Major city · United States
Grand Coulee
Spend a day at Grand Coulee Dam and nearby parks; add a night if you want lake activities or a guided dam tour.
Grand Coulee is a small town on Lake Roosevelt, dominated by the Grand Coulee Dam – the largest US hydroelectric plant. The dam, its visitor centre and the surrounding state parks can be seen in a half‑day, but a night lets you enjoy boating, camping or a laser‑light show at the dam.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services)
- Airport
- MWH
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Grand Coulee911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Grand Coulee, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyRemote but safe; main risks are wildlife (bear, elk) and winter road conditions – keep food stored and drive cautiously.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMWH Moses Lake Regional Airport (About 30 km (20 mi) southeast of Grand Coulee; car rental and shuttle options.).MWH Moses Lake Regional Airport (About 20 mi (30 km) southeast of Grand Coulee; car rental and shuttle options.).
- Getting aroundCar is essential; the town is at the junction of WA‑174 and WA‑155.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$120 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MWH Moses Lake Regional Airport (About 30 km (20 mi) southeast of Grand Coulee; car rental and shuttle options.)MWH Moses Lake Regional Airport (About 20 mi (30 km) southeast of Grand Coulee; car rental and shuttle options.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Dec (7 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grand Coulee: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential; the town is at the junction of WA‑174 and WA‑155. No regular public transit; rent a car or use a rideshare for nearby parks.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Coulee City
goDoor to door: ≈10 min round‑trip
Drive WA‑155 north 2 mi (≈5 min)
Visit Summer Falls State Park and Lake Lenore Caves.
Sun Lakes‑Dry Falls State Park
goDoor to door: ≈25 min round‑trip
Drive WA‑174 west 7 mi (≈12 min)
See the spectacular Dry Falls and camp sites.
Kettle Falls
goDoor to door: ≈1 h round‑trip
Drive WA‑155 north 30 mi (≈35 min)
Historic town, fishing, and northern‑lights viewing.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Trailwest Motel
Simple rooms, car‑park nearby, good base for dam visits.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–$110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–$160 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (double)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Discover Pass for state parks2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Grand Coulee Dam guided tour (summer)2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$226 per person per day, bed included | US$451 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Discover Pass (state parks)check | $10/day |
| Dam guided tourcheck | $15–25 |
| Meal at local diner | $10–15 |
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.50 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited food and fuel outlets – fill up in advance.
- Dam tours run only in summer; check schedule on the US Bureau of Reclamation site.
- Winter road conditions can be icy; allow extra travel time.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Grand CouleeGrand Coulee
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in Seattle (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Car rental (compact, 1 day): ≈ $45, includes basic insurance
- Trailwest Motel night: ≈ $70–$110, depending on season
Say or show
- ¿Dónde está el centro de visitantes de la presa? — Where is the dam visitor center?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el Pase Discover? — How much is a Discover Pass?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Grand Coulee. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Trailwest Motel for lake‑front sunrise.
- Combine with a visit to nearby Coulee City or Dry Falls State Park.
Sources
Ask about Grand Coulee
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