Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway

State: Washington
Length: 150 miles / 241.1 km
Time to Allow: This byway can be driven in about 4 hours

Drive the 150 mile Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway in about four hours to discover Ice Age floods and reservoirs deep in valleys. If you are looking for unique landscapes centered on water and rocks, then it’s time to visit this geologist’s haven. The byway sits in the north-central part of Washington between Seattle and Spokane. Close by, you can head to Mount Rainer National Park or the Yakama Indian Reservation. It’s a great location for those coming from Oregon or Idaho or if you plan to drive to Canada.

Beginning in the north, start in the town of Omak with a day of skiing at the Loup Loup Ski Bowl. Try out luge, nordic, or regular skiing at a couple of different mountains in the area. A few local lodging options allow you to stay nearby, or you can stay at the 12 Tribes Resort and Casino for a little gambling after a rigorous day on the slopes. Fans of golfing can check out two golf courses or try an adventure at the North Cascade Smokejumper Base.

Follow the Okanogan River to the east near Omak Lake on one side and Moses Mountain on the other side. Head toward Nespelem and south to visit the Colville Tribal Museum, right where the Columbia River and Banks Lake collide. It’s home to the Grand Coulee Dam, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, and the Steamboat Rock State Park. Check out the Dry Falls nearby for a unique waterfall ready to impress. Find several lodging options nearby, like the Inn at Gamble Sands right by the water.

Find camping options at the Steamboat Rock State Park with showers, a store, a boat launch, group camping, and even a trailer jump. The park offers several activities, including horseback riding, fishing, biking, waterskiing, and wildlife viewing. The Dry Falls Visitor Center offers one of the greatest geological wonders in the country carved by the ice age floods leaving behind a stark cliff and waterfall.

Next on the trail is Soap Lake, where Crab Creek and Moses Lake merge next to the town with the matching name. Several parks and bodies of water make this a great location for a visit. After visiting the Moses Lake Museum and Art and have a meal at Michael’s Market and Bistro. Blue Heron Park is the perfect sandy beach for a day on the water with the family. They offer clean restrooms, picnic tables, and lots of trees for shade.

The Potholes Reservoir sits nearby, as does the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge as you move down to the final town of Othello. The National Wildlife Refuge offers sanctuary to animals and allows visitor to see their home. From rodents to coyotes and more, the area offers nature on a large scale. Inside the refuge, you can take an auto tour, try canoe on the lake, fish, hike, hunt, or photograph the animals. Expect to see dramatic landscapes and enjoy a local adventure, ready to end the trip perfectly.

More Washington Byways

You can check out additional Byways in Washington by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Washington Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.