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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
Columbia River Plateau Region
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
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Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park © Connor Lee, aka WAvegetarian at en.wikipedia / CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This is the view from the bottom of the coulee which contains the Camp Delany Environmental Learning Center in Sun Lakes State Park in Washington.
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park © WiiUser23 at English Wikipedia / CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sun Lakes State Park in the summer time, taken From Highway 17.
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park © Steven Pavlov / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park sign
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SUN LAKES-DRY FALLS STATE PARK
SUN LAKES-DRY FALLS STATE PARK
34875 Park Lake Road Northeast
Coulee City, Washington   99115
(lat:47.5915 lon:-119.3625) map location

Phone: 509-632-5583
Reservations: 888-226-7688
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. 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.
Nature of the Area
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 ten 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.
History of the Area
Originally called "Dry Falls," Sun Lakes was renamed to better describe the area. Victor A. Myers, lieutenant governor at the time, suggested the change.
Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Camping
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 advised for the summer months. To make a reservation, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

Group Accommodations:The park provides a group camp for tents only that accommodates up to 75 people. Fees vary with size of the group. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

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 during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Boating
The park provides two boat ramps and 20 feet of dock. Water-skiing activities are restricted during certain times of the year. Be sure to contact the park if you have questions about Grant County boating ordinances (509) 632-5583Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.


Location
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is

Picnicking
There are 90 unsheltered picnic tables, available first-come, first-served.
Trails
1. Umatilla Rock Trail: This 5-mile loop trail offers stunning views of the Dry Falls and surrounding landscape, with a moderate difficulty level suitable for most hikers.

2. Deep Lake Boundary Trail: A relatively easy hike that stretches about 3 miles round trip along the edge of Deep Lake, offering beautiful lake views throughout.

3. Park Lakes Loop Hike: An approximately 4-mile long hiking route around several lakes in Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park including Alkali Lake and Perch Lake; it's an ideal choice for birdwatchers or those interested in wildlife viewing.

4. Northrup Canyon Nature Trail: Located near Electric City within driving distance from park boundaries, this is a moderately difficult trail stretching over six miles through diverse landscapes such as forests and canyons leading to an old homestead site at its end point.

5. Monument Coulee Viewpoint Walkway: Short but steep walk up to viewpoint overlooking entire coulee basin area providing panoramic view of geological formations like basalt cliffs formed by Ice Age floods.

6. Vic Meyers Golf Course Pathways: These are not traditional trails but offer leisurely walks across green fields while enjoying scenic beauty all around.

7. Park Interpretive Trails: Several short interpretive walking paths located close to visitor center explaining geology & history related aspects via informative signboards placed strategically on these routes.

8. Campground Paths: Numerous small pathways crisscrossing camping areas allowing campsite dwellers quick access towards restrooms/ shower facilities etc., also used frequently by children playing games during daytime hours.
Nature Programs
Dry Falls Visitor Center is located two miles north of the main park on Hwy. 17. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except holidays. Admission is by donation.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
April 27 it will do in a pinch by Kathy_M
park review stars; one to five Sites are very small and close together, there is some shade in some sites. You are not allowed to put a tent on the grass, you have to put it in the gravel. There is a charge if you have 2 cars even though they state that you can have 2 cars in most sites. The staff can get very busy on weekends and are less helpful. The boat launch is a distance away, not a short walk if you carry things to your boat. do not leave items in your boat There is a fee for a boat site at the dock but worth it not to have to launch every day and there is a fee for that as well. There is no launch site for kayaks or canoes other than using the very busy boat launch or the swimming area beach. There was adequate ATT cell service. This is not the best that Washington has to offer but is not terrible.
July 31 Love this park by San
park review stars; one to five I look forward to pitching my tent, in this park, every year. Beautiful settings. Love the location.
September 11 my favorite place for camping
park review stars; one to five very nice place
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Directions
Located seven miles southwest of Coulee City, Wash..

From eastbound I-90 : Take exit #151 to SR 283. Go through Ephrata, and continue on to Soap Lake. Turn north on Hwy. 17, and continue 17 miles to park.

From U.S. Hwy. 2 : Take Hwy. 17 south for five miles, just two miles west of Coulee City.

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Washington
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Washington State Parks

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