Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is in the Columbia River Plateau of Washington State. Dry Falls is a stark cliff measuring 400 ft (120 m) and 3.5 mi (5.6 km) wide. It was the site of a waterfall formed during the Missoula Floods which was ten times the size of Niagara Falls. The cliff overlooks a desert oasis filled with lakes and abundant wildlife.
Understand
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The state park covers 3,774 acres (1,527 hectares) acres at the head of the Lower Grand Coulee.
Geology
[edit]Nearly twenty thousand years ago, as glaciers moved south through North America, ice sheets dammed the Columbia River and its tributaries, forming Glacial Lake Columbia and the gigantic Lake Missoula. Eventually, water in Lake Missoula rose high enough to float the ice dam until it gave way, and a portion of this cataclysmic flood spilled into Glacial Lake Columbia, and then down the Grand Coulee at at 65 mph (105 km/h). This process likely happened dozens of times.
These sudden floods put parts of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon under hundreds of feet of water in just a few days. These extraordinary floods greatly enlarged the Grand Coulee and Dry Falls in a short period. The large plunge pools at the base of Dry Falls were created by these floods. Once the ice sheets melted, the Columbia River returned to its current course, leaving the Grand Coulee and the falls dry.
Nearby lakes include Dry Falls, Perch, Red Alkali, Green Alkali, and Meadow.
Visitor information
[edit]- Park website
- 1 Dry Falls Visitor Center, 35661 Hwy 17 N. Free.
Get in
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State Route 17 (WA-17) runs through a large portion of the park, and there are multiple entrances.
The park is just south of US Highway 2 (US-2), which runs across the state from Everett to Newport (near Spokane). The turnoff to WA-17 South is just west of Coulee City.
- From Grand Coulee, take WA-155 south, and turn right onto US-2 West. In 4 mi (6.4 km) on the other side of Coulee City, turn left onto WA-17.
- From the Seattle area, get on US-2 from either WA-522 or I-5 exit #194 in Everett.
Fees and permits
[edit]There are no fees or restrictions to drive along WA-17, or to access the Visitor Center along the highway.
A Washington State Discover Pass is required for all private vehicles entering the park. The Discover Pass is $10 a day, or $30 a year. You can purchase a Discover Pass at the park. You can also order online, buy from an outdoors retailer, or pick up from a kiosk at the entrance to many other popular state parks.
Get around
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See
[edit]- 1 Dry Falls. A canyon where the Missoula Flood waters once dropped over 400 ft (120 m) at the end of the last ice age. The waterfall was four times the size of Niagara Falls, and carried more water by volume than all the rivers of the world combined. An interpretive center is on the south side of the parking lot, though there are informational signs and displays throughout the parking areas as well.
- The overlook at Dry Falls gives a spectacular view on a clear day. One small section that can only hold a few people is so close to the edge, it may make you dizzy. There are railings throughout the area, though small children must be closely watched and supervised.
- 2 Sun Lakes. This is the main lake (called "Park Lake") just south of the Dry Falls overlook. If you don't have time for its recreational activities, the view from the highway is better than driving down to the lake shore.
- 3 Blue Lake Entrance. At the south end of the park, this road first runs along the north end of Blue Lake (which is not part of the state park). It then goes to the far side of Park Lake and runs north, eventually merging with the main entrance. It allows for a close up look at the 400 ft (120 m) cliffs. Caution: This road is normally barricaded just a quarter mile north of the Sun Village resort. You cannot enter the park from here, nor exit onto WA-17 coming from the park. You can drive up to the barricade on either side, but not cross (to prevent thru traffic).
- 4 Umatilla Rock (downstream of the falls and upstream of the main park). A large basalt rock which resisted being eroded by the Great Floods.
Do
[edit]Sun Lakes Resort is an RV park and a golf course next to the lake. Tent camping and privately-owned cabin rentals are also available. Powerboats (5 mph max) can be rented or brought in by trailer. (Use caution on the steep downhill roadway.)
Bicycling is very popular at the park. There's a 2.6 mi (4.2 km) loop trail around Umatilla Rock.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Sun Lakes Park Resort, 34228 Park Lake Rd NE, ☏ +1 509-632-5291, [email protected].
Go next
[edit]- Grand Coulee Dam
- Lake Lenore Caves State Park, about 11 mi (18 km) south of the Sun Lakes entrance.
| Routes through Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park |
| Brewster ← Coulee City ← | N  S
|
→ Soap Lake → Moses Lake |