Katie Wheat/Special to Okanogan Living
A different perspective of the spectacular Spectacle Lake, west of Tonasket.
Who doesn’t enjoy an afternoon floating the river or taking a dip in the lake?
Okanogan County is home to many fine lakes and rivers that provide ample opportunities to put on a bathing suit, grab a fishing pole, or fire-up the personal watercrafts.
In Oroville, Lake Osoyoos offers great swimming, boating and recreational opportunities. The 14-mile-long lake stretches several miles north into British Columbia and can be accessed via Osoyoos Lake State Veterans’ Memorial Park or nearby Deep Bay Park.
Both locations offer boat launches and motorized and non-motorized boating is allowed.
The Okanogan River is also a favorite for tubing, rafting, kayaking and canoeing.
Chief Tonasket Park in Tonasket offers a boat launch, making easy access to drop a raft into the river. Riverside, Omak and Okanogan also have launches.
Late summer (about a month from now) is usually a preferred time to raft, as the water level begins to recede and the streamflow slows.
Conconully sports two lakes — the Conconully Lake and the Conconully Reservoir.
Conconully Lake, which normally cover more than 300 acres, has a boat launch.
Both lakes are planted with fish each spring making it a popular fishing destination. Swimming and water skiing are also popular summer activities.
Conconully Reservoir is a 450-acre lake, which several resorts and a state park nearby.
If you’re up for a little bit of a drive, the mountains above Tonasket offers great water recreation, too.
Fish Lake, Blue Lake, Forde Lake and Conner Lake offer clear water and pristine mountainous views.
Continuing north are Whitestone, Spectacle, Palmer and Wannacut lakes, which offer boating, swimming, fishing and other activities.
To the south, Omak Lake has beautiful water and views, and is typically is a hot spot for local residents.
Naomie Peasley/Special to Okanogan Living
Omak Lake offers spectacular mountain views.
Continuing south, the Columbia River is a favored place to enjoy motorized watercrafts.
Boat launches are available at Columbia Cove Park in Brewster and Pateros Memorial Park.
The Columbia River offers numerous opportunities for water sports as it’s backed up to form Lake Pateros, Lake Rufus Woods and Lake Roosevelt. Several boat launches and swimming areas are available.
Swimming is also available at Alta Lake State Park near Pateros and Pearrygin Lake State Park near Winthrop.
The Methow River, which is a tributary of the Columbia River, flows southeast from the North Cascades before joining the Columbia.
Along the river are several boat launches and take-out points.
PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS
Area swimming pools opened last month for the summer. Cities that offer municipal pools include Brewster, Okanogan, Omak, Tonasket and Twisp. Tonasket and Pateros each offer a splash park, too.
Pools offer various swim sessions, lessons and rentals. Admission is charged and many offer season passes. Pools can also be rented for private parties.
Brewster’s municipal pool is located off West Cliff Avenue. Pool hours Monday through Friday: Adult swim, 6-7 a.m.; swim team, 7:30-9:15 a.m.; open swim, 1-4:45 p.m.; adult and family swim, 5-6:30 p.m.; open swim, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Email swimmingpool@brewsterwa.us for more information.
Okanogan's pool is located in Alma Park. Pool hours Monday through Friday: Adult lap swim, 7-8 a.m.; swim team practice, 8-10 a.m.; swimming lessons, 10 a.m. to noon; adult lap swim/parent-tot, noon to 1 p.m.; public swim, 1-4:45 p.m.; adult lap swim/swim lessons, 5-6 p.m.; family swim, 6-7 p.m.; public swim, 7-9 p.m.
Lessons are planned Aug. 1-12. The pool will close at 4:45 in observance of the Fourth of July.
For more information, contact city hall at 509-422-3600.
The Omak pool in located in East Side Park Pool hours Monday through Friday: Swim team, 5:45-9 a.m.; swimming lessons. 9:10 a.m. to noon; adult lap swim and water aerobics, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; public swim – 1-4:30 p.m.; adult lap swim and water aerobics, 5-6 p.m.; family swim, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; public swim, 8-9 p.m.
Saturday sessions include adult lap swim, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; public swim, 1-4:30 p.m.; adult lap swim, 5-6 p.m.; family swim, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; public swim 8-9 p.m.
Swimming lessons will be offered through Aug. 5.
The pool will be closed Aug.11-14, and close for the season Aug. 28.
For more information about the Omak pool, call 509-826-9543 or city hall at 509-826-1170.
The Tonasket pool is located in History Park. Pool hours Monday through Friday: Adult lap swim, noon to 1 p.m.; public swim, 1-4:45 p.m.; adult lap swim, 5-6 p.m.
Family swim is offered from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Saturday is public swim from 1-5 p.m.
For more information, call 509-486-0449 or city hall at 509-486-2132.
The Wagner Memorial Pool is located in Twisp Park on North Lincoln Street.
Pool sessions Monday through Friday: lap swim 6-7 a.m.; aerobics, 7-8 a.m.; swim team, 8-10:30 a.m.; swimming lessons, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; lap swim, 12:30-1:30 p.m.; open swim, 1:30-5:30 p.m.; lap swim, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Lap swim is not offered on Wednesday afternoons; open swim is not offered Sunday afternoons.
For more information, call 509-997-5441 or town hall at 509-997-4081. ♦
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