Crab Creek

Crab Creek is a brook that flows through public lands in central Washington, fed by a year-round stream. Two horse corrals and stock watering facilities mark the waterway, which serves livestock operations in the area.

The creek was originally blocked by sand dunes until a major flood around 1904 cleared these obstacles and allowed continuous flow. This geological shift connected the waterway permanently to the Columbia River system.

Indigenous Spokane and Palouse peoples established important trails along the creek, utilizing its waters for food gathering and transportation routes.

The creek water is unsuitable for human consumption, so visitors should bring their own drinking water. The water facilities present are designed mainly for livestock and not intended for travelers.

The landscape surrounding the creek bears traces of ice age floods that shaped the entire Columbia Basin. These erosional patterns are visible in the geological formations and tell the story of the region's dramatic ancient past.

GPS coordinates: 47.33537,-118.71890

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:22