Lake Coeur d’Alene

Tony’s on the Lake: Tony’s has been a staple in Coeur d’Alene for a long time. It is well known for its Tuscan Italian food, extensive wine selection, and quality service. Pasta is the heart and soul of the menu, but it also makes fantastic arancini and gnocchi. Its docks are now easily accessible to all boaters, and the lake views are spectacular. tonysonthelake.com

The Lodge at Carlin Bay: After being haunted by years of scandal, Carlin Bay has been cleaned up, and the Lodge is under new ownership. Their menu has been simplified and includes some unique combinations of flavors. The tuna poke appetizer is topped with crisped rice and pickled watermelon rind. Their spicy Carlin burger comes with jalapeno bacon chutney and honey cream cheese spread. Bar drinks draw from summer and local flavors, including huckleberry, of course. You can even eat or lounge with a drink on the dock. facebook.com/thelodgeatcarlinbay

Hayden Lake

The Boathouse Bar and Grill: The Boathouse is on the southern side of Hayden Lake with a patio that hangs over the water at the marina. Their menu has the usual beach front bar food and seafood, but locals recommend trying the cocktails. haydenlakemarina.com/the_boathouse

Hauser Lake

Embers by the Lake: The Hammons family opened Embers in June 2014 with a focus on handcrafted wood fired pizza and have slowly gained a reputation for good food with a lovely view. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, they offer a variety of salads and some fun simple and small plates, like hot corn & cheese dip, PB&J, and Embers cheesy mac, which is baked in the wood fire oven and topped with hickory smoked bacon. They also keep six beers on tap and serve an array of wines by the bottle and glass. facebook.com/embersbythelake

Lake Pend Oreille

Forty-One South and Shoga Sushi, Sagle: These sister restaurants are located inside the Lodge at Sandpoint on the Sagle side of the lake. Forty-One is a fine dining experience with plenty of seafood and steak on the menu. Shoga serves some of the best sushi and Japanese cuisine in the Inland Northwest. Reservations are recommended any night at both establishments. 41southsandpoint.com shogasushi.com

DISH, Dover Bay: Executive chef Eddie Sneva and general manager Gary Peitz recently released new menus filled with fresh ingredients and mouth-watering twists on traditional foods. They put havarti cheese on their Dover burger, chimichurri on their grilled ahi, coconut milk in their beet bisque, and toss their edamame in truffle oil, red chili oil, and black and white sesame seeds. Try the DISH’s famous bloody mary, complete with three spiced prawns. dishatdoverbay.com

The Lake House Bar and Grill, Bayview: Formerly the Floating Patio, the Lake House opened last summer under the management of new owner Natasha Meidinger. The blue restaurant floats right next to the public dock and boat launch and offers a full menu and bar. Their most popular menu items are the fish tacos, cheese curds, steak salad, half-pound burger, and cheesecake. Sip a draft beer while enjoying the gentle rock of the bay, or try one of their innovative cocktails, like the spiked huckleberry lemonade or Arnold Palmer made with peach pecan whiskey. The floating grill even has a patio where they feature live music on Saturdays. Dogs and kids welcome. facebook.com/lakehousebayview

Priest Lake

Elkins and Hills Resorts: The entire shoreline of Upper Priest Lake is either owned by the State of Idaho or is federal land. Development is focused around Lower Priest Lake, where two resorts on the northwest end of the lake dominate food, recreation, and tourism: Elkins Resort and Hills Resort. Both rate neck to neck in public reviews for both food and accommodations. Hills gets plenty of shout outs for the culinary skill of local chef William Webster. When you eat at Elkins, there are plenty of rave-worthy items to explore on their Pacific Rim-inspired menu. Be sure to try the huckleberry martini too. elkinsresort.com hillsresort.com

Cavanaugh’s: Under new ownership, Cavanaugh’s has simplified its menu and improved its service. Try the poutine and make sure dessert includes their huckleberry offering—a white chocolate macadamia cookie huckleberry ice cream sandwich. cavsresort.com//

[Feature photo: The Lodge at Carlin Bay // S. Michal Bennett]

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I still enjoy this memory (even though I didn’t have the temperament for fishing as a kid). Many other lakes hold my most vivid summer memories: diving off docks, canoeing at summer camp, tubing behind a power boat with terrified glee, learning to slalom waterski. Good times at many different lakes, never just one.

Recently, my husband and I went for a sunset paddle—a post-dinner idea for our kid-free date night. We kayaked across Fish Lake’s dark, flat water, listening for wildlife in the reeds. Fish jumped in front of our bows. Bats flew past our heads. And then there was a thunderclap. We paddle-sprinted across the lake through pelting rain, with a plan to follow the shoreline back to the boat launch. Then a lightning bolt flashed; its fractured arms splintering down beyond a not-too-distant hilltop—less than a half-mile away, we figured. So we pulled our kayaks onto the rocky shore, moved away from our metal paddles, and waited for the storm to pass. As serious as the situation was, we couldn’t help laughing at ourselves—here we were, in our early 40s, scrambling to avoid being struck by lightning. Not our smartest decision to go paddling with an ominous weather forecast. We knew better. But our ambition overrode our common sense.

Still, it was a good adventure, and reminded me of a chart I once saw. A quick Google search found it again for me: a handwritten flow chart, posted on semi-rad.com, with a series of questions to distinguish outdoor adventures from, well, regular ventures. “Was it hard or dirty or uncertain at times? Did you think you were going to die? Did you get some minor injuries? Did you get lost? Did you get scared? Did you get cold?” If yes to any of these, the next question is: “But did you die?” No. à “It was a good adventure.”

