Visit Us
Relax, play, and explore
We have recreation sites with grassy areas, great beaches, walking and biking trails, and play equipment for a fun family afternoon. Want to camp overnight? Our campgrounds offer both park-like settings and rustic, back-to-nature surroundings. We have several boat launches up and down the river where you can launch your watercraft for free. We also have two great centers for education - the Grant PUD Visitor Center and the Wanapum Heritage Center. Click here for printable recreation-site map.
Contact Lands and Recreation:
Call 509-754-5085 (Monday through Friday / 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or email lands@gcpud.org.
Apricot Orchard Boat Launch 
.png "Boat launch & parking (free)")
This area has a single-lane boat launch, ADA transfer platform, parking area, ADA paths/access, sing …
Apricot Orchard Boat Launch
This area has a single-lane boat launch, ADA transfer platform, parking area, ADA paths/access, single vault toilet and informational kiosk. Sandy beaches are popular along the shoreline. Waterfowl hunting is a common fall and winter activity.
Amenities
- Boat launch & parking (free)
- Hand launch
- Information
- Restrooms
- Wheelchair accessible
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Buckshot Recreation & Wildlife Area 
This area is managed in cooperation with WDFW. A small boat launch accesses the Priest Rapids Pool. …
Buckshot Recreation & Wildlife Area
This area is managed in cooperation with WDFW. A small boat launch accesses the Priest Rapids Pool. There is an ADA hunting blind, gravel trail, single vault toilet. Dispersed camping is limited to three consecutive days. Discover Pass is required.
Amenities
- Boat launch & parking (free)
- Information
- Restrooms
- Wheelchair accessible
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Burkett Lake Recreation Area 
This is a dispersed recreation area. Shoreline fishing is popular. There is a day-use picnic shelter …
Burkett Lake Recreation Area
This is a dispersed recreation area. Shoreline fishing is popular. There is a day-use picnic shelter, an ADA fishing pier, walking path, interpretive signage and two vault toilets. Parking is limited. Non-motorized boating is allowed.
Amenities
- Hand launch
- Information
- Picnic Area
- Restrooms
- Sheltered picnic area
- Wheelchair accessible
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Crescent Bar Recreation Area 
The Crescent Bar Recreation Area features two boat launches one on Crescent Bar Island at Riverbend …
Crescent Bar Recreation Area
The Crescent Bar Recreation Area features two boat launches one on Crescent Bar Island at Riverbend Park and one off the island at Chinook Park. There are also 55 reserved RV campsites, playground equipment, picnic shelters, a walking path and nine-hole golf course all open to the public.
Make campsite or picnic shelter reservations and more on the Crescent Bar Recreation Area page.
See the multi-year transformation of the recreation site in this time-lapse video.
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Frenchman Coulee Recreation Area .png "Boat launch & parking (Discover Pass Required)")
This area is popular for beach goers and fishermen. Amenities include boat launch ramp, ADA boarding …
Frenchman Coulee Recreation Area
This area is popular for beach goers and fishermen. Amenities include boat launch ramp, ADA boarding float, single vault toilet, picnic tables and one-mile trail. Discover Pass is required
Amenities
- Boat launch & parking
- Information
- Picnic Area
- Restrooms
- Sheltered picnic area
- Wheelchair accessible
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Grant PUD Visitor Center
The Grant PUD Visitor Center is located near Wanapum Dam about seven miles south of Vantage off High …
Grant PUD Visitor Center
The Grant PUD Visitor Center is located near Wanapum Dam about seven miles south of Vantage off Highway 243. The center has many interactive features with free family fun and learning about how Grant PUD operates its dams on the Columbia River, as well as information about the region and its history. Free admission.
Hours are M-F from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m (Oct. - April) and open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week (May - Sept.). For information or to arrange for a large-group visit, please call our Grant PUD Visitor Center number at (509) 793-1501.
This picnic area has shaded tables and an irrigated lawn. The Wanapum Dam and fish bypass can be viewed from this location.
