Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is a national recreation area run by the National Park Service in Washington.

In the park service’s words

The ancient geologic landscape of the upper Columbia River cradles Lake Roosevelt in walls of stone carved by massive ice age floods. Come explore the shorelines and learn the stories of American Indians, traders and trappers, settlers and dam builders who called this place home. Swim, boat, hike, camp, and fish at this hidden gem in Northeast Washington, created by the Grand Coulee Dam.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• Boating at Lake Roosevelt NRA: The waters of Lake Roosevelt offer many opportunities for fun in watercraft from canoes and motorboats, to paddleboards and houseboats. Learn about launch fees and permits here. Check the Boat Launch section for minimum reservoir/lake elevations for access points.
• Canoeing & Kayaking at Lake Roosevelt NRA: 'If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.' Slow down and paddle the waters of Lake Roosevelt by kayak or canoe or board. Discover hidden coves and quiet beaches away from the busy campgrounds and day use areas. Learn about launch fees and permits here. Check the Boat Launch section for minimum reserv
• Fishing on Lake Roosevelt NRA: Lake Roosevelt offers hundreds of miles of shoreline, so you can relax and easily find a place to relax and drop in a line. Check out our links to local agencies where you can purchase your fishing license.
• Become A Lake Roosevelt Junior Ranger: Download the activity book and earn your badge to become a Junior Ranger OR follow the link to the web site to find accessible activities for all ages: make a podcast, create a play, write or act out a story, pretend the floor is lava!
• Hike the Sentinel Trail (1 to 2 Hours): Located at Fort Spokane, this self-guided trail navigates to trailside markers telling the story of the people who lived and worked here in the late 1800s. For the adventurous, take the Bluff Trail 300 feet to the top of the bluff, with spectacular views of the fort grounds and the confluence of the rivers.
• Hike the Mission Point Trail (0 to 1 Hours): A half-mile loop trail along a relatively flat bluff takes you through standing pine forests to the edge of Lake Roosevelt. From there you can see the site of Kettle Falls, a place used for millennia by the local tribes for salmon fishing.
• Hike the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area: The Sherman Creek Wildlife Area is a cooperative trail system between the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Park Service. There are multiple access points to this trail network and the length of the trail depends on which pathway is taken. The trail network features a gentle grade and is great
• Hike the Bunchgrass Prairie Nature Trail (0 to 1 Hours): The Bunchgrass Prairie Trail is located at Spring Canyon Campground and Day Use Area. Hike along this trail to learn more about native plants in the channeled scabland ecosystem.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. The park is open 24 hours per day, unless otherwise designated. Day use areas are open from dawn until dusk. Administrative buildings are closed to public.

Camping

Getting there

From Spokane Take I-90 West. At Exit 277, merge onto US-2 toward Davenport/Fairchild AFB/Spokane Airport. Just past Wilbur, turn right onto WA-21. Stay left onto Highway 174. Turn right onto WA-155. Stay on WA-155 past Grand Coulee Dam and into the town of Coulee Dam. Cross the Columbia River and continue on WA-155. Turn right onto Crest Drive and follow up the hill. The Headquarters Office is located on the left.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• Fort Spokane Visitor Center and Museum: Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 9:30AM - 5:00PM; Sat 9:30AM - 5:00PM; Sun 9:30AM - 5:00PM. Fort Spokane Visitor Center is temporarily closed while crews complete major repairs to the historic building. Portions of the parade grounds remain open, but parking is limited and no restrooms are available at the site. It is expected to reopen in July.

Weather

Lake Roosevelt is generally a cool or cold place from fall through spring with overcast skies. In the summer, the skies clear and present warm to hot days. More information on weather can be found under Alerts and Conditions.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is North Cascades, about 136 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.