Welcome to Eastern Washington Windermere

OKANOGAN COUNTY 

County Offices
149 N 3rd Avenue
Okanogan 509-422-7275
https://okanogancounty.org/

Chamber of Commerce
211 Queen Street
Okanogan 509-422-4034
https://okchamber.com/

Okanogan County is the largest county in Washington State. The territory of the county is 5,315 square miles. It borders with Ferry, Lincoln, Grant, Douglas, Chelan, Skagit, Whatcom County, Fraser Valley Regional District of British Columbia, Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District of British Columbia and Kootenay Boundary Regional District of British Columbia. The population of the county is just over 41,000 residents. Its’ largest city is Omak, but the county seat is Okanogan. The county is predominantly rural and farming is a big part of the economy. The Colville Indian reservation is also located partly within the boundaries of the county. The reservation covers over 1.5 million acres of land.

Lifestyle
From community theater productions, to renowned artists, this area has great musicians, incredible sculpture/ woodcarvers, glass works, and festival galore. There are several ghost towns to explore and Native American historical and cultural activities. The 4th of July Pow Wow is the Colville Tribe’s largest cultural event and attracts the best singers and dancers throughout Indian Country. In addition, during this festival, stick games and a parade accompany the celebration. The annual Omak Stampede Indian Encampment Powwow is held in August and lasts several days.

The great outdoors dominates the lifestyle in this county and there are several million acres of national forest land to enjoy.  The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is a more than 4-million acre forest, which stretches to the Canadian border. This National Forest is known for its recreation opportunities: wonderful hiking trails, water recreation opportunities, camping, wildlife watching, etc. The Pasayten Wilderness is a protected area that is located within Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The area of the wilderness is adjacent to the Ross Lake Recreation Area and North Cascades national Park. The western part of the wilderness offers stunning and breathtaking views of the Cascades, while the eastern part is known for its tundra and grasslands.

Okanogan County is also home to the Grand Coulee Dam, an engineering marvel and the largest hydropower producer in the U.S. This dam is nearly a mile across, over 500 feet tall and spans the largest volume river flowing into the Pacific Ocean. The mighty dam harnesses the power of over six trillion gallons of water, sending clean hydro power into eleven states. Grand Coulee Dam forms Lake Roosevelt, extending 151 miles upstream to the Canadian border. It has a 600-mile shoreline and a surface area of 82,000 acres. In 1948, Congress designated Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, which is operated by the National Park Service. Grand Coulee Dam provides water to irrigate approximately 600,000 acres in the Columbia Basin Project. In addition to its irrigation and power functions, Grand Coulee Dam is a primary factor in controlling the floods on the Columbia River.

A wide variety of water sports is available along the Columbia river and on Lake Roosevelt. At any time you can see residents and visitors enjoying Paddle boarding, water skiing, tubing, swimming and more. Fishing is almost a must in this area lakes and rivers. There are more than 200 high mountain lakes, 400 lowland lakes, 200 water and wildlife access areas and 300,000 acres of publicly owned land. This is one of the top recreational fishing regions in the state.

Close to Brewster are three ski hills and hundreds of miles of cross-country trails. The locals favorite is definitely the Loup Ski Bowl.  There are several Snow-parks near to Brewster. The closest are Black Canyon Snow-Park and South Fork Gold Creek Snow-Park operated by the US Forest Service. Black Canyon Snow-Park gives access to groomed snowmobile trails to Chelan Ridge and: Parrish Peak, Cooper Mountain, Oss Peak, and Ski Peak areas with many scenic views.

Golf courses throughout the county Golfers can also enjoy a day on the links, with several local golf courses to choose from. Each course has its own unique feel, and many of the courses follow the traditional links style of design.

Each of the small towns and cities that make up the county also have a lot to offer residents. Whether its shopping boutiques with locally crafted goods, Native American jewelry, unique cowboy art or large national chains. Those looking for dining options will find hand-crafted pizza, artisan bakeries, locally roasted coffees, homemade fudge & old fashioned candy. Microbreweries, brew pubs, saloons and wineries dot the landscape. Fresh ingredients play a big role in Okanogan Country’s restaurants, especially local organic meat, eggs, dairy and farm grown produce from the fertile surrounding acreage. There is something here to suit every taste and needs.

