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Columbia Plateau Area Attractions

Steamboat Rock State Park

Parent Category: Campgrounds
in Columbia Plateau Area
Created: 25 June 2015
Location: Eastern Washington
Address: Steamboat Rock State Park, 51052 Highway 155, Electric City, WA 99123 Ph: 509-633-1304 Campsite & Group Accommodations: Ph: 888-226-7688
Hours: Summer: 6:30 a.m. - dusk Winter: 6:30 a.m. - dusk The park is open year-round for camping and day-use. The campground is partially open during the winter.
GPS Coordinates: N 47 51.837 W 119 07.305
Visitor’s Information:

Discover Pass Required

Pictures below will take you to the beautiful park full of natural wonders! Enjoy this virtual tour!

 Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

General Information:

Steamboat Rock State Park is a perfect place for recreation. 3,522-acre camping park offers 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at Banks Lake. The park includes three campgrounds and a cosy day-use area. 

Steamboat Rock State Park is a great pace for hikers, because it opens great opportunities to explore a columnar, 600-acres basaltic rock which dominates the landscape of the park. 13.1 miles of hiking trails and more than 10 miles of horse trails offer fabulous opportunities to explore the park and to enjoy the beauty of wildflower carpets.

Swimming and water-play lovers will surely enjoy sandy swimming area. There are also seven boat ramps that are located at three dofferent places and 320 feet dock that is used for boat handling only. 

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

As we have mentioned Steamboat Rock is one of the main jewels of the park. It was first used by nomadic Native American tribes and later by the first settlers who came to the region. Currently, this place is used by the military troops for aircraft flying training missions. 

If we speak about the geology, it is interesting to know that this butte was an island in the Columbia River bed, but when the Columbia River returned to its usual and natural course, this gorgeous rock remained here.

Nature lovers will surely appreciate this typical shrub-steppe desert that surrounds Banks Lake, five National Natural Landmarks within driving distance, beautiful basalt formations all along Route 155 through the Grand Coulee and many other beautiful spots and gorgeous views from above.

It should be also mentioned that Steamboat Rock State Park is a great family destination. There are ample camping spots, to be precize, there are 26 tent spaces, 136 utility sites, three cabins, one dump station, six restrooms (four ADA), and six showers (four ADA). The park also has 12 primitive non-reservable boat-in campsites with vault toilets and water.

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington 

Remember that individual campsites can be reserved May 15 - September 15, in other time, the campsites are available on first-come first-served basis. All the tents must be placed in a specially designated spot. There are special rules for parking RVs and boat trailers, we kindly ask you to follow them in order to have a pleasant saty in the park.

All the reservations can be made by calling 888-CAMPOUT (888-226-7688). 

Trails

  • 13.1 miles of hiking trails
  • 13.1 miles of bike trails
  • 10 miles of horse trails

Water Recreation

  • 320 feet of dock
  • Boat ramps (7)
  • Boating
  • Fishing (freshwater)
  • Personal watercraft use
  • Swimming
  • Water skiing
  • ADA Fishing Pier
  • Winter Recreation
  • Bald eagle viewing
  • Ice climbing
  • Ice fishing
  • Nordic skiing
  • Snowshoeing

Photo from Washington State, Eastern Washington

Other Activities

  • Amphitheater
  • Basketball court
  • Bird watching
  • Mountain biking
  • Rock climbing
  • Volleyball field
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Playground

Additional Information

Mosquitos are prevalent in summer. Grant County has a mosquito-control program in the park.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://beautifulwashington.com./eastern-washington/attractions/columbia-plateau-area-2/392-steamboat-rock-state-park.html#sigProIdd63e5098ca

These pictures were taken in April, 2015

Directions:

From Ellensburg

Drive east on Interstate 90, look for exit 151 (State Route 283), signed "Ephrata/Soap Lake." Drive through Ephrata. At Soap Lake, take a north turn on State Route 17. Drive through Soap Lake and keep driving to SR 2. Turn right onto SR 2. In 4.2 miles, merge onto SR 155. Turn left into Steamboat Rock State Park.

GPS Coordinates: N 47 51.837 W 119 07.305

In order to get directions click on the map below:

Photo: Roman Khomlyak

Photo Editing: Alex Mandryko

Information: Marina Petrova

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