer dumping at the park. A boat launching The 18-hole course is Lake Golf Course. annual pass may be obtained at the park office or VISITOR carved out of the natufrom the Washington State Parks Commission in ral slope of the coulee Olympia, Washington. landscape and provides
Is there local golfing?
Where can I launch a boat?
Boat launching ramps can be found at Steamboat Rock State Park, 11 miles south of Grand Coulee on SR-155, and at Coulee Playland Resort in Electric City. There are two other launching sites found about midway along the lake. One is at Barker Canyon on the west side of the lake, and the other is on the small peninsula that juts out toward Steamboat Rock from the east side of the lake, just off SR-155. While boating is great fun on Banks Lake, navigators are cautioned that the lake can become rough very quickly. Keep an eye on the weather,and carry the necessary safety equipment—flotation devices for each passenger, a bell or whistle and a fire extinguisher.
golfers a chance to hike through the quiet countryside while playing an unusually wide-open course. Golfing equipment can be rented at the clubhouse from 7 a.m. to dark, early spring to late fall. Food and drinks are also sold at the clubhouse. Superb golfing is also available nearby at the Sun Lakes Golf Course, south of Coulee City.
There’s an airport, too?
Tucked away in the coulee is the Grand Coulee Dam airport. Operated by the port district, this landing field for small aircraft is located alongside the lake and accessed by car from the golf course road.
The Historical Village comes to life
Daily guided tours until 4pm
A walk through the past...
LIVING MUSEUM LLED CE N A C Saturday, June 13 PIONEER DAY Saturday, Sept. 19
situated on 3½ acres, a
complex of 38 buildings
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preserving the historical
legacy of Grant County.
Open Daily 10am-5pm
closed sunday & wednesday
OPEN DATES UNKNOWN DUE TO COVID-19
742 BASIN NW • EPHRATA • 754-3334 28
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Est. 1970
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Coulee Dam
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Legend
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Colvilles — Native People
VISITOR
Colville Tribal member Nathan Moses, whose M3 Consulting Group uses drones in agriculture in Eastern Washington, displays one to kids attending the Colville Tribes’ annual Earth Day Celebration at the powwow grounds on the Colville Indian Agency in 2018.
Who are the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation? For hundreds of years before explorers and settlers reached the lands of the Columbia Plateau, numerous tribes of native people occupied the territory of Eastern Washington. Up to the mid-1850s, the ancestors of the Colville Confederated Tribes were nomadic, but life changed for them with the coming of settlers in the 1800s.Today, the Colville Confederated Tribes is made up of 12 different bands of Indians. Eleven bands are from eastern Washington state, and one band, the Nez Perce, is from northeast Oregon. The 12 bands are: Wenatchi, Entiat, Chelan, Methow, Okanogan, Nespelem, San Poil, Lakes, Moses, Palus, Nez Perce and Sweelpoo.
How did these Native Americans live? As nomadic peoples, the different bands followed the seasons and their sources of food. Deer and other big game plus dried salmon were the primary food of winter.Small groups lived in the mountains and hunted the abundant game. In the spring, the native people congregated in slightly larger groups to gather camas and other roots in the lower valleys.Through the summer and fall, the Columbia River provided abundant salmon and other fish, which encouraged large concentrations of Salish-speaking Colville people. 30
How did the different bands come to be called the “Colville” Tribes? Many different tribes fished and traded goods with each other in the area of Kettle Falls, Washington. In the 1820s,non-native people learned that the Indians excelled at trapping and stalking game for the large fur trade. For this purpose, a new fort was established at Kettle Falls by a man named Simpson. The new post was to be called Fort Colvile, after the leading member of the committee of directors in London, Andrew Wedderburn Colvile. Andrew Colvile, who was in the rum and molasses business, never set foot in America. He had, however, advanced Simpson to his position of leadership. Trading took place at Fort Colvile almost daily. From 1826 to 1887, Indians traded beaver, brown or black bear, grizzly, muskrat, fisher, fox, lynx, martin, mink, otter, raccoon, wolverine, badger and wolf. Beaver and otter were most important, but martin and bear became popular after the 1840s. As many as 20,000 pelts a year went out of Fort Colvile. The word “Colville” was used by government officials, not the aboriginal Indians, who never met Andrew Colvile. As time went on, and for convenience, the term “Colville” came more and more to be used as a designation for the native people of this area. Because of Fort Colvile, all neighboring bands were eventually confederated as Colville Indians. By executive order of President Ulysses S.Grant on April Continued on page 31
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 9, 1872, the Colville Indian Reservation was formed and became the permanent home to the 12 bands. St. Paul’s Mission, near Kettle Falls today, includes the original site of Fort Colvile, once the second largest center for fur trading in the Northwest, and a rustic log missionary church. Nearby is the Kettle Falls Historical Center Building, which features native American crafts, history and a retail shop. The exhibit is open weekends in May, and Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.
When were the boundaries of the Colville reservation established?
Where is the tribal government located?
Tribal headquarters are located on the Colville Indian Agency campus near the town of Nespelem.
The Colvilles’ 155,000 square foot headquarters is located about 12 miles north of Grand Coulee Dam.
The original reservation was in existence for less than three months of 1872 when other executive orders and agreements began to take portions of the reservation for public domain. Over a 10-year period, the Colville Indian Reservation was reduced to its present size, less than half the original.
How big is the Colville reservation?
What are some of the cultural/ religious practices on the reservation?