Maybe there are no misadventures outdoors, only learning opportunities. And lakes can be good teachers. Summertime, after all, is for boat rides and jumping off docks into glacier-fed lakes, the season of long days and bold sunsets. Out There’s annual Lake Guide provides ideas and inspiration for your lake-based recreation and travel to new destinations. Perhaps this is the summer you try a new watersport or catch your biggest trout. Or maybe your goal is to use your SUP or kayak as much as possible, to teach your kids how to fish, or to go boating every weekend. July is the heart of summer—time to dive in. //

Amy S. McCaffree, Special Section Editor

[Feature photo: Katie LeBlanc]

The post Adventures in Lake Country appeared first on Out There Venture.

“So that’s when I got certified as a scuba diver,” he says. After certification, he started diving on the vehicle, piecing together the mystery. Repeat dives revealed it was a 1941 Master Coupe Deluxe Chevrolet, a handsome vehicle with chrome detailing. The key to the mystery was one revealing clue: the black rocks spilling out of the trunk, which Beemer realized were coal. A likely narrative became clear. “They were out ice fishing,” he imagines of the vehicle’s occupants. “There was coal in the trunk of the car. They’d been having a fire on the ice, I assume, and the car went through the ice. It’s probably been down there since the mid-40s.”

From land, none of this was apparent. Family who’d owned the lake property since the early 1960s hadn’t heard a thing about this car. There really are hidden treasures beneath the surface. When scuba diving, “you’re seeing the world that nobody else sees,” Beemer says. “It’s a feeling of being an explorer, and yet being 300 yards from the shore.”

At Jake’s Diving School in Coeur d’Alene, Jake Powlison has been instructing divers since 2011; he estimates he certifies about 300 each year. “We have a lot of lakes to dive around here,” Powlison says. “A lot of treasures to be found.” In our local lakes you’ll find steam boats, sunken cars, antique fishing lures, old bridge trestles and pilings, paddle wheel steamers and tug boats, 50-foot barges that look like old pirate ships, lost Rolexes, and accidentally-dropped engagement rings. There are antique bottles—so many bottles. In the days before garbage service, “folks used to take their garbage and dump it out in the lake,” says Beemer. “You’ll be diving out in 40 feet of water and there will be 100 old bottles, because everything’s disintegrated except for the glass.”

And then there are the living things. Around November or December at Higgens Point on Coeur d’Alene, “we see the salmon coming in to spawn,” says Powlison. “They come in by the thousands.” Our local lakes are home to a variety of fish. Though trout will take off when they see people and pike are a bit skittish, bass are curious. Beemer goes back often to visit the Chevrolet, and near it he sees 5 and 6-pound bass as well as plenty of smaller ones. “Once they figure out you’re not there to do any damage, they’re curious and they follow you around like a puppy,” he says.

Regardless of what you find under the surface, it’s crucial for divers to follow safety precautions, not pushing the limits of what they’ve been trained to do. “Do what you’re trained for,” says Powlison. “A lot of people want to go outside of what they’re trained to do—caves, underneath docks, where they don’t have a clear ascent to the surface.” If something goes wrong, that’s incredibly risky. It’s also critical to only dive with a partner in case there are any gear issues or other problems. Plus, it’s more fun that way. “Having a dive buddy, that’s another pair of eyes down below, and it doubles the things you find,” says Beemer.

Divers seeking ideas of where to dive or looking to connect with other local divers should visit the Inland Northwest Divers group on Facebook. Jill Eberly, a master diver and one of the group’s administrators, says the intention of the group is “to bring people together so they can find somebody to dive with, to meet new dive friends, and to see new locations.” She often dives with new divers in need of partners, or helps them make connections. The group, as well as local dive shops, often organize group dives. The more connections in the scuba diving world, the better. “I don’t want people to give up because they don’t have somebody to go with,” says Eberly. “That should be the last reason.” //

[Feature photo: Dwellers of the lake. // Courtesy of Inland Northwest Divers]

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Hayden Triathlon

(July 14, Hayden, Idaho)

Beginning on Honeysuckle Beach in Hayden, Idaho, participate in the three-sport spectacular: swim a half mile in the clear waters of Hayden Lake, bike 12 miles through the local community, and finish with a 3.1-mile run along tree-lined neighborhoods. The event is an official USAT sanctioned sprint triathlon, with the official race start time at 7 a.m. Visit haydentri.com to register.

Bands on Boats

(July 6–Aug. 31, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)

What’s better than watching live music in the summertime? Enjoying the show from the middle of Lake Coeur d’Alene, atop a double decker cruise boat with fresh air and North Idaho mountain views. The Bands on Boats series features lively shows from local musicians on select Thursday and Friday evenings. The boats depart from the Coeur d’Alene Resort at 7 p.m. Participants must be 21 to ride. For more information, visit cdacruises.com.

ChelanMan

(July 21-22, Chelan, Wash.)

From the kids’ Splash n’ Dash to official Sprint, Olympic, and Half Ironman races, the ChelanMan triathlon event on the banks of Lake Chelan in Central Washington has something for everyone in the family. Put on by the Lake Chelan Multisport Foundation, all of the events boast impeccable organization; a fun, festive atmosphere; and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest vistas. For more information on the available races visit chelanman.com.

The Long Bridge Swim

(Aug. 4, Sandpoint, Idaho)

Swim alongside the iconic Long Bridge in the largest freshwater lake in the Northwest: Lake Pend Oreille. Taking place in Sandpoint, Idaho, join hundreds of participants of all ages in the 1.76-mile open water swim with views of the Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Panhandle National Forests accompanying as you go. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. with a mandatory safety meeting and the race to follow. For more information, visit longbridgeswim.org.

