Steamboat Rock State Park
Electric City, Washington · on Thompson Lake · Steamboat Rock
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $45
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Steamboat Rock State Park
Steamboat Rock State Park sits at the north end of Banks Lake in the Grand Coulee region of Grant County, Washington, named for the 800-foot basalt butte that the lake nearly surrounds. The state park's swimming hole is an official designated swim area with a buoy line and sandy beach, giving visitors a big, easy lake to swim in, alongside boating, fishing, and camping facilities.
The park occupies a dramatic scabland landscape: the basalt butte at its center once stood as an island when ice-age glacial dams diverted the Columbia River through the Grand Coulee, and floodwaters later carved the surrounding canyon before the river returned to its original channel. Banks Lake, a reservoir that nearly encircles the butte, provides roughly 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline within the park's 5,043 acres.
Swimming at Steamboat Rock State Park
Swimming takes place at an official designated swim area on Banks Lake, marked off with a buoy line and fronted by a sandy beach with an asphalt walkway, per the state park's own facilities page. The lake also supports boating, waterskiing, and fishing, indicating an open, multi-use reservoir rather than a secluded natural pool; no source found gives specific water depth, temperature, or clarity detail for the swim area.
How to get to this swimming hole
Park address is 51052 Highway 155, Electric City, WA 99123, at the north end of Banks Lake; the swim beach and day-use area are within the main park grounds reached from the park entrance off Highway 155.
Parking: Day-use parking is available at the park entrance; a Washington Discover Pass is required for vehicle entry.
The hike in
The park's well-known trail (WTA-documented, 6.0 mi roundtrip, 650 ft gain) climbs to the summit of the Steamboat Rock butte and does not pass by or provide access to the lake/swim beach -- per WTA's trail description the summit 'lies high and dry' with no trail access to the water. The designated swim beach on Banks Lake is reached directly from the day-use parking area, not via this or any other trail.
If visitors want the butte-summit hike in addition to swimming, it is a separate moderate 6-mile roundtrip trip with loose rock/scree sections and cliff-adjacent stretches on its northern loop -- but it is not required to reach the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official park page describes a designated swim area on Banks Lake marked off with a buoy line and fronted by a sandy beach with an asphalt walkway, which suggests a controlled, gently-sloping entry suitable for families. However, no source confirms lifeguard presence, and Banks Lake is a large, open multi-use reservoir shared with boating and water-skiing, so parents should keep kids inside the buoyed swim area and watch for boat traffic elsewhere on the lake.
Parking
Paid, Discover Pass required: $10/day or $45/year (covers vehicle entry/parking, not a separate parking fee)
General day-use parking lot at the park entrance off Highway 155; a Washington Discover Pass is required for the vehicle rather than a per-car parking charge.
Restrooms
Yes
Accessible restrooms and showers are available in the park per the official park page; exact proximity to the swim beach itself is not specified in available sources.
Water clarity
Clear
Regional roundups describe Steamboat Rock's Banks Lake shoreline as offering swimming in 'pristine waters' and list the park among Washington's best lakes for swimming with crystal-clear conditions; one paddler separately described 'calm waters' when launching kayaks from the boat launch. No first-hand visitor account with explicit clarity commentary was found, so treat this as second-hand rather than confirmed by a direct visitor report.
Hours
6:30 a.m. to dusk, year-round
On the water
The park has seven boat launches at three locations (including an ADA-accessible launch) and supports boating, water-skiing, and fishing alongside swimming, per the official park page and Wikipedia. No no-wake or electric-only restriction specific to the park's swim area was found in available sources; Banks Lake overall is a large reservoir used for motorized water sports.
Rentals nearby
Kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboards, plus pontoon and fishing boats
Prices: Rentals starting as low as $15/hour; gas charge and taxes additional
Campground/resort on the Banks Lake shoreline in Electric City, WA (exact street address not listed on the rentals page); reservations recommended, walk-ins welcome
Ski boats, pontoon boats, jet skis, and stand-up paddleboards via the resort's marina rental facility
Sunbanks Lake Resort, 57662 Hwy 155 N, Electric City, WA 99123, on Banks Lake
Boat rentals, jet ski rentals, wakeboard/wakesurf/tube water-sports equipment, instruction, and boat tours/charters on Banks Lake
Serves Banks Lake, the 27-mile reservoir near Grand Coulee/Electric City, WA
What regulars say
Visitors describe Banks Lake at Steamboat Rock as having pristine, crystal-clear water and calm paddling conditions; reviewers highlighted 'spectacular' views of the rock formation and praised the grassy, shaded campground areas alongside a large boat launch and parking area. Some accounts mention the park only in general terms, so swimming-specific commentary remains limited.
Backstory
During the last ice age, ice dams diverted the Columbia River so that Steamboat Rock stood as an island; catastrophic flooding later carved the Grand Coulee scablands before the river returned to its original course, leaving the butte in its present dry-coulee setting. The butte's plateau (over 600 acres) was historically used by Native American tribes and early settlers. The park was established in 1972 and is administered by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Steamboat Rock State Park: FAQ
Does Steamboat Rock State Park charge a fee?
Discover Pass required: $45 annual or $10 daily. Boat launch fee $7/day. Trailer dump station $5/use. Overnight unattended vehicle fee $10/night.
Is Steamboat Rock State Park kid friendly?
Official park page describes a designated swim area on Banks Lake marked off with a buoy line and fronted by a sandy beach with an asphalt walkway, which suggests a controlled, gently-sloping entry suitable for families. However, no source confirms lifeguard presence, and Banks Lake is a large, open multi-use reservoir shared with boating and water-skiing, so parents should keep kids inside the buoyed swim area and watch for boat traffic elsewhere on the lake.
Do I need to hike to reach Steamboat Rock State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Steamboat Rock State Park?
General day-use parking lot at the park entrance off Highway 155; a Washington Discover Pass is required for the vehicle rather than a per-car parking charge.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Steamboat Rock State Park?
The park has seven boat launches at three locations (including an ADA-accessible launch) and supports boating, water-skiing, and fishing alongside swimming, per the official park page and Wikipedia. No no-wake or electric-only restriction specific to the park's swim area was found in available sources; Banks Lake overall is a large reservoir used for motorized water sports.
What are the rules at Steamboat Rock State Park?
Discover Pass required for day use and parking. Park hours are 6:30 a.m. to dusk year-round. As of the research date, a Level 3 burn ban is in effect: only gas/propane self-contained camping stoves and portable gas/propane fire pits are permitted; charcoal and wood fires are prohibited.
What water body is Steamboat Rock State Park on?
Steamboat Rock State Park is on Thompson Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
