This Washington State Park Has a Charming Town Right Next Door — and Nobody Talks About It

With dozens of state parks in Washington, there are diverse destinations in every corner to explore, from parks full of coastal landscapes and historic lighthouses to those with unique rock formations and basalt cliffs. Steamboat Rock State Park in eastern Washington is one of the latter, home to a massive butte that towers over Banks Lake. And while there are many reasons to visit this unique Washington park, you can’t overlook Electric City, a small town near Steamboat Rock State Park.

Why This Town is the Perfect Base for Steamboat Rock State Park

Steamboat Rock is one of the most popular state parks in eastern Washington. This unique destination draws in individuals from all over with its unique geology and scenery. Here, you’ll be mesmerized by the breathtaking 800-foot basalt butte that stands tall over Banks Lake, and countless activities, like fishing, paddling, and boating, that will fill your day of outdoor adventures. Hiking and camping are extremely popular in the summer months, while the winter brings activities like ice fishing and ice climbing.

With so much to do and see in this Washington park, it’s easy to spend multiple days exploring all it has to offer. However, there are no nearby major cities aside from a few towns like Grand Coulee and Coulee City that are just a short drive away. Luckily, Electric City is right next door and one of our favorite hidden gem towns in Washington.

Electric City is small—approximately 1,000 residents live within its borders. Inside town, there are only a handful of shops and restaurants, but it’s the type of place where the community will make you feel welcome the minute you arrive. The town was established in 1934 as a camp for the hundreds of construction workers and their families building the Grand Coulee Dam. Its history is quite fascinating, as many of the buildings throughout Electric City were actually relocated from the town of Osborn, which was flooded by the Grand Coulee Dam in the 1940s. Fun fact: the town of Osborn is permanently submerged and known as Osborn Bay in Steamboat Rocks State Park today.

What to do in Electric City

Steamboat Rocks State Park is the main attraction in Electric City, Washington. However, you can always make the short drive to see Grand Coulee Dam in person, or you can drive south for approximately 30 miles to witness Dry Falls, a 400-foot-tall waterfall that was once believed to be the largest waterfall on Earth during the Ice Age.

Electric City itself is also an outdoor playground as it sits along the shore of Bank Lake, where you can paddle, boat, fish, and swim. Northrup Canyon is just a short drive away, home to a beautiful canyon filled with hiking trails and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities, like bald eagle sightings in the winter months.

If you want to stay closer to town, there are some unique, hidden gem attractions that I love to recommend to travelers, like the Gehrke Windmill Garden. This one-of-a-kind garden features more than 100 colorful and creative windmills that are especially impressive on windy days. Coulee Playland, in Electric City, is a terrific place to stay. Not only are there typical campsites, yurts, and glamping options, but you can also find boat rentals, a bait shop, walking paths, and more. 

What to Know Before You Go

Electric City is most popular during the summer months as the outdoor activities are extensive and there is plenty to do and see in the nearby state parks, canyons, lakes, etc. However, in the winter, you not only enjoy small crowds, but can also stay busy with activities like ice climbing and ice fishing. And if you wish to stay for a few days, there are several vacation rentals in the area where you can set up your base camp, or I recommend spending a night under the stars at one of the many campgrounds, like Osborn Bay Campground and Jones Bay Campground.

Electric City is a small town near Steamboat Rock State Park that often gets overlooked for its many nearby attractions. However, it makes for the perfect base camp for your time in eastern Washington. Boredom doesn’t seem to exist here.