Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Headquarters

An outdoor recreational wonderland that is popular for hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, and camping.

If you find yourself in the state of Washington and in the need for some fun on a lake, you should definitely make your way to Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. This lake has over 600 miles of shoreline and can be found in the Northeast Washington region. Lake Roosevelt, also referred to as Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake, is a massive 80,000 acres! The lake is the result of a dam built on the Columbia River in 1941. The reservoir was named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was president at the time of the dam's construction. The area is a favorite spot for spending days fishing, boating, and swimming. In the surrounding areas of the lake you can camp and hunt, if that is more your speed.

The 130-mile long basin has 22 different public boat ramps that you can launch your canoe, kayak, or motorized boat out of. The water levels of Lake Roosevelt can fluctuate quite a bit, so it is imperative to check them out ahead of time. An $8 permit that is valid for one week from the date of purchase is also required to launch a boat. When out on the boat, you may have luck fishing for Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout here, as well. Lake Roosevelt is also a popular destination for camping. You can make a reservation for a campsite, which vary from primitive locations to sites that accommodate RVs, on the Lake Roosevelt recreational website. If hunting is something that interests you, make sure you are familiar with all of the Washington State hunting regulations so you don’t run into any hiccups during your visit. When it comes to hunting, deer, elk, quail, and turkey can all be found in the wilderness of Lake Roosevelt National Recreational Area.