Overview
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is in the Columbia River Plateau of Washington State. Dry Falls is a stark cliff measuring 400 ft and 3.5 mi wide. It was the site of a waterfall formed during the Missoula Floods which was ten times the size of Niagara Falls. The cliff overlooks a desert oasis filled with lakes and abundant wildlife.
4 sights · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
Dry Falls
A canyon where the Missoula Flood waters once dropped over 400 ft at the end of the last ice age. The waterfall was four times the size of Niagara Falls, and carried more water by volume than all the rivers of the world …
Sun Lakes
This is the main lake (called "Park Lake") just south of the Dry Falls overlook. If you don't have time for its recreational activities, the view from the highway is better than driving down to the lake shore.
Blue Lake Entrance
At the south end of the park, this road first runs along the north end of Blue Lake (which is not part of the state park). It then goes to the far side of Park Lake and runs north, eventually merging with the main entran…
Umatilla Rock
A large basalt rock which resisted being eroded by the Great Floods.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Leavenworth)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EAT Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee — 42 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 85 mi away (major hub). Directions
State Route 17 (WA-17) runs through a large portion of the park, and there are multiple entrances.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Dry Falls, Umatilla Rock
- Afternoon Sun Lakes, Blue Lake Entrance
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The state park covers 3,774 acres acres at the head of the Lower Grand Coulee.
Geology
Nearly twenty thousand years ago, as glaciers moved south through North America, ice sheets dammed the Columbia River and its tributaries, forming Glacial Lake Columbia and the gigantic Lake Missoula. Eventually, water in Lake Missoula rose high enough to float the ice dam until it gave way, and a portion of this cataclysmic flood spilled into Glacial Lake Columbia, and then down the Grand Coulee at 65 mph. This process likely happened dozens of times.
These sudden floods put parts of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon under hundreds of feet of water in just a few days. These extraordinary floods greatly enlarged the Grand Coulee and Dry Falls in a short period. The large plunge pools at the base of Dry Falls were created by these floods. Once the ice sheets melted, the Columbia River returned to its current course, leaving the Grand Coulee and the falls dry.
Nearby lakes include Dry Falls, Perch, Red Alkali, Green Alkali, and Meadow.
Visitor information
Get in
State Route 17 (WA-17) runs through a large portion of the park, and there are multiple entrances.
The park is just south of US Highway 2 (US-2), which runs across the state from Everett to Newport (near Spokane). The turnoff to WA-17 South is just west of Coulee City.
- From Grand Coulee, take WA-155 south, and turn right onto US-2 West. In 4 mi on the other side of Coulee City, turn left onto WA-17.
- From the Seattle area, get on US-2 from either WA-522 or I-5 exit #194 in Everett.
Fees and permits
There are no fees or restrictions to drive along WA-17, or to access the Visitor Center along the highway.
A Washington State Discover Pass is required for all private vehicles entering the park. The Discover Pass is $10 a day, or $30 a year. You can purchase a Discover Pass at the park. You can also order online, buy from an outdoors retailer, or pick up from a kiosk at the entrance to many other popular state parks.
See
See Dry Falls
A canyon where the Missoula Flood waters once dropped over 400 ft at the end of the last ice age. The waterfall was four times the size of Niagara Falls, and carried more water by volume than all the rivers of the world combined. An interpretive center is on the south side of the parking lot, though there are informational signs and displays throughout the parking areas as well.
- The overlook at Dry Falls gives a spectacular view on a clear day. One small section that can only hold a few people is so close to the edge, it may make you dizzy. There are railings throughout the area, though small children must be closely watched and supervised.
See Sun Lakes
This is the main lake (called "Park Lake") just south of the Dry Falls overlook. If you don't have time for its recreational activities, the view from the highway is better than driving down to the lake shore.
See Blue Lake Entrance
At the south end of the park, this road first runs along the north end of Blue Lake (which is not part of the state park). It then goes to the far side of Park Lake and runs north, eventually merging with the main entrance. It allows for a close up look at the 400 ft cliffs. Caution: This road is normally barricaded just a quarter mile north of the Sun Village resort. You cannot enter the park from here, nor exit onto WA-17 coming from the park. You can drive up to the barricade on either side, but not cross (to prevent thru traffic).
Do
Sun Lakes Resort is an RV park and a golf course next to the lake. Tent camping and privately-owned cabin rentals are also available. Powerboats (5 mph max) can be rented or brought in by trailer. (Use caution on the steep downhill roadway.)
Bicycling is very popular at the park. There's a 2.6 mi loop trail around Umatilla Rock.
Sleep
Go next
- Grand Coulee Dam
- Lake Lenore Caves State Park, about 11 mi south of the Sun Lakes entrance.
Nearby
Coulee City
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
Soap Lake
City / town · 1 listings · 16 mi away
Ephrata
City / town · 5 listings · 21 mi away
Grand Coulee
City / town · 8 listings · 29 mi away
Bridgeport
City / town · 3 listings · 32 mi away
Moses Lake
City / town · 12 listings · 33 mi away
Waterville
City / town · 4 listings · 33 mi away
Chelan
City / town · 14 listings · 35 mi away
My experience
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