These Secret Lake Caves in Washington Were Born from History’s Most Violent Floods

Lake Lenore Caves, Washington

The Lake Lenore Caves don’t look like much from the road. Just holes in a cliff face in the middle of nowhere, Washington.

But these caverns tell the story of ice age floods that carved through solid rock like a knife through butter. Native tribes used them for shelter, and now they sit empty, waiting for anyone curious enough to climb up.

This is what you’ll find inside these ancient hideouts.

The Caves at Lake Lenore

Lake Lenore Caves stretch along basalt cliffs in central Washington state. Located 40 miles north of Moses Lake and 17 miles south of Coulee City in Grant County, these shallow openings sit 1,200 feet above sea level overlooking Lake Lenore.

Unlike typical caves that tunnel deep underground, these formations are technically rock shelters. Light reaches all the way inside, making them natural alcoves rather than true caverns.

Missoula Floods Create Dramatic Landscape

Between 15,000-13,000 years ago, the landscape underwent violent change. More than 40 separate Missoula Floods swept through the region over a 2,000-year period at the end of the last Ice Age.

Massive water flows crashed through eastern Washington, carving the Grand Coulee and surrounding features. Each flood unleashed energy equal to 4,500 megatons of TNT as water ripped chunks of basalt from cliff walls.

Where weaker sections of rock existed along the coulee walls, floodwaters tore away material to form the cave openings we see today.

Geologist J Harlen Bretz Discovers Flood Evidence

J Harlen Bretz, geology professor at the University of Chicago, first identified evidence of these huge floods. In 1923, he proposed that only enormous floods could explain the channeled scablands of eastern Washington.

His theory directly challenged established geological thinking of the time, which favored slow processes over sudden catastrophic events. For eight summers, Bretz brought his family to study the landscape across eastern Washington.

Despite strong evidence, scientists rejected his theories for decades before finally accepting the catastrophic flood model.

Native American Use Begins 5,000 Years Ago

Indigenous people first used these rock shelters about 5,000 years ago. The caves served as temporary camps during seasonal movements across the region.

Native inhabitants gathered specific plants including biscuitroot and bitterroot from the surrounding shrub-steppe landscape. Their traditional pattern involved leaving winter homes each spring to travel throughout river and plateau areas.

Present-day descendants of these early inhabitants include members of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

Archaeological Discoveries in the Rockshelters

Between 1958 and 1961, professors and students from Washington State University and University of Washington conducted archaeological surveys of the area. Their research received funding through the Division of Mines and Geology and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

These researchers documented ancient paintings on cave walls, though later vandalism damaged much of this artwork. They also found fragments of rope cordage, baskets, and mats from Grand Coulee rockshelters.

Sadly, treasure hunters had already dug up more than a foot of the rockshelter floor, destroying valuable archaeological context.

Senator Nat Washington Champions Preservation

State Senator Nat Washington represented Washington’s 13th District from 1951 to 1979. As a longtime Grand Coulee area resident, he personally understood the region’s archaeological importance.

Washington sponsored the Archaeological Sites and Resources Act to protect cultural sites from looting and damage. His advocacy led the Washington Legislature to set aside $30,000 in 1961 for site development.

Most of this money supported educational displays at the nearby Dry Falls Interpretive Center, while also allowing for initial preservation of Lake Lenore Caves.

Official State Park Designation

By 1968, visitors gained access to the site through a newly built road, parking area, and basic trail system. The land officially transferred to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission on October 26, 1972.

This transfer happened under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1926, which allowed public domain lands to be sold to government agencies for recreational use at just $2.50 per acre.

Today, Lake Lenore Caves operates as a Heritage Site within Washington’s state park system and forms part of the congressionally designated Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail.

The Seven Cave Formations

Seven distinct cave formations punctuate the basalt cliff face at Lake Lenore. Since they don’t extend beyond where natural light reaches, geologists classify them as rock shelters rather than true caves.

The largest opening resembles a whale’s mouth in the basalt cliff. Most caves extend only 10-20 feet into the cliff face, creating shallow but effective shelters.

Inside these natural alcoves, summer temperatures drop 10-15 degrees compared to the surrounding landscape, offering natural relief from eastern Washington’s intense heat.

Lake Lenore’s Unique Qualities

The 1,670-acre Lake Lenore sits in the lower Grand Coulee between Alkali Lake and Soap Lake. Like the caves, the lake formed during the massive Missoula Floods that reshaped the region.

Blue-green waters result from the lake’s highly alkaline chemistry. This unusual water makeup limits fish diversity but creates perfect conditions for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, which grow to impressive sizes and attract fishing enthusiasts.

More than seven islands dot the lake’s surface, adding to its scenic beauty.

The Trail Experience Today

The hiking experience begins at a small parking area where concrete stairs lead up to a plateau. From there, the trail extends approximately 1.2 miles round-trip with 173 feet of elevation gain.

After climbing the stairs, the path splits. The right fork offers better-maintained trails leading directly to the main cave formations.

More adventurous hikers can continue beyond the marked path along the basalt shelf until reaching the boundary with Sun Lakes Wildlife Area. Most visitors complete the basic route in about 31 minutes, though many spend longer exploring each cave opening.

Wildlife and Plant Life of the Area

The caves sit within the dry shrub-steppe ecosystem of the Columbia Basin. Sagebrush dominates the landscape, its silvery-green foliage covering the rocky soil between basalt outcroppings.

Hikers should watch for rattlesnakes, especially during warm weather when the reptiles become more active. The area hosts diverse birdlife, including golden eagles and numerous waterfowl species like ducks and geese.

Wildlife viewing works best during spring and fall when cooler temperatures increase animal activity throughout the day.

Visiting Lake Lenore Caves

Washington State requires a Discover Pass for parking at Lake Lenore Caves. Passes cost $10 for a day visit or $30 for an annual permit.

From Highway 17, watch for mile marker 85 where Lake Lenore Road turns off. This junction appears suddenly, so drivers should slow down when approaching the area.

The small parking lot fits approximately 10 vehicles and includes picnic tables. March through November offers the best visiting conditions. Sturdy footwear provides essential protection on the rocky, uneven terrain leading to the caves.

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