Lake Roosevelt­ rentals are available), fishing, the historic sites of Fort Spokane and canoeing, swimming at your pick of St. Paul's Mission. Banks Lake - Sun 10 swimming beaches, camping at A great vacation option on Lake Lakes, Washington one of 27 campgrounds and visiting Roosevelt is to rent a houseboat. You In eastern Washington, known for can swim, cook, sleep, fish and even summer sun, a long string of lakes soak in an on-deck hot tub- and, starts above Kettle Falls about 30 of course, explore the entire lake in minutes from the Canadian border. comfort a t your leisure. Lake Roosevelt occupies the path At the west end of Roosevelt of the Columbia River above Grand Lake, Grand Coulee Dam stands Coulee Dam, then farther to the as one of the world's greatest southwest, Banks Lake and finally engineering achievements. In the cluster known as Sun Lakes. In summer months, the Visitor Center a summer landscape as dry as this, is open, with exhibits about the these bodies of water glisten like dam; and don't miss the evening jewels, inviting travelers who are laser show, changing to a new show seeking the sun and a wide range in early August 2013. of activities. A short distance to the south of Lake Roosevelt, the centerpiece the dam, 27-mile-long Banks Lake of the Lake Roosevelt National draws wildlife watchers from every Recreation Area, is 130 miles long, direction. Farther south, popular winding its way through pine forests, Sun Lakes attracts campers, RVers, basalt cliffs and bare desert hills. golfers and anyone seeking an Visitors can take advantage of a oasis in the desert. plethora of activities: launching a » Lake Roosevelt National Recreation boat at any of 22 launches (boat Area, nps.govllarolindex. htm 40 July/August 2013 nwtravelmag.com Cool Summer Fun » Dakota Columbia Houseboat Adventures, Lake Roosevelt, dakotacolumbia. com » Grand Coulee Dam, usbr.govlpnlgrandcoule e » Banks Lake, wdfw. wa.gov » Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, parks. wa.gov » Sun Lakes Resort, unlakesparkresort. com » Grant County Tourism, tourgrantcoun!Ji. com » Kettle Falls Tourism, kettle-falls.com Lake Sammamish, skiing and wake surfing. If you have recreation/parks/inventory/marymoor. aspx a boat, use the park's boat launch to » Experience Redmond, Washington cast off and cruise the lake. experienceredmond. com Located eight miles east of Seattle, On the north shore, Redmond's » Discover Issaquah, Lake Sammamish is a suburban massive Marymoor Park offers discoverissaquah. com recreational hub surrounded by everything from concerts to movies the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, to free use of Trek Classic Cruiser Sammamish and Issaquah. With four bicycles to explore the park or Diamond Lake, parks and waterfront trails-and head down the lake shore on the Oregon plenty of upscale real estate lining its Sammamish Trail. Once you arrive at Diamond shores- it's a popular summer haven Both Redmond and Issaquah Lake, you will have driven 76 miles that offers abundant entertainment. offer an excellent selection of nearby from Roseburg on the northern end Claim your spot for a picnic and a dine-in and take-out restaurants if you of the Rogue-Umpqua National day of swimming at Lake Sammamish didn't prepare a picnic. Scenic Byway through some of State Park at the south end of the lake » Lake Sammamish State Park, parks. Oregon's most beautiful country. in Issaquah. This is one of the most wa.govlparks/?selectedpark=Lake Sammamish And the stunning views don't stop popular lakes in the region for water » Marymoor Park, kingcoun!Ji.govl there. Situated in an emerald forest between two cascade peaks, Mt. Bailey (elev. 8,375 ft.) and Mt. Thielsen (elev. 9, 185 ft.), mile-high Diamond Lake is a wild Cascade Mountain lake perfect for outdoor recreation. Before you go, stop at the USDA Forest Service - Umpqua National Forest office in Roseburg (2900 NW Stewart Pkwy., 541-957-3200) to pick up maps, inquire about recreation passes and ask any questions about visiting the area. Camping is a perfect way to treat your family to a Diamond Lake summer vacation. Whether your preference is RV or tent, Diamond Lake Campground has more than nwtravelmag.com July/August 2013 41 Cool Summer Fun 200 sites, some by reservation only, » Grants Pass Tourism, The refuge consists of nearly and some set aside on a first-come, visitgrantspass. org 15,000 acres of freshwater marsh, first-served basis. The paved, 11-mile » Umpqua National Forest, excellent habitat for waterfowl and Diamond lake-John Delenbeek Trail, fs. usda.govlumpqua other birds to breed and rear their open to hikers and bicyclists, winds » Diamond Lake Campground, fs. usda. young. Species birders often see are around the lake, and the first half mile is govlrecarealumpqua the American white pelican, various wheelchair accessible. » Diamond Lake