Arts
Centennial Theatre (Outdoor Amphitheatre)
McCosh Park - Dogwood Street
Moses Lake
Phone: 509.766.9240
Award winning outdoor amphitheatre features grass bowl seating on the lakefront. Home of the FREE Summer Concert Series.
Farmers Market
Civic Center Park (Behind Library & Chamber of Commerce)
Moses Lake
Farm fresh produce and handmade arts/crafts. Open Saturdays mornings & Wednesday afternoons from mid-June through mid-October.
Moses Lake Museum & Art Center
228 W. 3rd Avenue
Moses Lake
Phone: 509.766.9395
Email: museum@moses-lake.com
Web: http://www.mlrec.com/museum.html
Home to the prestigious Adam East collection of Native American artifacts. Gallery features ongoing art exhibits featuring the works of Northwest artists. Gift shop featuring hand made arts & crafts items.
Nature
The geology of the Columbia Basin accounts for its compatibility with both agriculture and outdoor recreation. The granite found in the Basin is approximately 60 million years old, but became exposed after 30 million years of adjustments in the earth's crust and erosion. Basalt (a dense crystalline lave) may also be seen. Floods , fire, ice and volcanoes all played into the historical shaping of the area. This shaping continues even today. Mt. St. Helens provided the latest major change when it erupted on May 18, 1980. The croplands of today's Columbia Basin are servciced by a complex system of reservoirs and waterways that take advantage of the unusual geologic features of the area.
Birdwatching
With the abundance of water and habitat, our area is home to a diverse and abundant bird population. Water fowl populations reach peaks of over 100,000 birds during the fall season.
The nearby Columbia National Wildlife Refuge , located just south of Moses Lake , has had over 200 different species observed. Our lakes, marshes and sloughs are home to various water fowl. Hawks, owls, ravens and cliff swallows can be observed in the cliff areas. Local wetlands provide shelter to herons, American avocent and other shore birds. Pheasants, quail and magpies are found in the upland areas. Birding is also very popular in the Potholes Reservoir area which is located about 4 miles south of Moses Lake .
Along the Great Washington State Birding Trail , you'll find the best places for the best bird watching in the Evergreen State .
The Central Basin Audubon Society has a number of on-line birding resources ready for your enjoyment. Be sure to check out their website.
Steamboat Rock
Hwy 155, Electric City
Phone: 509-633-1304
Climb 1,000 feet to the top of Steamboat Rock, located at Steamboat Rock State Park
Dry Falls Interpretive Center
Dry Falls Interpretive Center
Sun Lakes State Park, Coulee City
Phone: 509-632-5214
As the name suggests, Dry Falls no longer carries water, but is the remnant of what was once the largest waterfall known to have existed on earth. Viewing the 3.5 miles of sheer cliffs that drop 400 feet, it is easy to imagine the roar of water pouring over them. ( Niagara Falls by comparison, is one mile wide with a drop of 165 feet).
Description
The falls were created following the catastrophic collapse of an enormous ice-dam holding back the waters of what has been named "Glacier Lake Missoula". Water covering three thousand square miles of northwest Montana , about the volume of Lake Ontario , was locked behind this glacial dam until the rising lake penetrated, lifted and then blew out the ice dam. The massive torrent (known as the Missoula Flood) ran wild through the Idaho panhandle, the Spokane River Valley, much of eastern Washington and into Oregon, flooding the area that is now the city of Portland under 400 feet of water.
Reaching the Dry Falls area, this tremendous force swept away earth and rock from a precipice actually 15 miles south of the falls near Soap Lake, causing the falls to retreat to its present position, now known as Dry Falls. The falls is said to be a spectacular example of "headward erosion". If this is confusing, given the present topography, it also helps to know the falls are on an ancient course of the Columbia River . The river had been diverted this way by the encroaching glaciers. It returned to its present course as the ice retreated.
Geological History
The Channeled Scablands were created in the Columbia Plateau by cataclysmic Ice Age Floods, including the one described above, between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. The floods occurred about every 50 years and lasted a few days to a few weeks, leaving a deeply scarred plateau. This explanation for the strange land formations we see today was first put forward by J. Harlen Bretz in the 1920s. It took more than 40 years for the geological community to accept that such dramatic changes could take place in a matter of days or weeks.
