Sun Lakes-Dry Falls: Overview
Park overview:
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is a 4,027-acre camping park with 73,640 feet of freshwater shoreline at the foot of Dry Falls. Dry Falls is one of the great geological wonders of North America. Carved by Ice Age floods that long ago disappeared, the former waterfall is now a stark cliff, 400 feet high and 3.5 miles wide. In its heyday, the waterfall was four times the size of Niagara Falls. Today it overlooks a desert oasis filled with lakes and abundant wildlife.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk
The campground is partially open during the winter. Click the winter schedule for more information.
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:
Dry Falls Lake is open April 1 through Nov. 30.
Dry Falls Visitor Center summer hours:
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, May 1 through Sept. 30.
Dry Falls Visitor Center winter hours:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 to 14
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays to Tuesdays Oct. 15 through 31
Closed Nov. 1, 2012 to Feb. 28, 2013.
(509) 632-5214
The center is closed on the following holidays: Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day.
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.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has 152 standard campsites, 39 utility spaces, one dump station, six restrooms and 12 showers. Maximum site length is 65 feet (may have limited availability). Park campsites do not have tent pads. All campsites have fire pits.Be prepared for the possibility of heavy winds. Reservations are available April 15 - Oct. 15 and are advised for the summer months. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Group Accommodations:
The park provides a group camp for tents only, the camp accommodates up to 75 people. 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, Brooks Memorial, Columbia Hills, Conconully, 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.
Park Features
The park's dramatic landscape was formed by Ice Age floods that swept through the area 15,000 years ago. The park and the interesting exhibits at Dry Falls Visitor Center offer many opportunities for people to learn about this unusual landscape. Special programs, hikes, talks and classroom visits are available by appointment, through the visitor center, (509) 632-5214. Other park features, available seasonally, include boat rentals, a nine-hole golf course and a miniature golf course.
History
Originally called "Dry Falls," Sun Lakes was renamed to better describe the area. Victor A. Myers, lieutenant governor at the time, suggested the change.Interpretive opportunities
Dry Falls Visitor Center is located two miles north of the main park on Hwy. 17. The center is open daily. Admission is by donation.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Boat rentals • Camping • Commissary • Park store • Pay phone • Propane • Fire wood | • Boat rental • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Wood • Swimming |
There is a park store and laundromat, boat rentals, propane, fire wood, a commisary and a pay phone. Most other services are available within a few miles of the park.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 15 mi. Hiking Trails | • Boating (freshwater) • 2 boat ramps (freshwater) • 680 feet of dock (freshwater) • Fishing (freshwater) • Personal Watercraft (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) • Water Skiing (freshwater) | • 1 Amphitheater • Bird Watching • 1 Fire Circle • Golf • 2 Horseshoe pits • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Museum • Wildlife Viewing |
Heavy winds are always a possibility in this park. 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
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Find other events at Washington State Parks
Boating Features
The park provides two boat ramps, 42 reservable moorage slips and 680 feet of dock. Water-skiing activities are restricted during certain times of the year. Contact the Grant County Sheriff's Marine Patrol division by calling (509) 754-2011 ext. 468 for information regarding Grant County boating ordinances.Moorage slip reservations are available April 15 - Oct. 15 and are advised for the summer months. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
A daily permit is available for watercraft launching at the park for $7. Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
There are 90 unsheltered picnic tables, available first come, first served.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bobcats • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Marmots • Rabbits • Raccoons | • Chukars • Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Snipes • Turkeys • Woodpeckers | • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| The park stands at the foot of one of the greatest geological wonders in North America -- a former waterfall that now stands as a dry cliff 400 feet high and 3.5 miles wide. When active, this waterfall was four times larger than Niagara Falls. Carved by ice-age flood and known as "Dry Falls," this natural monument is the site of a staff visitor center. The surrounding area is full of beautiful natural formations. | • Ash • Poplar • Thistle • Poison Oak |
