📷 Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domainLake Lenore Caves
Soap Lake, WA
Shallow rock shelters in a basalt coulee wall, used by prehistoric hunters. A short but rocky trail with stairs climbs from a small lot off SR-17 above Lake Lenore; bring water in summer.
The Lake Lenore Caves are a group of shallow rock shelters in the basalt wall of the Grand Coulee near Soap Lake, Washington, above Lenore Lake. According to the Washington Trails Association, the trail is about 1.5 miles (roughly 2.4 kilometers) round trip with about 200 feet (around 60 meters) of climbing, and it is rated easy.
The caves were formed by the Missoula Floods, when the water tore basalt blocks out of the coulee walls. From the parking lot, a rock staircase with a handrail leads to a fork; the right (south) branch is well kept and passes seven caves of various sizes, most of which do not need a headlamp. A short side path leads to the largest cave, which offers shade for a break. The area has about 12,000 years of history, early people used the caves as shelter, and the site is still sacred to Native Americans.
Tips: the gravel parking lot holds about 10 cars; a Discover Pass is required. Watch for rattlesnakes and avoid the overgrown north branch.
- Nearest town
- Soap Lake, WA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.4935, -119.4970
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 April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Smokiam RV ResortMotorhome stopover5 mi from Lake Lenore CavesMotorhomes
- Coulee Lodge ResortMotorhome stopover6 mi from Lake Lenore CavesTentsMotorhomes
- Sun Village ResortMotorhome stopover7 mi from Lake Lenore CavesMotorhomes
- Sun Lakes - Dry Falls State Park Bretz CampgroundCampsite9 mi from Lake Lenore CavesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Jack's ResortMotorhome stopover13 mi from Lake Lenore CavesMotorhomes
- Jameson Lake CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Lake Lenore CavesTentsCaravansToilets
All campsites in Washington · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Lake Lenore Caves?
Lake Lenore Caves is in Soap Lake, WA, at GPS 47.4935, -119.4970. It is about 34 mi from Chelan.
Can you camp near Lake Lenore Caves?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Blue Lake Resort, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 14 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Lake Lenore Caves?
Lake Lenore Caves is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Coulee Corridor: Grand Coulee Dam to Dry Falls.
What is there to see near Lake Lenore Caves?
Places worth a stop nearby: Dry Falls (10 mi), Steamboat Rock State Park (31 mi), Grand Coulee Dam (40 mi) and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park (44 mi).
When is the best time to visit Lake Lenore Caves?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)