Pacific Northwest Lakeside Retreats

Whether you prefer to camp near the shores of a lake or view it from high above in your posh hotel room, there’s a lakeside getaway for everyone in the Pacific Northwest. The balmy summers in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho make their lake’s favorite getaways, and these are the best.

Lake Billy Chinook – Culver, OR

This Central Oregon lake is one of the biggest in the state, and its glittering blue “finger” formations of water stretch as far as the eye can see in places. Known as a summer recreation mecca in Oregon, visitors can usually be seen skiing, wakeboarding, boating, fishing, inner-tubing and lazing on their rented houseboats. Camping is available in many sites around the perimeter of the lake, with the best campgrounds located in Cove Palisades State Park.

The Cove Palisades Marina is a popular place to rent boats, recreation equipment and more. They also have a store and gas station. Houseboats come from basic to luxury models, including three-story houseboats with water slides and hot tubs on board. Houseboats are extremely popular, so book ahead for summertime getaways.

Detroit Lake – Detroit, OR

Drive by Detroit Lake on any summer weekend on Highway 22 east of Salem, and you’ll see any myriad of activities going on, from fishing to camping to swimming and boating. This favorite family getaway spot has several day-use areas for those just coming for a few hours and several campgrounds for those wanting to dig in and stay for a while.

Hiking trails wind around the surrounding forested areas, offering hours of entertainment for visitors, and there are even hunting opportunities nearby, depending on the time of year. Because of its elevation, Detroit Lake also offers fun in the wintertime: Sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and much more await people who come in the less-popular season.

Lake Chelan – Chelan, WA

This stunning, glacier-fed lake in the North Cascades in Central Washington is a favorite spot for many during the summer or any time of year. Surrounding the lake are homes available for rent or other accommodation options, like hotels, condominiums, and bed and breakfasts.As an area with almost 10,000 year-round residents, it’s beautiful and removed, but a far cry from remote. There are shopping areas and many dining options nearby, which means it’s not very often visitors to Lake Chelan run out of things to do. Lake Chelan also plays host to many annual events, like wine festivals, a riverwalk concert series, and more.

Lake Coeur d’Alene – Coeur d’Alene, ID

Just a short drive from Spokane, this Idaho destination is a popular spot for visiting celebrities and local residents alike. The large, sprawling lake is lined with soaring homes and plays host to the Coeur d’Alene, a resort that features restaurants, a floating “boardwalk” and a soaring hotel offering unique lake views. In the summer, the lake is full of boats pulling water skiers, and in the winter boats putt along, adoring the Christmas light display that takes over the resort’s floating boardwalk.

The town of Coeur d’Alene offers lots in the way of entertainment, dining, and more. In the summer it’s just hot enough for a cool swim in the lake, and in the winter a blanket of snow usually covers the whole town. Any time of year, this Idaho destination is a great place to enjoy the serenity of a lakeside retreat.