Camp on the Sunny Side: 8 Eastern Washington Camping Adventures

In the heart of Washington’s Grand Coulee desert sits the family recreation paradise that is Steamboat Rock State Park. This park is on an “island” surrounded by your outdoor playground, Banks Lake. It draws water lovers to its sandy swimming area and three boat launches, and with 50,000 feet of freshwater shoreline, there’s plenty of room for everyone. Some of the best freshwater fishing in Washington is to be had in Banks Lake, which is full of walleye, bass and perch. The campground has 26 tent spaces and 164 utility sites. More campsites, all of them primitive, are available about 9 miles north of the main park at Jones Bay, and also at Osborn Bay. The park has a concessions store that sells groceries, snacks and fishing supplies.

Do: Take a power hike through fragrant sagebrush whipping in the wind all of the way to the top of Steamboat Rock (4 miles round trip, 650 feet in elevation gain that involves a little scrambling).

Reservations: Book online.

Next stop: Curlew Lake

^{Image credit: benjamin scott/Flickr CC}