Coulee Playland Banks Lake Open Team Bass Tournament

(Aug. 4-5, Electric City, Wash.)

Test your fishing finesse at the 9th annual Banks Lake Open Bass Tournament on Central Washington’s beautiful Banks Lake. This team event is open to the public and is hosted by the Banks Lake Bass Club. Enjoy casting lines in the Devil’s Punchbowl or soaking up the Steamboat Rock State Park panoramas between bass bites. Headquarters for the tournament is located at Coulee Playland, and a Washington state-sanctioned fishing license is required for participation. Learn more at bankslakebassclub.com.

Willow Bay Surf Fest

(Aug. 4, Priest River, Idaho)

If you spend your summer surfing freshwater waves, then the Willow Bay Surf Fest is the event for you.  Surf Fest is a wakesurf competition for people of all skill levels. Participants in the Juniors, Masters, and Amateurs categories will be towed behind a Nautique G23, ensuring an event enjoyable by surfers and spectators alike. Visit intleague.com for more information.

Nelson Sprints Rowing Regatta

(Aug. 11, Nelson, British Columbia)

Calling all rowers to the only sanctioned Rowing BC event in Inland British Columbia! Along the banks of Kootenay Lake in Nelson, BC, the Rowing Regatta offers races of both 1000-meter and 500-meter distances. The event is open to rowers of all ages and abilities and is followed by a Kootenay-style Nelson barbeque. To learn more, visit nelsonrowing.ca.

Paddle, Splash, and Play

(Aug. 11, Nine Mile Falls, Wash.)

This free event, located in the Nine Mile Recreation Area in Eastern Washington, is a chance to engage the whole family in a paddle-packed day. Try stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, and more on the Spokane River, with gear and tutorials available to the public. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Discover Pass is required. Visit sckc.ws/events for details.

[Feature photo: Long Bridge Swim // Daryl Baird]

The post 2018 Lake Events Guide for the Inland Northwest appeared first on Out There Venture.

[Note: Discover Pass required for all Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife boat launch sites. Idaho requires an annual State Parks Passport, which covers entry and boat launch fees, or you can pay a $5 daily motor vehicle entry fee.]

EASTERN WASHINGTON

Bear Lake: At Bear Lake Regional Park near Chattaroy, there’s a nice swimming beach. Although there’s no official boat access area, you can launch your canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard from the beach. www.spokanecounty.org

Bonnie Lake: “This is a great paddle when the thoroughfare to the lake is open, and you paddle through the tall grasses into the beautiful lake with its rocky cliffs and tons of bird life—hawks, turkey vultures, and mud swallows,”  says Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club (SCKC) member Debbie Pierce. 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. Local landowners allow access to the put-in. Be sure to stay off the creek and lake shorelines since it’s all private land; however, the lake’s island is designated public land. wdfw.wa.gov

Fish Lake: A sandy swimming beach and non-paved boat launch are at Spokane County’s Fish Lake Regional Park. Only watercraft without internal combustion motors are allowed, making this a quiet paddling lake.

Horseshoe Lake: Considered one of the best local paddling destinations by members of the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club, this no-wake lake in Pend Oreille County has a WDFW boat launch.

Lake Spokane (Long Lake): Paddling launch points and swimming beaches are located at Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area and Lake Spokane Campground. There’s also a boat launch at Sontag Park. Visit spokaneriver.net/watertrail for more information.

Liberty Lake: A WDFW boat launch on the lake’s north end, near the city’s business district, makes a convenient access point. On the south end is Liberty Lake Regional Park, managed by Spokane County. While there is no boat launch at the park, there is a swimming beach (entrance fee required).

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. Combustion-engine boats are prohibited. wdfw.wa.gov

Medical Lake’s Watefront Park (left, top right) // Photos: Shallan Knowles; Fish Lake (lower right) // Photo: Amy McCaffree

IDAHO

Chatcolet Lake: Accessible from Heyburn State Park near Plummer, there are two public boat launches. One is at the Rocky Point Beach and Marina, off Highway 5 (about 10 minutes from the park’s visitor center), which also has docks and large swimming beach. From here, you can paddle up the St. Joe River or to nearby Lake Benewah (east), which has no physical barrier with Chatcolet. You can also paddle to the lake’s southwest corner and the Plummer Creek marsh area. While there is no boat launch here, you can carry your canoe or kayak to the dock, and park at the visitor center if not staying at Hawley’s Landing Campground. 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 & Swan Lakes: These are two of the chain lakes east of Lake Coeur d’Alene, connected by narrow channels to the Coeur d’Alene River. Use the BLM boat launch at Killarney, located off I-90’s Rose Lake exit. There’s also a dock and primitive campground. “Paddle around the beautiful little lake, including a stop at Popcorn Island, before continuing into the slow-moving…Coeur d‘Alene River,” says SCKC member Debbie Pierce. Killarney’s south end is where you’ll find the channel connecting to the river. Paddle downriver and look to the right to find the pole markers indicating the Swan Lake access channel.

Lake Pend Oreille: 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. Pierce recommends “crossing the lake to look for mountain goats.” You can also paddle south to explore Beaver and Bottleneck Bays. On the lake’s upper eastside, East Hope’s Pringle Park has a public boat launch. Further south is Sam Owen Campground and its boat launch, dock, and dog-friendly shoreline for swimming and paddling. Paddle south around the peninsula to explore the Denton Slough, an Idaho State wildlife management area for waterfowl and other animals.

