Fun for Kids

It you are looking for a family vacation the entire family can enjoy, or a special weekend outing just for the kids, Okanogan Country is the place to go! This is an “adventure land” for kids and pets in any season. Children are never bored here!

The Weather Channel listed the Methow Valley as the number one place in the nation for family vacations! In Winthrop, tromp the wooden boardwalks, watch glass blowing, play mini golf and check out the ice cream shoppe and bakery. To cool off, take a dip in the pool in Twisp. There are many shorter, easier well maintained trails that are perfect for the family and some, like Falls Creek, Blackpine Lake and the Washington Pass Overlook are designed for wheelchair and stroller access. The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association maintains over 200 km of trails groomed for cross country skiing in the winter and for hiking, biking and playing in summer. Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing and tubing for all ages are a short drive away at the Loup Loup Ski Area, a fantastic hill with a tubing run, rope tow, a platter surface lift, a quad chair lift and a day lodge.

The Omak Stampede and Indian Encampment is an excitement filled four days of family fun in the Heart of the Okanogan. Thursday is kids night with many children’s events and games and a family discount. The Eastside Park in Omak has playground equipment, ball courts, trails and a swimming pool. In Okanogan, Alma Park has a swimming pool, picnic area, playground equipment and sports field. The Okanogan sports complex has sports fields, a fitness trail and playground equipment. The Okanogan County Fair and rodeo in September is another “don’t-miss” event. This is classic old-fashioned family fun! You can see who won the blue ribbon for their pie, pet a pig, listen to music, watch local children show their 4-H and FFA project animals, eat elephant ears and cotton candy, picnic in the grass, listen to music, watch the horse races and enjoy time at the carnival. For some old time cowboy excitement, be sure to watch the rodeo and see some of the local hands take on the pros.

Almost everything in the Many Lakes Region is great for families and children! Kids can even visit the family-friendly Tonasket Saloon to see the murals painted by a famous western artist in the 1940s. Water sports, swimming, and fishing derbies on the lakes are surefire entertainment for most children. The guest ranches welcome families with horseback riding, trail rides, wildlife viewing, tours and summer camps. In the winter, Sitzmark Ski Area offers downhill skiing with several runs for both beginners and experienced skiers. Telemarking, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and skiboarding are open on several runs. This is a great family outing with a double chair lift, rope tow, and a day lodge.

The Okanogan Highlands is a vast region of adventure, exploration and history. Experience the Highlands’ wide open spaces the way Native Americans, trappers, and cowboys did - on horseback! Friendly and highly qualified outfitters can take you into the wilderness or you could just enjoy a relaxing trail ride on a sunny afternoon. Some outfitters offer special summer camps and tours just for kids or families. There are ghost towns to visit, lakes to play in and fossils to dig at Stonerose Interpretive Center. You can come as a spectator or sign up to play or ride in the annual 4th of July Chesaw Rodeo, a family event every year since 1942. Near Havillah, the Highlands Sno-Park is a hidden gem in the beautiful mountains with 35 km of groomed cross country ski trails and around 60 miles of separate groomed snowmobile trails.

In the Columbia River Region, fishing, camping, boating, museums, festivals and events will ensure that your children are never bored! Pateros Park welcomes pets and has a long walking trail along the river. The Homestead’s fudge factory, from scratch homemade ice-cream and sweet shoppe, and the Sweet River Bakery in Pateros are guaranteed kid pleasers! Grand Coulee hosts the Colorama in May: a festival, rodeo, parade, carnival, and hours of kid and family activities. All summer the Grand Coulee Dam is used as a giant movie screen while lasers dance across the face and spillway, telling the story of the Columbia River, history and purposes of the Grand Coulee Dam. This is an entertaining (and educational) “don’t-miss” extravaganza for all ages! Just north of the Grand Coulee Dam, Nespelem is home to the Colville Tribal Cultural Center, the Columbia River Fish Farm, and the 4th of July Pow Wow hosted by the Colville Confederated Tribes. This famous cultural event celebrates a vibrant Native American heritage and it attracts the best singers and dancers throughout Indian Country. In addition, during this festival, stick games and a parade accompany the celebration.

