Temperatures will hit the mid to upper 80s over the Memorial Day weekend, making it a great time to scope out the best spots to swim or wade all summer.
The Tri-Cities has beaches aplenty along the Columbia and Snake rivers. Some are well known, like Leslie Groves Park in Richland, while others are more remote, like Hood Park in Burbank or Crow Butte Park west of Paterson.
They’re all worthy picnic destinations on a sunny spring day, but consider staying on dry land until it is safer to swim when water temperatures heat up and high water levels recede.
The Washington state health department advises extreme caution when swimming in rivers, ponds, lakes and other bodies of water, which present a heightened threat of drowning in the spring.
“Rivers are often high and swift from rains and snow melt and can easily overwhelm the strongest swimmer. Even on hot spring days, lakes, ponds and rivers are still cold and are dangerous for swimmers. Hypothermia can occur quickly in very cold water,” it warns.
For kid-friendly tips and activities, check out the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water safety site, bobber.info.
Howard Amon Park
900 Amon Park Drive, Richland
The city of Richland’s iconic park offers many amenities, including a sandy beach area near the dock. The beach is a popular kayak launch spot.
Other amenities include a playground, picnic shelters, benches, a half basketball court, walking paths, boat launch and more.
Columbia Point Marina Park
660 Columbia Point Drive, Richland
The city of Richland created a sandy beach area just east of the Columbia Point Marina as part of a recent park update. Columbia Park West offers picnic shelters, restrooms, a walking trail and mature landscape for shade.
A note to swimmers: Watch out for the waterfowl and boats approaching the day-use docks.
Sacajawea Historical State Park
2503 Sacajawea Park Road, Pasco
The 267-acre Washington State Park is a day-use facility at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers. A buoy-protected swimming beach is on the Columbia side of the point. The park has restrooms, picnic facilities, a volleyball field and a boat launch are available, as are several docks for fishing and viewing.
A state Discover Pass is required or plan to pay a $10 day use fee. Summer hours are 8 a.m.-dusk.
Leslie Groves Park
40 Park St., Richland
The city of Richland park offers a sandy beach for swimming, volleyball courts, picnic tables, walking paths and a boat ramp. There are restrooms and ample shade.
Carbody Beach
Columbia River Road, Franklin County
The sandy beach on the Columbia River is north of Pasco. It is a popular spot for boaters to haul up and socialize but offers few amenities beyond massive sun exposure.
Two Rivers Park
21331 E. Finley Road, Kennewick
The 273-acre Benton County park is directly across the Columbia River from Sacajawea Historic State Park, where the Snake River joins the Columbia.
This fully-developed park has restrooms, picnic tables and ample shade. The swimming area is in a sheltered lagoon, where the water tends to be warmer.
Hood Park
2339 Monument Drive, Burbank
The 99-acre Army Corps park on the Snake River, near the confluence with the Columbia, offers camping, boating, swimming, hiking, fishing and a playground.
It’s about three miles south of Pasco. It is open 6 a.m.-10 p.m., daily, through Labor Day.
Crow Butte Park
165215 W. Crow Butte Road, Paterson
The 275-acre park, created by the Army Corps, is operated by the Port of Benton. It is fully-developed with campground, playground, mature trees, restrooms and a marina.
The swimming area on the sheltered side of the island. It is a 60-minute drive from the Tri-Cities and requires a day-use fee. Hours are dawn to dusk. The 2023 season continues through Oct. 15.
Charbonneau Park
642 Campground Road, Burbank
The 244-acre park is above Ice Harbor Lock and Dam on the lower Snake River and features a sheltered swimming area with buoy line and sand, as well as boating, camping, walking and restroom facilities. It is operated by the Army Corps.
Fishhook Park
4562 Fishhook Park Road, Prescott
The Army Corps park and campground is 18 miles east of Burbank on the Walla Walla side of the Snake River offers protected swimming, ample shade, picnic tables, a bathroom and walking paths.
Hover Park
250598 E. Toothaker Road, Kennewick
The 175-acre Benton County park is six miles downstream of the Two Rivers Park and is mostly undeveloped.
▪ Here are a few more distant beach locations compiled by for Tri-City Herald in 2019.
Levey Park, 1701 Levey Road, Pasco, is a 50-acre park with a day-use area and small swimming area, on the Franklin County side of the Snake River upstream of Ice Harbor Dam.
Windust Park, 5262 Burr Canyon Road, Pasco, near Kahlotus, is a 54-acre park with a day-use area and swimming beach along the Snake River about 29 miles upstream of Ice Harbor Dam. 30 miles northeast of Pasco.
Lyons Ferry Park, Stardust, is a 60 miles north and east of Pasco on the Snake River.. It has multiple use facilities with covered shelters, hiking trails and a swimming beach.
Sand Station, Hermiston, is an 8-acre park, operated by the Army Corps, 8 miles upstream of McNary Dam right on Highway 730.
Warehouse Beach, Hermiston, is 7 miles upstream of McNary Dam and a part of Hat Rock State Park. This 130-acre park is secluded and has a beach with views of Wallula Gap to the east.
McNary Beach Park, Hermiston, is a 118-acre park operated by the Army Corps with a day use area one mile upstream of McNary Dam.
Marina Park, Boardman, is a 140-acre park with a sandy crescent shaped beach along Marine Drive in Boardman.
Gingko Petrified Forest State Park, Vantage, is a 7,124-acre park with camping on the west side of the Columbia River upstream of Wanapum Dam. It is a registered National Natural Landmark.
Blue Heron Park, Moses Lake, is a 54-acre park with a beautiful day-use area and a swimming area. Operated by the city of Moses Lake, the park is located just north of Interstate 90 in Moses Lake.
Potholes Lake State Park, Othello, is a 773-acre camping park with 6,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on O’Sullivan Reservoir.
Former Herald freelance writer Paul Krupin contributed to this story.
