| Description: The enormous reservoir, 130-mile-long Lake Roosevelt, was formed by the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River & the Spokane River, a Bureau of Reclamation project. 18 campgrounds surround the vast expanse of H2O, some of which are very developed, & some of which are primitive, boat-in sites. Developed campgrounds are generally open to RVs & fully accessible; numerous day use areas & overlooks also surround the reservoir. Water sports are clearly the main attraction here: motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, waterskiing, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, & of course, fishing. Although the construction of the dam in 1941 destroyed one of the foremost salmon fisheries in the northwest, the lake is currently stocked with walleye, perch, rainbow trout, crappie, & catfish. A few self-guided nature trails are open around the south shore of the lake; for information, stop at either the Coulee Dam Visitor Center (BOR) or the Fort Spokane Visitor Center. At Fort Spokane, you can get a taste of the area`s rich human history, over the last 9000 years. Another historical site is at the very north end of the reservoir, at the St. Paul`s Mission State Historic Site in Kettle Falls.
Location: Accessible from north of Coulee City, northwest of Spokane, or northeast of Colville. WA 25 parallels a long stretch of the reservoir.
Season: year round.
Reservations: no.
Notes: The Spokane tribal lands & the Colville tribal lands on the north side of Lake Roosevelt are private. Designated campgrounds are open to public use, but any other access or recreation requires permission from the tribes. For information, contact the Spokane tribe at (509) 258-4581 or the Colville Confederated Tribes at (509) 634-2200 |
Campground: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area in Coulee Dam Washington *