		Alma Park First Street Okanogan, Wa - 98840 422-3600 :: Show on Map :: Swimming Pool, playground equipment, picnic area.
		American Legion Park Second Ave. Okanogan, Wa - 98840 422-3600 :: Show on Map :: Picnic area, bathrooms. Saturday Farmers Market (in season).
		Bell Tower Park Main Street Riverside, Wa - 98849 826-4670 :: Show on Map :: Benches
		Bud Clark Memorial Field Quarter mile NE Oroville Chesaw Rd Oroville, Wa - 98844 476-2926 :: Show on Map :: Little league/softball fields, walking trail
		Canaan Guest Ranch 474 Cape LaBelle Road Tonasket, Wa - 98855 509-486-1191 866-295-4217 http://www.canaanguestranch.com :: Show on Map ::
		Chief Tonasket Park Railroad Ave Tonasket, Wa - 98855 486-2132 :: Show on Map :: Soccer & softball fields, boat launch, picnic shelter, restroom and riverfront trail.
		City of Okanogan PO Box 752 Okanogan, Wa - 98840 509-422-3600 :: Show on Map :: Okanogan has a historic walking tour of murals, a city pool in Alma Park, or shop the downtown area.
		City of Omak PO Box 72 Omak, Wa - 98841 (509) 826-1170 http://www.omakcity.com :: Show on Map :: Stop and shop downtown or visit the large shady parks or swim in the city pool.
		Civic League Park 20 S Ash St Omak, Wa - 98841 826-1170 :: Show on Map :: Playgound equipment, picnic area, bathroom, Tuesday�s Farmers Market (in season).
		Cole Park N. Columbia Ave. Coulee Dam, Wa - 99116 633-0320 :: Show on Map :: Tennis, handball, basketball courts, picnic area, sand volleyball court
		Columbia Cove Park West Cliff Ave. Brewster, Wa - 98812 689-3464 :: Show on Map :: ; Restroom, playground equipment, gazebo with picnic tables, boat launch & docks, next to RV Park.
		Dalton Klessing Park 1006 Senna St Omak, Wa - 98841 826-1170 :: Show on Map :: Walking trail, benches, shady, play equipment for small children
		Deep Bay Park Lake Osoyoos Oroville, Wa - 98844 476-2926 :: Show on Map :: Boat launch, picnic shelters, day use only, horse shoe pits. On beautuful Osoyoos Lake.
		Douglas Park Columbia & Douglas St Coulee Dam, Wa - 99116 633-0320 :: Show on Map :: Benches, picnic area, view of Dam & Laser Light Show
		Ferry County Fair Association PO Box 421 Republic, Wa - 99166 509-775-3053 509-775-3146 http://www.ferrycountyfair.com :: Show on Map ::
		Henry Kniss Park 16th & Fir Oroville, Wa - 98844 476-2926 :: Show on Map :: Picnic area, river view, fishing from shore
		JC Park 920 7th Ave S. Okanogan, Wa - 98840 :: Show on Map :: Swings and picnic area.
		Lightning Pine RV Park PO Box 483 Methow, Wa - 98834 509-923-2572 http://www.lightningpine.com :: Show on Map :: A total campground on the Methow River, offering partial & full RV Hookups, tent sites, on site rentals units, horse rides for kids, swimming, fishing, rafting & tubing in the river. Excellent location near rafting group launch points on the river,
		Loup Loup Ski Education Foundation PO Box 768 Okanogan, Wa - 98840 509-597-3405 866-699-5334 http://www.skitheloup.com :: Show on Map :: How many ski areas are non profit organizations? The Loup Loup Ski Bowl is one of the few, the Loup Loup Ski Education Foundation is a 501 c 3. Located between Twisp and Okanogan on Highway 20, the Loup Loup Pass is just a short trip from the winter play land of the Methow Valley, and provides all of the fun of a private ski hill without all the cost. 1,240 vertical feet with 10 runs ranging from beginner to expert. The mountain is serviced by a Poma fixed grip quad chair lift, installed in 1998 with an amazing community effort. A platter surface lift and a beginner rope tow give sliders a chance to practice their skills without going to the top. Runs are groomed nightly with modern Bombardier snow cats. The Loup Loup Ski Bowl also has 23 kilometers of groomed and track set Nordic trails on Bear Mountain, with another 50k two miles away at the Washington State Parks South Summit Sno-park. We also have tube rentals for your enjoyment on the weekends and holiday periods, two lanes with a walk up lane make for fun excercise. Beginners of any age will appreciate the un-crowded gentle slopes and the fully certified ski school with all levels of Alpine, snowboarding and Nordic lessons. The Loup Loup Rental Shop offers snowboards, alpine skis and kids equipment rental.