The landscape we see today is one with hundreds of small lakes, flat-top mountains, and canyons known as "coulees" (ravines and ancient basins of waterfalls, some still holding water). All have been left several hundred feet above the present course of the Columbia River . Grand Coulee Canyon , at 50 miles in length, and 1 to 5 miles across, is the largest of the channels gouged by a deluge.
The raw material so ferociously sculpted by the floodwaters is basalt. It is actually a black rock, yet you are presented with a landscape of rusty browns, as a result of the iron oxidizing in the exposed rock. In places the browns are highlighted by yellow lichen. The geometrical basalt shapes, in the form of blocks and pinnacles and columns were exposed but not carved by the flood waters. Rather, they formed as basalt lava cooled into rock.
Prior to the floods, between about 17- and 6 million years ago, the basalt was laid down in successive lava flows that engulfed parts of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, gradually filling valleys and covering hills. In places it became more than two miles thick. Some even streamed all the way to the Pacific Ocean . Nature certainly wasn't restrained in this region! The lava field became the second biggest in the world, covering over one hundred thousand square miles, and is now known as the Columbia Plateau. The "high desert" plateau with its exposed lava formations dominates central, inland Pacific Northwest .
Location
Located 7 miles southwest of Coulee City in northeast Washington . It is a feature of Grand Coulee Canyon , which is itself part of the Channeled Scablands that cover three-quarters of eastern Washington .
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 . The Dry Falls Interpretive Center is located two miles north of the main park on Highway 17 and is staffed from mid-May through the end of September from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is by donation.
Getting to Dry Falls
Turn south of US-2 onto WA-17, and drive to the visitor center which is in sight of the highway, on the east side.
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History
Grant County 's Historical Museum & Village
742 Basin Street N. , Ephrata
Phone: 509.754.3334
A walk through the past is recreated in Grant County 's Historical Museum & Village. This historic museum, situated on 3.75 acres, has a complex of buildings, historic settings, colorful displays and objects that will fascinate even the youngest in your family. This museum provides you the opportunity to actually enter the buildings and experience what pioneer life of a bygone era was all about. Also, see the Village come to life at the annual Living Museum weekend during the first part of June. Call or write the museum for details.
The Village has over 30 buildings preserving the historical legacy of Grant County . Also featured is a restored one room school house (circa 1910), a complete authentic pioneer homestead, an old-time saloon, a blacksmith shop featuring a working force, an original pioneer line cabin, a print shop with antique printing equipment, the Village's very own camera shop which houses over 300 vintage cameras and the list goes on and on! Travel with us back in time at the Grant County Historical Museum & Village.
Directions: If traveling eastbound on I-90 from Seattle take Exit 151 (Hwy 283) to Ephrata. If traveling westbound from Spokane on I-90 take Exit 179 (Highway 17) to Ephrata.
Grand Coulee Dam
Visitor Arrival Center
Hwy 155, Coulee Dam, WA
Phone: 509-633-9265
Web: http://www.grandcouleedam.com/
Daily Free Tours
Activities at Grand Coulee Dam Include:
- Visitors Center - OPEN Daily 9:00am to 5:00pm
- GCD Elevator Tour - call for times 509.633.9265
- Station Walking Tour on the Bridge
- The Colville Tribal Museum - Open Daily to 5pm
- The View Points of Grand Coulee Dam
- Picnicking at Spring Canyon National Park on Lake Roosevelt
Grand Coulee Dam , one of the largest concrete structures in the world, is an awesome sight. After decades of planning, it was built over an 8-year period, starting in 1933, as a depression relief project.
What it does
Grand Coulee is a hydroelectric dam, and part of the Columbia River Hydro System, a series of 14 dams harnessing the energy of the mighty Columbia River. Interestingly, the System is an example of the close ties between Canada and the US in this Pacific Northwest region, as it includes 3 dams above the border. Grand Coulee Dam is the largest U.S. producer of hydro-electric energy, generating 6,800 of the 35,000 megawatts of electricity generated by the System. That translates to about $500 million worth of power that is supplied to British Columbia and hundreds of towns and cities in the western states.
Grand Coulee Dam also provides water that irrigates over 500,000 acres of eastern Washington , and without which much of the farming you see would not be possible. In addition to Franklin D Roosevelt Lake , water is actually pumped out of the dam to create Banks Lake above which functions as a stabilizing reservoir and also stores irrigation water. This was quite a controversial design decision at the time, and took advantage of an existing containment area in the form of the upper Grand Coulee Canyon .
