Frenchman Coulee

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Frenchman Coulee is a gorge located in the Columbia River Plateau region of central Washington state that is popular with rock climbers.

The lovely basalt columns of Frenchman Coulee

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

[edit] Landscape

[edit] Flora and fauna

[edit] Climate

Frenchman Coulee receives very little rain at any time of the year. The summers are typically hot and windy making spring and fall the best time to visit the area.

[edit] Get in

Frenchman Coulee is located one mile off of I-90, take the Silica Road exit (#143).

[edit] Fees/Permits

To park your vehicle in the area, you'll need a Vehicle Use Permit from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. These permits are available at most outdoor equipment and hardware stores and are cost $10.95 USD for the year. A $66 USD fine is charged if you are caught parking without one.

[edit] Get around

[edit] See

[edit] Do

Rock climbing is the primary draw for people to Frenchman Coulee. There are hundreds of routes, sport and traditional, on a variety of rock ranging from 30m basalt column column cracks to sporty 5.12 jug-fests. An excellent guidebook is available for the area. For sport climbing, you'll need a 60m rope and sixteen draws plus some slings and carabiners for anchors.

[edit] Buy

With no facilities, there is nothing to buy in Frenchman Coulee. Vantage, to the west, and Quincy, to the northeast, are your nearest towns.

[edit] Eat

[edit] Drink

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

[edit] Camping

There are a number of camping location to choose from.

• The free camp sites - There is a designated areas located near the main parking area. There are no designated sites but you can drive in on rough dirt trail. Portable toilets are nearby but there is no running water, no picnic tables and no fires are allowed. The area can become quite busy during long weekends or when there are big concerts held at the nearby amphitheater in George.

• Wanapum State Park - Approximately ten miles from Frenchman Coulee is Wanapum State Park. There are 50 camp sites that are quite nice, situated along the Columbia River (Wanapum Lake) and lined with trees. Tent and RV sites are available and all cost $22 USD / night. Reservations can be made online for an additional $7 fee. The sites are almost completely booked up during the weekends over the summer.

• There are also several campgrounds located in and around the Vantage, George, and Quincy townships.

Remember that the wind in this area is notorious for picking up from no where into gale force winds. Make sure that you tie your tent down and inspect the trees in your vicinity for rot and the potential for them to blow over.

[edit] Backcountry

There is no backcountry camping in the area. Camping is restricted to designated locations.

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out