Proud of their heritage, the Indian culture and religions are very much alive and active on the Colville reservation. There are the Seven Drums and the Indian Shaker religions as well as the Indian Winter Chinook Dances, the annual spring thanksgiving Root Feasts, and the memorial giveaways in honor of the deceased. Continued on page 32
Colville Tribal Museum
The Colville Indian reservation is 2,300 square miles — about 1.4 million acres. It is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.
How many Colvilles are there today?
More than 9,000 people are members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
How is the reservation governed today?
2019 Hours:
9:30am – 5pm Tuesday—Saturday May 14th through November 2nd
Today’s Colvilles, an enterprising and progressive community of people, are a sovereign nation governed by their own administrative and judicial branches within the boundaries of the reservation. Leading the tribal membership is a 14-member business council, elected from the four reservation districts of Omak, Nespelem, Keller and Inchelium.
512 Mead Way, Coulee Dam WA 509-633-0751 ctmuseum@couleedam.net History/Archaeology Program, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation 31
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021 Today, many of the young and elder tribal members continue to celebrate seasonal events such as the annual Sunflower Festival at the Paschal Sherman Indian School in Omak, the July 4th Powwow Celebration at Nespelem, the powwow at the Omak Stampede in August and other traditional gatherings.At these events, and at a number of locations on the reservation, members display traditional bead and buckskin items often done in designs handed down for generations. In Nespelem, the powwow takes place in the Tribe‘s “Circle,” a traditional gathering place. Indians arrive from reservations in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon to join in the festivities. Authentic ceremonial dress, stick games, dozens of teepees and a long-established rodeo make the celebration memorable. This Annual Fourth of July Celebration lasts for 10 days. The public is invited to attend the powwows and other tribal-sponsored activities,
Is there a tribal museum? The Colville Tribal Museum is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday, until Labor Day, then on Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. for fall and winter throug December 26. The museum first opened in 1995, and is located in Coulee Dam at 512 Mead Way.During 2009,the exhibit gallery was closed for renovation.In March 2011,themuseum became a reality for the 12 bands of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation, representing the Okanogan, Nespelem, Sanpoil, Chief Joseph Band of the Nez Perce, Chelan, Wenatchi, Entiat, Methow, Lakes, Colville, Palus and Moses peoples.
VISITOR The newly refurbished Colville Tribal Museum in Coulee Dam is just east of Harvest Foods.
takeover of Indian land by non-Indians. From Nespelem, take Cache Creek road over a quiet and picturesque mountain pass to Keller on the San Poil arm of Lake Roosevelt. There is a free ferry across Lake Roosevelt here, which has been in operation since 1948. Farther east, over another forested mountain pass, is the scenic community of Inchelium. If traveling west,continue from Nespelem on Highway 155 over beautiful Disautel Pass to Omak in the sunny Okanogan Valley. There are 18 well-stocked lakes on the reservation with limited fishing as well as hunting for non-members. Information about these sporting activities is available from the Tribal Fish and Wildlife Department in Nespelem (509) 634-2110.
What is sold in the gift shop? The Museum Gift Shop features such items as traditional clothing, beaded items, books, silver and turquoise jewelry, and Pendleton Woolen Mills items, such as bags, cups and coats and blankets. The inventory includes tribal members’ artwork, beaded items, and items with the tribal seal. The museum merchandise is always changing to include new items and artwork. The public is invited to the free museum. Donations are accepted.
What can visitors see and do on the reservation?
While traveling through the Colville Reservation, visitors are invited to visit the tribal headquarters near Nespelem or the other reservation communities. Just another two miles north, in the town of Nespelem, is a memorial to Chief Joseph who was sent to the reservation in 1884 with 150 of his band of Nez Perce Indians. Joseph, famous for his intelligence and peacekeeping efforts, is best remembered for the heroic march by his people in the late 1800s in an effort to resist the gradual and painful 32
Spectacular View Grand Coulee Dam Come Stay With Us!
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
A corner of Lake Chelan seen from about five miles away and across the Columbia River at the top of McNeil Canyon. This route from Grand Coulee to Chelan provides unusual and spectacular scenery, but requires good brakes.
