Grand Coulee Dam
Coulee Dam, WA
The largest hydroelectric dam in the United States, holding back Lake Roosevelt on the Columbia River. The visitor center tells the story of the dam and the Ice Age floods; parking is free.
Grand Coulee Dam is a dam on the Columbia River in Washington State, at the town of Coulee Dam. The concrete structure is about 5,200 feet (roughly 1,590 meters) long and 550 feet (about 168 meters) high; sources give 5,223 or 5,228 feet. It holds back Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, or Lake Roosevelt, which stretches about 150 miles (roughly 240 kilometers) upstream.
Construction began in 1933, and in 1941 the first large generator produced power. The Third Power Plant was built starting in 1967; its first generator came online in 1975 and the sixth and last in 1980. Together the six units deliver more than 3.9 million kilowatts. The visitor center tells the story of the project through film, photos and interactive exhibits. According to Lonely Planet there are free tours with a glass elevator that drops 465 feet (about 142 meters) into the Third Power Plant; Wikipedia, however, notes the glass elevator is out of service.
On July 4 there is a large fireworks show from the dam. Tour and opening times change often; please check in advance (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Coulee Dam, WA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.9577, -118.9829
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Spring Canyon CampgroundCampsite3 mi from Grand Coulee Dam · 78 pitches
- Coulee PlaylandCampsite3 mi from Grand Coulee Dam
- Sunbanks Lake ResortCampsite4 mi from Grand Coulee Dam
- Steamboat Rock State Park CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Grand Coulee DamTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Barker Canyon Camping AreaCampsite10 mi from Grand Coulee DamTentsCaravansToilets
- Keller Ferry CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Grand Coulee DamTentsCaravans
All campsites in Washington · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Grand Coulee Dam?
Grand Coulee Dam is in Coulee Dam, WA, at GPS 47.9577, -118.9829. It is about 40 mi from Omak.
Can you camp near Grand Coulee Dam?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Grand Coulee RV Park, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 26 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Grand Coulee Dam?
Grand Coulee Dam is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Coulee Corridor: Grand Coulee Dam to Dry Falls and Waves of wheat, Ice Age falls and basalt canyons – by camper through eastern Washington from Spokane to Lake Chelan.
What is there to see near Grand Coulee Dam?
Places worth a stop nearby: Steamboat Rock State Park (9 mi), Dry Falls (30 mi), Lake Lenore Caves (40 mi) and Leavenworth (82 mi).
When is the best time to visit Grand Coulee Dam?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)