		Madeline Wells Park Ironwood & Appleway Oroville, Wa - 98844 476-2926 :: Show on Map :: Playground equipment, restrooms, picnic facilities.
		Mason City Park & Freedom Point Roosevelt Way Coulee Dam, Wa - 99116 633-0320 :: Show on Map :: Benches, playground equipment, VIC, restroom, amphitheater, view of Dam and Laser Light Show
		Methow Valley Sports Trails Assc./MVSTA 209 Castle Ave PO Box 147 Winthrop, Wa - 98862 509-996-3287 info@mvsta.com http://www.mvsta.com :: Show on Map :: The Methow Valley Sport Trails Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting environmentally sound recreation on or near the trail system in the Methow Valley. The trail system includes over 200 kilometers of groomed trails and is recognized as one of the finest trail systems in North America for cross-country skiing, off-road biking and hiking.
		Okanogan County Fairgrounds & Agri-Plex PO Box 467 Okanogan, Wa - 98840 509-422-1621 http://www.okanogancountyfair.org :: Show on Map :: The Okanogan County Fair provide a well-balanced variety of exhibits and entertainment.
		Okanogan Sports Complex Rodeo Trail Okanogan, Wa - 98840 422-3600 :: Show on Map :: Playground equipment, baseball & soccer fields, paved walking path, portable bathrooms.
		Omak Eastside Park Omak Ave. Omak, Wa - 98841 826-1170 :: Show on Map :: Swimming Pool, playground equipment, basketball & tennis courts, skateboard area, soccer & baseball fields, picnic area, paved walking trail, bathroom.
		Oroville City Park 17th & Main Oroville, Wa - 98844 476-2926 :: Show on Map :: Restroom, playground equipment, soccer field.
		Pateros Memorial Park Lake Shore Drive Pateros, Wa - 98846 923-2571 :: Show on Map :: Restrooms, playground equipment, picnic tables and covered kitchen picnic area, boat launch and dock.
		Riverside City Park Main Street Riverside, Wa - 98849 826-4670 :: Show on Map :: Playground equipment, picnic tables, bathroom
		Similkameen Adventures, LLC 1898 Loomis-Oroville Road Loomis, Wa - 98827 509-223-4020 509-429-2142 http://similkameenadventures.webs.com/ :: Show on Map :: Nestled in a scenic valley along the shores of Palmer Lake, Similkameen Adventures offers educational excursions, horse camps, guided trail rides and riding lessons. All our staff and horses are proudly Okanogan grown! We raise quality quarter horses and ponies to use in our programs. Foals are born April - June with some available for sale each year. Summer activities and farm tours give campers the opportunity to learn about rural life in a rustic setting where everyone helps with chores from feeding animals to weeding the garden. Visit our website for current information on the programs being offered.
		Sitzmark Ski Club PO Box 934 Tonasket, Wa - 98855 (509) 485-1902 http://www.skisitzmark.com :: Show on Map ::
		State Street Park State Street Tonasket, Wa - 98855 486-2132 :: Show on Map :: Shady neighborhood park, playground equipment for small children.
		Tonasket History Park 6 and half N Locust Way Tonasket, Wa - 98855 486-2132 :: Show on Map :: Swimming pool, basketball court, picnic tables, playground equipment, restrooms
		Triangle Park Western Ave & Hwy 97 Tonasket, Wa - 98855 486-2132 :: Show on Map :: Picnic tables and shade, Thursday�s Farmers Market (in season)
		Twisp Park Twisp, Wa - 98856 :: Show on Map ::
		Wagner Memorial Pool Twisp, Wa - 98856 (509) 997-5441 :: Show on Map ::