Cruise North America’s Deepest Gorge No trip to North Central Washington is complete without a tour of “North America’s Deepest Gorge” and the mountain community of Stehekin, at the headwaters of Lake Chelan. Just a little over an hour from Grand Coulee, Lake Chelan is an easy jaunt, though the far end of the lake is only accessible by boat or float plane, as there are no roads to the upper half of the lake. Not to worry, the “Lady of the Lake” provides year-round service and tours to the far end of this lake. The boat trip takes you from the lower basin deep into the Cascades. The ultimate destination is the small isolated community of Stehekin, which sits at the head of the ancient lake, and at the foot of a mountain pass once used by Indians traveling on foot over the mountains. Stehekin is an old Indian word meaning “the way through.” During your layover in Stehekin,make sure to enjoy one of the several valley tours offered. Reservations can be made in advance with the Lady of the Lake to ensure availability. The new “Lady Cat“ cuts the travel time to the other end, with speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
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Lake Chelan Valley Lake Chelan Valley VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
The Lake Chelan Valley has long been a destination known for the cool, refreshing lake, warm summers and crisp winter days. Pleasure-seekers visit year-round to experience the friendly communities and abundant opportunities for recreation, especially during the summer, The Lake Chelan has when the lake is at Valley “full pool” and ideal for playing longconditions been a are destination known in the sun and water. for the cool, refreshing lake, warm summers and crisp winHikers, backpackers and ter days. Pleasure-seekers campers flock to the idyllic visit valley, year-round to experience which is surrounded by partsthe friendly communities and abunof North Cascades National dantPark, opportunities forwilderness recreation, two national VISITOR areas and Lake Chelan National especially during the summer, Recreation Area. when the lake is at “full pool” and conditions are ideal for playing in Lakeside Park In the resort community of the sun and water. Chelan, visitors will find lodging options and dining choices Hikers, andChelan has been to fit everybackpackers budget and palate. choicebut for family vacations for and Lakethe Chelan, Dry, Roses, Antilon, generations, to the which same hotels year after year. Water sports abound campers flock tomany the returning idyllic valley, Wapato Lakes (great fishing locations) as from jet-skiing and pleasure to fishing and splashing around at one of the is surrounded by parts of Northboating Cascades well. parks or resorts along the water’s edge. Another great way to enjoy a refreshing splash National Park, two national wilderness aris at Slidewaters Waterpark, with a variety of slides, many designed for adults to ride eas with and small Lake children, Chelan National Recreation At the head of where Lake Chelan the remote a Lazy River, Thunder Rapids tube slide you canisgroup with Area. Stehekin, accessible only by friends, and even side-by-side racing, with acommunity concessionofstand and more! helicopter, hiking, or passenger ferry. The Seven miles from Chelan is the village of Manson, which the majority In the resort community of Chelan, visi- Lady ofaround the Lake II and the Ladyof Express tastingoptions rooms inand the valley be found. tors wineries will findand lodging diningcanoffer daily Downtown service to Manson Stehekinsits in on thethe sumedge of the lake, and a scenic drive through the vineyards and orchards surrounding choices to fit every budget and palate. mer, and regular scheduled service all the town offers views of not only Lake Chelan, but Dry, Roses, Antilon, and Wapato Chelan has been the choice for family year. Choose a one-hour or a three-hour Lakes (great fishing locations) as well. vacations for generations, many return- layover in Stehekin, and enjoy the serening At to the thehead same hotels year isafter year. community of Lake Chelan the remote Stehekin, accessible only abyvisit ity of this of quiet mountain valley with float plane abound or passenger The Lady Lake II andshops the Lady Express offerordaily Water sports fromferry. jet-skiing andof the to the small at the landing, take service to Stehekin pleasure boating to fishing and splashing the shuttle to view 312’ Rainbow Falls and in the summer, andDuraround at one of the parks or resorts along Stehekin’s One-Room Schoolhouse. regular scheduled the water’s edge. Another great way to en- ing your layover, enjoy lunchallatyear. the Bakery service joy a refreshing splash is at Slidewaters or North Cascades Lodge. longer layChooseThe a one-hour or Waterpark, with a variety of slides, many over allows time to rent a bicyclelayover or Polaris a three-hour designed for adults to ride with small chil- Ranger and take your in own Stehekin, and a stop tour, with enjoy the serenity of dren, a Lazy River, Thunder Rapids tube this quiet mountain slide where you can group with friends, valley with a visit to and even side-by-side racing, with a conthe small shops at the cession stand and more! landing, or take the shuttle to view 312’ Seven miles from Chelan is the village Rainbow Falls and Slidewaters Waterpark of Manson, around which the majority of Stehekin’s One-Room Schoolhouse. The wineries and tasting rooms in the valley can be found. Downtown Manson sits on the edge of the lake, and a scenic drive through the vineyards and orchards sur102 Waterslide Dr. www.slidewaters.com 509-682-5751 rounding the town offers views of not only Open Memorial Day to Labor Day 34
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
at the bakery, and a visit to Historic Bucklonger layoverorallows time of to the renttrails a bicycle ner Orchard, hike one for a and take your own tour, with a stop at the grand view overlooking Lake Chelan and bakery, and a visit to Historic Buckner the Stehekin River. Orchard, or hike one of the trails for a grand view overlooking Lake Chelan and Located near the center of Washington the Stehekin River. state, about 150 miles from Seattle or SpoLocated nearChelan the center of Washington kane, Lake is the deepest gorge state, about 150 miles from or long, in North America. Just overSeattle 50 miles Spokane, Lake Chelan is the deepest the lake fed America. by the Stehekin River gorge in is North Just over 50 at its head, and over 27 glaciers theStehekin Cascade miles long, the lake is fed byofthe range. At its deepest point the lake is 1486 River at its head, and over 27 glaciers of the Cascade range. At the its deepest feet deep, which puts bottom point 386 feet the lake is 1486 which putsinthe below sea level;feet thisdeep, depth occurs the bottom 386 feet below sea level; this depth narrowest area of the lake, where it is less occurs in the narrowest