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 paddle watercraft rentals. Only electric motorboats are allowed. Explore the inlet (east) and outlet (west) areas of Cocolalla Creek. Look for evidence of beavers in the marsh and creek on the east side. You might even see moose.

Thoroughfare to Upper Priest Lake: A classic, must-do paddle route, this 2.5-mile channel begins at the north end of Priest Lake. Launch from Beaver Creek Campground’s day-use area or drive to the trailhead for the Navigation Trail to carry your canoe or kayak to a primitive shoreline access area.

Originally published in the July 2018 issue, Inland NW Lake Guide. [Updated June 2021]

Lake Chatcolet (upper/lower left); Priest Lake at Beaver Creek Campground (middle); Beaver Bay Beach at Lake Pend Oreille (upper right); Lake Pend Oreille at Sam Owen Campground. // Photos: Amy McCaffree

[Feature photo: “Paddling on the blue” by Daryl Baird.]

For more swimming and paddling stories, visit the OTO archives.

The post Best Paddling & Swimming Lakes in Eastern Washington and North Idaho appeared first on Out There Venture.

EASTERN WASHINGTON

From rustic channeled scabland lakes carved by Ice Age floods to backcountry gems surrounded by mixed-conifer forests, these lakes provide the setting for high adventure and relaxing recreation. (For more amenity details, visit wdfw.wa.gov for public boat launches and fishing/boating access sites; all WDFW boat launches require a Discover Pass).

Banks Lake: This 27,000-acre reservoir lake extends 27 miles between two community hubs, from Coulee City north to Electric City and Grand Coulee. Boaters, wake-boarders, and water-skiers have fun here, and anglers enjoy catching several species. Amenities: WDFW 6 sites, most developed is Barker Canyon; Steamboat Rock State Park (3 campgrounds, 7 watercraft launches, dock, campsites); Coulee City Community Park and Campground (public launch, swimming area); Coulee Playland Resort in Electric City (watercraft rentals, launch); KJ Watersports Boat Rentals.

Bear Lake: Find this quiet, spring-fed lake 15 miles north of Spokane, near Chattaroy. Amenities: Bear Lake Regional Park (beach, hiking trails, no boat ramp).

Badger Lake: Expect good trout fishing and serene paddling at this scablands lake. Amenities: WDFW dock.

Bead Lake: Paddlers, boaters, and anglers seeking kokanee and trout enjoy this lake in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Amenities: FS boat launch.

Big Meadow Lake: Loons and trout call this rustic lake home, and fishing prospects are “excellent” in July, according to WDFW. Amenities: FS Big Meadow Campground—launch, fishing dock, interpretive trails.

Bonnie Lake: A paddler’s haven located south of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, put-in your watercraft at the small, rustic boat launch by Rock Creek bridge. Private landowners allow launch access, so be respectful and Leave No Trace. Paddle upstream to find the long, narrow lake and its island. Amenities: None. https://wdfw.wa.gov/

Clear Lake: Anglers, boaters, and water-skiers enjoy this 316-acre lake west of Spokane. Amenities: WDFW; Sun Cove Resort (boat launch, camping).

Deer Lake: Fed by springs and snowmelt, this lake has 1,150 acres for all watersports. Amenities: WDFW; Deer Lake Resort (RV park, camping, cabins, day-use beach, boat launch, watercraft rentals).

Diamond Lake: Expect good fishing at this 754-acre lake near Newport, which was recently stocked with more than 12,500 trout. Amenities: WDFW; camping at Little Diamond Lake KOA or Thousand Trails RV Campground.

Eloika Lake: Nestled in the Selkirk Mountain foothills, paddlers can spot beavers and muskrats around this 3-mile long lake. Amenities: WDFW; Jerry’s Landing Resort (RV/tent camping, cabins, boat rentals, dock, day-use).

Fish Lake: Enjoy this 32-acre rural lake, off Spokane-Cheney Road, and its quaint county park. The north end trailhead for the 130-mile long Columbia Plateau Trail State Park begins nearby. Amenities: Fish Lake Regional Park (free boat launch, no gas motors, beach, fishing dock).

Fishtrap Lake: A remote 190-acre lake near Sprague, in Lincoln County, with 8,000+ acres of BLM public land along its west shoreline, which includes nearby Hog Canyon Lake. Amenities: WDFW launch sites; Fishtrap Recreation Area (no facilities or services); Fishtrap Lake Resort (launch, dock).

Horseshoe Lake: One of the best local paddling destinations, according to Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club members, this 128-acre lake in Pend Oreille County has a “no wake” rule. Amenities: WDFW launch.

Lake Spokane: Local paddlers, boaters, and bass anglers especially enjoy this 24-mile lake reservoir, located along the Spokane River, from Nine Mile Falls to Long Lake Dams (which is why it’s also referred to as Long Lake). Amenities: Riverside State Park—3 campgrounds: Nine Mile Recreation Area (paved launch, dock, camping, swimming, watercraft rentals), Lake Spokane Campground (primitive campsites, some boat-in only access), and Long Lake Campground (launch, beach); Willow Bay RV Resort & Marina (docks, cabins, beach).

Lake Roosevelt: This 130-mile long reservoir lake is protected as a national recreation area. Altogether five agencies and the Spokane and Colville Tribes collectively manage the lake, so be sure to consult a map and plan carefully before you go fishing or take your watercraft to any primitive, sandy beach. Amenities: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (over 10 boat launches, 11 campgrounds currently operating, boat-access only campsites, day-use areas, beaches); Private resorts with boat launches include Sun Lakes Park, Two Rivers, and North Lake RV Park and Campground, and Blue Moose Lodging; Lake Roosevelt Adventures rents houseboats and operates Seven Bays Marina and Keller Ferry Marina & Campground.

