soap lake

I love this lake. The water is clean, the healing mud is there for you to cover your body in if you want to, the surroundings are pretty and it's peaceful and relaxing. That is until motorized boat racing was allowed into the waters. How disappointing! This lake is a gem in the middle of nowhere. I've traveled hours to get here, as have many others who appreciate the warm healing waters. My recent experience here was completely ruined by the boats jetting around taking over and forcing all of us who came to the lake hoping to relax to remain on the sand and tolerate the unrelenting noise. Of course the boats are allowed there for economic reasons. Well for once couldn't the environment take precedence?

We went mid day, was ok at best. No bathroom facilities available (the building was there--door was locked) so better change in the car or have a tent. Seemed to lack something.. was not the cleanest place, had a peculiar odor in one spot, not sure what was buried there but it was no bueno.

Went in late July - weather was 100oF in the shade. Wife and kids enjoyed playing in the black mud (kids thought it was a hoot that the mud smelled like farts) and smearing it on their bodies - it made for great pictures. Did not notice any improvement in my joint pain, not that I really expected to. The beach was very nice. It was a little hard to find the good mud (which seemed to only be in certain spots) - as opposed to just the black sand that was everywhere.The big complaint is - what on earth would possess a person to stop and spend time in this dump of an area? It seemed like every third store was a thrift shop/pawn shop and half of these were boarded up. To sum up, if you are stuck in central eastern Washington in a campground or visiting relatives with no air conditioning, I highly recommend it. If you are anywhere else, it couldn't be worth the drive.

After swimming in the lake, we walked in a park along the shore and it was very nice. The lake is cool to look at and the foam really does look like soap suds! The water does feel good to soak in, and you float very easily because of the high mineral content of the water. The water feels a little odd because of this but if you brave going for a swim, you won't regret it!

This lake is right along the banks of the city park, and alot of people who are looking for a miracle cure for whatever ails them travel to this site to bathe in the waters and put the mud on their bodies. Soap lake became known for curing any number of problems people have and so the city in its hayday had sanatariums built onto the lake, and you could have the water piped directly into your bathtub in your room. Now people sit on the beach and put the mud on their bodies, with high hopes and strange looks. The water is oily, and there are no fish that live in this lake, it is in my opinion a very gross experiance walking into the waters, and I would recommend not allowing children to swim here.

Soap Lake makes a nice base camp to visit the area for some sight seeing, hiking and bird watching. Not many places to eat out in town so beware. The Park along the Lake is great for walking and has an RV Park. Good central location to visit Banks Lake and Grand Coulee Dam.

If you can't swim, you can float in this lake. The "waters" are good for skin problems and you feel refreshed after a soak in it. You can also put the mud on your skin too. If you stay in hotels with dual faucets, you can even soak in the privacy of your hotel tub summer or winter. I recommend the Inn at Soap Lake for a wonderful place to stay. Beware there are no decent eating places in town though

Visited with my family a while back ago. Was great for boating, hiking and jumping off small cliffs if your brave enough. We had a blast.

There are several little shops along the main street. Also two nice parks with beaches to have a picnic at. Several good place to hike in the area as well.

just beware of salt in the lake. it can hurt your wounds if you will spend too much time in water.it is a very pleasant experience to swim is very salted water. very funny!

This lake is nice and you can swim in it. It is a safe lake for kids. But-be prepared for slimy water full of minerals and black like mud that you can put on yourself if you feel inclined for skin/health benefits. Not for everyone but it was fun and the shower room was not clean-but alright overall

The mineral make up of the lake and the historic nature of the town were very appealing.

The water was warm, the mud has some sort of reputed health benefits and there was a large playground for my 3 year old. There were bugs though, and a bit of a bad smell.

Great country with many nearby interesting things to do.

Soap Lake is so unique that it is thought only one other mineral lake similar to it exists in the world--in Baden, Germany. The foamy soap suds on the shore are an indication this is an astonishing body of water; the water felt slippery as I waded along the shoreline! The mud is considered to promote healing of skin ailments. The little public park is charming and the human sundial pays homage to the Native Americans who came to this lake for recreation and fellowship in centuries past. I intend to return with my husband in tow for a restorative weekend.