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-foottall mesa to explore.

In Northrup Canyon, hikers will find thousands of acres of enchanting forest, bald eagles, and an early pioneer homestead.

Crescent Bay, Crescent Lake, and Eden Harbor have beaches to swim, fish, or explore.

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.It’s a great place to watch the river flow.

The Coulee Dam historical walk stretches from Freedom Point to across the bridge, where there are 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.

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. Read more about these hikes and more on our website at www.gcdvisitor.com under the “Hikes” section.

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.

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 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 SR-155 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

Is there local golfing?

Yes, the public may golf at Banks Lake Golf and Golf Course, located approximately 1.5 miles west of Electric City and about five miles from Grand Coulee Dam on SR-155.

The 18-hole course is carved out of the natural slope of the coulee landscape and provides golfers a chance to hike through the quiet countryside while playing an unusually wideopen course.

Golfing equipment can be rented at the clubhouse from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., early spring to late fall. Food and drinks are also sold at the clubhouse.