Compared to the other side of the Cascades, the Inland Northwest is certainly the dry side, but that's not to say our region is lacking in water. Not even close. From the large glacial lakes of North Idaho's temperate inland rainforest to the mighty Columbia River cutting through the basalt plateaus of Central Washington, the Inland Northwest is a water lover's paradise (just without much rain). On our hot and dry summer days, any of these ways to get out on the water would serve as a good way to cool off.
CALM WATER, CLOSE TO HOME
Look at a map of the Inland Northwest, and it's impossible to miss the region's big swaths of blue. Coeur d'Alene, Pend Oreille, Priest, Roosevelt, Hayden... there are some seriously sizable lakes around the area. While those dominate the map and draw crowds, it's important to remember that the Inland Northwest is home to dozens of smaller lakes that are equally worth visiting. And unlike some of those larger lakes, there are small ones just minutes outside town.
Of the dozens of lakes in the immediate Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area, most of the smaller ones are either largely left to nature or lined with private property. Not all, however, are strictly the domain of anglers or cabin-dwellers.
These smaller lakes provide calmer waters undisturbed by speeding boats, which makes them ideal for sunbathing on the beach, childhood swimming lessons, or a leisurely paddle in a boat or on a board.
Public beaches on Medical Lake and Fish Lake are only about 20 minutes from downtown Spokane. Medical Lake's loop trail encircles the lake while allowing visitors access to a mile of shoreline with beaches in the south, while nearby cliffs are popular with adventurous jumpers. Tiny and shallow Fish Lake is family-focused and perfect for wading.
To the north of Spokane, Bear Lake near Chattaroy combines the appeal of the water with the amenities of a fully functional county park. Located directly next to Highway 2, the lake is easily accessible just 20 miles from downtown Spokane.
In North Idaho, Hauser Lake's public beach provides a much less crowded option than the bustling beaches of Coeur d'Alene. The small, maintained beach area on the southern shore is enclosed by a floating dock. This keeps the swimming area calm and free from boaters and gives kids of all ages plenty of spots to jump in and make a splash.
LOOP AROUND THE RIVER
The city of Spokane may have abandoned its "near nature, near perfect" slogan years ago, but that doesn't mean it's not true. In fact, it's more true now than ever since the Gorge Loop Trail opened last summer. The three-and-a-half mile loop runs from the Post Street Bridge, under the Monroe Street Bridge and through Peaceful Valley, before crossing the river and following the crest of the gorge through Kendall Yards. Along the way, walkers are treated to views of the falls from almost every angle possible, the city skyline and the river's deep gorge.
Paved along the entire length, the trail is an easy way to get out in nature without leaving the city center. On a hot summer day, descending from the concrete jungle of downtown to near the water's edge at the Sandifur Bridge brings a refreshing breeze of cool river air. There are even a few places to go for a quick dip along the walk, especially on the south bank of the river.
LEISURELY PADDLE
Meandering and calm, the Little Spokane River is the perfect stream for an easy, relaxing paddle in a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Throughout the Little Spokane Natural Area along the lower reaches of the stream, inflatable rafts and tubes are banned, leaving the river to the paddlers only. Spokane Parks and Recreation provides a shuttle service on weekends starting July 12 to ferry paddlers and their vessel of choice from the Nine Mile takeout back to the put-in at Saint George's School. It's approximately 7 miles downriver between those two spots, allowing for a relaxing morning or afternoon on the water.
MAKE A SPLASH
When I was a young child, the wading pools at parks around Spokane were a must-visit on a hot summer day. Thankfully, times have changed and those tepid pools with water of questionable quality, not to mention the overall lack of excitement, have gone the way of the dodo bird. In their place, splash pads have popped up all over the city. The city of Spokane alone features 19 public splash pads, from the iconic Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park to complex, interactive facilities at larger parks like Shadle and Manito. There are even simpler splash zones at small neighborhood parks like Grandview and Friendship. All city splash pads are set to open by June 16, operating through Sept. 2. Visit spokaneparks.org for a complete list.
HOME ON THE WATER
Washington's largest lake, Lake Roosevelt, stretches along the Columbia River from Grand Coulee Dam almost all the way to Canada. It even includes the farthest downstream section of the Spokane River. One of the best ways to experience those 150 miles of water is from a houseboat.
Multiple companies offer houseboat rentals on Lake Roosevelt at Kettle Falls, Keller Marina and Seven Bays. Larger houseboats can sleep up to 14 people, making them an excellent choice for getaways with extended family. Smaller ones in the six-bed range are more suited for a weekend adventure with friends.
Unsurprisingly, renting a houseboat isn't the most affordable way to get out on the water. Multiday rentals quickly climb into the multi-thousand dollar range. Fortunately, they're meant to host large groups which makes splitting the expense much more affordable. Don't wait too long to book one if this is something you want to experience this summer as rentals are already unavailable some weeks.
CRUISE WITH FOOD
Dinner and a show is a classic way to do date night. Expand your definition of "show" this summer by allowing Mother Nature to take the stage. Daily sunset dinner cruises from Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises feature an expansive menu including roast beef, Northwest salmon, baked potatoes, salads, veggies and dessert options. Diners are treated to glistening lake vistas as the sun slowly drops toward the majestic mountains of North Idaho. The two-hour cruises depart nightly at 7:30 pm through Sept. 1 before moving up to 6 pm for the rest of the season. Adult tickets cost $83.75; youth and senior discounts are available, while kids five and under get in for free. Visit cdacruises.com to book.
SLIDE ON IN
Combining the thrill of an amusement park with the cool refreshment of a pool, water parks are a surefire hit on a hot summer day. Each of the City of Spokane's six aquatic centers now feature water slides, as do both of the Spokane County-run aquatic centers, as well as one in the City of Spokane Valley. For kids of all ages, privately owned facilities like Splash Down in the Valley, Triple Play in Hayden, Silver Mountain in Kellogg and of course Silverwood Theme Park's Boulder Beach offer more of an adrenaline-pumping experience. Almost all of our regional water parks are outdoors, but Triple Play and Silver Mountain are year-round, indoor facilities. During the summer months that may not seem like a perk, but you'll want to remember them when you're looking for a cool activity on one of those nearly inevitable smoke-choked days.