Services
The educational opportunities are abundant with a variety of public, private, and charter schools. The local school districts continually rank highly among the state’s schools and offer students varied learning opportunities from traditional education through vocational and advanced placement courses. Several small school districts serve the county. For those seeking higher education, there are a number of local and online opportunities available from state and regional colleges and universities for students of all ages. Wenatchee Valley College offers 2 year programs in administration assistant (financial, legal, medical), nursing, and liberal arts, as well as certificates programs. Washington State University (WSU) is a 4 year institution and offers an extension campus in the area. WSU offers more than 150 undergraduate programs and 100+ master’s and doctoral degrees.

Healthcare options abound in the county with three hospitals serving the residents healthcare needs. Three Rivers Hospital is a public, not-for-profit, critical access 30 bed hospital in Brewster offers comprehensive services including: 24 Hour Emergency room, labor and delivery, surgery, orthopedics, radiology and labs. Confluence Health provides a wide range healthcare services to residents and visitors, the Brewster Clinic offers care in anti-coagulation, cardiology, dermatology, ear, nose and throat, family medicine and surgery. Mid-Valley Hospital provides comprehensive care for patients in the Omak area.

Communities

Brewster
City Offices
509-689-3464
http://www.cityofbrewsterwashington.org/

Chamber of Commerce
509-593-0771
https://www.brewsterwachamber.com/
Located along the banks of the Columbia River at the southern end of Okanogan County. the City of Brewster has a public pool, riverfront parks, a recreation center, RV Park, and boat access to the Columbia River. The Brewster area has several nearby State Parks that offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. The town is located at the confluence of the Columbia, Okanogan and Methow. The snowcapped peaks of the Cascades rise to Brewster’s west as their foothills roll down to the rivers’ banks. Orchards surround the town as these dramatically steep hills drop toward the river creating an ideal place to grow apples and cherries. The town’s location makes Brewster the “gateway” to the vast National Park lands in the northern part of the county. The economy of Brewster rests with the fruit industry. There are 4 warehouses that pack several million boxes of fruit annually. The warehouses are supported by thousands of acres of orchards in the surrounding countryside. Every season of the year offers unique recreational opportunities. There are five museums in the area as well as several other historical sites.

Golf is a big deal in Brewster, and this can be seen at the famous Gamble Sands Golf course. This course is rated as one of the top courses in the country and one of the most beautiful. Residents can also enjoy all that living in a small community offers, including knowing your neighbors and carrying a strong sense of community. Locally owned small shops and restaurants are the norm with local ingredients playing a big role in the culture.

Okanogan
City Offices
509-422-3600
https://www.okanogancity.com/

Chamber of Commerce
509-422-4034
https://okchamber.com/
The City of Okanogan is adjacent to the Okanogan River, it is 50 miles south of the Canadian border, 140 miles east of Seattle and 100 miles northwest of Spokane. The city of Okanogan is home warm summers and mild winters. The community is surrounded by working ranches with cowboys. The area is home to American Indians with a strong tribal connection to the community.  The rich agricultural heritage of the city is reflected in everything that residents know and love. Newcomers to the area will find boating, watersports, horseback riding, camping, golfing, fishing and hiking here. At night the stars are bright and clear thanks to the quiet rural nature of the area and no light pollution from big cities. Its quick access to the Pasayten for hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling and wilderness adventures. Island Park Trail is one of Okanogan’s best kept secrets. The trails wind along the Okanogan River through quiet riverbank forest and pastures. The park is a nature preserve inhabited by a wide variety of native birds and plants. Hikers can use the park year round and are likely to encounter eagles and osprey fishing the river at the southern end of the island during the winter. Migratory songbirds and butterflies also pass through in spring and fall. The terrain is flat and the trails are wide. The Okanogan County Historical Museum and Firehall Museum Complex in Okanogan recalls a period back in time with an old-fashioned main street, settler’s cabin, and a display of apple industry history. The city is also home to five city run parks. Residents can enjoy a stroll down the historic main street and connect with their neighbors, visit a local shop or grab a bite to eat.