Coulee Dam Historical Walking Tour
Phone: 509-633-3074 or 800-268-5332
Email: info@grandcouleedam.org
Web: http://www.grandcouleedam.org
The town of Coulee Dam boasts a history rich in stories of the building of the mighty Grand Coulee Dam. From the well planned Engineer's Town to an entire section of Mason City that was moved to make way for the construction of the third powerhouse, Coulee Dam holds a vast treasure of information just waiting to be explored. Start at the Dam's Visitor Arrival Center and follow the signs. Pictorial signs on the bridge and walking museum.
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Golf
With our abundance of sunshine, golfing is available almost year-round. There are a variety of fine courses here designed for players of every skill level.
Banks Lake Golf & Country Club
Hwy 155
Electric City, WA 99123
Phone: 509-633-0163
9 hole public golf course, (soon to be 18) Golf Clubhouse. Enjoy golf surrounded by beautiful shores of Banks Lake and colorful coulee basalt rock walls.
Crescent Bar Golf Course
8894 Crescent Bar RD, NW Suite 1
Quincy , WA 98848
Phone: (509)787-1511
Located 7 miles west of Quincy off HWY 28.
From the time the sun breaks over the basalt cliffs to the East until it sets over the foothills to the West, Crescent Bar Golf Course offers a challenge to every level of golfer. Located on an island in the Columbia River , the 9 hole, par 35 is open year round for public play. A practice putting green and 200 yard 'irons only' driving range is available to hone your skills, along with a full service pro-shop which is open during the summer months. Tee times are required during the summer months, and cart rental is available.
Desert Aire Golf Course
505 Clubhouse Way W.
Desert Aire , Washington 99349
Phone: (509)932-4439
Type of Course: Public
Number of holes: 18
Season: Year Round
Pro-Shop: Opens at 600
Year Built: 1972
Designer(s): Jim Crous
Type of Greens: Bent Grass
Water Hazards: No
Highlander Greens Golf & Practice Centre
1475 E. Nelson Road
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Phone: (509) 766-1228
Nine hole par three course is open to the public. Facility also features a driving range with token dispensed buckets of balls for easy use.
Moses Lake Golf & Country Club
1181 Road F.2 NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Phone: (509) 765-5049
Course Record: 63
Large, well bunkered greens putt well. Course is easily seen from Interstate 90. Easy walking this lush course in on arid land.
Moses Pointe Golf Resort
4524 Westshore Drive
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Phone: (509) 764-2275
Web: http://www.mosespointe.com/htm/links.htm
Potholes Golf Course
6897 Highway 262 E.
Othello , WA 99344
Phone: 509.346.2447 or 509.346.9491
9-Hole Course, Pro Shop, Driving Range, Club & Cart Rentals
Quincy Golf & RV
17056 Rd 5 NW
Quincy , WA 98848
Phone: (509)787-3244
Email: www.quincygolfclub.com
18 holes, cart & club rentals available.Desert Mile Bar & Grill, Stay & Play packages. RV sites on course.
Royal Golf Course
13702 Dodson Road
Royal City , WA
Phone: 509.346.2052
9-Hole Course, Snack Bar, Clubhouse, Putting Green, Cart Rentals & Driving Range
Sage Hills Golf Club
10400 Sage Hill Road S.E.
Warden , WA
Phone: 509.349.2603
Email: www.sagehills.com
18-Hole Course, Club House, Open to Public
Sand Dunes/ORV Park
Potatoe Hill Road (follow Division South)
Moses Lake, WA
Web: http://www.co.grant.wa.us/sheriff/SandDunes.pdf
The Grant County ORV area, one of the largest in the region, is located just four miles outside Moses Lake city limits in the sand dunes. Drive south on Division Street or take exit 174 off of I-90 and follow signs south. Rustic (no developed facilities) camping is permitted. The sand dunes are is located on the southern tip of Moses Lake with rolling sand dunes and great fishing and water skiing opportunities available!
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Boating & Water Sports
Grant County is the perfect place for boating and water based recreation. There is plenty of water and access has never been more available. Come see why our visitors keep coming back for more!
Crescent Bar Resort
8894 Crescent Bar RD, NW Suite 1
Quincy , WA
Phone: (509)787-1511
Located 7 miles west of Quincy off HWY 28, Crescent Bar Resort is a full service resort offering over 300 days of sunshine each year. Located on an island in the Columbia River , the inviting setting provides recreation for the entire family. Whether you are spending a week camping at the sixty site campground, launching your boat to enjoy water sports on the river, golfing at the nine hole par 35 golf course, or enjoying a meal at the restaurant, Crescent Bar Resort is sure to offer you a relaxing getaway. Other amenities on the island include a full service pro shop, tennis courts, an espresso and ice cream shop, a swimsuit boutique, and a convenient store. Reservations are required for the campground, and tee times are necessary during the summer months at the golf course.
