A ride is included with admission to the Inland Northwest Rail Museum: Take a trip on the museum railway, The Reardan Rocket, which runs on a 2-foot track. The museum also features historic locomotives, railroad cars, and exhibits on the region’s railway history. You can encounter the vehicles both as part of a collection and on the railway.
Railways and History
The Lincoln County Museum offers another perspective on the region’s cultural heritage. The Lincoln County Historical Society collects and preserves this heritage and makes it accessible to the public at the museum. In Odessa, the historic museum tells the story of the settlement and development of the towns and surrounding landscape by pioneers, most of whom were of German-Russian descent. Together, the museums offer different ways to explore the area: one focuses on the region’s railway history, the other on its settlement history.
Events and the food served at them are also part of the cultural experience. Reardan Mule Days takes place annually on the first weekend of June in Reardan. Deutschesfest features offerings including bratwurst, Krautranza, apple strudel, Reubens, cabbage rolls, potato dumplings, and cake. These examples pair a recurring event with a specific selection of festival foods.
Birdlife, Landscape, and Fishing
Reardan Audubon Lake provides habitat for more than 200 bird and other wildlife species. Observation blinds can be reached from the parking lots via short, approximately 0.25-mile-long, ADA-accessible paved paths. The paths connect a clear starting point with the observation areas, providing a particularly useful landmark for bird and wildlife watching.
The Fishtrap Recreation Area is near Sprague. Its habitats range from forest and shrub-steppe to grassland and wetlands. The area also includes the more than eight-mile-long, non-motorized Fishtrap Loop Trail System. This natural area brings together several types of landscape, while the named trail provides a dedicated non-motorized route.
Fishing opportunities also vary depending on the waterbody and conditions. Lake Roosevelt offers shoreline fishing at numerous access points; fish species include white sturgeon, rainbow trout, kokanee, walleye, and black bass. Shoreline fishing is possible at Fourth of July Lake when the water is ice-free. Trout fishing there is limited to winter, and the lake is among the most productive winter lakes for this fishery. At Sprague Lake, shoreline fishing is available at a WDFW access area and at two resorts. Species to fish for there include rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, and American bullfrog.
Places and Getting Around
U.S. Highway 2 crosses Lincoln County as an important east-west route. In Davenport, Davenport Park has a playground, barbecue area, shelter, and picnic tables. The city’s skate park has ramps and rails and is open daily until dusk. At Reardan Town Park, the pavilion and picnic tables can be reserved for gatherings. These details provide different planning reference points: an important road connection, park facilities, and a skate park with stated daily hours.
Discover more destinations: Odessa, Davenport, Benton, Pacific County, Clallam County, Douglas County, Lewis, Skamania.
For the broader travel overview: Washington.
