The Boundary Reservoir at our Boundary Hydroelectric Project offers many recreational opportunities including boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, and sightseeing. City Light is committed to preserving and enhancing these recreational activities for visitors to the Boundary Project area and welcomes visitors for the Boundary Tours 2023 season.
Summer 2023 Boundary Tours and Recreation
Boundary Dam Tours
- Enjoy an in-depth visit to Boundary Dam, an engineering marvel recognized for its unique double curvature, thin arch structure, and associated underground powerhouse, carved out of a massive limestone cavern.
- Hours: Tours are offered Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Times are 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
- Details: Tours are free and reservations are not required. Meet at the Boundary Dam guard station.
- Each tour group is limited to 25 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. If your group is 10 or more, please call in advance: (509) 446-3083.
- A photo ID and closed-toe shoes are required for all adults.
- The tour runs approximately 60 minutes.
Forebay Recreation Area
- Hours: Open year-round. Please note: In winter, water may not be available and roads may not be plowed.
- Details: The campground is free, reservations are not required, and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 22 campsites, including 12 RV sites. (Class C RVs accommodated.). Campers are limited to six consecutive nights’ stay.
- Flush toilets and potable water available.
- No hook-ups, dump station, or showers.
- All campsites have fire rings and picnic tables.
- Day-use area details:
- 7 picnic tables
- 4 BBQ grills
- 1 large group shelter with 4 tables
- 14 parking stalls
- Boat launch details:
- Concrete boat launch with accessible boarding dock, 13 parking stalls for trucks and trailers, tie-down area.
Metaline Waterfront Park
- Hours: Open year-round. Please note: May be subject to flooding in spring.
- Details: Concrete boat ramp, accessible boarding dock, kayak ramp, group shelter with fire pit, playground equipment, restroom with flush toilets, parking.
Vista House
- Hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
- Details: Interior viewing room, exterior viewing platform, flush restrooms.
Boat-in Campsites
- Details: 6 shoreline campsites (Lime Creek, Everett Slough, Monument Bar, Grandview, Slumber Cove [no toilet], Ledbetter Cove) with fire rings, picnic tables, tent pads, food storage lockers, and basic toilets. The shoreline campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis and reservations are not required.
Questions about Boundary Recreation? Call us at (509) 446-3083 (select option 9) or email us.
Upcoming Boundary Recreation Enhancements
Under City Light’s federal license to operate Boundary Dam, we are actively developing additional recreational facilities to support local recreation.
New Viewpoints and Trailheads
The canyon reach area of the Boundary Reservoir between Metaline Falls and Boundary Dam offers spectacular views of steep rock faces, wildlife, dense forest vegetation, nearby mountains, and waterfalls, including Peewee Falls—which are typically only viewable from the water.
Working closely with the US Forest Service/Colville National Forest, City Light is funding the construction of two new viewpoints and trailheads along the eastern rim of the canyon which will open the views to a much broader range of visitors. These viewpoints will open in summer of 2023.
For hiking enthusiasts, a new 8.5-mile trail connecting the two viewpoints will be completed by 2024. Additionally, City Light will be developing a new portage trail around Metaline Falls in 2024 to provide paddlers an alternative to running or avoiding the rapids at the falls. The new portage trail will include parking, picnic tables and a vault toilet.