By Lindsay Box
With 76 lakes in the Spokane area, you have quite a few choices for places to take a dip or grab a paddle. Check out these great lake destinations for their great paddling and swimming waters. However you want to spend your days on the water, Spokane’s lakes are ready for you.
Bear Lake
Bear Lake is a spring-fed lake located 15 miles north of Spokane. There is a nice swimming beach and although there’s no official boat access area, you can launch your canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard from the beach.
Bonnie Lake
The lake is located south of Turnbull National Wildlife, and you can use the small, rustic boat launch next to the bridge over Rock Creek, then head upstream. The creek is very shallow and narrow and twists and turns through the canyon known as Hole in the Ground. Be sure to keep an eye out for the natural rock bridge as well as a huge beaver dam where the lake begins to drain into the creek.
Fish Lake
Just 20 minutes from Downtown Spokane, Fish Lake has a sandy swimming beach and a non-paved boat launch.
Horeshoe Lake
A shallow lake 10 miles west of Nine Mile Falls that is considered one of the best local paddling destinations and also features some cool waterfalls.
Liberty Lake
On the north end of the lake, you’ll find a WDFW boat launch. On the south side, is Liberty Lake Regional Park and a swimming beach.
Long Lake
Aka Lake Spokane is located in Nine Mile Falls. Go to Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area for paddling and swimming beaches. Or you can find a boat launch at Sontag Park.
Medical Lake
This spring-fed lake, with an average summer temperature of 74 degrees, is ideal for both swimming and paddling. Waterfront Park provides a no-fee boat launch, swimming beach with restrooms, and outdoor showers.
Chatcolet Lake
The Chatcolet’s day-use area has a large, paved launch, dock, and unprotected swimming beach. There’s also a dog-friendly swimming beach at Heyburn’s Plummer Point day-use area.
Killarney Lake
Enjoy this placid lake and scenic forest on the chain lake from Lake CDA. This 500-acre lake is popular for camping, fishing, and boating.
Lake Pend Oreille
This lake is Idaho’s biggest and deepest. Dug out by Ice Age glaciers and located amid three major frontal ranges of the northern Rocky Mountains, it is beautiful. For this big lake, find calmer water at south end at Farragut State Park. Beaver Bay Beach is great for swimming. Further into the park, use Eagle Boat Launch. Further south is Sam Owen Campground and its boat launch, dock, and dog-friendly shoreline for swimming and paddling.
Round Lake
This is an all-around family-friendly lake for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Round Lake State Park has a swimming beach, docks, boat launch, and rentals for canoes and paddle boats.
Priest Lake
Priest Lake is often termed Idaho's "Crown Jewel" lake because of its exceptionally clean, clear and deep water. On the east side of the Lake, both Indian Creek and Lionhead Units of Priest Lake State Park have excellent day-use areas on large sandy beaches with designated swimming areas. On the west side of the Lake, the USFS Priest Lake Ranger District maintains day use/picnic facilities at Luby Bay Campground and at Reeder Bay Campground (Ledgewood Picnic Area). There are also numerous public land beaches on the west shoreline, primarily towards the northern end of the Lake. The beaches are accessible only via boat or short excursions off main hiking trails.
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