Omak
City Offices
509-826-1170
https://www.omakcity.com/

Chamber of Commerce
509-826-1880
http://www.omakchamber.com/
Omak is the largest municipality of Okanogan County and the largest municipality in Central Washington north of Wenatchee. The area around Omak is home to more than 8,000 residents. Omak is located at the foot of the Okanogan Highlands. The city itself is home to just over 4,700 residents. It is a true four seasons community with warm summers and cold winters. Outdoor enthusiasts will love activities like skiing, camping, fishing, hiking and more. Others will enjoy the main street shops, restaurants and other amenities owned and operated by local residents. There are several annual community events including the Omak Stampede, pow-wow and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.  The area’s mild climate and its close proximity to lakes, rivers, and mountains make Omak an outdoor recreational destination. The city maintains eight general recreational complexes, of which the 76.6-acre Eastside Park, with an enclosed skate park, municipal pool, seven baseball diamonds, four soccer fields and tennis courts, and two basketball courts, is the largest. Civic League Park is the municipality’s oldest park, while Dalton Klessig Park is the newest. Omak has several beaches at the north–south shores of Omak Lake on the Colville Indian Reservation, comprising over 100 acres of sandy land.  Fishing and boating are available at Omak Lake, and at the Fry Lake and Duck Lake and Conconully Lake, Crawfish Lake, and the Okanogan River, all of which are home to several species. The Okanogan Valley Golf Club is a country club with two courses is also located in Omak.

Shopping is another great option for those looking for outdoor recreation of a different type. Residents can find everything they need from locally owned shop and boutiques in the city center or from larger national retailers and traditional big box stores. The Omache Shopping Center is located on the edge of town and is home to several retailers. Dining choices abound in the community with small restaurants, larger chains and unique dining experiences. Omak is the center of retail in the area and residents come from all over the county to shop and dine here. New residents have a lot to choose from with regards to housing in the area, they can chose from a single family home to a ranch with acres of land to a small rural home with a spectacular view. Residents of Omak will find everything they need close to home.

Oroville
City Offices
509-557-5165
http://www.oroville-wa.com

Chamber of Commerce
509-557-5165
http://orovillewashington.com/
Oroville Washington is located 4 miles south of the Canadian Border on Highway 97.  The green pastures and orchards of the valley floor are contrasted with the rugged cliffs and glacial features of the Okanogan country. Oroville offers beauty and recreation in a rural setting that has a strong community atmosphere. The community offers easy access to the Canadian Border thanks to its location. The community has a rich mining history. Recreation opportunities abound on the local rivers and trails and Lake Osoyoos. The majority of the land surrounding Oroville is almost entirely public land.  There are many available activities in the area including camping, fishing, boating and all kinds of water sports.  During the winter months there are opportunities for snow sports of various kinds.  There are several hiking, biking and horseback trails, such as the Similkameen Trail, Whistler Canyon Trail and a vast amount of ATV trails.  In addition, there are museums to visit, local wineries for wine tasting, and there is a challenging and scenic 18-hole golf course. While a quiet community in a rural setting, residents enjoy a high quality of life and have access to everything they could want.

Coulee Dam
Town Offices
509-633-0320
http://townofcouleedam.org/

Chamber of Commerce
509-633-3074
https://grandcouleedam.org/
Coulee Dam serves as the headquarters for the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation area and is the southernmost tip of Okanogan Country. The Coulee Dam area is the perfect place to get out and enjoy the spring before the snow has melted anywhere else. This warm, dry area of Okanogan Country features some amazing geology with gorgeous basalt cliffs that jut right up from the Columbia River. Grand Coulee is just south of the Grand Coulee Dam and serves as the junction if Highway 155 and 174. The town of Grand Coulee actually stretches over three counties but is home to just under 1,100 people. Grand Coulee is home to North Dam Park where many of the areas large events are held including Colorama, the Festival of America, and the Harvest Festival.