KATIE WHEAT PHOTO
Imagine an afternoon with friends floating down the river or taking in Okanogan County’s scenery from a canoe, kayak, or personal watercraft. The county boasts many lakes and rivers perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Lake Osoyoos, straddling the US-Canada border in Oroville, offers excellent recreational opportunities. Of its 5,723 acres, 2,036 are in the US, spanning 14 miles. Access is available through Veteran’s Memorial Park and Deep Bay Park, both offering boat launches for motorized and non-motorized boating.
The Okanogan River is a favorite for late-summer tubing, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing.
Chief Tonasket Park in Tonasket has a boat launch for easy river access, with additional launches in Riverside, Omak, and Okanogan. Late summer is ideal for rafting as water levels recede and streamflow slows. The park is also home to the Tonasket Water Ranch, a childrens' splash park.
Conconully offers two lakes—Conconully Lake and Conconully Reservoir—both with boat launches and great for various water activities. Nearby state parks and resorts provide additional amenities.
The mountains above Tonasket feature pristine lakes like Fish, Blue, Forde, and Conner, perfect for clear water and mountainous views. North of Tonasket, lakes such as Whitestone, Spectacle, Palmer, and Wannacut offer more opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing.
To the south, Omak Lake on the Colville Indian Reservation and the Columbia River, with launches at Columbia Cove Park in Brewster and Pateros Memorial Park, provide beautiful water and views. The Columbia River, forming Lake Pateros, Lake Rufus Woods, and Lake Roosevelt, is excellent for water sports.
Many local campground offer great swimming, too, including Bonaparte Lake, Lost Lake, Beaver Lake and Beth Lake.
Public Swimming Pools
For those preferring pools, Okanogan County has several public swimming pools, which opened late last month. Cities like Brewster, Okanogan, Omak, Tonasket, and Twisp offer municipal pools, with Tonasket and Pateros also featuring splash parks. Pools charge admission and offer season passes, with rentals available for private parties.
Brewster’s pool on West Cliff Avenue operates Monday through Friday with various swim schedules. Email swimmingpool@brewster.wa.us for details.
Okanogan’s pool in Alma Park is open Monday through Friday with activities ranging from lap swims to public swims. Call city hall at 509-422-3600 to arrange rentals.
Omak’s pool in East Side Park has varied hours. Call 509-486-0449 for more information.
Tonasket’s pool in History Park operates Monday through Saturday with specific hours for lap and public swims. Contact the pool at 509-486-0449 for details.
Twisp’s Wegner Memorial Pool in Twisp Park will not open this year, according to city officials. ♦
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