area of the lake, than a mile wide. where it is less than a mile wide. The warm summer days and crisp, cool evenings perfect conditions The warmcreate summer daysgrowing and crisp, cool evenings create perfect conditions for fruit. Chelan’s applesgrowing have been known for fruit. Chelan’s apples since have been known throughout the country the Chicago throughout the country since the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. In recent years, vineWorld’s Fair in 1893. In recent years, yards have replaced some apple orchards, vineyards have replaced some apple and the Lake AVA was AVA established orchards, andChelan the Lake Chelan was to reflect thetounique qualities the wine established reflect the uniqueofqualities of grapes in grown the valley. the winegrown grapes in the valley. For For information informationabout aboutthe theLake LakeChelan Chelan Boat Company and their fleet of passenger Boat Company and their fleet of passenferries and the scenic tour, call ger ferries the scenic tour, call (509)and 682-4584 or visit (509) 682-4584 or visit www.ladyofthelake.com. www.ladyofthelake.com
Stehekin Landing 35
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Welcome to Okanogan County You have just discovered Washington State’s best-kept secret — Okanogan. Okanogan is the heart of the scenic, historic and fruitful Okanogan Valley. Located in north central Washington, 50 miles from the Canadian border, Okanogan residents enjoy a quality of life characterized by extraordinary scenic beauty, low taxes, recreation, low cost of living and four distinct seasons each year. Okanogan has become a magnet for young families, retirees, businesses, tourists, light industry and recreation enthusiasts looking for a pristine environment. The Okanogan Valley is one of the few remaining locations where individual boldness and enterprise are rewarded, and where past, present and future are viewed with enthusiasm and promise. Okanogan is a Salish Indian word meaning “Rendezvous.”Sometimes called“The Late Frontier,”the Okanogan Valley saw habitation by Native Americans for thousands of years, and — belatedly, compared to other regions of the country — saw a succession of explorers, prospectors, miners, trappers, cattlemen, settlers, loggers, farmers, missionaries and orchardists, providing in every respect a colorful history that carries forward to the present day. The history of the region is ably depicted in the acclaimed Okanogan County Historical Museum in Okanogan. Part of that history now includes a replica of the old Okanogan fire department building in Legion Park. It’s an exact replica of the original fire station building.It is used as a fire department museum, as well as a research center for the Okanogan County Historical Society and the Okanogan County Genealogical Society. A refurbished, early model fire truck is displayed, along with other interesting items. With first-rate schools, medical facilities and other amenities, Okanogan is a great place to visit, live, work, establish a business, locate an industry, enjoy recreation and more. Okanogan is served by rail,highway and air,and is home to first-class motel and restaurant services. Okanogan is home to Okanogan Public Utility District, which provides Okanogan County with reliable, inexpensive electrical power. Infrastructure is in place or in development for commercial and industrial expansion. A lively retail business district provides a complete range of goods and services for visitors and residents alike. Distinguishing Okanogan in the Okanogan Valley region is one of the most precious commodities in the area — water! Okanogan has plenty of pure, clean water for residential and industrial use. Okanogan enjoys more than 300 sunny days per year. The area has four distinct seasons during the year, with hot summers, snow in the winter, and perfect spring and autumn seasons. Conditions in the Okanogan area have produced the finest location in the world for orchards, including apples, pears, peaches, cherries, nuts and others. Okanogan is the center of the Okanogan Valley fruit industry. The scenic Okanogan River winds its way through the 36
VISITOR
A replica of the old fire hall in Okanogan
center of the city. Each year, thousands of Canada geese and other waterfowl migrate throughout the Okanogan Valley, following the river. Visitors can hike, camp, fish, hunt, swim, boat, ski, snowmobile, golf, climb, sightsee, as well as enjoy clean air, clean water and all the amenities of an urban locale with a hometown feeling.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
The modern stadium and arena in Omak is a great spot for a rodeo and famous “stampede” race.
Center of the Okanogan Valley Omak
The busy hub of the Okanogan features year-round entertainment for tourists from all walks of life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation full of camping and recreation activities or you want to attend a play, go to a rodeo or play some softball, you can do it all in Omak. Visiting Omak is like taking some good medicine. At least that’s what some of the Indians thought when they traveled across the vastness of what is now called Okanogan County. The center of the county is Omak, which means “good medicine,” because of its dry, healthful climate. Warm summers and mild winters lead to an average of over 300 days of sunshine a year. Located in the fertile Okanogan River Valley near the pristine Pasayten National Wilderness, this lumber town is the largest in the north central part of the state and is known for its production of apples and its many orchards. Visitors are encouraged to make the Tourist Information Center their first stop. A friendly staff will provide updated information for all areas of Okanogan County, the state of Washington and neighboring British Columbia, including available tourist attractions, facilities and services. As the hub of the “all season” Okanogan vacationland, Omak offers vacationers a wide range of recreational opportunities. The city-operated Eastside Park offers full camping, R.V.facilities and showers, a new swimming pool, a golf course and bowling.
Conconully State Park
Conconully State Park, located in a side valley above Omak, is a cool, restful oasis on the banks of the Conconully reservoir, developed in the 1900s for irrigation. The park features standard and primitive campsites, and an expansive picnic area, complete with enormous shade trees,a picnic shelter,and a wading pool and play structure for youthful visitors. Near the park entrance, a replica of the first county courthouse stands. It features a sod roof and is typical of many of the ranch cabins that dotted this landscape in the early years of white settlement in Okanogan County. To reach the park, take the Riverside cut-off road from Highway 97, 5.2 miles north of Omak. The cut-off road will intersect Highway 215; follow this highway 10 miles to Conconully and follow signs to the park.
