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.
There is a burn ban in effect at Northrup Canyon and Crown Point no open flames of any type allowed year round.
Campsite Information:
The 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 boat-in campsites with vault toilets and water.
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 with vault toilets at Jones Bay (no water available), 36 primitive campsites with vault toilets at Osborn Bay (no water available) and 12 boat-in campsites (with water) north of the main campground launch (these sites are not reservable). All primitive sites are first-come first-serve.
Northrup Point water access is available 24 hours a day.
Northrup Canyon has five campsites for equiestrian campers. These sites require a reservation. To reserve call (509) 633-1304 or call the park at (509) 633-1304.
Year-round reservations for individual campsites are available for Steamboat Rock State Park, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
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 reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
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).
2010 FeesAn additional $2 per night is added to the basic camping fees listed below at this high-use park. Basic camping fees are:
Standard campsite, $19.
Full utility campsite, $26.
Partial utility campsite, $25.
Primitive campsite and water trail camping, $12
An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.
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 hoursCheck-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 during the summer; 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.
Park hours/updates:
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter weatherization occurs Oct 15 - March 31: The water is shut off at individual campsites. Please plan to use the winter water supply near the main restroom. Also, the watercraft launch docks are removed until 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.
Park Winter Schedule
| Campground Closes |
| Campground Reopens |
| Day-Use Closes |
| Day-Use Reopens |
| Watercraft Launch Closes |
| Watercraft Launch Reopens | |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
| Open |
|
Schedule Note:
Jones Bay closes Sept. 28, Osborne Bay and Crown Point open year round.
Handling docks removed in October, reinstalled in March.
Water service to individual campsites is currently off. The main park waterline is available for camper use until campsite water access is returned.
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
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
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)
| • Bird Watching
• Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing
• 1 Volleyball Field
• Wildlife Viewing
|
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 Creek water access is open 24 hours a day.
The Northrup Canyon day-use area offers hiking, biking and equestrian opportunities.
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. |
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
Events
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
There is a reservable day-use area that accommodates 200 people. To reserve, 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
|
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Park photo gallery
