Community Pools, Waterparks, Splash Pads, and BeachesWhen it typically hovers around 95 degrees in the hot Wenatchee valley summer months, water is an essential part of living and playing your Summer away. And that means, my girls and I always try to rotate around to the different fun water resources we have in the region to mix it up and cool off in the dog days of Summer. So make sure to pack your sunscreen, sun shade, beach chair, floating device and towels before setting out on your next water adventure. Below is my list of a few of our favorite places to cool off in water around Wenatchee, Leavenworth, and Lake Chelan.

COMMUNITY POOLS

• Cashmere City Pool ( 104 Paton St, Cashmere). One of our favorite community pools for both big kids and little ones, this pool has a gradual water approach with bubbling fountains and a large waterfall mushroom to run thru. For the bigger kids, the deep end has a slide and diving board they can jump off all day. The grassy area can get full of towels but I usually bring my beach chair and park it by the shaded fence. This pool is not huge and is easy to keep an eye on where your kids are. Open swim pool hours are weekdays 1 to 4:20 pm and 6 -7:20 pm and on weekends 1 - 4:20 pm. General admission price for age 1 and over is $4 per person.
• Leavenworth Municipal Pool (694 US Highway 2, Leavenworth). I like this pool because I can gaze up at the mountain backdrop and enjoy the clean air view. Much like the Cashmere pool, Leavenworth City pool is similar in design and kids will love sliding down the giant frog's tongue and splash under a monstrous red mushroom. Open swim hours are weekdays 1:00- 3:50 pm and 6:45 - 8:20 pm, 11:30 - 12:45 pm for shallow pool only. Saturday and Sundays 12:00 - 2:50 pm and 4:00 - 5:50 pm. General admission $4 for everyone over 2 years of age. Seniors $3.
• Wenatchee City Pool ( 220 South Fuller Street, Wenatchee) City of Wenatchee’s outdoor swimming pool is a 10-lane, 50-meter L-shaped pool with one three-meter and two one-meter diving boards. The pool offers lap and public swims. This pool may be better for kids who know how to swim as the shallow end is still too deep for little ones to swim safely. Toddlers (0-3) $1, Youth (4-17) $3.25, Adult $3.25, Senior (55+) $2.25, Family Rate $7.75
• Quincy Aquatic Center (724 F Street SE, Quincy) Quincy pool has a zero depth entry swim/play area for infants and toddlers, and meets ADA requirements. Not to mention this pool has a few water slides! Children $3, Adults $4, Adults 50+ $2.50

SPLASH PADS & WADING POOLS

• Eastmont Community Park Splash Pad (located at N. Georgia Ave and Grant Rd in East Wenatchee). A brand spanking new splash pad in East Wenatchee is an aviation-themed interactive water feature. This is an awesome park to bring the kids to cool off in the water and let their energy out on the playground. There are plenty of full-grown shade trees to protect you from the hot Summer sun, but if you want to get a little closer to the water feature you may want to bring an umbrella and chair. FREE!
• Rotary Park Splash Pad (1810 Maple Street, Wenatchee). When you want easy water fun with fountains instead of a pool you head to the splash pad! An 8-acre park with amenities and a playground adjacent to the splash pad for the kids to run back and forth. Rotary Park is open seven days a week from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Amenities include Basketball Court, Disc Golf, Picnic Shelter, Play Area, Restrooms, Splash Pad, Trails. And the best part....it's FREE!
• Wading pools at Washington, Kiwanis-Methow, and Pennsylvania Park are open Monday through Friday from 1:00-5:00 pm during the Summer months and include a playground as well. FREE!

WATERPARKS

• Slidewaters (102 Waterslide Dr., Chelan) in Chelan is the best waterpark around NCW! We always try to pick up a season pass and slide right thru the gates. This water park is a local and tourist favorite so you may want to get in the gates as early as you can to finagle your spot. Tons of rides to apease the babies, the big kids, and Moms and Dads. Open daily Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend from 10 am to 7 pm. Cost is $20 (if your under 48" tall) and $25 (over 48" tall). Seniors 55+ are $20. Kids under 3 years of age FREE. If you go in the evening 3 hours before they close, the cost comes down $5.
• Surf 'n Slide Water Park in Moses Lake be a bit far (hour) from Wenatchee, but people will travel if it's an all day excursion to a waterpark. We have yet to take our family but it's nice to know the option is there.

LAKES & RIVERFRONT BEACHES WITH PLAYGROUNDS

• Lincoln Rock State Park (13253 SR 2 E., East Wenatchee) This park is not only a great camping park, it also has a nice designated swim area, playground, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and a refreshment stand. (Discovery Pass required).
• Wenatchee Confluence State Park and Walla Walla Point Parks along the Columbia River in Wenatchee get an honorary mention and are beautiful parks with designated swim areas and big brand new playgrounds. You can access the Apple Capital loop trail at each of these parks. Discovery Pass will be needed at Confluence but NOT at Walla Walla Point park. (Click on each one for park hours and directions).
• Lake Wenatchee State Park (21588 SR 207, Leavenworth). The best beach in all of NCW in my opinion! Everything about this lake and this beach is incredible. A sandy beach, incredible mountain views to gaze at all day, and peaceful waters to paddle around. In addition to swimming you can take a guided trail ride on a gentle horse, or hike through a highland forest. And bring your bikes for the miles of bike trails. (Discovery Pass required).
• Waterfront Park Trail (Leavenworth) - The trails wind along the Wenatchee River and through quiet riverbank forests. Throughout the park there are small beach inlets that are perfect for swimming on hot summer days. The trail is accessible from downtown Leavenworth. The trail is completely flat and accessible for everyone. Enchantment Park playground is connected to the trail system.

• Lake Chelan State Park (7544 S. Lakeshore Road, Chelan) Love this park for its beach, swimming area AND the playground. We like visiting this beach when we want to be away from the downtown Chelan crowd. However, this is a state camping park, and there are plenty of folks camping here thru out the summer that you'll be sharing the beach with. Be advised the parking area is small and fills early on weekends. The park has 6,000 feet of shoreline and the beach is accessible by stairs. Another bonus for you are the two miles of hiking trails you can enjoy when you're tired of floating on your pink flamingo. (Discovery Pass required).
• Don Morse Memorial Park ( 485 W Manson Hwy, Chelan) The most popular beach in all of Lake Chelan with paddle board rentals, rally go-karts, 18 hole putting course, volleyball/basketball courts, skate park, playground area, large sandy beach and the Lakeview Drive-in right around the corner for milkshakes. Open to the public daily from 6:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M
• Willow Point Park (165 Willow Point Road, Manson) This park offers breathtaking views of Lake Chelan and surrounding mountains. Enjoy a picnic by the beach, while your children swim or use the play area.
• Crescent Bar Resort (Quincy) The mighty Columbia River and towering basalt cliffs are the backdrop to a fun day swimming and playing in Crescent Bar. Only 30 minutes east of Wenatchee and just before Quincy, Crescent Bar has been re-done and improved with new beach areas, playground, walking trails, restrooms, picnic shelters and campgrounds. You'll get a completely different view and vibe in Crescent Bar that is unique because of its high desert environment. Make sure you bring an umbrella to shade yourself from the hot summer sun bouncing off the canyons. You have two beaches to choose from and can't go wrong with either one.

Enjoy the rest of your HOT Summer in the water!