Construction has resumed on RV sites at Steamboat

The construction of additional campsites at Steamboat Rock has resumed after a nearly four-year delay.

The construction of 30 full-hookup RV sites at what will be called Cove Loop at Steamboat Rock State Park is on track to be finished in February of 2021, with the sites likely to be ready for campers in late spring or early summer next year, according to Dennis Felton, area manager for state parks in the Coulee Corridor, including Steamboat Rock, Sun Lakes-Dry Falls, and Potholes.

A full-service restroom with four-showers is also being constructed in the area. 

The project began in fall of 2016 and then was delayed only 22 days after construction had started. The Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the land, and the Colville Tribes needed to come to an agreement for a cultural resources plan in their dealings with one another, Felton explained.

Although a full resource survey had already been done, since construction resumed in June of 2020, archaeologists are required to be on site to watch over any additional digging.

Felton said that cultural resources haven't been found so far, just a lot of sand. 

The contract for the project in 2016 went to Wesslen Construction of Spokane Valley with a bid of $2,635,000.

The delay caused additional costs related to hauling the machinery away, loss of work, and an increase in cost of materials since 2016. 

The figure for the amount of additional costs was unavailable prior to deadline.

The park currently has 26 standard campsites, 136 full-hookup sites, and three cabins.

Data from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission shows that use is up at the park in recent years. 

In the month of June, Steamboat Rock State Park received 86,566 visitors in 2020, compared to 70,434 in June of 2019, 69,658 in 2018, and 72,590 in 2017.

The Fourth of July in 2020 was on a Saturday when 6,049 people were reported to have visited Steamboat Rock State Park, including 858 overnight stays and 5,191 day-use visitors.

That compares to 4,552 total visitors on Thursday, July 4, 2019, which included 772 overnight stays and 3,780 day-use visitors; and 3,654 visitors on Wednesday, July 4, 2018, including 717 overnight stays and 2,937 day-use visitors.