Steamboat Rock State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steamboat Rock State Park |
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 Steamboat Rock State Park
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Grant, Washington, United States |
| Area | 3,522 acres (14.25 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,975 ft (602 m) |
| Established | 1972 |
| Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Steamboat Rock State Park |
Steamboat Rock State Park is a cool place to visit in Washington. It's a big park, about 3,522 acres, which is like 2,600 football fields! You can find it near the top of Banks Lake in a huge valley called the Grand Coulee.
The park gets its name from a giant rock formation called Steamboat Rock. This rock looks a bit like a big steamboat floating on the water. It's a huge basalt butte, which is a tall, flat-topped hill with steep sides. Steamboat Rock rises about 800 feet above the lake, and the water almost completely surrounds it. The top of this rock is flat and covers more than 600 acres.
Long ago, Native American tribes who traveled a lot used this flat top. Early settlers also used it. During the last Ice Age, Steamboat Rock was like an island. It stood in the middle of a new path for the Columbia River, which had been moved by huge ice dams. When these ice dams broke, they caused massive floods. These floods carved out the unique landscape known as the Scablands. After the floods, the Columbia River went back to its old path. This left Steamboat Rock standing tall and dry in the Grand Coulee.
Fun Things to Do at Steamboat Rock State Park
Steamboat Rock State Park is open all year round. It has a very long shoreline, about 50,000 feet, which is great for water activities. You can camp here overnight or just visit for the day.
Land Activities
- Hiking: There are many trails to explore on foot.
- Biking: You can ride your bike on special trails.
- Horseback Riding: Some trails are perfect for horses.
Water Activities
- Boating: Bring your boat and enjoy the lake.
- Swimming: Take a dip in the cool water.
- Waterskiing: Glide across the lake on skis.
- Fishing: Try to catch some fish in Banks Lake.
Winter Fun
When it gets cold, the park offers different activities:
- Cross-country Skiing: Ski across the snowy landscape.
- Ice Fishing: Try fishing through a hole in the ice.
- Ice Climbing: For those who like a challenge, you can climb on ice formations.
