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.
