The Quincy Lakes Unit has been shaped over time by lava flows, glacial floodwaters, erosion, and seepage from irrigation water. Visitors to this unit will experience towering 800-foot basalt cliffs, isolated mesas, stair stepped benches, box canyons, and potholes. Several of the potholes are filled with water that has seeped from the irrigation of the Quincy Basin farmlands upslope, adding important diversity to the unit's fish and wildlife habitat.
The Quincy Lakes Unit is located west of George in Grant County. The unit can be accessed from Highway 281 from Road 3 NW. There is a WDFW gravel access road at the west end of County Road 3 NW.
The Quincy Lakes Unit occurs in both the Lower Crab Creek and Upper Columbia-Entiat watersheds within the Columbia Plateau.
This unit is part of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 278, 290, 329, 272
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Several parking areas provided
- Restrooms
- Boat ramps
Recreation and access advisories
- Foot traffic is allowed year-round
- Motorized vehicles may be used only on gravel roads and within parking areas
- The main access road through this unit is closed to vehicles from Oct. 1 through Feb. 28
Fishing
Boat ramps are provided on the east ends of Burke Lake and Babcock Reservoir. Check out the Quincy Lakes water access area.
Fishing advisories
- Foot traffic is allowed year-round
- The main access road through this unit is closed to vehciles from Oct. 1 through Feb. 28
- The south gate to the main access road through the unit is permanently closed
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes native shrubsteppe communities and wetlands, ponds, and lakes, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
Striped whipsnake have been observed on this unit.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Conservation
Conservation goals
- Maintain enhanced wildlife habitats and preserve native plant communities and important habitats
- Restore and preserve shallow water habitat and pools
- Manage migrant waterfowl, upland game birds, and priority species
Land stewardship
The Quincy Lakes Unit is a combination of several land purchases made by WDFW and acres transferred to WDFW management through a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1951 and 2023.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Power, dike & irrigation districts | Mitigation Funds |
| State of Washington | Transfer of land |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| US National Park Service | Land and Water Conservation Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | Budget Reprioritization Criteria |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | State Migratory Waterfowl Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Boating Facilities Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
Management planning
2022 Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.
Planning Advisory Committee
Columbia Basin Wildlife Area Advisory Committee