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Sun Lakes State Park |
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Park Overview
 Sun Lakes-Dry
Falls State Park is a 4,027-acre camping park with 73,640 feet of freshwater
shoreline at the foot of Dry Falls. Dry Falls is one of the great geological
wonders of North America. Carved by ice-age floods that long ago disappeared,
the former waterfall is now a stark cliff, 400 feet high and 3.5 miles wide. In
its heyday, the waterfall was ten times the size of Niagara Falls. Today it
overlooks a desert oasis filled with lakes and abundant wildlife.
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.
Deep Lake is open the last Saturday of April through Sept. 30.
Dry Falls Lake is open April 1 through Nov. 30.
Dry Falls Visitor Center is open May 17 through Sept. 30.
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 seven miles southwest of Coulee City, Wash..
From eastbound I-90:
Take exit #151 to SR 283. Go through Ephrata, and continue on to Soap Lake. Turn
north on Hwy. 17, and continue 17 miles to park.
From U.S. Hwy. 2:
Take Hwy. 17 south for five miles, just two miles west of Coulee City.
Picnic Facilities There are 90 unsheltered picnic tables, available first-come,
first-served.
Activities
| Trails |
Water Activities |
Other |
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- Boating (freshwater)
- Boating (freshwater, non-motorized)
- 2 boat ramps (freshwater)
- 20 feet of dock (freshwater)
- Fishing (freshwater)
- Personal Watercraft (freshwater)
- Swimming (freshwater)
- Water Skiing (freshwater)
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- Bird Watching
- 1 Fire Circle
- Golf
- 2 Horseshoe pits
- Interpretive Activities
- Mountain Biking
- Museum
- Wildlife Viewing
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Heavy winds are always a possibility in this park.
Boating FeaturesThe park provides two boat ramps and 20 feet of dock.
Water-skiing activities are restricted during certain times of the year. Be sure
to contact the park if you have questions about Grant County boating ordinances.
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.
Featured Creatures
| Mammals |
Birds |
Fish & Sea Life |
- Bobcats
- Coyotes
- Deer or Elk
- Marmots
- Rabbits
- Raccoons
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- Chukars
- Crows or Ravens
- Doves or Pigeons
- Ducks
- Eagles
- Geese
- Gulls
- Hawks
- Herons
- Ospreys
- Owls
- Pheasants
- Quail
- Snipes
- Turkeys
- Woodpeckers
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Environmental Features
| Physical Features |
Plant Life |
Special |
The park stands at the foot of one
of the greatest geological wonders in North America -- a former
waterfall that now stands as a dry cliff 400 feet high and 3.5
miles wide. When active, this waterfall was ten times larger
than Niagara Falls. Carved by ice-age flood and known as "Dry
Falls," this natural monument is the site of a staff visitor
center. The surrounding area is full of beautiful natural
formations.
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- Ash
- Poplar
- Thistle
- Poison Oak
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History Originally called "Dry Falls," Sun Lakes was renamed to better describe
the area. Victor A. Myers, lieutenant governor at the time, suggested the
change. |
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