Little Pend Oreille Chain of Lakes: In the Colville National Forest is a chain of four small lakes interconnected by the Little Pend Oreille River. Starting from the north end, it includes lakes Leo, Heritage, Thomas and Gillette (connected by a small, navigable channel), and Sherry. Each provides paddling, swimming, and fishing recreation. Amenities: FS campgrounds, boat launches, and day-use areas at Lakes Leo and Gillette; FS campground only at Thomas; Beaver Lodge Resort & Campground at Gillette.

Liberty Lake: An iconic lake close to its city core, it’s popular with paddlers, boaters, and other users. Amenities: WDFW dock; Liberty Lake Regional Park (beach, campground, no boat launch, entrance fee).

Loon Lake: There’s over 1,000 acres for boating and waterskiing on this lake in Stevens County, which has excellent kokanee fishing. Amenities: WDFW; Shore Acres Resort (cabins, dock, beach); Granite Point Park (resort campground).

Long Lake: Located in the Colville National Forest, this rustic 13-acre lake that’s good for paddlers is regulated for fly-fishing only. No motorized boats. Amenities: FS Long Lake Campground with boat launch.

Medical Lake: This spring-fed lake, with an average summer temperature of 74 degrees, is ideal for swimming and paddling. No combustion-engine boats allowed. Amenities: City-owned Waterfront Park (free boat launch, beach).

Moses Lake: This shallow 6,727-acre lake reservoir, 105 miles west of Spokane, is great for all watersports. An official Water Trail map from the city promotes non-motorized activities among 8 shoreline parks and points of interest. The lake’s outlet water trails, at an irrigation dam, connect to Potholes Reservoir. Amenities: 2 WDFW launches; city launches at Blue Heron, Connelly, Montlake, and Peninsula parks, and Cascade Park Campground; Camping at Grant County Fairgrounds, Big Sun Resort (Lakefront RV Park), Suncrest RV Park, Sunny Springs Resort & Campground (Ephrata).

Newman Lake: One of the largest lakes in Spokane County (1,200 acres), you’ll enjoy views of Mt. Spokane and other peaks as you paddle, fish, or waterski. Amenities: WDFW; McKenzie Conservation Area; Newman Lake Resort & Marina and Sutton Bay Resort (both: launches, docks, beaches).

Potholes Reservoir: Located in central Washington’s desert landscape, the 25,000-acre Potholes Reservoir was created when the O’Sullivan Dam filled the Ice Age flood-carved “potholes.” Sand dune islands abound, some covered by shallow water. Popular for all watersports, the state park provides 6,000 feet of shoreline access, and this lake is also a Columbia Basin Wildlife Area unit. Two water trails on the east end connect to Moses Lake. Amenities: 5 WDFW launches; Potholes State Park (launches, dock, campsites); primitive boat launches and camping areas, such as Sand Dunes Site; MarDon Resort, O’Sullivan Sportsman Resort, and Sun Desert RV Park (all have campsites, dock, launches); Pro-Touch Jet Ski & Boat Rentals.

Silver Lake: Located near I-90’s Four Lakes exit, this long, narrow lake is popular with paddlers and anglers. Amenities: WDFW, dock; Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center.

Soap Lake: This quiet, natural mineral lake is renowned for its “healing” effects, and on windy days, soap bubbles appear on the lake shore. Enjoy paddling and buoyant swimming, but be aware of sulfur-smelling mud. Amenities: Smokiam Park (city-owned campground), West Beach, and Paul Lauzier Community Park; resorts, spas, and inns, including Smokiam Resort (camping, rental cabins, teepees, dock, boat launch). No fishing available.

Sprague Lake: You can’t miss this 6-mile long by 1-mile wide lake (1,760 acres) along I-90, west of Spokane. Best known for its good fishing prospects, 675 acres of the lake’s wetlands and shoreline is designated as part of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area. Amenities: WDFW; Four Seasons Campground & Resort; Sprague Lake Resort; Columbia Basin Wildlife Area interpretative trail.

Sullivan Lake: Located in the Colville National Forest, near Metaline Falls, enjoy camping, paddling, fishing, hiking, and picking huckleberries. Last summer’s wildfire burned the lake’s forested east side. Amenities: FS campgrounds and day-use areas with boat launches and beaches: West Sullivan and East Sullivan (both at the north end, provide docks), and Noisy Creek Campground (south).

Sun Lake: Located at the foot of Dry Falls, enjoy all your favorite watersports, including tubing, wake surfing, and waterskiing (periodic restrictions apply). Amenities: Sun Lake-Dry Falls State Park (watercraft launches, moorage slips, dock, campground); Sun Lakes Park Resort.

Trout & Emerald Lakes: Rustic lakes in the Hoodoo Canyon of the Kettle Range. Hike the Hoodoo Canyon Trail #17 to Emerald Lake Trail #94 (6 miles round-trip). Amenities: FS Trout Lake Campground, no boat launch, paddlers put-in at shoreline.

Twin Lakes: On the Colville Indian Reservation, near the town of Inchelium, there are actually two lakes, named North Twin and South Twin. Anglers need tribal fishing permits. Amenities: Boat launches, docks, beaches, and camping at Rainbow Beach Resort (North) and Hartman’s Log Cabin Resort (South).

