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Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re spoiled with miles and miles of stunning coastline — sandy stretches, rocky shores and driftwood-strewn beaches just waiting to be explored. But let’s be honest, even in the peak of summer, that Pacific Ocean water is freezing!
That’s why, when the sun starts to reappear, I turn my sights to our lakes, the perfect backdrop for a classic family escape. Think long, lazy days spent swimming, boating and floating, with water lapping at your toes and the scent of pine in the air.
If that sounds like your kind of vacation, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up the best lake getaways that have a little something for everyone, whether you’re into houseboating, wine tasting, berry picking, or hiking through the trees. So pack your swimsuits and sense of adventure — your perfect lake retreat awaits!
Lake Crescent, Olympic National Rainforest, Washington
It’s not hard to find beautiful waterfront views on the Olympic Peninsula, but Lake Crescent, located in the northern part of the Olympic National Park, promises those and more. Surrounded by one of the country’s best temperate rainforests, hiking trails and abundant wildlife, Lake Crescent is a go-to for anyone visiting the park. This glacial-carved lake features crystal-clear water and is one of the state’s deepest lakes (second only to Lake Chelan). Despite its depth, it’s a popular swimming spot even if it’s on the chilly side. Rowboats are available for rental from Lake Crescent Lodge.
You’ll also find yourself a bit distracted by the beauty of the lake’s surrounding area. You are in a rainforest after all. Numerous hiking trails lead to majestic views, a popular one being Marymere Falls.
Camping along the lake makes for a gorgeous stay, but you’ll be competing for the best spots. For a more comfortable sleep (and a less crowded experience), Lake Crescent Lodge and the Log Cabin Resort are good options. Both are usually open from late spring through early fall.
Don’t miss: The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is about 30 minutes south of Lake Crescent and is a great way to relax after a long day of hiking or swimming.
Lake temp: Lake Crescent is usually a chilly 40–50 degrees, reaching 60 degrees in summertime.
Drive time from Seattle: About three hours
Shuswap Lake, Sicamous, British Columbia
It’s not too often you get to sleep on the water. In south-central British Columbia, Shuswap is Canada’s houseboating mecca, a sprawling, multi-armed lake with 119 square miles of water to recreate in and on, surrounded by a thick forest of spruce, birch and cedar. Some houseboats even have waterslides, hot tubs and fireplaces. Avoid the party boaters and hang out near the white-sand beaches at the ends of Anstey Arm and Seymour Arm. With 600-plus miles of shoreline to explore, it won’t be hard to find a quiet spot. Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park has oodles of beaches accessible only by boat, beckoning with the promise of adventure. You’ll also find loads of trails for biking and hiking, and good scuba spots, too (including the fall sockeye run returning to the Adams River). Bluewater Houseboats and Sicamous Houseboats, among many other companies, offer houseboat rentals and charters.
Keep in mind that houseboating may not be a great choice for families with very young kids — there’s not much room to roam on board and too many safety hazards to worry about (and who wants to worry on vacation?). But for families with older kids, houseboating can be paradise.
Don’t miss: The sometimes challenging 2-mile loop hike up along Celesta Creek through Albas Falls’ series of five cascades; dock at Steamboat Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for bears!
Lake temp: 65–70 degrees
Drive time from Seattle: About seven hours
Sun Lakes, near Coulee City, Washington
Why suffer the Puget Sound region’s June gloom when you can kickstart summer by heading to the carved islands and scoured cliffs of Sun Lakes in eastern Washington? Part of the Grand Coulee riverbed (a National Natural Landmark), carved from massive ice age floods, Sun Lakes–Dry Falls State Park has two great swimming areas at the main park lake: One is flat and shallow, thus ideal for little ones; the other has a more unpredictable bottom with some steep drop-offs (better for older swimmers). Rent canoes, paddleboats, rowboats and aqua cycles from the Sun Lakes Park Resort — get your ice cream there, too.
To escape the crowds, head about 2.5 miles along the park’s back road to smaller Deep Lake. (The speed limit for powerboats is 5 miles per hour there.) Hike the 2.6-mile loop trail around Umatilla Rock for a lesson about geology on the move; it features soaring pinnacles, enormous snowball-like rocks and weird protrusions jutting toward the perpetually blue sky. Breathe in the scent of sagebrush.
Off-the-water fun includes a playground, mini golf, a nine-hole golf course and a “Water Wars” water balloon activity. Burn bans are regularly in effect in this area later in the summer. Be prepared for heavy winds at times.
There are a few small motels in Coulee City; Sun Lakes Park Resort has cabins; and many longtime Sun Lakes fans swear by the state park camping.
Don’t miss: The Sun Lakes–Dry Falls State Park interpretive center and the lookout over Dry Falls, a once-active waterfall where raging waters dropped more than 400 feet over 3.5-mile-wide cliffs — that’s more than twice as high and three times as wide as Niagara Falls.
