Lake Roosevelt

Located behind the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest concrete structure in North America, Lake Roosevelt is over 130 miles of recreation, relaxation, and beauty. There are plenty of boat ramps all along the lake, see the National Park Service's web site for a map showing ramp locations, elevations, as well as the daily lake depth. Be sure to stop by a park gift shop, or one of the marinas to pick up charts for the lake. Though you can't get lost, there are some hidden rocks and sandbars, and not all of them are very well marked.

	The Grand Coulee Dam is a must see attraction. There is a laser show, nightly - displayed on the dam itself against a backdrop of spilling water - about the Columbia River. No moorage is available, though that little bay across the water in this picture seemed to be a good place to anchor (we did), and row to shore. Plan on a 2 mile hike down to the visitor center and viewing area.
There is great camping all along both sides of the lakeshore. Primarily, one side of the lake is run by the National Park Service, and the other by the Colville Confederated Tribes. Be sure to know the regulations on both sides of the lake. Campfires were not allowed on the Colville side of the lake when we were there, but were allowed in the fire grates in the NPS campsites. And they both have helicopters and boats that will catch you if you try. (And no, he's not a skinhead. But the "Park Police" sure thought he was, and harassed him because of it, too. He left his two week vacation after four days.)
	Vistas like this make for plenty of wildlife viewing along the lake shores. Unfortunately, when we did see wildlife, I wasn't quick enough of thought to come up with the camera.
Kids have plenty of fun. Pollywogs were quite plentiful in the shallows, as well as tiny fish. The kids played for hours trying to catch them. Many of the beaches are sandy and all of them were clean. Great for sunbathing or making sand castles.
	After feeling particularly uncomfortable with the "Park Nazis" (as the residents of Davenport called them) around Fort Spokane, we headed 100 miles up the lake and found this cute little campground on Summer Island. Deer were roaming all around it, and we even saw an elk in the marshes on one side. In exploring the island, my son and I disturbed a gaggle of canadian geese, which took off in a flurry of feathers, honking their discontent at being disturbed.
Hawk creek canyon is surprisingly deep. There's a small drive in campground here too, so it's usually full. One of the nice things about this lake, though, is that with over 300 miles of shoreline, if a campground is full, and you need one, there's bound to be an open site somewhere along the lake.
I've got many many more photos, all of which I wish I could post here, but I'm afraid that would probably put you to sleep just waiting for the download. Lake Roosevelt's a beautiful place, and there's plenty of secluded places to just relax. Do be wary of the "Park Police" near Fort Spokane. They're wearing NPS Ranger uniforms, but they're not what we all know as Park Rangers. They have an attitude of superiority. I will write up the details of why I make this statement in the logs, but after reading them, I'm sure you will agree. Luckily for one of the more harassing officers, my friend is more forgiving than I am. I would have sued. The rest of the Park Rangers up and down the lake, know their reputation, and are dismayed that they have to wear the same uniform. Just be wary. The actual Park Rangers are quite helpful and friendly.