Lenore Lake Caves - Easy Washington State Hike
Washington state is full of natural wonders including above-ground caves such as Lenore Lake Caves. Located in Central Washington near the Grand Coulee Dam and Dry Falls State Park, these are seven caves from prehistoric times. Scroll down for an overview of this easy hiking trail including photos and a hiking vlog.
Stats
1.5 miles, round trip (out and back trail)
Elevation gain of 200 feet
Day-use only, no camping permitted
Paved parking lot with an outhouse bathroom
Discover Pass is required
Best time to visit - April thru November (we visited in mid-May)
The trail starts paved, but soon becomes slightly overgrown.
Getting Here
Lenore Lake Caves are about a 3-hour drive east of Seattle, or 2 hours west of Spokane. It’s feasible to do this hike as a day trip, but while you’re out there, you might as well spend the night. Dry Falls State Park has campgrounds and a privately-owned RV resort. Or the (somewhat) nearby towns of Moses Lake or Coulee City have hotels and motels. You can also stay in Chelan or Wenatchee (both about 1 hour away).
History of Lenore Lake Caves
The Great Missoula flood created these caves thousands of years ago. Water flowed through the region, carving out large chunks of basalt rock. When the area was inhabited by people, the caves were used for shelter by early Native Americans.
Hiking Trail
There is a paved walkway leading up to the trail including stairs with a handrail. The rest of the trail is rocky in some parts, but overall well-maintained and easy to walk on. Proper hiking shoes are recommended due to loose rocks on the trail and the potential to encounter rattlesnakes.
You don’t need to climb far to get a view of the lake and surrounding hills.
Keep walking on the trail and you’ll come upon the first cave. The caves are shallow, but they offer plenty of photo opportunities. Most families with small children turn around after this cave since the trail gets a little rough. If possible, keep going. You will be rewarded with six more caves to explore.
Even though the trail is relatively short and the caves are shallow, you can easily spend hours exploring Lenore Lake Caves. We spent about an hour and a half here before heading to Dry Falls State Park where we spent the night. Before this, we were at Ginkgo Petrified Forest, another great pit stop if coming here on a road trip from Seattle.