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Steamboat Rock State Park |
Steamboat Rock State Park
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 Steamboat Rock
State Park is a 3,522-acre camping park with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline
at the north end of Banks Lake. Dominating the landscape is a columnar, basaltic
rock with a surface area of 600 acres. Two campground areas and a large day-use
area are on sweeping green lawns, protected from winds by tall dramatic poplars.
The surrounding areas are carpeted with wildflowers, adding to the gray-green
brush of the Scablands. A sandy swimming area and boat launches make the area a
favorite for visitors who enjoy water-play and want respite from the hot, summer
sun.
A vehicle parking permit is no longer required for day visits.
Park Hours Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Reservation and registered campers may enter campground after dusk.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Driving Directions Located on Banks Lake 11 miles south of Electric City,
Wash., and 16 miles north of Coulee City, Wash.
From Electric City:
Take SR 155 south 11 miles, and turn right at the marked park entrance.
From Coulee City:
Take SR 155 north 16 miles, and turn left at the marked park entrance.
Picnic Facilities There is a reservable day-use area that accommodates 200
people. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Activities
| Trails |
Water Activities |
Other |
- 13.1 mi. Hiking Trails
- 13.1 mi. Bike Trails
- 10 mi. Horse Trails
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- Boating (freshwater)
- Boating (freshwater, non-motorized)
- 7 boat ramps (freshwater)
- 320 feet of dock (freshwater)
- Fishing (freshwater)
- Personal Watercraft (freshwater)
- Swimming (freshwater)
- Water Skiing (freshwater)
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- Bird Watching
- Mountain Biking
- Rock Climbing
- 1 Volleyball Field
- Wildlife Viewing
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In winter, the park offers opportunities for Nordic skiing.
Mosquitos are prevalent in summer. Grant County has a mosquito-control program
in the park.
Northrup Creek water access is open 24 hours a day.
Crown Point remains open until after the laser-light show at Grand Coulee Dam
concludes in the evening.
Castle Rock Natural Area Preserve is on the butte nearby. Crown Point Vista near
Grand Coulee overlooks the Grand Coulee Dam, the cities of Coulee Dam and Grand
Coulee, and the Columbia River.
Boating FeaturesThe park has seven boat ramps at three locations on Banks Lake
and 320 feet of dock for boat handling only. A marine pumpout is available.
A daily permit is available for watercraft launching and trailer dumping at the
park for $5.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at
region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Winter Recreation
Featured Creatures
| Mammals |
Birds |
Fish & Sea Life |
- Bears
- Bobcats
- Coyotes
- Deer or Elk
- Muskrats
- Rabbits
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- Crows or Ravens
- Doves or Pigeons
- Ducks
- Eagles
- Geese
- Gulls
- Hawks
- Herons
- Hummingbirds
- Jays
- Owls
- Pheasants
- Quail
- Swans
- Turkeys
- Woodpeckers
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Environmental Features
| Physical Features |
Plant Life |
Special |
The area has gray-green scrub and
lush green lawns. It's an oasis in desert surroundings. Dramatic
poplar trees and a huge lake mark the terrain.
Temperatures range between 80 to 100 degrees in the summer. The
park averages 11 inches of annual rainfall and six inches of
snowfall.
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- Ponderosa Pine
- Birch
- Maple
- Poplar
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History Steamboat Rock is a long-established area landmark, first used by
nomadic Native American tribes and then by early settlers. The military
currently uses the area for aircraft flying training missions. The basalt butte
rises 800 feet above Banks Lake. It was once an island in the Columbia River
bed. When the Columbia returned to its natural course, after centuries of being
dammed by ice, the massive rock remained.
There is also a well-engineered road, built in the late 1800s, that winds
through and up the south side of Northrop canyon. Once used by stage coaches and
freight wagons, it was named after one of the original homesteaders. |
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