Water and sunshine are therapeutic. And there's a perfect way to get the best of both, so let's get ready to paddleboard. Of course you'll first need a board and paddle. Rent one from REI or Fun Unlimited, or another rental place in town. You can buy one, of course, but you don't have to buy one new if you do. During COVID, my wife and I bought used boards and have enjoyed tons of fun at half the cost ever since. If you do buy, I'd suggest an inflatable. I've found the solid boards hard to transport and can be slippery.
Always include a life vest and take your whistle. You'll want to consider a water bottle or two, some snacks for each trip, and maybe a small six-pack-sized cooler. Paddleboards usually have some sort of bungee cord to tie down items. And don't go without a dry bag to protect your keys, phone and wallet.
Finally, don't let the idea of balancing on a board intimidate you into not trying that first paddle. It might take a minute or two, but you'll find that the boards, especially the 12-footers, are pretty sturdy and stable. Start by sitting, then move to your knees, and when ready, work up to standing in the middle of the board with your legs as wide as those shoulders. You've got this!
Medical Lake
Now that you are ready for an adventure, let me tell you about Medical Lake. My wife, Kristin, and I love this little spot, especially for a quick trip from Spokane. We live north, so after packing the gear into the back of the truck, we can be on the water there in 45 minutes.
Medical Lake has a boat launch and a beach, but I wouldn't set my board in the water from either spot. Here's what to do instead: head west to Medical Lake on I-90, then take the Highway 902/Medical Lake exit. Just past the Lakes Harvest Foods, turn left on Lefevre Street. Then go two blocks and turn right onto Fourth Street. Watch for the small dusty parking lot on the left. With your Discover Pass, park in the lot there, get your things ready, and launch.
Hey, it's not the most aesthetic launch, but hang with me, it'll be worth it.
Once in the water and on your SUP, paddle out and away from the parking lot to the approximate middle of the lake. You'll have to move past the boulders and toward the funky solar panels powering some sort of gauges. Glance south a bit down the 149-acre lake to see the beach.
In that perfect middle-of-the-lake spot, stop. Rest, relax, and enjoy the sun. Have a sip of water here. One summer a few years back, my wife and I waited until her Apple watch read an exact 100 degrees. That's when we got off our boards and took a refreshing splash.
Bead Lake
Bead Lake is gorgeous. Might be my favorite spot to hit the water, honestly. It's only 8 miles outside Newport. Sparing the trip details, Google Maps will get you to the boat launch just fine. Bead Lake is in the Colville National Forest, so keep in mind there's a fee to park a single vehicle for the day while you paddle. A National Forest day pass for $5 is all you need to park your rig. The annual Northwest Forest Pass for Washington and Oregon ($30) will do the trick as well.
Once at the launch, be mindful of the short paved road from the parking lot to the water. The launch can only accommodate a car or two. You might want to have your boards, paddles, dry bag and water bottles ready in the parking lot and walk them the 50 feet or so down the hill to the water's edge.
Once you've pushed off from shore, soak it all in. Paddle on your knees at first as you take in the homes to the west of the lake and pines all around. Once standing, notice too, the cooler water temps and lake clarity.
Start your paddle by hugging the shoreline near the homes and head north. Make your way to the far end of Bead — a 45-minute paddle or so — or fork off and travel east for just as long. You can't get lost, although Bead Lake is good-sized at 720 acres. Since you've made the drive, plan to take some time. You can make it a shorter paddle, of course, but I wouldn't. Enjoy this one for as long as you've got the energy.
Plan to take your water and Gatorade. You don't want to end the day early with hunger pangs, so grab some snacks for this SUP excursion.
During the trip you'll want to pause your paddling, rest, and peacefully float, so wear your swimsuit this time, because when ready, you'll want to take a nice plunge. Prepare for the chill, but plan to be refreshed as well. Breathe the fresh air, and note the beauty of the lake... the pines... and the sun. Bead Lake is a winner for paddleboarders for sure.
Bead Lake can draw a crowd sometimes, so be aware. It's that pretty. Don't head up without some forethought. Folks seem to know about this spot, so if you are traveling north, plan for an earlier launch to avoid congestion at the parking lot.
Marshall Lake
Surely Bead Lake is worth the trip, but don't hesitate to visit the hidden gem of Marshall Lake just a few minutes away. Again, let Google Maps get you there. Marshall Lake is just over 6 miles from Newport.
Bring your Discover Pass for this trip. Once at Marshall Lake, you'll find a gravel launch. Drive to the launch, drop your boards, then park up the hill a bit. The launch is good-sized, so there shouldn't be any crowding while putting in or taking out.
Last summer, Kristin and I visited Marshall on an amazing summer day. Marshall Lake is nice and quiet. So quiet. See, it's designated for nonmotorized boating only — perfect for us paddlers. With very little chop, we paddled clear to the far end of the lake. Floating the shoreline is fun here. There's lots to take in.
Once tired, we took time to float and enjoy the warm rays. Feeling a little overheated, we knew it was time to dip. Whether you hold onto your board and slip slowly into the lake or show bravery and just flop in, do it. The stability of the boards makes getting back on fairly simple, so don't miss the chance to swim and splash, especially if you've driven the hour and 15 minutes from Spokane.
Plese Flats to Nine Mile Falls
Although this trip might be the closest to town, it's going to take a bit of planning, especially if you're trekking the entire route. If you put in at Plese Flats at Riverside State Park and paddle all the way to the Nine Mile Falls takeout, you're talking about a 5-mile trip on the Spokane River. You'll need a ride back from the takeout, which is just shy of the dam. If you put in at Plese Flats and paddle, say, to the 7-Mile Bridge and back, you'll work less and not need a ride back to Plese Flats, about an hour and a half to two-hour float.
Personally, I'd plan for the entire 5 miles. If you do this, we're talking two to two-and-half hours, depending on how quickly you paddle. Remember too, that you'll not want to tackle the river before the summer runoff is complete. If you hit the water too soon, the currents are strong the currents are strong, the water is awfully cold, and the trip won't be much fun. Flows of 4000-6000 cubic feet per second (cfs) are prime. Flows below 4000 cfs are enjoyable as well. USGS and Avista report river flow Monday through Friday.
I typically enjoy this fairly long, chop-free float late June thru Labor Day. In my view, when any water is glassy and still, the fun-factor soars. That's what you're gonna get with this one.
Here's the kicker. Make sure you paddle to the left bank as you go with the flow at about the two-thirds mark of the trip. At about this point, you'll come to a super sandy and low section of the river. This is where I bust out my drinks and snacks and take a break. I jump off the board, wade this sandy section of the river, and swim. The water's always cool and clear at this spot. When refreshed, jump back on your board. Float if you wish and let the slight current lead. When you're ready, stand up tall, and paddle to the takeout. Do not stress. Do not hurry. Enjoy this one!
Because of the trees and brush, you can't always see the takeout. But it's there — on the left as you approach the safety signs and buoys. Be mindful when exiting your SUP, the few low steps there can be slippery.
Unwind and Recharge
As a longtime educator and elementary school principal, I find paddleboarding to be an incredible opportunity to unwind and recharge. It's no trouble at all to hit the Spokane River or Medical Lake after 4 pm for a quick paddle. On summer weekends, there's time to venture to the lakes up north. Wherever you go, there's just nothing much better than getting your board into the water.