Bridgeport State Park
Bridgeport State Park is located near the enormous hydroelectric facility at Chief Joseph Dam. The green, fertile lawns of the park form a welcome relief from the brown, barren desert surroundings. The park features standard RV hookups and handicapaccessible campsites, picnic sites and shelters, a children’s play facility,swimming beach,trailer camp and a nine-hole golf course. To escape from the summer heat, cottonwood and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground. Wildlife that can be seen in the park include marmots, Continued on page 38
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
The town of Wilbur offers golf, public swimming pool and an outdoor rink for in-line or roller skating. coyotes, rabbits, quail and (watch your step) rattlesnakes. The park is located near the town of Bridgeport on a spur road off Highway 17.
Alta Lake State Park
On a forested side canyon,above the arid valley near Pateros is lovely Alta Lake State Park. Elevation, foliage and the cool waters of Alta Lake make this park a popular summertime attraction. Boating, trout fishing, camping and hiking are some of the many activities available here. Campers can find standard RV hookups and primitive sites, plus a group camp for clubs and organized groups. Nearby attractions include a golf course,guided horseback rides and boat rentals.To find the park, drive 1.8 miles west on Highway 153 from Pateros, turn left on Alta Lake Road, and follow the signs to the park. After a busy day, tourists wishing for a little relaxation and entertainment combination are urged to attend a program at Omak’s Performing Arts Center.The organization's ultimate goal is to bring the world’s great performers to Okanogan County in its state-of-the-art theater. The center presents live music, dance, and serious adult theater. Stand up and clap aloud as family entertainment abounds from the 564-seat center.
Wilbur: visitor friendly If it‘s outdoor recreation you’re after, Wilbur is the place to be! Visitors are always welcome to stop by the semi-private Big Bend Golf and Country Club at the west end of town to enjoy a round or two on the challenging nine-hole golf course. The course features well-maintained greens on a relatively level course with a few sand traps. Rental clubs and carts are available and lessons can be provided for a novice golfer.The clubhouse gives visitors a place to relax and enjoy a cool drink or a bite to eat. Emerson Park, at the east end of town, belongs to the 38
school district,but is available for public use.You can enjoy a jog around the track, a fast-paced game of tennis, or bring a group of family or friends for a game of baseball or touch football. Across from the creek is the public swimming pool. The Wilbur pool is open throughout the summer months and, for a small fee, local residents and visitors can take advantage of the opportunity for a refreshing swim. The west end features a diving board, and a wading pool for younger children is available at the east end of the facility. A couple of blocks to the west of the pool, you can find an outdoor rink for in-line or roller skating. Hockey has become a year-round activity at this site. Extensive recreational opportunities are available within a short distance of town. Hunting, fishing, boating, camping and water skiing are among the most popular of these activities. If you decide to stay around for a few days at one of the town’s RV parks or motels, be sure to take advantage of the Hesseltine Public Library, located at city hall, a block north of Highway 2 on Division Street. More than 1,000 books are just waiting to be read and enjoyed. The Big Bend Historical Society Museum, located in a former church building a block north of Sandy’s Thrift, allows the visitor to step back into Wilbur’s past. Among the many items on display is the gun taken from the hand of Wilbur’s founding father, Samuel Wilbur Condon, after he was killed in a shootout over a woman in January 1895.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Sometimes it’s the destination, but sometimes it’s the journey The Grand Coulee Dam area is at the center of a lot of great country to see, and day trips there and back can add a lot to your visit. Above left, a visitor to the lower Grand Coulee takes in the view at Dry Falls State Park, just past Coulee City on SR-17. Above right, competitors in the world famous Omak Stampede and Suicide Race plunge on horseback down a steep slope toward the Okanogan River in Omak. The event, with complete rodeo, happens the second weekend in August. Lower left, bicyclists on the road from Hartline, to our south, make their way back to the coulee. The area melds the north end of the Palouse prairies with the scablands formed by the great floods that gouged out the Grand Coulee. These back roads offer awesome views, especially with a partly cloudy sky.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
Fall colors and brilliant skies on the Candy Point Trail in Coulee Dam.
Hiking the Coulee
The Grand Coulee area offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities for those who love trekking the great outdoors. From peaceful forest, to sage deserts, to sandy beaches, and rocky terrain, the area has a little bit of everything.
Steamboat Rock is a bit steep and difficult to ascend at first, but once on top the panoramic view is breathtaking. You’ll have views of the coulees, Banks Lake, Okanogan National Forest, and the Cascades far in the distance.There are approximately 640 acres on top of the 800-foot-tall mesa to explore.
many informative signs detailing the construction of the dam.From there, head to the right toward the small bridge where a long sidewalk leads up the hill towards city hall, and footbridges and trails to the side lead to Cole Park. A few cautions: Do not wander too near the edge of the coulee walls. Basalt is not as stable as you may think, so stand a respectable distance from the edge.
In Northrup Canyon, hikers will find thousands of acres of enchanting forest, bald eagles, and an early pioneer homestead.
Be aware that this is rattlesnake country, and while they are generally not lethal, they should be avoided. You will find them (or hear them) most often during the summer months.While not particularly aggressive, they have been known to bite. If bitten, seek medical help. Finally, if you plan to hike an hour or more, carry plenty of water to quench your thirst and prevent leg cramps.
Crescent Bay,Crescent Lake,and Eden Harbor have beaches to swim, fish, or explore.
Read more about these hikes and more on our website at www.gcdvisitor.com under the “Hikes” section.
