Dry Falls State Park

The lakes here are not ordinary lakes. They sit in the plunge pools of Dry Falls, the deep hollows that a colossal Ice Age waterfall dug into the basalt before the floods stopped and the falls went dry. When the water quit flowing, groundwater and springs filled the pools, and the desert kept them.

Park Lake and Deep Lake are the main waters, with smaller lakes scattered through the basin. Because they are spring-fed and set among heat-holding black rock, they warm up nicely in summer, which is why a lush recreation area could grow in the middle of the scablands.

In the warm months the park is all about the lakes: swimming beaches, boat launches and rentals, and fishing for trout and other species. Campgrounds spread among the lakes, and there is even a small golf course tucked into the coulee floor.

On foot, short trails lead out to Umatilla Rock, a jagged basalt fin left standing by the floods, and down toward Deep Lake at the quieter southern end of the park, where the cliffs press in and the crowds thin out.

Everything about the park is shaped by the same Ice Age floods that carved Dry Falls. Around fifteen thousand years ago, repeated failures of an ice dam in Montana sent immense floods racing across eastern Washington, scouring the Grand Coulee and this basin down to bare rock.

The Native peoples of the Columbia Plateau knew this country long before it was a park, traveling and camping in the coulees and using rock shelters like the nearby Lake Lenore Caves. Their long presence is part of the story of a landscape that looks empty but never was.

The mix of water and desert makes for good wildlife watching. Waterfowl and shorebirds work the lakes, cliff swallows and swifts nest in the basalt, and raptors ride the thermals above. Marmots whistle from the rocks, and mule deer and coyotes move through the sage.

Summer is the busy season, hot and bright, when the lakes draw swimmers and campers. Spring brings brief desert green and wildflowers, fall is mild and gold, and winter is cold and quiet, when much of the seasonal recreation shuts down and the coulee empties out.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Dry Falls State Park, officially part of Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park near Coulee City in eastern Washington, is a scenic park set in the dramatic landscape shaped by the Ice Age floods, near the famous Dry Falls, the cliff of a once-enormous ancient waterfall. Along with the awe-inspiring geology, the park offers a chain of lakes for swimming, boating, and fishing, along with camping, hiking, and abundant recreation amid the striking scablands scenery. Combining fascinating natural history with lakeside fun, the park is a popular destination. With its dramatic Dry Falls, lakes, camping, and recreation, Dry Falls State Park offers a scenic and versatile outdoor destination in eastern Washington.

You can view the dramatic Dry Falls cliff and learn about the Ice Age floods at the nearby overlook and interpretive center, swim, boat, kayak, and fish in the park's chain of lakes, camp at the campground, hike the trails through the striking scablands landscape, watch for wildlife, and enjoy picnicking and the scenery. The combination of geologic wonder and lakeside recreation makes it a well-rounded destination. The lakes are a refreshing draw in the warm eastern Washington summers. With its Dry Falls, lakes, camping, trails, and recreation, Dry Falls State Park offers a scenic and enjoyable outdoor experience in eastern Washington.

When swimming or boating in the park's lakes, wear a life jacket while paddling or boating, be mindful of water conditions, and watch children closely. Near the Dry Falls overlooks and on the scabland trails, stay back from cliff edges and watch your footing on rocky terrain. The exposed eastern Washington setting can be hot with strong sun in summer, so bring water and sun protection, and watch for rattlesnakes in warm weather. Being mindful of water safety, cliff edges, the sun and heat, and wildlife ensures a safe and enjoyable visit to Dry Falls State Park.

Late spring through early fall is the prime season for the lakes, swimming, boating, and camping in the warm weather, with summer popular for cooling off in the water despite the heat, while spring brings wildflowers and green to the scablands and fall offers pleasant temperatures for hiking and viewing the geology. Winter is cold and quiet. For water recreation and camping, aim for late spring through summer, and for comfortable hiking and sightseeing, the shoulder seasons are lovely. The park's lakes and scenery make it most rewarding in the warmer months at Dry Falls State Park.

Dry Falls State Park is near Coulee City in eastern Washington, encompassing the Dry Falls overlook, near the Grand Coulee Dam to the north, the Lake Lenore Caves, Banks Lake, and the dramatic Channeled Scablands and Grand Coulee. That makes Dry Falls State Park a scenic stop to combine with the Dry Falls Overlook, the Grand Coulee Dam, the Lake Lenore Caves, and the other Ice Age floods attractions of eastern Washington on a visit to the state.