Where to swim in the Basin

MOSES LAKE — In case you haven’t noticed, it’s hot. And it’s likely to get hotter before the summer is over. Which makes plunging yourself into water seem like a really nice idea. 

Here in the Columbia Basin, there are plenty of places to do just that. Many of our communities have a swimming pool or a water park. And in those that don’t, there’s usually a body of natural water to take a dip in. Here are some places to go when you just can’t stand being out of water any longer. 

Moses Lake     

Surf ‘n Slide Water Park 

401 W. Fourth Ave., Moses Lake 

This is the big kahuna, with not only swim areas of all depths, but also water slides for everyone from toddlers to adults, a lazy river with tubes to float on and the only FlowRider surf simulator east of the Cascades. Find out more, including hours and admission prices, at surfnslide.com. 

Several Moses Lake parks have lake beaches with unsupervised swimming areas: 

Blue Heron Park, 111 Westshore Dr NE 

Montlake Park, 401 Linden Ave. 

Cascade Park, 2001 W. Valley Road 

Ephrata 

Splash Zone 

780 A St SE 

Here you’ll find water slides for big people and small, a zero-depth play area for the really small, lap swimming space and a sandy play area. Visit ephrata.org to find out more. 

Quincy 

Quincy Aquatic Center

724 F St SE 

Quincy’s facility opened this year with a lazy river, zero-depth kiddie pool, three water slides, a rope swing and a climbing wall. More information can be found at www.quincywashington.us. 

Soap Lake 

Soap Lake doesn’t have a pool, but it does have a lake with water that’s reputed to have healing qualities. The lake is easily accessible at both East Beach Park (125 1st St NE) and Smokiam Park (301 Daisy St N). 

State Parks 

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park 

34875 Park Lake Road NE, Coulee City 

There’s water of all kinds at this state park. Park Lake has a roped-off swimming area, but there are also 15- and 30-foot cliffs to jump off – very carefully, and at your own risk – at Deep Lake. 

Steamboat Rock 

51052 Highway 155, Electric City 

The day-use area at this park has a roped-off swimming area with a beach on one side and a small island at the other. 

Adams County 

Ritzville Water Park 

109 E 10th Ave, 

Ritzville’s water park, located in the city park, has two water slides, a lap pool, a diving board and wading pools. Find out more at www.cityofritzville.com.