Chinook Park
Quincy, Washington · on Wanapum Lake · Chinook Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $50/day
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Chinook Park
Chinook Park is a day-use area within the Grant County PUD's Crescent Bar Recreation Area near Quincy, Washington, sitting off-island on the shore of Wanapum Lake, the Columbia River reservoir behind Wanapum Dam. Managed under contract by Central WA Management Group, it offers six sandy beaches, a boat launch, and picnic shelters as its main draws, and for anyone hunting places to swim on this stretch of the Columbia the beaches make it an easygoing swimming hole option.
The park sits on the shoreline of Wanapum Lake, the Columbia River impoundment behind Wanapum Dam, across from the Crescent Bar island community in the arid shrub-steppe canyon country of central Washington near Quincy. The wider Crescent Bar Recreation Area sits below basalt river cliffs typical of the Columbia River Gorge in this stretch.
How to get to this swimming hole
Parking: 75 total spaces at Chinook Park itself (69 standard passenger, 6 ADA) per the parks overview page, with a separate breakdown near the boat launch of 61 spaces (46 boat/trailer, 9 passenger, 4 commercial/rental, 6 ADA, plus uncounted golf-cart parking); day-use parking at all Grant PUD parks is free from 7 AM to 10 PM and overnight parking is prohibited.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Chinook Park is a drive-up day-use beach park: parking lots sit directly adjacent to the six beaches, connected by ADA-accessible paths per the operator's official site. No trail or hike is required to reach the water; it's a short (under a few minutes) walk from any parking stall to the shoreline.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach with reservoir (not river-current) water is a relatively gentle setting for kids, but Grant PUD's official park rules explicitly state 'Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards on duty,' and prohibit jumping/diving into the water anywhere in the recreation area. The park also hosts a boat launch, marina, and jet-ski/pontoon rental traffic right offshore, so families should keep young kids close to the designated swim beaches rather than the launch/marina area.
Parking
Free
75 total spaces at Chinook Park (69 standard + 6 ADA) per the parks overview, or 61 spaces per the marina-area breakdown (46 boat/trailer, 9 passenger, 4 commercial, 6 ADA, plus golf-cart spots); day-use parking at all Grant PUD parks is free, and overnight parking is prohibited.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets on site at Chinook Park, per the operator's official marina/parks page, along with trash receptacles and informational kiosks.
Hours
Conflicting official hours found: the Crescent Bar Recreation Area homepage states the park is 'Open daily, 8-6'; the operator's FAQ page states day-use parking is allowed 7 AM-10 PM; and Grant PUD's own park rules document (covering all its recreation areas, including Crescent Bar) states parks operate 'dawn to dusk, unless otherwise posted.' No single authoritative hour range could be confirmed as current.
On the water
Chinook Park has an official two-lane boat launch and day-use marina dock (first-come-first-served slips), and the on-site rental outfitter rents pontoon boats and jet skis capable of 'speeds up to 50 mph,' so there is no evidence of a no-wake or electric-only restriction on this stretch of Wanapum Lake. No specific speed-limit or wake-zone document could be located despite searching Grant PUD's park-rules and recreation pages.
Rentals nearby
Pontoon boats (incl. a 24-ft Avalon and a double-decker Solid Craft model with slides), jet skis (Sea-Doo and Yamaha, 2-3 passenger), kayaks, paddleboards, and UTVs; also runs a shuttle service to concerts at The Gorge Amphitheatre
Operates out of the Crescent Bar marina, directly on the water near Chinook Park/Riverbend Park, Quincy, WA
Chinook Park: FAQ
Does Chinook Park charge a fee?
No day-use or boat-launch fee found; shelter reservation costs $50/day for groups under 35 people (larger events require a special use permit).
Is Chinook Park kid friendly?
Sandy beach with reservoir (not river-current) water is a relatively gentle setting for kids, but Grant PUD's official park rules explicitly state 'Swim at your own risk. No lifeguards on duty,' and prohibit jumping/diving into the water anywhere in the recreation area. The park also hosts a boat launch, marina, and jet-ski/pontoon rental traffic right offshore, so families should keep young kids close to the designated swim beaches rather than the launch/marina area.
Do I need to hike to reach Chinook Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Chinook Park?
75 total spaces at Chinook Park (69 standard + 6 ADA) per the parks overview, or 61 spaces per the marina-area breakdown (46 boat/trailer, 9 passenger, 4 commercial, 6 ADA, plus golf-cart spots); day-use parking at all Grant PUD parks is free, and overnight parking is prohibited.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Chinook Park?
Chinook Park has an official two-lane boat launch and day-use marina dock (first-come-first-served slips), and the on-site rental outfitter rents pontoon boats and jet skis capable of 'speeds up to 50 mph,' so there is no evidence of a no-wake or electric-only restriction on this stretch of Wanapum Lake. No specific speed-limit or wake-zone document could be located despite searching Grant PUD's park-rules and recreation pages.
What are the rules at Chinook Park?
Pets must be on leash at all times; overnight parking is prohibited; buoys/mooring lines must be removed when a vessel departs and shoreline mooring is limited to 14 days; full rules are referenced as 'Grant PUD Park Rules' on the operator's site but that specific rules page could not be located.
What water body is Chinook Park on?
Chinook Park is on Wanapum Lake, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
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