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| Map of Area |
Just a short ride from Pullman or Colfax through the scenic Palouse farm country is the Snake River. The road to the Snake River involves a steep decline and a number of sharp turns.
Besides of the beautiful view of the nature, there are also many activities such as fishing, hunting, picnics, camping, swimming, boating, jet skiing, and rafting.
Massive Lower Granite Dam is just two miles up the road and Boyer Park is a wonderful summer respite from the desert heat, offering swimming, fishing, boating, camping or just relaxing and watching the River flow by.
Lower Granite Lake: The lake extends up the Snake River about 39.3 miles to Lewiston, Idaho, the upper terminus of the authorized Lower Snake River slack-water navigation project. It lies at elevation 738, and has a surface area of 8,900 acres.
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| Boyer Park Marina |
Boyer Park and Marina is a 56 acre full service marina and campground on the scenic Snake River. From the awe inspiring river views from the top of Almota grade to green shady lawns and campsites of the park itself, Boyer Park is truly an oasis on the Snake.
Located in Southeast Washington on the historic Snake River and Lewis-Clark Trail, are 80 acres of immaculate park and river area. Boyer Park boasts a swimming area, boat launch, RV Park, tent sites, motel rooms, grill, deli, and groceries. A great getaway for an hour, day, weekend, or week. The park is Open Year Round. The many recreational opportunities include boating, fishing, hunting, a bike/jogging path and historical information and sites. There is something for everyone in the family.
This park was originally settled in the 1860s by several different ranchers running cattle and sheep. The Boyart family, from which this park gets its name, established an orchard on the park in the late 1880s, which operated until the 1940s. This park was then purchased by the McKenzie family who removed the orchard and returned this park to farm and ranch use. In the late 1960s, the US Army Corps of Engineers purchased this park and built Boyer Park in conjunction with Lower Granite Lock and Dam in the early 1970s. Today Boyer Park is managed by the part of Whitman County and provides water access and recreational opportunities to the citizens of Whitman County and guests from around the world.
Boyer Park is located on the Lewis-Clark Trail and the Snake River. It is reachable by car or by boat since it is connected via the Snake River to Oregon, and the Pacific Ocean. The river also connects to the Dunes (a beach) on the other side of it.
Boyer Park features more than 150 slips for permanent or transient boat moorage, 28 shaded campsites for RV's with full and partial hookups, a small on-site motel and many tent sites, meeting a wide spectrum of camping and moorage needs. Camping at Boyer is open year round and large groups are welcome. The Park has an onsite convenience store, a small grill, laundry room, restrooms, shower facilities and a good-sized swimming beach. Boat gas is available from a floating fuel dock and there is also gas available for cars.
The park also boasts the 3.5 mile Snake River Trail, a pedestrian and bike trail that stretches from historic Almota Creek, through Boyer Park and on to the base of Lower Granite Lock and Dam. Sit on a bench or at a picnic shelter and watch the river, observe the native wildlife and birds and view the Lower Granite Lock and Dam while enjoying the peace and quiet of a walk on the trail.
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| Lower Granite Dam |
The Snake River's many hydroelectric power plants are a major source of electricity in the region.
Lower Granite Dam: The dam, located at the head of Lake Bryan, is about 3,200 feet long with an effective height of 100 feet. The dam is a concrete gravity type, with an earthfill right abutment embankment. It includes a navigation lock with clear dimensions of 86 by 674 feet; and an eight-bay spillway that is 512 feet long, with eight 50-foot by 60.5-foot radial gates.
Construction began in July 1965, and was completed in 1984.
Lower Granite Lock and Dam is a hydroelectric, concrete, gravity dam on the Snake River, and bridges Whitman County and Garfield County, in the state of Washington. The dam is located 22 miles (35 km) south of the town of Colfax, and 35 miles (56 km) north of Pomeroy.
Construction began in July 1965. The main structure and three generators were completed in 1972, with an additional three generators finished in 1979. Generating capacity is 810 megawatts, with an overload capacity of 932 MW. The spillway has eight gates and is 512 feet (156 m) long.
Lower Granite Dam is part of the Columbia River Basin system of dams.
Lower Granite Dam with the lock in the center, the power generation on the south side of the river, and spillway in the middle of the dam, between the powerhouse and the lock.
Lower Granite Lake, which extends 39-miles east to Lewiston, Idaho, is formed behind the dam. Lake Bryan, formed from Little Goose Dam, runs 37 miles (60 km) downstream from the base of the dam.
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Lower Granite Lake, located in extreme southeastern Washington and central Idaho along the lower Snake and Clearwater Rivers, provides for a wide spectrum of outdoor recreation fun. In the adjoining towns of Clarkston, Washington and Lewiston, Idaho there are 22 miles of bikepaths designated as the Clearwater and Snake River National Recreation Trail for walking, bicycling or running. In addition, there are also picnic areas, visitor centers, swimming beaches, and boat ramps found at the various parks in the communities, which includes the nearby town Asotin. Camping is available at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston and Chief Timothy Park just west of Clarkston. Down river towards the Dam on Washington Highway 193 enjoy fishing, semi-primitive camping, boating and scenic vistas of the pronounced river canyon walls. Camping and an interpretive trail are available at Wawawai County Park. At the Dam enjoy fish viewing in the fish facility visitor center. The Lewis and Clark expedition passed through this area. East of Lewiston about 10 miles on Highway 12 is the Nez Perce National Historical Park.
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| Wawawai Park Trail |
Wawawai County Park is located in the Snake River Canyon approximately three miles upstream from The Lower Granite Dam. It is a perfect place to spend a day or a weekend. It was designed and constructed by the US Army Corp of Engineers as a part of the Lower Granite Lock and Dam project. Now, with its many attractions, Wawawai County Park will become one of the most popular places that you will enjoy. The park contains many exotic and beautiful sites, and offers many interesting activities such as an amazing hiking trail that overlooks the river, family picnic areas, Granite Rock point, and a fishing pond.
The Wawawai County Park has an interesting history. For example, the Native Americans gave the name of the park. In the Native American language Wa mean talk, three Wa's are talk, talk, talk but together they mean council grounds. The Native Americans called this place Wawawai because of the many meetings that took place many years ago here. Plus, as the history of this site tells us that the settlers arrived in the late 1800's with their orchards of cherries, apricots, peaches and many other fruits, and changed Wawawai Park for the better by making it the busiest fruit supplier point on the Snake River. In addition, the park was designed and constructed by the U.S Army Corp of Engineers as a part of the lower Granite Lock and Dam project. The Wawawai county Park dedicated in honor and memory of Harry Wegner, civic leader and Whitman County Commission at 1969-1979.
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| The Dunes |
Located on the Snake River just below Lower Granite Dam (3 miles west of Lower Granite Dam on Kirby-Mayview Road), the Dunes provides a de facto beach 300 miles from the ocean. There is a flat beach which flucuates with the activities of the dam downstream, and lots of dunes to play in.