What Is It?
Dry Falls, near Coulee City, Washington, is 3½ miles wide and 400 feet tall, and during the last ice age was the world’s largest waterfall. Water no longer flows over the cliffs, leaving a hole punched into the desert.
How Is This Real?
A large portion of Eastern Washington’s geography was shaped more than 13,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. Glaciers caused around 500 cubic miles of water—more water than is in two of the four Great Lakes—to build up in Western Montana as Lake Missoula. When the glaciers broke, the water rushed westward, making huge carvings across the region.
Learn the History
Lake Missoula filled and broke free many times, and the Dry Falls State Park Visitor Center helps tell the story of how the landscape changed. The visitor center has information on the ice age, as well as early human history in the area.
What to Do
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park has 15 miles of trails that give great views of the falls, as well as scenic viewpoints for those who want to drive their car around the park. Campsites are available, and there is a nine-hole golf course, as well as mini-golf in the park.
More Information
The Washington Discover Pass—good at all state parks—is required to park, and costs $10 for a day, or $30 for a year. For updated local health guidelines and to start planning your trip, call 509-632-5214 or visit www.parks.wa.gov/251/Dry-Falls-Visitor-Center.