Top 9 Lakes around Spokane

For swimming, Medical Lake is known for its relatively warm summer temperatures, averaging 74 degrees, and offers a swimming beach at Waterfront Park. Liberty Lake also features a sandy beach and designated swimming area within Liberty Lake Regional Park. Fish Lake provides a sandy swimming beach, and Lake Spokane (Long Lake) has designated swimming areas, including at the 9 Mile Recreation Area. If you're willing to venture into Idaho, Lake Coeur d'Alene offers pristine waters and several public swimming beaches like City Park.

Yes, several lakes cater to families. Medical Lake's Waterfront Park has a swimming beach, boat launch, restrooms, and outdoor showers. Liberty Lake Regional Park offers a sandy beach, swimming area, and picnic spots, along with extensive trails. Fish Lake is great for families with its sandy beach, playgrounds, and bathroom facilities. The 9 Mile Recreation Area on Lake Spokane provides picnic tables, covered areas, public restrooms, and camping facilities.

Liberty Lake Regional Park boasts over 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, ranging from easy to challenging, with popular routes like the Liberty Lake Trail. At Newman Lake, the McKenzie Conservation Area provides over 5 miles of trails for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking, including the notable Turtle Rock. The tree-shaded Medical Lake Trail along the west shoreline of Medical Lake is popular for biking and strolling. Additionally, Fish Lake provides access to the Columbia Plateau Trail State Park. For more options, you can explore MTB Trails around Spokane or Cycling around Spokane.

Medical Lake is ideal for fly fishing, particularly for brown and rainbow trout. Liberty Lake is a prime destination for fishing, with trout, bass, and perch. Newman Lake is popular for a variety of fish including largemouth bass, bluegill, tiger muskies, crappie, perch, catfish, rainbow trout, and eastern brook trout. Lake Spokane is also a good choice for fishing. For brook and tiger trout, Fish Lake is a good option. If you're looking for larger game fish, Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho is known for kamloops (giant rainbow trout), mackinaw, and kokanee salmon.

Yes, Medical Lake has a no-fee boat launch, making it suitable for paddling. Liberty Lake offers easy access for boating. Newman Lake allows motorboating and is popular for both boating and swimming. Lake Spokane is a great choice for boating, with access points like the 9 Mile Recreation Area which has a boat launch for motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Fish Lake has a non-paved boat launch for non-motorized watercraft, perfect for paddling. Further afield, Lake Coeur d'Alene and Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho are havens for boating and water sports.

The lakes around Spokane offer diverse natural beauty. At Liberty Lake, you can spot diverse wildlife, including eagles and hawks. Newman Lake is known for frequent sightings of moose, elk, and bald eagles. The View of Queens Lake on the Fish Lake Trail offers excellent bird watching opportunities, with pelicans and white-throated swifts. The Goldeneye Loop Trail traces along wetlands, grassy meadows, and forests, providing opportunities to see various natural features.

Medical Lake has a rich history, with Native Americans believing its waters possessed healing properties. While not directly a lake, the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Gardens, located in the city, offers a tranquil setting with a small pond, waterfall, and bridges, providing a cultural experience amidst nature.

Visitors appreciate the variety of recreational opportunities, from swimming and paddling to hiking and fishing. The natural beauty and tranquil settings are frequently highlighted. For example, the 9 Mile Recreation Area is enjoyed for its views and as a place to relax after a ride. The Waterfall at Mirabeau Pond is noted for its lovely tranquil setting and opportunities to see ducks and turtles.

The summer months are generally the most popular for visiting the lakes, especially for swimming and water sports, due to warmer temperatures. However, the extensive trail systems around lakes like Liberty Lake and Newman Lake make them enjoyable for hiking and biking during spring and fall as well. Wildlife viewing can be good year-round, with specific sightings like bald eagles more common in certain seasons.

For vehicle access to areas like the 9 Mile Recreation Area within Riverside State Park, a Discover Pass or day pass is typically required. It's always advisable to check local regulations for specific parks or activities, especially for fishing, as permits may be necessary.

While specific cafes or pubs aren't detailed for every lake, many of the larger lakes like Liberty Lake and Lake Coeur d'Alene (in Idaho) are surrounded by communities that offer various dining and accommodation options. Liberty Lake itself is a city with amenities, and you can find more information about it via Visit Spokane. The 9 Mile Recreation Area offers camping facilities.