Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park |
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 Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Grant, Washington, United States |
| Area | 3,774 acres (15.27 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,270 ft (390 m) |
| Established | 1933 |
| Operator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park |
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is a cool place in Washington where you can explore nature and history. It's located near Coulee City in Grant County. This huge park covers about 3,774 acres (that's over 5,000 football fields!). It sits at the start of the Lower Grand Coulee, a giant canyon.
Contents
Park History: How it Began
The state started buying land for this park in 1933 and kept adding to it until 1972. They bought pieces from different groups, including the government and private owners.
A group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build parts of the park. In 1938, they built rock walls and a special lookout spot called Vista House at Dry Falls. These workers also built a house and a water pump station.
Later, more cool things were added to the park. A group retreat area was built in 1956. The buildings for the Sun Lakes Park Resort were put up in 1959. In 1965, an interpretive center was built. This center helps visitors learn about the amazing Dry Falls.
Amazing Features of the Park
One of the most incredible parts of the park is Dry Falls. Imagine a giant cliff that is 400 feet high and 3.5 miles wide! This cliff was once a massive waterfall. It was formed during the Missoula Floods, which were huge floods that happened a long, long time ago. This ancient waterfall was ten times bigger than Niagara Falls!
Today, Dry Falls overlooks a beautiful desert area. This area is full of lakes and lots of different animals. It's a great example of a shrub-steppe habitat, which means it's a dry area with shrubs and grasses.
Umatilla Rock
Another cool feature is Umatilla Rock. This is a very large rock made of basalt. It was so strong that it didn't get washed away by the giant floods. You can find it downstream from Dry Falls.
The park is also home to several lakes. These include Dry Falls Lake, Perch Lake, Red Alkali Lake, Green Alkali Lake, and Meadow Lake. These lakes add to the beauty and wildlife of the park.
Fun Activities and Things to Do
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park has over 73,000 feet of lake shoreline. This means there are tons of water activities to enjoy!
- Fishing: You can try to catch fish in the park's many lakes.
- Swimming: On a hot day, take a dip in the cool lake waters.
- Boating: Bring your boat or rent one to explore the lakes.
- Hiking: There are trails to walk and explore the unique landscape.
- Golf: Yes, there's even a golf course!
The interpretive center at the park is a great place to visit. It has exhibits that teach you all about the amazing geology of the area. You can learn how the giant floods shaped this land.
Umatilla Rock Trail
If you love hiking, check out the Umatilla Rock Trail. You can get to it by a dirt road from the main part of the park. The trail starts near the southwest side of Umatilla Rock. This trail is about five miles long if you walk all the way around the rock. There's also a shorter path that cuts over a notch on the rock's northeast side.
Sun Lakes Park Resort
Inside the state park, you'll find the Sun Lakes Park Resort. This resort is run by a private company but is located right on Park Lake. It offers many things for visitors, like:
- An RV park for campers with recreational vehicles.
- Cozy rental cabins if you want to stay overnight.
- A golf course for those who enjoy the sport.
- Concessions where you can buy snacks and drinks.
- Rentals for boats and other equipment for water sports.