Resort, herons, bald eagle and osprey. To Diamond Lake Resort also diamondlake. net explore the refuge, you'll need a offers a range of accommodations boat. There is a marked canoe trail on expansive lakefront property, through the refuge; if you didn't bring complete with a cafe, pizza parlor, Upper Klamath Lake, a canoe, you can rent one nearby. boat rentals, fishing gear and Oregon Upper Klamath Lake has huge everything you need to make your Upper Klamath National Wildlife nutrient-rich blue-green algae summer vacation a hit. Refuge sits on the north shore of blooms, perfect for producing 20- You can also reach Diamond Upper Klamath Lake. The city of inch trout. This spot is a favorite lake from Gold Hill near Grants Pass Klamath Falls occupies its southern fishing hole for catching rainbows at the southern start of the Rogue­ shore. Between the two, the 20 miles as well as the occasional sturgeon Umpqua National Scenic Byway. of relatively shallow water that make and German brown trout. Fishermen » Southern Oregon Visitors up this south-central Oregon lake enjoy staying at Rocky Point Resort Association, southernoregon. org east of the Cascade Range attracts in Winema National Forest on the » Roseburg Visitors Center, fishermen and birders. northwest shore; they offer full visitroseburg. com service boat and tackle rental. THE LODGE AT SANDPOINT 42 July/August 2013 nwtravelmag.com Cool Summer Fun plenty to choose from. You can hug the shore or head into the hills. You won't go wrong by packing a picnic in your backpack and locating the Lakeshore Trail on the west shore. This 7.6 mile trail offers stunning views of the lake and mountains (bring your camera), and many secluded beaches for your picnic. You can tackle this easy trail on foot or bicycle. » Priest Lake Visitor Information, priestlake. org » Cavanaugh's Resort, cavb<!J. com » Hill's Resort, hillsresort. com » Priest Lake Golf Course, priestlakegolfcourse. com » Klamath Falls Tourism, On the west shore, Hill's Resort » Idaho Panhandle National Forest, discoverklama th . com has earned recognition as a great Priest Lake Ranger District,fi.usda.gov/ » Upper Klamath National Wildlife family resort and maintains an recarealipnflrecreationlrecareal? recid = 6 76 3 Refuge, JWs.govlklamathbasinrefugesl atmosphere of rustic authenticity. upperklamath!upperklamath. html Generation after » Rocky Point Resort, generation of families roc9pointoregon. com return to Hill's to experience Priest Lake Priest Lake, Idaho the way it used to be. It Located in the northern end of offers accommodations Idaho's panhandle, Priest Lake and from cabins to condos its surrounding forests and mountains to private chalets in a are adventure country for outdoor "Upper Klamath Lake has enthusiasts. huge nutrient-rich blue-green Lakefront algae blooms, prefect for resorts, producing 20-inch trout." B&Bs and campgrounds offer plenty of retreats to use as base secluded, full service camp while exploring the 70-plus resort. Only a few miles of shoreline. For an exceptional minutes away, golfers resort experience, Cavanaugh's can enjoy 18 holes at offers superb accommodations and the championship Priest a casual yet sophisticated dining Lake Golf Course set in and bar menu, all right on the a natural wonderland beach on the eastern shore. Priest of forests, ponds and Lake Outfitters at Cavanaugh' s can wetlands. arrange kayak float trips and a Kids' When it's time to Adventure Camp. hit the trail, you'll have nwtravelmag.com July/A ugust 2013 43 Lake Pend Oreille, and surprises. But you'll want to brew scene on the map (Mickduff's spend some time exploring the city at 312 N 1st Ave., and Laughing Dog Idaho as well, with its historic downtown, at 55 Emerald Industrial Park Rd. in South of Priest Lake, in Idaho's waterfront attractions, parks, and nearby Ponderay). Panhandle, Lake Pend Oreille is a some fine breweries that have An excellent base from which to massive body of water whose 111 helped put the panhandle's craft explore Lake Pend Oreille is Dover miles of shoreline has everything, Bay, near Sand Point. There, you can from the vibrant community of rent a private bungalow, condo or Sandpoint to the Pend Oreille a vacation home. And, while you're Scenic Byway (perfect for an old­ there, check out the real estate. fashioned Sunday drive) to stately The town of Sandpoint has the full mountains, such as Green Monarch spectrum of lodging to match taste Mountain (elev. 5,059 ft.) that towers and budget. The Lodge at Sandpoint above the lake. provides a luxurious waterfront By far the best way to get a sense setting, great accommodations of this rugged and majestic area and is perfect for families. Excellent is by seeing it from the air. Book a restaurants are as close as next door. flightseeing tour with Sandpoint » Visit Sandpoint Idaho, Seaplane Service for a 20-minute to visitsandpoint.