To Schedule School Tours Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Amenities
- Information
- Potable water
- Restrooms
- Wheelchair accessible
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Huntzinger Boat Launch
This single-lane boat launch has an ADA accessible dock and vault toilets. It provides access to the …
Huntzinger Fishing Pier
This popular, ADA accessible fishing site on the Wanapum Pool was used as a barge landing during the …
Jackson Creek Fish Camp
NOTICE: Price has changed to $15 per night. This popular site located on the upper Hanford Reach, ju …
Jackson Creek Fish Camp
NOTICE: Price has changed to $15 per night. This popular site located on the upper Hanford Reach, just below Priest Rapids Dam, provides camping and fishing opportunities along the Columbia River with shoreline access. This campground does not take reservations, but can be accessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Amenities
- Campground
- Day-use area
- Picnic shelter
- ADA pedestrian access route to river
- No-fee parking
- Interpretation and education signs
- ADA vault toilets
Campground
- 10 basic campsites (no water/sewer/electric connections)
- Trailers are permitted if they fit within campsite parking spot (maximum 40 ft)
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- ADA vault toilets
- No potable water
- First-come, first- served
- Fee: $15 per night (includes tax), checks or cash only
Hours
Day Use
- Open year-round dawn to dusk
Campground
- Open year-round
- Quiet hours: 10 pm - 7 am
- Check-in time: 3 pm
- Check-out time: 1 pm
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Lower Wanapum Boat Launch
One-lane launch accesses Priest Rapids pool. Launch can accommodate small to medium recreational boa …
Priest Rapids Recreation Area
Located on the beautiful Columbia River in Grant County, the Priest Rapids Recreation Area is adjace …
Priest Rapids Recreation Area
Located on the beautiful Columbia River in Grant County, the Priest Rapids Recreation Area is adjacent to the community of Desert Aire. The main site amenities include a campground, boat launch, day-use area with designated swim area, and shoreline trail.
View the campsite map
Amenities
- Campground
- 3-lane boat launch with ADA boarding floats
- No-fee parking
- Day-use area
- Picnic shelters and grills
- Designated swimming area
- 3.1 mile shoreline trail
- Interpretation and education signs
- Hand- boat launch availability
- Fish-cleaning table
- ADA vault toilets
Campground
- 14 basic campsites (no water/sewer/electric connections)
- Trailers allowed (for restrictions see site descriptions and pictures here)
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- Irrigated turf
- Potable water
- ADA vault toilet
- Fee: $20 per night (includes tax)
- Checks or cash only for drop-in camping fees
Online Reservations
The reservation system opens on Jan. 15. Reservations can be made for stays between April 15 - Sept. 30 of the current year. Reservations are NOT accepted Oct. 1 - April 14 and all sites are available on a first-come, first- served basis.
Make your online reservation here. All reservations need to be completed 48 hours in advance of your stay.
RESERVATIONS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Hours
Day Use and Boat Launch
- Open year-round dawn to dusk
Campground
- Open year-round
- Quiet hours: 10 pm - 7 am
- Check-in time: 3 pm
- Check-out time: 1 pm
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Rattlesnake Cove Recreation Area
This site is located south of the Sunland Estates shoreline community. Amenities include: picnic are …
Rattlesnake Cove Recreation Area
This site is located south of the Sunland Estates shoreline community. Amenities include: picnic area, parking area, double vault toilet, swim beach area with barrier protection, and interpretive display.
Amenities
- Information
- Picnic area
- Restrooms
- Wheelchair accessible
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Rocky Coulee Recreation Area
NOTICE: Price has changed to $15 per night. This remote area, located less than two miles north of V …
Rocky Coulee Recreation Area
NOTICE: Price has changed to $15 per night. This remote area, located less than two miles north of Vantage, offers water access including a hand launch for small watercraft, day-use picnic areas, and dispersed walk-in camping. This campground does not take reservations, but can be accessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Amenities
- Campground
- Day-use areas
- Picnic shelters and grills
- Hand-boat launch
- Primitive trail
- No-fee parking
- Interpretation and education signs
- ADA vault toilets
Campground
- 10 basic campsites (no water/sewer/electric connections)
- Walk-in tent sites
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- ADA vault toilets
- No potable water
- First-come, first- served
- Fee: $15 per night (includes tax), checks or cash only
Hours
Day Use
- Open year-round dawn to dusk
Campground
- Open year-round
- Quiet hours: 10 pm - 7 am
- Check-in time: 3 pm
- Check-out time: 1 pm
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Sand Hollow Recreation Area
Popular for its sandy beaches and warm summer weather, Sand Hollow Recreation Area is located less …
Sand Hollow Recreation Area
Popular for its sandy beaches and warm summer weather, Sand Hollow Recreation Area is located less than two miles south of I-90 on the east side of the Columbia River. It features a campground, multiple days-use areas, a designated swimming area, and an abundance of shoreline access.