Lake temp: Low 70s (typically in the 60s in June)
Drive time from Seattle: About three hours
Crater Lake, central Oregon
With surface water temps between 50 and 60 degrees, America’s deepest lake (1,949 feet deep) is not a place to be in the water so much as a place to be on or around the water. (Although I did take a brief, fully clothed, limb-numbing dip once, just so I could say I did it.)
The result of Mount Mazama’s cataclysmic eruption some 7,700 years ago, Crater Lake — a volcanic caldera — is almost impossibly blue and utterly picturesque. Our kids loved the “We’re hiking on an old volcano” aspect of this amazing national park.
Take advantage of ranger-led hikes, talks and the Junior Ranger program for kids ages 6–12. If necessary, bribe your littles with soft serve from the Crater Lake Lodge. About 10 miles away, Diamond Lake has warmer water (swimmable if there’s no algae bloom), trout fishing, spacious Forest Service camping, and an awesome 12-mile paved bike path that circles the lake and offers a lunch stop for pizza and drinks en route. Boat (of the bumper, paddle, fishing and patio varieties) rentals are available at nearby Diamond Lake Resort.
Three U.S. Forest Service campgrounds (we like Thielsen View, keep an eye on the website for the 2025 season opening) in the Umpqua National Forest at Diamond Lake offer lots of sites. The national park includes two campgrounds, but note that they are not right near the lake. For a lake view, splurge on a room in the Crater Lake Lodge.
Don’t miss: The hike up Wizard Island (you’ll need to book a boat tour to visit this island in the middle of the lake) to survey the vast, watery caldera from the middle of the lake; take the side route — it’s a rocky one, not for small kids — to Fumarole Bay, where you can feel like you have the whole island to yourself.
Lake temp: Brrr ... Crater Lake is a chilly 50–60 degrees. Diamond Lake is about 65 degrees in the summertime.
Drive time from Seattle: About eight hours
Editor’s note: This is the last summer you can swim or boat at Crater Lake until 2029. Beginning in 2026, major repairs are scheduled for the Cleetwood Cove Trail, closing the only access point for recreational activities on the lake.
Osoyoos Lake, Osoyoos, British Columbia
Just over the border in the Okanagan Desert, Osoyoos Lake has Canada’s warmest waters and summer temps that hit the high 80s. With loads of rental outfitters to choose from, you can sample pretty much any kind of water sport known to humankind on this lake, including wakeboarding, barefooting, parasailing and banana boating (alongside more traditional options, such as sailing and kayaking). Families flock to the shallow warm waters of Cottonwood Park Beach, but check out White Sands Beach at the nearby Osoyoos Indian Reserve if the crowds are too thick in town.
Occupying a spit jutting out into the lake, sẁiẁs Provincial Park, formerly called Haynes Point, offers camping just a few feet from the water’s edge. (Book far ahead of your visit — people have been known to sell their reservations on eBay for this popular place.) Spirit Ridge Resort offers a bounty of amenities, including a spa and two outdoor pools.
That desert sun does wonders for winemaking. This area has many wineries, making this a great adults-only getaway if you can swing it. You’ll also find loads of nearby U-pick cherry and peach orchards.
Don’t miss: Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre. It offers programs in summer and gives kids the chance to check out a traditional pit house and sweat lodge, hear the legends of Sen’klip (Coyote) and learn about desert ecology.
Lake temp: Around 70 degrees
Drive time from Seattle: About five hours
Payette Lake, McCall, Idaho
Payette Lake contains 8 square miles of glacial-fed water and sits at the edge of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the second-largest federal wilderness area in the Lower 48. Mountain scenery? Check. Sandy beaches? Check. Boating? Check. Charming lakeside lodge, complete with water trampoline? Check. Add epic huckleberry picking, road and mountain biking, hiking, camping, a killer dry pine forest state park (Ponderosa State Park) and nearby natural hot springs (check out Burgdorf) and you’ve got yourself a classic.
Payette Lake even has its own lake monster, “Sharlie” (thought to possibly be an ancient sturgeon hiding in a lake that hits 392 feet at its deepest point). Sharlie sightings date back to the 1920s; today, you’re most likely to see Sharlie on gift shop T-shirts.
McCall is small and safe, great for older kids who want some roaming radius. You’ll find good local grub in this former timber town, from upscale Bistro 45 to burgers at Lardos Grill. If you want a backroads road trip, hit the harmonica festival in the tiny mountain hamlet of Yellow Pine (July 31–Aug. 2, 2025), honoring pioneers who carried pocket harps into the wilderness with them.
Splurge on a stay at the Shore Lodge or camp at Ponderosa State Park.
Don’t miss: “Mountain sized” scoops at Ice Cream Alley
Lake temp: Mid-60s
Drive time from Seattle: About eight hours
More Northwest family vacation ideas: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and updated most recently in March 2025 by ParentMap’s associate editor, Kari Hanson, with a thorough fact-check.
