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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