About this Location

Facility Overview

The Ellisford-Old Pump Public Access parking area is an open-air, unpaved gravel and packed-dirt recreation lot located directly adjacent to the scenic Okanogan River in rural Okanogan County, Washington, just north of Tonasket near the community of Ellisford. Primarily established to facilitate public water access for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, the lot features an informal open-plan layout capable of supporting passenger cars, full-size pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and boat trailer combinations. Because it is a completely open-sky surface site with no overhead canopies or barriers, there are no vertical clearance limits, making it hospitable for high-roof camper vans, lifted 4x4 vehicles, and vehicles carrying roof racks with kayaks or canoes.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Set along the tranquil waters of the Okanogan River, this river access point offers direct convenience for outdoor enthusiasts exploring North Central Washington:

Okanogan River Waterway: Immediate on-site river access allows anglers, rafters, and kayakers to launch drift boats and paddle craft directly into prime runs for seasonal steelhead, bass, and trout.
Town of Tonasket: Located roughly 10 miles south (a 12 to 14-minute drive via US-97), offering local grocery markets, service stations, hardware outfitters, and family-owned diners.
Oroville & Lake Osoyoos: Situated approximately 11 miles north along US-97, serving as the gateway to Lake Osoyoos State Park, water sports facilities, and the United States–Canada international border crossing.
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest & Highlands: Accessible within a 20 to 30-minute drive east and west, providing backcountry trailheads, hunting grounds, and scenic mountain view overlooks.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The access point is reached quickly from US Route 97, the primary north-south arterial highway traversing north-central Washington. Motorists turn off US-97 onto local river-approach access roads near Ellisford. Ingress and egress are straightforward via wide, two-way gravel access lanes suitable for slow-speed maneuvering with towed vessels. Public mass transit is limited in this remote corridor, though Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition (OCTN) provides scheduled rural paratransit and intercity bus routes along the US-97 highway corridor between Omak, Tonasket, and Oroville. Personal vehicles or outfitter shuttles remain the primary modes of transit for visitors utilizing this access point.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air rustic gravel parking surface with flexible stall spacing for single vehicles and extended boat trailers.
Direct non-motorized and small watercraft launching access point down to the riverbank.
No structural overhead clearance restrictions, ideal for oversized vehicles, campers, and roof-mounted watercraft.
Unmetered rural public parking (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass may be required on vehicle dashboards).
Natural scenic shoreline vantage points suitable for birdwatching, waterfowl viewing, and wildlife observation.

Ideal For

Anglers & Sportsmen: River fishermen pursuing seasonal runs of game fish along quiet stretches of the Okanogan River.
Paddlers & River Rafters: Kayakers, canoeists, and float parties needing a practical put-in or take-out staging spot.
Roadtrippers & Campers: Travelers cruising scenic Highway 97 looking for a brief riverfront rest stop or photography break.
Wildlife Photographers & Birdwatchers: Nature lovers seeking riparian habitats that attract bald eagles, osprey, and migratory waterfowl.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because the parking area is surfaced with natural gravel and river silt, surface conditions can become rutted or muddy following snowmelt and heavy rainfall; four-wheel drive or vehicles with moderate ground clearance are advised during the spring thaw. Visitors should verify state recreational pass regulations, as WDFW-managed access parcels typically require a valid Discover Pass displayed on the rearview mirror or dashboard. There are no on-site trash disposal containers or lighting fixtures, so plan ahead to pack out all waste, practice Leave No Trace principles, and bring a flashlight if arriving during early morning angling hours or departing at dusk.