Boundary Tours and Recreation

The Boundary Dam Tours are closed for the 2025 season due to staffing issues.

Contact (509) 446-3083 or SCL_boundarytours@seattle.gov for any questions.

Located adjacent to Boundary Dam, the Forebay Recreation Area consists of a campground, a day-use area, and a boat launch.

Campground Amenities:

• Free. First-come, first-served. No reservations.
• 22 Campsites, including 12 RV sites; Class C RVs can be accommodated.
• Stays are limited to six consecutive nights.
• Flush toilets and potable water available.
• No hook-ups, dump station, or showers.
• All campsites have fire rings and picnic tables.

Day-Use Area Amenities:

• Seven day-use picnic tables.
• Four BBQ grills.
• One large group shelter with four picnic tables.
• 14 day-use parking stalls.

Boat Launch Amenities:

• Concrete boat launch with accessible boarding dock.
• 13 parking stalls for trucks and trailers.
• Tie-down area.

Hours:
Open year-round.
Note: In winter, water may not be available, and roads may not be plowed.

Location:
To reach the Forebay Recreation Area, leave Highway 31 in the town of Metaline, WA, and follow Boundary Dam Rd. (County Road 2975) approximately 11 miles until you reach the dam.

View all guidelines for site use, Forebay Recreation Area Rules & Regulations.

This community park is located in the town of Metaline, Washington, upstream of Metaline Falls on the western shore of the Pend Oreille River. It provides opportunities for boating, picnicking, and other day use activities.

Amenities:

• Concrete boat launch with accessible boarding dock
• Kayak ramp
• Parking for trucks with trailers
• Group shelter with fire pit
• Picnic tables
• Playground equipment
• Restroom building with flush toilets

Hours:
Open year-round.
Note: The park is subject to occasional flooding during the spring, approximately late May to early June.

Location:
Metaline Waterfront Park is located in the town of Metaline, WA. From State Route 20, turn onto N. Main Avenue and follow the road until reaching the park.

Six shoreline sites along the Boundary Project’s 17.5-mile long reservoir provide the opportunity for camping in a remote, primitive setting: Lime Creek, Everett Slough, Monument Bar, Grandview, Slumber Cove, and Ledbetter Cove. Boundary’s boat-in campsites are located on the Pend Oreille River Water Trail, which traverses 70 miles along the Pend Oreille River from Oldtown, Idaho, to Boundary Dam.

Amenities:

• Fire rings
• Picnic tables
• Tent pads
• Food storage lockers
• Primitive toilets (except Slumber Cove)

Guidelines:

• Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, no reservations.
• Follow the seven principles of "Leave No Trace."
• Camp at established sites to minimize your impact on plants, soil and wildlife.
• Follow all posted fire regulations. Use existing fire rings.
• Maximum length of stay is 14 consecutive days.
• Proper food storage is required.

Hours:
Open year-round.

Locations:
Map of the Boundary Project, featuring the locations of the six boat-in campsites.

View all guidelines for site use, Boundary Boat-In Campsite Rules & Regulations.

The Vista House, recognized nationally for its modern design when it was constructed in 1965, sits on the eastern rim of the Pend Oreille River canyon, overlooking the Boundary Dam site. The interior of the viewing room offers near-panoramic views of the canyon and surrounding mountains, with interpretive displays on local natural resources and the history and development of the Boundary Project. There is also a short path leading to an exterior viewing platform.

Amenities:
Flush restrooms are available.

Hours:
Vista House - Open from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.
Daily, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Viewing Platform - Open year-round.
Note: The road may not be plowed during the winter months. Please check conditions before traveling in the winter.

Location:
Reach the Vista House by turning onto the Eastside Road via State Route 31 at Crescent Lake, approximately 11 miles north of Metaline Falls, one mile south of the Canadian border. The Vista House is located at the end of the Eastside Road. There is no access to Boundary Dam from the Vista House.

In 2023, City Light, in partnership with the Colville National Forest, opened two new overlook areas on the east side of the Boundary Reservoir which offer an opportunity for visitors to enjoy expansive views of the landscape, including the scenic canyon reach and Peewee Falls. Previously, those views could only be enjoyed by recreationists on the water.

The Peewee Falls and Riverside Canyon overlooks feature restroom facilities, picnic tables, ample parking, and gravel walking trails with easy grades. The outlook platforms are spacious and have benches so you can sit and enjoy the sights.

A nine-mile hiking trail connecting the two new overlooks, named słqqax̣s č̓ čax̣íwłkʷ (the Salmo Passage Trail), is also nearing completion in 2024.

Amenities:

• Gravel trails with easy grades
• Parking
• Picnic tables
• Restroom building with toilets

Hours:
Day use and open year-round.

Location:
To access the Peewee Falls overlook: Continue north on WA State Route 31 from Metaline Falls for 11.5 miles. Turn left onto the Eastside Road (access to Boundary Vista House) at Crescent Lake. Follow this road and look for the turnoff to the Peewee Falls Overlook about a mile before Vista House.

To access the Riverside Canyon overlook: Continue north on WA State Route 31 from Metaline Falls for approximately 6.1 miles. Turn left onto NF 172 (Route 3100172). Continue for approximately 1.2 miles and turn right into the parking lot.

Visit the Colville National Forest website or call the Sullivan Lake Ranger District at (509) 447-7300 for information on hikes and camping in the area. In the late fall and winter, watch for bighorn sheep at the sound end of the lake.

Check out Gardner Cave—Washington's second-longest limestone cave—at Crawford State Park. Free guided tours are provided by Washington State Parks. Tours are by reservation only. To book, call (509) 446-4065 or book online. Tour groups are limited to 25 people.

Built in 1912, this historic former school is now home to the area's community and performing arts center. Free guided tours are available upon request by calling (509) 446-4108. Visit the Cutter Theatre website for more information.

Explore Boundary Dam and Pend Oreille County before you go so you can plan your perfect trip.

Articles:

• "Touring to and through Boundary Dam" by Susan Swan

Videos:

• Northwest Backroads Boundary Dam video from Seattle Channel
• Boundary Dam Recreation Opportunities video from Seattle Channel
• Pend Oreille County and its People video from Seattle Channel