Columbia River Plateau

The Columbia Plateau first formed as an immense sea of prehistoric, volcanic basalt flow. It is the second largest basalt plateau in the world, but the term "plateau" belies the dramatic cliffs and canyons carved by ice age floods. Towering rock formations and steep gorges straddle the great Columbia River and its tributaries. Orchards of apple and pear form green quilts on the wide, semi-arid terrain. If you think of Washington only in terms of the damp forests and cityscapes of Puget Sound, you will be amazed at the sculpted beauty of this high desert land.
This region is also the place where human ingenuity and the power of nature come together perhaps more dramatically than any other spot in Washington. The Columbia River is the greatest source of energy among all the rivers of America and the Grand Coulee Dam harnesses that energy. Here, the Grand Coulee power plant remains the largest single power producer in the world. Take a tour of the massive structure and stay for the laser light show after dark.
Nearby, you can drive or boat through sun-soaked, red canyons of columnar basalt that line Banks Lake. Fish or hike surrounded by spectacular monuments of rock outlined against a dark blue sky. This is a photographer's heaven. Just downstream, relax in the legendary, healing waters and magic mud of Soap Lake. You'll find the people and the accommodations equally warm and friendly in this laid back area.
Throughout the Columbia River Plateau region, you can be as active or sedate as you want at any given moment. Moses Lake, for instance, is a haven for boaters, water sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers. Golfers, cyclists and road-trippers alike take advantage of the almost ever-present sunshine and expansive vistas. Gingko Petrified Forest State Park is a geological window to a prehistoric world.
If you want to see and hear a symphony of wildlife, join the thousands of waterfowl that visit the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Mild winters and abundant water draw great blue heron, Sandhill Cranes and tundra swans, among other precious, migratory species. You may even spot one of the relatively numerous but extremely shy coyotes that scamper amid the shrubs and high grass. Potholes State Park, named for the rather shallow lakes created during Pleistocene flooding, provides another easily accessible area to view rare wildlife and enjoy boating, fishing, hiking or picnicking.
The Columbia River Plateau is the geographic heart of Washington. Feel the sun, see earth sculpted by the ice age, and taste the fruit grown in the steppes of the high desert. Trace the path of the great river, through rugged canyons into warm-hearted towns. See why the sandhill cranes stop here to rest for the winter.

Columbia River Plateau Region Cities: