Kettle Falls: Lake Roosevelt, Trails, and History

Kettle Falls combines the landscape of Lake Roosevelt with hiking trails and an unusually tangible local history. The town lies along a section of this 150-mile-long reservoir on the Columbia River. Shoreline viewpoints, historic traces, and the Sherman Pass Scenic Byway offer different options for planning your trip. This allows you to decide whether to spend your days by the water, on the trails, or exploring the region’s history.

Water Activities and Trails at Lake Roosevelt

Kettle Falls Boat Launch has a paved boat ramp and docks on Lake Roosevelt. A launch facility for canoes, kayaks, and small boats is also available there. Those who want to make time on the water the focus of their stay will find a practical starting point for planning their day. Kettle Falls’ scenic shoreline viewpoints complement this landscape experience without requiring you to limit your trip to a single activity.

Kettle Falls also offers trails of various lengths for hiking. The Mission Point Trail is a relatively flat, unpaved half-mile loop leading to a viewpoint above the former Kettle Falls. The three sections of the Kettle Falls Trail total just under 5 miles and are suitable for relatively flat walking. The northern section crosses three wooden footbridges and passes through forests, meadows, shoreline areas, and historic sites. Another section runs 0.75 miles to the Colville River, near its confluence with Lake Roosevelt. These different details can help you take the character of your days into account when searching for a suitable vacation rental.

Historic Places with Tangible Traces

The Mission Point Trail connects the landscape with information about the past. Interpretive signs explain the history of the waterfalls, the mission, and the Hudson’s Bay Company’s influence on the area. St. Paul’s Mission was built in 1847 and reconstructed in its original appearance in 1939. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. St. Paul’s Mission is also the oldest surviving church building of any faith in the state of Washington.

Kettle Falls’ history is also visible in the remains of Old Kettle Falls. They can be seen year-round in Locust Grove. These include concrete steps, walkways, and concrete slabs set among grass and forest. The entire town of Kettle Falls had to be relocated before the dam was completed in 1942. The Kettle Falls Historical Center is located on the shore of the historic Columbia River in Kettle Falls and adds another historical point of interest to the area.

Choosing Routes and Planning Your Accommodation

You should factor the access route into your plans for the Mission Point Trail. From Kettle Falls, drive north on US Highway 395 for about 3 miles, turn onto St. Paul’s Mission Road, and then follow an unpaved road for half a mile to the Mission Point Trail parking area. Those who want to combine several outings can also include the Sherman Pass Scenic Byway in their plans. It runs along State Route 20 between Republic and Kettle Falls and is typically open year-round.

When searching for a vacation rental in Kettle Falls, the key consideration is therefore the mix you want: water, relatively flat trails, historic discoveries, or a drive along the Scenic Byway. For a trip involving several interests, it makes sense to compare distances and access routes in advance. This way, you choose your accommodation not just based on the town’s name, but on the experiences you want to shape your days.

If you would like to expand your search to other places, you can also look at Loon Lake, Northport, and Valley.

For the overview of the broader region: Stevens County.