I love heading to Fish Lake southwest of Spokane because of its proximity to where I live, water temperature, and it is a good size to get in a few lengths for a nice workout. I also like how seemingly ridiculous I look walking through the crowd of sunbathers and floatie loungers with my bike shorts like swim wear, goggles, and sometimes flippers.

Wearing goggles makes gazing at underwater lake life possible, including frogs and fish, the underside of lily pads, and just viewing a seldom seen aquatic world.

Open-water swimming has its own unique challenges: swimming in a straight line isn’t all that easy without lane guards, it takes time to get used to colder water, and it helps to be comfortable treading water. But it is sure nice to gaze at the birds and clouds while you’re doing the backstroke.

For more stories about swimming, visit the OTO archives.

Learn about other lake destinations and recreation in the 2021 Inland Northwest Lake Guide.

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Now that my kids are getting older, they are more willing to take a break from waterplay to explore park trails. And when we’re camping, it’s nice to take a morning hike (or paddle) and then head to the campground beach or dock when the sun is higher in the sky.

Also, older kids and teens need independent experiences, like venturing along a trail solo or with a friend. Nature inspires soul-searching, and anytime our kids can get more screen-free serenity and exercise, the better.

These are eight of our favorite regional lake parks that offer great hiking and swimming options for hot summer days. Please note that most parks prohibit dogs on the beach, so it’s best to leave your furry kid at home.

NORTH IDAHO

City Beach & Pend d’ Oreille Bay Trail (Sandpoint): Walk the flat 3-mile trail, out and back, which follows the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille. City Beach has it all, with plenty of lakefront sand.

Farragut State Park (Athol): Beaver Bay Beach requires a steep downhill jaunt from the parking lot and restrooms, but once you arrive there’s plenty of lakefront, calm water, and trails to explore in the forest all around the bay. Trails are also accessible right from the parking lot.

Round Lake State Park (Sagle): An easy trail loops around the lake and the beach has two docks, paddle gear rentals, and a PFD loaner station.

Tubbs Hill (Coeur d’Alene): Hike the trail, which can be a bit rocky and rugged for little kids, but you don’t need to go far to find a small sandy beach spot for private playtime. Hike in with all of your stuff, but you’ll need to hike back to the trailhead to use a porta-potty. (Restroom available at nearby McEuen Park.) Other nearby swim settings are Sanders Beach or City Beach.

WASHINGTON

Bear Lake Regional Park (Chattaroy): Hike the trail around the lake. Trees and grass hug the shoreline, so there isn’t a beach—rather, there are cement steps down to the water, which starts at a depth of about three feet. However, there are some spaces between trees to access the water.

Fish Lake & Columbia Plateau Trail State Park (Cheney): Walk the paved trail and enjoy the calm lake, popular with locals for fishing, paddling, and beach play for kids. Park at Fish Lake Park and then walk up to the state park trailhead.

Liberty Lake Regional Park (Liberty Lake): The park has miles of trails to choose from and the day-use beach—though a smaller lakefront compared to other parks—has great sand, a dock and roped-off swim area, and plenty of lake for paddling. Spokane County Parks daily fee required.

Waterfront Park (Medical Lake): A popular park with a main parking lot that fills quickly, but the layout is sweet and lake water is spring-fed, so relatively warmer than larger lakes. Walk the paved Medical Lake Trail along the west shore.

This story was published in the Inland NW Family Outdoors Guide in the May-June 2021 issue.

For more swimming stories, visit the OTO archives.

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I saw “sand free” when I ordered one of these Aussie-inspired beach towels that come in many different unique and beautiful designs, and cynically thought to myself, yeah right. But an early summer beach outing that included throwing down said towel on a mix of grass, sand, and goose poop for a wet, sandy child to picnic on, changed my tune.

These towels are light and compact for packing to your favorite beach, look super cool, dry fast, and, best of all, magically seem to repel sand. 

MSRP: $59-99. Tesalate.com

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[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.

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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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Located in Riverside State Park outside of Nine Mile Falls, McLellan is an ever-developing crag of granite. Whether it’s climbing, swimming, or both, McLellan waits with open arms. There are two parking options upon arrival: the upper and lower lot. Although some people have had problems with car break ins, this issue can easily be avoided by leaving nothing in a vehicle as incentive, and bringing a Discover Pass ensures a ticket-free day. Parking in the lower lot will put the Pack Rat Cave on the left, an overhanging collection of a couple 5.10’s, 5.11’s, and a 5.13 thrown in for fun.

Most of the bouldering is located closer to the upper lot, farther away from the water. Following the road/jeep trail out of the parking lot will lead to Long Lake and The Cove (Hummel’s Cove), a favorite swimming spot and the best place for cliff jumping at McLellan, for those looking for an extra dose of summer fun.

The mosquitos in the area have a reputation for being relentless, and if the bug repellent you pack along for the day just isn’t cutting it, then Long Lake isn’t far away. Checkout Snake Slab on the way to the water, which even has some options for trad climbers, and if the handful of easy-going routes here below 5.10 still aren’t cutting it, then a cool dip is just a few minutes away.

On the other side of Spokane, barely into Idaho, lies Q’emiln Park. Just off of Exit 5 in Post Falls, it’s easy to find: simply look for the beach and the climbing will follow. Once inside the parking lot (a small fee is required), look for the Q’emiln Park Trail System sign and head west to easily approach the numerous walls of the area. The great thing about climbing at Post Falls is the abundance of moderate climbs. There’s something special about being able to hop on 5.9s and 5.10s over and over again, without having to pack gear around to different walls.

Post Wall is closest to the river, while Death Fall Wall and Lower Ledge Wall take second and third. Post Wall has everything from 5.7 – 5.10.c, and is an ideal spot for those looking to set up top rope systems.

Death Fall Wall has a little more to offer from its overhanging nature, and anyone looking for a solid 5.11 will be content here. For the sun-loving climber there’s Lower Ledge Wall. Baked by warm rays all day, anyone who spends time climbing the 5.7’s – 5.11’s at this crag will be ready for a cool dip.

When the heat finally becomes too much, and fingertips burn from crimping on sharp granite, Q’emiln Park’s beach is the perfect stop. Soft sand and cool water aside, the park has picnic tables, three covered pavilions, and plenty of grass to lounge around on. Once the faint powder of chalk has been washed away from dirty hands by the Spokane River, why not sling a hammock between two trees? Slowly nodding off with every heavy blink, the weight of tired muscles will lift away. There is almost nothing better.

[Feature photo “Sarah Moeser climbing in the Pack Rat Cave at McLellan” by Jon Jonckers.]

Read more climbing stories in the OTO archives.

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