Banks Lake also has Jones Bay and Osborne Bay, which are pleasant to camp at or explore. The Candy Point Trail in Coulee Dam ascends stone steps to both Candy Point and Crown Point, offering some of the best views of the dam, the Columbia River, and the town of Coulee Dam. The Downriver Trail is a nice, gravel trail that stretches along the Columbia River for 6 miles from near the dam to Spirit Ridge, with many access points and parking areas along the trail. A great place to watch the river flow. The Coulee Dam historical walk stretches from Freedom Point to across the bridge, where there are 40
Rock climbers scale a granite cliff along Banks Lake. The area’s geology and weather make for great rock climbs in summer and offer many frozen waterfalls favored by ice climbers often in winters when conditions permit.
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Northrup Canyon, as seen from above, offers hikers spectacular views and a variety of scenery, flora and fauna.
Northrup Canyon
In Northrup Canyon hikers will find 3,120 acres of forested ravines tucked away between coulee walls.Home to Grant County’s only official forest, Northrup Canyon is located in Steamboat Rock State Park across the highway from Banks Lake, and offers hikers an immersive nature experience that includes majestic cliffs and many types of trees and birds, including bald eagles who nest in the area.
From the trailhead/parking area, where a Discover Pass is required to park, the trail splits in two directions. Here we will focus on the most popular hike, which is to the left, and will lead through forest and meadows to a homestead, and on from there to Northrup Lake.
eventually come to Northrup Lake. The lake is small, and peaceful with no big beaches,but has a couple of openings where someone could fish or relax. From the parking area to the lake and back is about 6.5 miles round trip.
Directions: From Grand Coulee, head south on State SR155 about 7 miles. Turn left onto Northrup Canyon Road. Difficulty: Easy to moderate Approximate time: 2-4 hours Length: 3.5-6.5 miles round trip Elevation gain: 450 feet, from 1,800 to 2,250 feet above sea level
The trail is rather easy to navigate all the way to the homestead, largely flat and never steep, and winds through trees and fields, past old structures and ancient cliffs carved by glaciers. The homestead was home to the Northrup family with whom there is a rich pioneer history which you can read a bit about at the trailhead kiosk. Once you arrive at the homestead, you can choose to continue to the left past the old chicken coop on the trail to the lake, or turn around and go back. The homestead is roughly halfway between the parking lot and the lake,and most people choose to turn around at the homestead. From the parking area to the homestead and back is a 3.5-mile trek. If you go onward to the lake you will wind through more forest, up a couple of quite steep, difficult parts, and
The Northrup Canyon homestead, approximately 1.75 miles from the trailhead.
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
FISHING
FISHING
OKANOGAN OKANOGAN OKANOGAN VISITOR
FISHING
UNPLUG & UNWIND
UNPLUG & UNWIND
UNPLUG & UNWIND
OUTHOUSE RACES
OUTHOUSE RACES
OUTHOUSE RACES
www.conconully.com 509-826-9050 www.conconully.com 509-826-9050
www.conconully.com 509-826-9050
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CONCONULLY, WASHINGTON
ACTIVITIES
SPECIAL EVENTS
CONCONULLY, WASHINGTON
• Fishing ACTIVITIES • Hunting • Hiking CONCONULLY, • • Fishing Biking • Hunting • Boating ACTIVITIES • • Hiking Butterfly & Bird Watching • Biking • Atv’ing Fishing • • Boating Snowmobiling Hunting • & Bird Watching • Butterfly Camping Hiking • Atv’ing • Swimming Biking • Snowmobiling • Boating • Camping • Butterfly & Bird Watching • Swimming • Atv’ing • Snowmobiling • Camping • Swimming
• Outhouse Racing SPECIAL EVENTS • Fishing Derbys • Easter Egg Hunting WASHINGTON • Racing • Outhouse ATV / UTV Jamboree • Fishing Derbys • Independance Day SPECIAL EVENTS • Easter Egg Hunting Celebration • / UTV Jamboree • ATV Grubstake Open Outhouse Racing • Independance Day • Quilt &Derbys Craft Shows Fishing Celebration • Town Yard Sale Easter Wide Egg Hunting • Grubstake Open • Stew & UTV BrewsJamboree ATV / • Quilt & Craft Shows • Independance Day • Town Wide Yard Sale Celebration • Stew & Brews • Grubstake Open • Quilt & Craft Shows • Town Wide Yard Sale • Stew & Brews
A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS Partially Paid For by Okanogan Country Lodging Tax Funds
A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS Partially Paid For by Okanogan Country Lodging Tax Funds
A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS Partially Paid For by Okanogan Country Lodging Tax Funds
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
N COUNTY N COUNTY N COUNTY OROVILLE, WASHINGTON
Adventure for All Seasons Oroville has the recreation lands to keep you entertained yearAdventure for All Seasons round: hunting, fishing, hiking, Oroville has the recreation lands biking, wildlife viewing, birding, to keep you entertained yearlakes, rivers, trails, museums, round: hunting, fishing, hiking, ghost towns, markets, Adventure forfarmers' All Seasons biking, wildlife viewing, birding, historic andrecreation community Orovillesites has the lands lakes, rivers, trails, museums, events the year. to keepthroughout you entertained yearghost towns, farmers' markets, round: hunting, fishing, hiking, historic sites and community For more information seebirding, our biking, wildlife viewing, events throughout the year. website. orovillewashington.com lakes, rivers, trails, museums,
SPECIAL EVENTS
OROVILLE, WASHINGTON