Banks Lake
over 27,000 acres of warm water fisheries from Electric City to Coulee City , aligned with basalt-rock coulees. Steamboat Rock State Park is its centerpiece.
Lake Roosevelt
Romantic 151 miles all the way to Canada . Boat launches are located at Crescent Bay and Spring Canyon . Rent a houseboat and vacation in luxury.
Connelly Park :
This attended park is located off Highway 17 West of the Moses Lake Airport where you will find an oasis in beautiful Connelly Park , managed by Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District. Fishermen are greeted by the Park Foreman in the early dawn hours and employee hospitality is highly rated. Boaters have unrestricted access to the boat launch and dock system. Individuals and families enjoy the relaxing friendly atmosphere, and visit to shed the stress of the day or gather with friends. Approximately 30,000 people enjoy the park each season from April through October. Areas of the park can be reserved for special occasions by calling the District office. Watch local ads for the hydroplane races that take place at least two times each year. Parking is abundant on both ends of the park. We invite you to enjoy one of Grant Counties best kept secrets.
Moses Lake
Phone : 1-800-992-6234
Email: information@moseslake.com
Web: http://www.moses-lake.com
Location of one of the state's largest natural fresh water lakes ( featuring over 120 miles of shoreline ), plus numerous parks and campgrounds, we're an outdoor recreational oasis! In addition to the natural beauty of the Columbia Basin , Moses Lake has many convenient, quality visitor attractions and facilities.
Fishing
With over 247,000 surfaces acres of water on or near Moses Lake , fishing is a favorite activity. Please refer to the state fishing regulations for specific requirements. Many local lakes (including Moses Lake ) are open for year-round fishing. Local waters offer walleye, trout, bass, perch, crappie, catfish, and more.
Thanks to the valiant efforts of the Central Washington Fish Advisory Committee (CWFAC), big things are happening in our own Grant County waterways. This non-profit volunteer driven group is actively building and placing 4' x 4' x 8' artificial habitat boxes to essentially create vast reefs of new fish habitat within our waters. Check out their website for the latest and greatest information about current efforts at: www.cwfac.org
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Especially for Kids:
Ephrata Splash Zone
780 A St S.E.
Ephrata, WA
Phone: 509-754-3456
Community pool, zero depth beach area, water slide, pre school frog slide, 2 One meter diving boards, full service concession stand, handicap accessibility, large deck and picnic area, sand play area, lap swim hours, swim lessons, aqua-cise.
Moses Lake Family Aquatic Center
McCosh Park - Dogwood Street & 4th Avenue
Moses Lake, WA
Phone: 509.766.9246 or 509.766.9240
Web: http://mlrec.com/aquatic_center.html
Two 200' water slides, zero depth beach & bay area, Olympic sized competitive tank, treasure island play-structure, sand volleyball courts, wet sand playground, on-site concessions, picnic pavillion. Daily admission: Adults $4., Youth $3. Open mid-May through Labor Day.
Family Fun in the Sun! Only in Moses Lake will you find Washington State 's premier outdoor aquatic center. This family-oriented facility offers many activities and is designed for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Located in Central Washington , the weather is warm and the sun shines almost every day. Surf 'n Slide Water Park is ideal for vacationers, serious and recreational swimmers, and especially families. Admission fees are very reasonable. Surf 'n Slide Water Park is located close to area hotels, downtown shopping and the sparkling waters of Moses Lake .
Quincy Aquatic Center
Quincy , WA 98848
Phone: 509.787-3523
Web: http://www.quincywashington.us/pool.html
Quincy Aquatic Center provides a fun, safe opportunity for summer recreation. It's central location with ample parking provides easy access by car, bike or foot. The zero depth entry provides a swim/play area for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, parents, grandparents, and seniors as well as meeting ADA requirements. Swim lessons teach vital life skills to children and adults and area youth develop their job skills through summer employment. The grass picnic area is a great place for family picnics and reunions. Quincy Aquatic Center was achieved through many volunteer hours, donations, fundraising and an IAC Grant. Close to other recreational amenities, the Pool offers family, friends, and visitors a great place to congregate and socialize.
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