Discover Kettle Falls

Kettle Falls connects Lake Roosevelt with hiking trails and visible traces of the area’s history. The town lies along a section of Lake Roosevelt, a 150-mile reservoir on the Columbia River. Kettle Falls has scenic viewpoints along the lake shore. When planning your trip, you can weigh these different aspects of the destination: are you most interested in the lakeside scenery, walking trails, or historic sites?

Lake Roosevelt and Water Activities

At Lake Roosevelt, the Kettle Falls Boat Launch has a paved boat ramp and docks. The facility also includes a launch for canoes, kayaks, and small boats. This clearly outlines the available water access: the facilities mentioned are for launching and docking boats. You can factor this into your plans or focus your stay more on the trails and historic sites.

Trails of Varying Lengths

The Mission Point Trail is a relatively flat, unpaved half-mile loop that leads to a viewpoint above the former Kettle Falls. The Kettle Falls Trail covers a different distance: its three sections total just under 5 miles and are suitable for relatively easy walking. One section of the Kettle Falls Trail runs 0.75 miles to the Colville River, near its confluence with Lake Roosevelt.

The scenery along the trails also varies. The northern section of the Kettle Falls Trail crosses three wooden footbridges and passes through forests, meadows, lakeshore areas, and historic sites. At the Mission Point Trail, interpretive signs explain the history of the falls and the mission, as well as the Hudson’s Bay Company’s influence on the area. The walk to the viewpoint thus comes with insights into the area’s history.

To reach the Mission Point Trail parking lot, drive north from Kettle Falls on US Highway 395 for about 3 miles and turn onto St. Paul’s Mission Road. Then follow an unpaved road for half a mile to the parking lot. These directions help distinguish this outing from the choice between the different trails.

Historic Sites and Traces of the Former Kettle Falls

St. Paul’s Mission was built in 1847 and rebuilt in its original appearance in 1939. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It is considered the oldest surviving church building of any faith in Washington State. Its construction, reconstruction, and later listing in the register mark different stages in its history.

Traces of the old Kettle Falls are also visible in the landscape. At Locust Grove, the remains of the old falls can be seen year-round. These include concrete steps, walkways, and slabs set among grass and trees. The entire town of Kettle Falls had to be relocated before the dam was completed in 1942. The Kettle Falls Historical Center, on the banks of the historic Columbia River in Kettle Falls, adds another historical point of interest.

A Scenic Drive for Another Perspective

The Sherman Pass Scenic Byway runs along State Route 20 between Republic and Kettle Falls and is typically open year-round. Unlike the local hiking trails, the byway is a road connecting the two towns. Together with the lakeside viewpoints, trails, and historic sites, it offers another perspective to consider when planning your stay in Kettle Falls.

Discover more destinations: Northport, Valley, Loon Lake.

Return to the main travel overview: Stevens County.