Amenities
- Campground
- Day-use area
- Picnic shelters and grills
- Designated swimming area
- No-fee parking
- Interpretation and education signs
- ADA vault toilets
Campground
- 40 basic campsites (no water/sewer/electric connections)
- Tents preferred (site pictures and descriptions here)
- Small trailers (less than 20 ft) are permitted if they fit within campsite parking spot
- Picnic tables
- Fire rings
- ADA vault toilets
- No potable water
- Fee: $20 per night (includes tax)
- Checks or cash only for drop-in camping fees
Online Reservations
The reservation system opens on Jan. 15. Reservation can be made for stays between April 15 - Sept. 30 of the current year. Reservations are NOT accepted Oct. 1 - April 14, and all sites are available on a first-come, first- served basis.
Make your online reservation here. All reservations need to be completed 48 hours in advance of your stay.
RESERVATIONS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Hours
Day Use
- Open year-round dawn to dusk
Campground
- Open year-round
- Quiet hours: 10 pm - 7 am
- Check-in time: 3 pm
- Check-out time: 1 pm
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The Cove Recreation Area
A large, shaded lawn area is available for day-use activities including BBQ grill and picnic tables. …
Vantage Boat Launch & Recreation Area
The Vantage Recreation area includes a popular boat launch located on the west side of the Columbia …
Vantage Boat Launch & Recreation Area
The Vantage Recreation area includes a popular boat launch located on the west side of the Columbia River, alongside Interstate-90. Amenities include: two-lane boat launch, ADA boarding float, picnic tables, restrooms and potable water.
Amenities
- Boat launch & parking (free)
- Picnic area
- Potable water
- Restrooms
- Sheltered picnic area
- Wheelchair accessible
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Wanapum Dam Overlook
This scenic vista showcases views of the Wanapum Dam and Sentinel Gap. Information about the Ice Age …
Wanapum Dam Turbine Park
This picnic area has shaded tables and an irrigated lawn. The Wanapum Dam and fish bypass can be vie …
Wanapum Dam Turbine Park
This picnic area has shaded tables and an irrigated lawn. The Wanapum Dam and fish bypass can be viewed from this location. Other features include interpretive signage/kiosks and trail, restroom, turbine interpretive element and a parking area.
Amenities
- Information
- Picnic area
- Potable water
- Restrooms
- Sheltered picnic area
- Wheelchair accessible
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Wanapum Dam Upper Boat Launch
Single-lane launch with ADA boarding float is located above Wanapum Dam. Launch was recently extende …
Wanapum Heritage Center
The Wanapum Heritage Center offers a look at the culture and values of the Wanapum band of Native Am …
Wanapum Heritage Center
The Wanapum Heritage Center offers a look at the culture and values of the Wanapum band of Native Americans of Priest Rapids. The center includes artifacts, displays, information and presentations depicting the heritage of the Wanapum. Admission is free.
Hours are Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Amenities
- Information
- Potable water
- Restrooms
- Sheltered picnic area
- Wheelchair accessible
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Things to consider before you go out
River Levels
River levels can fluctuate without notice, exposing hazards and also leaving beached boats high and dry. You can check river levels at each individual site with a boat launch above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight parking is limited to campground sites.
Grant PUD only allows campfires during the county burn ban at Crescent Bar and Priest Rapids Recreation Area campgrounds within the fire rings at each site and at the Sand Hollow day-use area in the grills provided. Portable propane grills and propane fire pits are always allowed within Grant PUD Parks.
Permanent buoys along the shoreline are not allowed without written permission. Temporary buoys are allowed but must be removed when the watercraft is not present. Grant PUD will remove all unattended buoys without notice.
Fluctuating water levels should be considered when temporarily mooring a vessel.
Camping outside of developed camping areas requires written permission from Grant PUD.
Hunting is allowed on Grant PUD lands within certain land use classification. Hunting is allowed within the Resource Management and Project Facilities classifications unless access is prohibited. Hunting within the Public Recreation Development classification is prohibited except for at the Buckshot Recreation Area hunting blind. Land use classifications can be found in the Shoreline Management Plan.
Commercial Vendor Opportunities
Please Note: Acrobat Reader is required to read Portable Document Format (PDF) files. Download it for free on the Adobe website.
Apricot Orchard
This area has a boat launch, ADA transfer platform, parking area, ADA paths/access, single vault toilet and informational kiosk. Sandy beaches are popular along the shoreline. Waterfowl hunting is a common fall and winter activity.
websiteurl.com- Closed for Season
- Pass Required
Amenities
- Single-lane boat launch
- Interpretive displays
- Single vault toilet
- Gravel parking area
- Trash receptacles
- Kiosks with interpretive/educational materials
- Accessible routes to all facilities
- Gravel roadway within project boundary