Waitts Lake: This quiet 500-acre lake, located south of Chewelah, is good for fishing and paddling. Amenities: WDFW; Camping/day-use at Silver Beach Resort, Winona Beach Resort, and Waitts Lake Resort.

West Medical Lake: A small lake in east Spokane County that attracts anglers, as well as white pelicans, herons, and other waterfowl. It’s considered one of the best trout lakes in Washington, according to WDFW. However, that status is threatened by the huge population of illegally dumped goldfish currently overrunning the lake, according to recent reports. Amenities: WDFW; West Medical Lake Resort (dock fishing, boat rentals).

Williams Lake: Anglers and paddlers enjoy this small, spring-fed channeled scabland lake, stocked annually with rainbow and cutthroat trout. Amenities: WDFW; Klink’s Resort (launch, dock, watercraft rentals, RV/tent camping, restaurant), Bunker’s Resort & Marina (launch, dock, cabins, tents/RV sites, bar & grill).

NORTH IDAHO

Lake culture is big in Idaho’s Panhandle, whether it’s boating on one of the vast, majestic lakes or fishing at an alpine forest hideaway. (For complete details about boating access sites and launch permit fees, visit Idaho Fish & Game (IFG) at idfg.idaho.gov; for Kootenai County, visit kcgov.us.)

Brush Lake: Located north of Bonners Ferry, this scenic destination was recently stocked with over 5,000 trout. Amenities: FS Brush Lake Picnic Area launch (electric motors only), dock, campsites.

Chain Lakes of the Coeur d’Alene River: This series of small lakes are interconnected by narrow channels, some too shallow to navigate, off the Coeur d’Alene River. Some of the bigger ones are Blue Lake (226 acres, no motor restrictions) and Killarney, which has Popcorn Island (1 acre, managed by BLM) that provides a picnic unit and campsite. This Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area includes Thomas and Anderson Lakes as state birding trail areas, and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes runs along the river. Amenities: Lake Killarney BLM boat launch (dock, campground); BLM boat launches along the river include Thompson and Anderson Lake Outlets.

Cocolalla Lake: This 800-acre lake, south of Sandpoint, was stocked this spring with over 9,000 rainbow trout. Amenities: ID boat launch, docks; day-use only, campground closed indefinitely.

Chatcolet & Benewah Lakes: Accessible from Heyburn State Park near Plummer, or from the south end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, these two beautiful, serene lakes have no actual separating boundary. Amenities: Rocky Point Beach and Marina (docks, boat rentals, beach), Plummer Point dog-friendly beach, Hawley’s Landing Campground (dock, paddle watercraft launch), rental cabins, Benewah Campground, Chatcolet Campground and day-use area (boat launch, dock, Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes).

Lake Coeur d’Alene

This 25-mile long mecca is 31,000 acres with more than 15 boat launch locations (complete details at lakecoeurdalene.com). Here are highlights you need to know.

City of Coeur d’Alene: The city’s downtown lakeshore hub serves locals as well as tourists. For fancy, visit the Coeur d’Alene Resort and Boardwalk Marina. For adventure, hike around Tubbs Hill (trailhead at McEuen Park) and swim at one of its small, sandy beaches. For family fun, McEuen boasts the city’s largest playground, a splash pad, dog park, and the Centennial Trail goes through the park. Amenities: McEuen Park boat launch; City Park (beach, sports courts) & Fort Sherman Playground; Independence Point (beach, dock, tour boats, seaplanes, and parasailing); Boat rentals: KJ Watersports, Lake Escapes Boat Rentals, New Sun Adventures, Just Add Water Sports (JAWS).

NIC Beach: This large public beach at the edge of the North Idaho College campus is accessible from Rosenberry Drive or the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Amenities: NIC’s Outdoor Pursuits boat house is open daily for watercraft rentals, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., through Labor Day; reserve at (208-769-3290); free campus parking.

Harrison: Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway on the lake’s east side leads to this quaint lake town. Amenities: Harrison County Docks (launch, overnight moorage); City day-use park, beach, RV/tent camping park; Gateway Restaurant & Marina (gas dock, convenience store); Carlin Bay Resort (launch, gas dock); Harrison Pontoons & Rentals; FS Bell Bay Campground (docks).

Other notable amenities around the lake

Boat-access only campgrounds/mooring docks: Windy Bay and Mica Bay Boater Parks (BLM), Mowry Boat Park (Kootenai County); Marinas with fuel docks: Tobler (Black Rock), Conkling, Silver Beach, Sunup Bay.

Elsie Lake: Enjoy serene paddling and fishing at this high alpine lake near Kellogg. Amenities: No-fee gravel launch, beach, primitive campsites; no motor boats allowed. idfg.idaho.gov

Fernan Lake: A 300-acre lake in Fernan Lake Village, near Coeur d’Alene, that’s great for paddling and fishing. The Idaho Panhandle National Forest borders its northern shoreline. Amenities: Fernan Park boat launch, dock, marina.

Granite & Kelso Lakes: Two small, forested, trout-stocked lakes north of Athol, situated near each other off the same rural road. Kelso is a state birding site Amenities: ID (electric motors only), docks.

Hauser Lake: Located north of Post Falls, enjoy the surrounding forest and mountain views. Amenities: Hauser Lake Park launch, swimming area.

Hayden Lake: Enjoy your favorite watersports and views of the Bitterroot Mountains. Amenities: ID; Honeysuckle Beach (launch, dock, lifeguards); Hayden Lake Marina (launch, rentals).

