Discover the Tri-Counties

You should visit Northeast Washington to relax and enjoy life. We suggest you start by making Colville your home base for a unique experience in relaxation. Your adventure will begin in Colville with fascinating day trips to enjoy the scenery and other wonders in the region. It has mountains and forests, rich grazing land, valleys and rivers.

It is the kind of country you dream about and a year-round paradise. In Colville you will find the Dominion Meadows 18-hole golf course, the Keller House Museum, shopping from antique dealers to Wal-Mart, everything you would expect in a regional shopping center.

When you are ready to escape to the outback country, the emerald stands of the Colville National Forest encompass 1.1 million acres of scenic beauty. Fir covered peaks, some over 7,000 feet high roll north into Canada, with countless trails beckoning a closer look at the Kettle River and Selkirk mountain range.

Begin your first day trip by taking Highway 20 west over the Kettle River Loop. Sherman Pass Scenic Highway takes you over the highest pass in the state, amid some of the most spectacular mountain views anywhere in the world. Your first stop at Republic will let you view the Fossil Museum. When you are ready, go north on Highway 21 through old mining towns to Curlew, where there is an antique auto museum. Continue north through Danville and into Canada to visit Grand Forks. The last leg of your 150-mile day trip is east on Highway 3 and south on U.S. 395. Go south to Kettle Falls, where you can explore the history and culture of ancient civilizations at the Interpretive Center.

Your second day, the Selkirk Loop covers approximately 245 miles. East on Highway 20 to Tiger, north on Highway 31 to Ione and Metaline Falls. Stop and ask about the local attractions. If you decide to explore Gardner Cave or Boundary Dam, you may choose to stay overnight at a local motel. Continue north into Canada on Highway 6 to Salmo.

West on Highway 22 to Rossland and south to Northport. Highway 25 south will bring you backto Colville. Be sure to bring your birth certificate or passport for entry into Canada.

Your third day trip to Grand Coulee Dam will cover about 272 miles. Go south on Highway 395 to Loon Lake, west to Springdale on 292, then south to Reardan on Highway 231. West on Highway 2 to Coulee City. North on Highway 156 and follow the path of the Columbia River through rugged canyons and towering cliffs to one of the wonders of the world, Grand Coulee Dam. You really should remain overnight to enjoy the laser light show. Easy return to Colville via highways 174 and 2 to Davenport, then north on highway 25 to Kettle Falls and 395.

Winter sports include snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, and the 49 Degrees North Ski Slopes are readily available. No matter what time of the year, there is much to see and do in a relaxed atmosphere. Stop by the Chamber of Commerce for maps for these events.