“Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake behind Grand Coulee Dam — a 150-mile reservoir through the rugged Okanogan Highlands of eastern Washington. Sagebrush scablands, pine-covered ridges, and remote lake arms.”
About This Location
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area follows the 150-mile Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake behind Grand Coulee Dam through the rugged Okanogan Highlands and Columbia Plateau of eastern Washington. The landscape is dramatically different from Washington's coastal forests — rolling sagebrush hills, pine-ridged canyon walls, and remote lake arms defined by volcanic scabland geology. The reservoir's sheer length provides extraordinary variety: each section of shoreline has a distinct visual character. Fort Spokane (an 1880s military fort turned Indian boarding school) within the NRA provides historical architectural backdrop. The Grand Coulee Dam itself, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, is one of the largest concrete structures in the world. NPS commercial filming permits required for NRA lands; contact the park at 509-754-7800. Spokane (80 miles south) is the nearest production hub. An underutilized location for Pacific Northwest productions seeking Eastern Washington's high desert lake aesthetic.
Color Palette
Location
📍 Open in Google Maps →Permit Information
Permit Required
Type
NPS Commercial Film Permit
Fee
Varies – NPS location fee + cost recovery
Contact
Lake Roosevelt NRA – Special Use Permits
Contact Permit Office
📞 509-754-7800Grand Coulee Dam itself is managed by US Bureau of Reclamation — separate permit needed to film the dam structure.
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