• 16th Annual NW Ice Fishing Festival SPECIAL EVENTS • May Day OROVILLE, WASHINGTON • NW Ice • 16th DeepAnnual Bay Firework, Fishing Festival Chesaw Rodeo SPECIAL EVENTS • • May Lake Day Osoyoos Cup Jet • Deep Bay Firework, • Ski 16thRaces Annual NW Ice Chesaw Rodeo • City Wide Yard Sale Fishing Festival • Lake Osoyoos Cup • Whistler Canyon 10Jet & May Day Ski Races Mile Ultimate Race • 50 Deep Bay Firework, • Wide Yard Sale • City Annual Christmas Bazaar Chesaw Rodeo ghost towns, farmers' markets, • Canyon 10 & For more information see our • Whistler Christmas Tree Lighting Lake Osoyoos Cup Jet historic sites and community 50 Mile Ultimate Race website. orovillewashington.com Ski Races events throughout the year. • Annual Christmas Bazaar • City Wide Yard Sale • Christmas Tree Lighting • Whistler Canyon 10 & For more information see our 50 Mile Ultimate Race website. orovillewashington.com • Annual Christmas Bazaar • Christmas Tree Lighting
GATEWAY TO AMERICA Partially Paid For by Okanogan Country Lodging Tax Funds
GATEWAY TO AMERICA Partially Paid For by Okanogan Country Lodging Tax Funds
GATEWAY TO AMERICA Partially Paid For by Okanogan Country Lodging Tax Funds
DEEP BAY PARK
DEEP BAY PARK
DEEP BAY PARK
LAKE OSOYOOS CUP RACES
LAKE OSOYOOS CUP RACES
LAKE OSOYOOS CUP RACES
SNOW FUN
SNOW FUN
SNOW FUN
www.orovillewashington.com 509-557-5165 www.orovillewashington.com 509-557-5165
www.orovillewashington.com 509-557-5165
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
AD INDEX AIR CONDITIONING/HEATING Silver Creek Systems................................. 38 BOWLING Riverview Lanes......................................... 23 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GCDA................................inside back cover Oroville /Concoully Chambers........42/43 CLOTHING Coulee Playland......................................... 10 Coulee Wall Variety Store...........................2 Harvest Foods............................................. 18 Tribal Museum............................................ 31 CONSTRUCTION Coulee Construction................................ 23 FISHING SUPPLIES Bentz Tackle................................................. 23 Coulee Playland......................................... 10 Coulee Wall Variety Store...........................2 H&H Grocery............................................... 10 FURNITURE/ELECTRONICS Loepp Furniture......................................... 45 GASOLINE/MECHANICS Coulee Gas......................................................8 Jack's Service............................................... 14 GOLFING Banks Lake Golf Course........................... 22 GUIDE SERVICE Hurd's Guide Service...................................2 44
GROCERY STORES/MINI MARTS Coulee Gas......................................................8 Coulee Playland......................................... 10. H&H Grocery............................................... 10 Harvest Foods............................................. 18 Jack’s Service............................................... 14 LAUNDROMAT VISITOR King’s Court RV Park................................. 23 MEDICAL FACILITIES Coulee Medical Center............................ 43 INSURANCE Foisy & Kennedy Inc.................................. 23 State Farm.................................................... 10 INFORMATION CENTERS GCDA Chamber.............inside back cover Grant County Tourism.............................. 10 GCD Visitor Center.................................... 14 Oroville /Concoully Chambers........42/43 MISCELLANEOUS B Street Bud................................................. 11 Grant County PUD..................................... 11 MOTELS/CAMPING Columbia River Inn..... inside front cover Coulee House.............................................. 32 Coulee Playland................................... 10,40 Grand Coulee Center Lodge........... inside front cover Grand Coulee RV Park.............................. 23 King’s Court RV Park................................. 23 Sky Deck Motel........................................... 19 Trail West...................................................... 23
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
AD INDEX MUSEUMS TIRES/BRAKES Colville Tribal Museum.............................31 Les Schwab Tire Center............................16 Grant County Historical Museum.........28 TOUR BOATS REAL ESTATE Lady of the Lake..........................................35 Foisy & Kennedy Inc...................................23 Katz Realty....................................................19 WATERSLIDES Slide Waters..................................................34 RESTAURANTS/BARS/BISTROS DRIVE-INS/ESPRESSO STANDS Café Espresso................................................. 9 Electric City Bar & Grill..............................23 Enjoy your trip! Fusion Café & Espresso.............................23 We have outdoor carpet Hometown Pizza.........................................19 and small electronics Jack's Service................................................14 La Presa............................................................ 5 PK’s Culinary.................................................48 Pepper Jack’s Bar & Grille........................... 9 R&A Café........................................................23 Siam Palace...................................................11 Voltage Coffee House...............................11 SOUVENIRS Colville Tribal Museum.............................31 Coulee Playland..........................................10 Coulee Wall Variety Store........................... 2 Grand Coulee Center Lodge..............Inside front cover GCDA Chamber ............Inside back cover Grant County Historical Museum.........28 H&H Grocery................................................10 Harvest Foods..............................................18 Jack‘s Service................................................14
Main St., Grand Coulee • 633-0430 • loepp.com
Put your business in this Visitors‘ Guide in print and online at gcdvisitor.com.
Need more guides at your visitor location? Call 1-509-633-1350 or email to star@grandcoulee.com 45
VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
VISITOR
Kids love swimming off the dock at Spring Canyon, a campground and public recreation area operated by the National Park Service’s Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area unit.
