Washington State Parks

Park overview:

Steamboat Rock State Park is a 3,522-acre camping park with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at the north end of Banks Lake. Dominating the landscape is a columnar, basaltic rock with a surface area of 600 acres. Two campground areas and a large day-use area are on sweeping green lawns, protected from winds by tall dramatic poplars. The surrounding areas are carpeted with wildflowers, adding to the gray-green brush of the Scablands. A sandy swimming area and boat launches make the area a favorite for visitors who enjoy water-play and want respite from the hot, summer sun.



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Park hours/updates:

Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.

The park is open year round for camping and day use. The campground is partially open during the winter. Click the winter schedule for more information.

The water to campsites is shut off in winter.

Winter weatherization occurs Oct. 15 through March 31 (weather permitting). Water is shut off at individual campsites. Please plan to use the winter water supply near the main restroom.

The watercraft launch docks are removed in Oct. They are reinstalled in March or when the lake is no longer freezing.

Reservation and registered campers may enter campground after dusk.

Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Current alerts:

Agency information:

Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.

Campsite Information:

The main park has 26 tent spaces, 100 utility spaces, one dump station, five restrooms (four ADA) and six showers (four ADA). The park also has 12 primitive non-reservable boat-in campsites with vault toilets and water. Individual campsites are reservable May 15 to Sept. 15 by visiting online or calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. Campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis from Sept. 16 to May 14. Utility sites have full hookups. Maximum site length is 50 feet (may have limited availability). Tents must be placed within the designated tent pad. Vehicle tires must remain entirely on the pavement at all times. Boat trailers may be parked on the lawn, provided the towing vehicle does not back onto the lawn. All lawns are irrigated daily. Mosquito control occurs as required by the Grant County mosquito district evenings when weather permits. Two vehicles are allowed per campsite; campsite fee includes payment for one vehicle. Extra vehicle fees are due upon arrival. There are 44 primitive campsites seven and nine miles north of the main park, with vault toilets at Jones Bay (no water available), 36 primitive campsites with vault toilets at Osborn Bay (no water available). All primitive sites are first come, first served. Northrup Point watercraft access is available 24 hours a day. Northrup Canyon has five campsites for equestrian campers. These sites require a reservation. To reserve call (509) 633-1304.

Group Accommodations:

The park offers a group camp that accommodates up to 50 people (20 minimum). It is located in the Jones Bay campground of Steamboat Rock State Park seven miles north of the main park on Hwy 155. There is a CXT vault toilet and parking for 20 vehicles of which only ten can be RVs. Shower facilities, drinking water, RV dump station and boat launch are located two miles south of Jones Bay at Northrup Point. Fees vary with size of the group. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

2013 camping fees:

Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).

May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.

Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.

Driving Directions

Located on Banks Lake 11 miles south of Electric City, Wash., and 16 miles north of Coulee City, Wash. in Grant County.


Park address:
51052 Highway 155
Electric City, WA 99123

From Electric City:
Take SR 155 south 11 miles, and turn right at the marked park entrance.

From Coulee City:
Take SR 155 north 16 miles, and turn left at the marked park entrance.

Park Maps

To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.

Steamboat Rock downloadable pdf map #1


List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.

Park Features

In the midst of desert, the park offers both lush green lawns and rocks for climbing. Miles of horse trail are open for day use. A hiking trail leads to Northrup Lake, a natural forest area with water access open 24 hours a day.

History

Steamboat Rock is a long-established area landmark, first used by nomadic Native American tribes and then by early settlers. The military currently uses the area for aircraft flying training missions. The basalt butte rises 800 feet above Banks Lake. It was once an island in the Columbia River bed. When the Columbia returned to its natural course, after centuries of being dammed by ice, the massive rock remained.

There is also a well-engineered road, built in the late 1800s, that winds through and up the south side of Northrop canyon. Once used by stage coaches and freight wagons, it was named after one of the original homesteaders.

Interpretive opportunities

There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.

Services/Supplies

Available in the park	Available in the area
• Pay phone • Fire wood	• Auto repair • Airport • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Marine supplies • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • White gas • Wood • Swimming

Steamboat Rock has a concession- operated store, located in the day-use area, with fast food, basic groceries, firewood, ice and fishing supplies. Grand Coulee Dam provides tours, a visitor's center and a nightly laser-light show.

Activities

Trails	Water Activities	Other
• 13.1 mi. Hiking Trails • 13.1 mi. Bike Trails • 10 mi. Horse Trails	• Boating (freshwater) • 7 boat ramps (freshwater) • 320 feet of dock (freshwater) • Fishing (freshwater) • Personal Watercraft (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) • Water Skiing (freshwater)	• 1 Amphitheater • 1 Basketball Court • Bird Watching • Mountain Biking • Rock Climbing • 1 Volleyball Field • Wildlife Viewing
Steamboat Rock State Park features a basketball court on the shore of Banks Lake. In winter, the park offers opportunities for Nordic skiing. Mosquitos are prevalent in summer. Grant County has a mosquito-control program in the park. Northrup Point watercraft access is open 24 hours a day. The Northrup Canyon day-use area offers hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities. Winter activities also include Nordic skiing, ice fishing and Bald eagle viewing. Crown Point remains open until after the laser-light show at Grand Coulee Dam concludes in the evening. Crown Point Vista near Grand Coulee overlooks the Grand Coulee Dam, the cities of Coulee Dam and Grand Coulee, and the Columbia River. Castle Rock Natural Area Preserve is on the butte nearby. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website.

Events

Find other events at Washington State Parks

Boating Features

The park has seven boat ramps at three locations on Banks Lake and 320 feet of dock for boat handling only. A marine PortaPotty station is available.

Five moorage bouys are located at the north end of Steamboat Rock

A daily watercraft launching permit for $5 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 is available at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.

Winter Recreation

• Ice Climbing
• Snowshoeing

Picnic and Day-use Facilities

A reservable day-use area that accommodates 200 people is available. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

Wildlife

Mammals	Birds	Fish & Sea Life
• Bears • Bobcats • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Muskrats • Rabbits	• Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Swans • Turkeys • Woodpeckers	• Bass • Perch • Trout • Walleye

Environmental Features

Physical Features		Plant Life
The area has gray-green scrub and lush green lawns. It's an oasis in desert surroundings. Dramatic poplar trees and a huge lake mark the terrain. Temperatures range between 80 to 100 degrees in the summer. The park averages 11 inches of annual rainfall and six inches of snowfall.		• Ponderosa Pine • Birch • Maple • Poplar

Park photo gallery