It was a blistering hot day in central Washington. We’d been on the road for hours and were ready for some creature comfort. We found it at Bridgeport State Park on the north shore of Rufus Woods Lake.

The bountiful shade trees and lush grass at the park were a welcomed treat. The 622-acre park, located in the midst of North Central Washington’s desert, is situated directly behind Chief Joseph Dam.

Rufus Woods Lake, a reservoir of the mighty Columbia River, is abundant in rainbow trout, silvers and walleye. The lake is also popular for boating, swimming, waterskiing and sailboarding. The park has two watercraft launches and a 240-foot dock.

Besides water activity, the park offers four miles of ADA-compliant hiking trails.

On the north side of the park, “haystack” volcanic formations are a reminder of the area’s turbulent geology. The rock formations were formed by lava flows millions of years ago.

The park has both electrical hook-up and standard campsites, each featuring a picnic table and fire ring, and a group camp that accommodates up to 72 guests. The day-use area has two covered picnic gazebos, plus 10 unsheltered picnic tables.

On Saturdays during the summer, interpretive programs are provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Subjects include the operation of Chief Joseph Dam and area wildlife.

While in the area, take the time to visit Chief Joseph Dam, the second largest hydropower producing dam in the United States. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam produces enough power to supply the whole Seattle metropolitan area.

Bridgeport State Park was a nice change from our usual more rugged style of camping. We found the park a great place to chill out with time in the sun and plenty of shade to cool off afterwards.