McArthur Lake: Protected as a state wildlife management area (WMA), north of Sandpoint, there are three other lakes for public recreation within WMA boundaries. Amenities: ID launches at Lakes McArthur, Dawson (dock), Bonner, and Freeman (campground, dock, electric motors only).

Mirror Lake: Near Sagle, this secluded 85-acre trout-stocked lake, nestled between two mountains, is where Dante’s Peak was partially filmed. Amenities: ID; private campground; no public shoreline fishing access.

Moose Creek Reservoir: Visitors with kayaks and fly-fishing float tubes will enjoy this small, forested reservoir lake east of Moscow. Heavily stocked with rainbow trout, it’s also a state birding trail area. Amenities: Moose Creek Park launch (no gas motors allowed), fishing docks, campground.

Moose Lake Fishing Pond: Located near Priest Lake’s Huckleberry Bay, private landowners allow public shoreline access at this small, trout-stocked fishing hole—a great destination for families with young children. Amenities: Shoreline pathways, picnic table, no boat launch.

Lake Pend Oreille

Idaho’s largest and deepest lake (pronounced “Pond-uh-ray”) has key areas not to be missed.

Sandpoint (west side) – Amenities: City Beach (marina, launch, lifeguards); watercraft rentals: Action Water Sports, Outdoor Experience, A Day On the Lake, 49 Outfitters, Sandpoint Marine and Motorsports; Lake Pend Oreille Cruises; FS Green Bay Campground south of town (beach, tents only)

Farragut State Park (south end) – Amenities: Boat launch, Beaver Bay Beach, campgrounds.

Bayview (NE of Farragut) – Amenities: Kootenai County launch; Bayview Marina (camping, rentals); Scenic Bay Marina and Resort; MacDonald’s Hudson Bay Resort (gas dock, rentals, cabins).

Hope (east side) – Amenities: Hope Marina; Beyond Hope Resort (camping, RV park, marina, boat rentals, floating restaurant); Pend Oreille Shores Resort (rental condos); FS Sam Owen Campground (launch, beach); Action Water Sports (rentals); FS Whiskey Rock Bay Campground near Clark Fork.

Rose Lake: A forested, 371-acre lake near Cataldo for boating, waterskiing, paddling, and fishing. Amenities: ID, fishing docks, primitive campsites; Watsons Rose Lake Resort (camping, cabins).

Round Lake: Enjoy relaxing water activities at this small, scenic, family-friendly lake near Sagle. It was recently stocked with over 4,000 rainbow trout. Amenities: Round Lake State Park—beach, docks, launch (electric motors only), paddling rentals, campsites.

Spirit Lake: Enjoy forest and Selkirk Mountain views at this lake north of Rathdrum. Amenities: ID, 2 Kootenai County boat launches—Maiden Rock (east) and Bronze Bay (west); Sedlmayers Campground & Resort; Silver Beach Resort; Spirit Lake Rec Center near Fireside Park has water sports rentals and a store. The Empire Trails mountain bike and hiking trails traverse the lakeside hills with e-bike rentals available in town at Fresh Air E-bikes.

Twin Lakes: Located near Rathdrum, the upper and lower forested lake sections are connected by a narrow channel to provide over 800 acres for power boating and fishing (stocked with over 7,700 rainbow trout). Amenities: Kootenai County launches and docks.

Priest & Upper Priest Lakes: These forested lakes are legendary for their beauty and nearby huckleberry patches. Priest Lake (19 miles long) is flanked by national forest on its western shoreline, with views of the Bitterroot Mountains to the east, while the east side enjoys summer sunsets. Paddle or boat (no wake) the Thoroughfare to Upper Priest Lake Scenic Area for day-use or overnight camping. Amenities: FS Boat Launch, 9 FS campgrounds (launches, beaches, day-use areas), and 3 boat-accessible islands (camping, day use); Priest Lake State Park (3 campground units, launches, cabin rentals); Hill’s Resort and Elkins Resort, both on west side.

WESTERN MONTANA

Big lakes, big mountains—everything you’d expect from the Big Sky state to beckon lake lovers.

Heart & Pearl Lakes: These two lakes in the Great Burn Wilderness of Lolo National Forest, near Superior, make great day-hiking or backpacking destinations. Heart Lake (5,825’ elevation) is known for good fishing (bring a float tube). Amenities: FS Trout Creek Campground; primitive campsites around Heart Lake.

Loon Lake: This small, shallow, “no-wake” lake in the Kootenai National Forest, near Libby, is best for paddling and fishing. Amenities: FS Loon Lake Campground, primitive.

Flathead Lake: Enjoy all watersports recreation at the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi—28 miles long and 15 miles wide. Amenities: Volunteer Park (day use); Flathead State Park, 5 units; Wild Horse Island State Park; Northern Rockies Outfitters; Flathead Lake Charters; Pointer Scenic Cruises; Sea Me Paddle Kayaking Tours; Dayton Yacht Harbor; Edgewater RV Resort and Motel (dock, watercraft rentals); Many Springs Flathead Lake Resort (marina, watercraft rentals).

Whitefish Lake: A pristine, glacial, 7-mile long lake, with 16 miles of shoreline surrounded by mountains, you can do it all here. Amenities: City Beach (boat launch, sandy beach, docks, watercraft rentals); Whitefish Lake State Park (boat launch, campsites); The Lodge at Whitefish Lake (lodging, public marina, boat launch, gas dock, boat and watercraft rentals, charter fishing) and “Lady of the Lake” private boat cruise and tours; Boat/watersport rentals: Extreme Watersports, Whitefish Marine.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Sometimes “getting away” means leaving the country. Beautiful, stunning mountain scenery, clear blue lakes, and a favorable money exchange rate awaits in southeast British Columbia. Lakeside communities and numerous provincial parks—Canada’s version of national parks—provide water adventure opportunities.