NPS provides fun and recreation Lake Roosevelt National Recreaton Area is in Phase 2 of Washington State’s Safe Start Reopening Plan, which allows gathering and outdoor recreation in gorups of no more than five people outside your household. As of July 1, 2020, the Recreation Area allowed access to all National Park Service-operated boat-in campgrounds and associated restrooms. Restrooms will not be cleaned on a daily basis and floating restrooms will remain closed. Bring and use your own hand sanitizer. By reservation only: Spring Canyon, Fort Spokane, and Kettle Falls campgrounds, with campsites available through the reservation system at these campgrounds. Group campsites will remain closed until further notice. Reservations through https://www.recreation.gov/ camping/gateways/2802. All campers must have a valid reservation to camp. No first-come, first-served allowed. As additional campgrounds are added to the reservation system, they will be opened for camping.
Get the Latest! Updates Special Events Lake Levels Fishing Reports Special Offers & more …
gcdvisitor.com
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Laser Light Show facts
An entirely new laser show debuted in May 2014. It tells the history of the dam and the region and people it changed forever. — Photo courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
If it’s currently offered…
How long is the laser show?
The laser light show lasts approximately 30 minutes, during which time colorful images created by the lasers dance back and forth across the huge surface of the dam.
has been dropped.
How are the lasers used at Grand Coulee Dam?
As one of the largest entertainment laser projection systems in the world, and certainly the largest (Normal) 2020 outdoor laser show in North America, The best locations are the seating Laser Show Times the lasers at Grand Coulee Dam tell area at the Visitor Center and from the story of the Columbia River and the park below the Visitor Center. Nightly at Grand Coulee Dam how its power was harnessed to These areas provide an outdoor provide multiple benefits to mankind, sound system. May 23 to July 31 at 10:00 p.m. including electrical power, irrigation The town of Coulee Dam has a Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 at 9:30 p.m. for farming,and exciting recreational park — terraced and grassy for viewSept. 1 to Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m. opportunities. As a result of the open ing the laser show — adjacent to the process of scripting the new show in east end of the Columbia River bridge. 2014,viewers will also understand the Other viewing spots: from Douglas Park in Coulee Dam; from Crown Point Vista atop the granite costs of building the dam — cost to wildlife, and to native peoples cliffs above Lake Rufus Woods, with access from SR-174 towards whose way of life was dependent on that wildlife, in particular, the salmon that no longer could continue upstream to spawn. Bridgeport. The USBR broadcasts the audio portion of the laser light How much did the lasers cost? show nightly at 90.1 FM. With the original equipment in use since 1989, the Bureau of Reclamation commissioned a new show and new equipment. What is a laser? Lasers are intense beams of light commonly used in medicine The equipment began operation in May of 2013, but projecting and science, but they've also found a niche as a high-tech, fast- the new show began in May 2014.Lumalaser, of Eugene, Oregon, moving form of entertainment.They are controlled by computers bid the project at $1.6 million. which, at Grand Coulee Dam, are in the Visitor Center. How big are the laser images? Although a single dot of light, lasers can trace an image so Pictures are beamed at the awesome height of nearly 300 feet. rapidly it appears as a solid figure to the human eye. The term“laser”is actually an acronym for Light Amplification How far do the lasers project? by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is so commonly used The laser lights are beamed between 2,000 and 4,000 feet to now that the tradition of using capital letters for an acronym the surface of the dam.
Where can I view the show?
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VISITORS’ GUIDE • GRAND COULEE DAM AREA • 2020-2021
Breakfast to Go!! Sandwiches, Burritos, Entrees and Smoothies Hours: Tuesday - Thursday: 6-10:30am Friday: 6am-1pm Saturday - Sunday: 7am - 1pm
VISITOR
Walk-Up Window Service Only
Cash, Credit, Debit and Contact Less Payments
95 T8I T WAATIT GALLERY Order O P at Ewindow N I N or G $
call in your order 509-237-6793
THIS GALLERY IS OF AND FOR THE INDIGENOUS ARTIST OF THE PLATEAU
TITWAATIT GALLERY O P E NGallery ING Titwáatit See the full menu online: www.pksculinary.com
Across from the Variety Store, 415 Midway Ave., Grand Coulee
“A Native Art Gallery”
THIS GALLERY IS OF AND FOR THE INDIGENOUS ARTIST OF THE PLATEAU
Gallery Opening May 11th 2019 1-7PM Operating Hours Wednesday -Sunday 1-7PM 312the Spokane Way This gallery is of and for Indigenous Artists of the Plateau
Gallery Opening May 11th 2019 1-7PM Grand Coulee, WA 99133
Contact Cassandra Waters OPERATING 509-633-9940 HOURS cassandraw@thenndf.org.
Wednesday - Sunday 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. @titwaatit
Operating Hours Wednesday -Sunday 312 Spokane Way, Grand Coulee / 509.633.9940 / cassandraw@thenndf.org 1-7PM 48
FAR FROM THE ORDINARY. Close to the adventure! From the exceptional views overlooking the water you can enjoy while dining, to the thrilling Vegas-Style gaming action and generous Players Club, there are so many rewarding ways to enjoy Coulee Dam Casino. Whether you’re just passing through, or love the life here year-round, come see us and get your game on!
COLVILLECASINOS.COM COULEE DAM CASINO
515 BIRCH STREET | COULEE DAM, WA 99116 | 509.633.0766