Christina Lake: Enjoy every imaginable water sport activity on this long, forested lake, that’s especially good for bass fishing. Amenities: Christina Lake Provincial Park; Christina Lake Marina public boat launch and boat rentals; Gladstone (Texas Creek) Provincial Park (north side) and Texas Point boat launch; Schulli Resort; Christina Pines Campground.

Kootenay Lake: Nestled between the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges is one of B.C.’s largest lakes, at 67 miles long and nearly 500’ deep. The municipal hubs of Nelson, on the lake’s west arm, and Kaslo, a mountain village along the lake’s main section, offer all you need including paddle sports and boat rentals and tours. Amenities: 5 provincial parks; public parks and boat launches include Kokanee Park Marina, Kaslo Bay Park, and Balfour; Nelson City Campground, Kaslo Municipal Campground, and many others; Woodbury Resort and Marina.

Okanagan Lake: North of Tonasket, Wash., this lake spans 84 miles, north to south, and boasts long sandy beaches. Surrounding area is divided into three sections: Kelowna, the major city located about midway on the lake; Lake Country; and West Kelowna & Peachland. Amenities: Public boat launches, 30+ beaches, and watercraft rentals available in the municipal hubs; 6 provincial parks with campgrounds; Lake Okanagan Resort; Cove Lakeside Resort; Okanagan Lake Boat Rentals. //

Key: U.S. Forest Service (FS), Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife boat launch (WDFW), Idaho Fish & Game boat launch (ID), U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

[Feature photo: Photo: Amy McCaffree]

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1. Look for butterflies. In the Inland Northwest, tiger swallowtail butterflies like to hang out at sandy beaches on hot days when there’s full sun and no wind. Because butterflies are cold-blooded, they bask in sunlight with their wings open to warm their blood and flight muscles, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Butterflies must be warm enough before they can fly, and you won’t see them on cloudy days. They also need patches of sand or soil for water and mineral intake. It’s not unusual, in fact, to see swallowtails grouped together on a beach. Teach your child how to think like an entomologist, and to be observant and respectful of nature.

2. Rockhound. That is, search for and collect rocks and fossils. Kids can spend hours looking for agates and rocks with interesting colors and shapes. Did you know that petrified wood is Washington State’s official gemstone? And “Gem State” Idaho’s official gemstone is the star garnet which, according to the National Forest Service, is a rare gemstone that’s only found in significant quantity in two places in the world—the Panhandle National Forest and India. Though not lakeside recreation, the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, south of St. Maries, Idaho, is open through Sept. 3 this summer, by permit only, to search for garnets. (For 2018: Open Fridays through Tuesdays; free for age 6 and younger; $5 for age 6-12; $10 per adult). More details at fs.usda.gov.

3. Games on the beach. Bring supplies and use the sand and dirt to create courses for disc golf (set up targets) and mini-golf (putt balls into dug holes). You can also try beach bowling, by digging out six holes in a pyramid configuration and rolling tennis balls into the holes, or by using empty bottles as pins. Bocce ball or beach skeeball are also popular choices. Play musical towels and have water bucket relays. (Find more ideas at Parents.com and RedTri.com.)

4. Go Fishing. Fishing from a dock allows for short lessons about different types of bait and how to watch a line and bobber, identify fish, and correctly handle and release fish. Some children, like my daughter, have patience and attention-span levels for hours of casting and waiting for bites; others, like my son, prefer incremental fishing time combined with more adventurous lake action. To improve chances for success, visit a small stocked lake, or check local fishing reports for the latest conditions. State agencies provide their annual fish stocking information online. In Spokane County, Clear Lake was stocked this spring with 8,000 catchable trout, averaging nearly 11 inches in length. Williams, Badger, and Liberty Lakes are usually well-stocked each season.

5. Paddle and search for wildlife. Canoeing or kayaking on calm flatwater along a lake shore or gentle creek combines exercise with experiential learning about waterfowl and other species. In a kayak, young children can sit with an adult in the cockpit, and starting at 6 to 7 years old, kids can learn how to paddle and navigate their own kayaks. A great destination for kid-friendly paddling is the Plummer Creek outlet and marsh area of Lake Chatcolet at Heyburn State Park. My family has seen beavers, turtles, red-winged blackbirds, grebes, white pelicans, sparrows and their nests, and deer on shore—all while kayaking. Teach your child to think like a biologist, and go slow and quiet to prevent startling animals.

6. Beach Treasure Hunt. Here’s a checklist to get started. Find a feather; rocks that are white, spotted, or shaped like a square (find one of each); something heart-shaped; something blue; something sparkly or shiny; and collect in a bag any trash you find.

Originally published as “Beyond Swimming: Lake Fun For Kids Without Getting Wet” in the July 2018 issue, Inland NW Lake Guide.

Kayaking near a beaver den on Lake Chatcolet; Fishing from the beach at at Priest Lake. // Photos: Amy McCaffree

Amy McCaffree is Out There’s special section editor and wrote about how to prepare kids for overnight camps in the June 2018 issue. Amy enjoys swimming, kayaking, jumping off docks, and snorkeling in lakes with her son and daughter.

[Feature photo: Fishing from the beach at Beaver Creek Campground at Priest Lake. // Photo: Amy McCaffree.]

For more Out There Kids stories with ideas for family-friendly outdoor recreation, visit the OTO archives.

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