Mardon Resort
Othello, Washington · on Potholes Reservoir · Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife Trust Land
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Mardon Resort
Mardon Resort is a privately operated fishing and camping resort on the shore of Potholes Reservoir near Othello, Washington, offering cabins, lake houses, RV and tent sites, a marina, and a designated swimming area on the reservoir. It sits on Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife trust land roughly 16 miles southwest of Moses Lake.
The resort sits directly on the shore of Potholes Reservoir, a large (roughly 28,000-acre per the resort's own description) irrigation reservoir in the arid Columbia Basin of central Washington, formed by O'Sullivan Dam. Camper reviews describe a sandy beach frontage with both waterfront and higher-elevation campsites, shaded by willow trees in places, in a hot, dry summer climate typical of the region.
Swimming at Mardon Resort
Swimming happens off the resort's sandy beach directly into the reservoir; reviewers describe simply walking from a beachfront campsite into the water to cool off. It reads as casual, resort-adjacent lake swimming rather than a wild or remote swimming hole, and is used alongside boating and fishing rather than as a dedicated swim destination.
How to get to this swimming hole
Mardon Resort is located on Potholes Reservoir about 16 miles southwest of Moses Lake, Washington, near the town of Othello.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up resort: the swim beach is directly behind/beside campsites and cabins, reached by a short walk from parking or your site, no trail or hike is involved.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach with shallow entry and an on-site playground make it a family-oriented spot per camper reviews, but this is a working marina/reservoir shared with motorboats, a 50hp party boat rental, and boat traffic, and no lifeguard is mentioned anywhere on the resort's site or in reviews, so supervise kids closely, especially near the boat launch/dock area.
Parking
Paid, $4/day (marina/day parking, per resort price guide)
Registered campers park next to their own site (drive-in access); a separate lot serves walk-in/tent campers and day visitors. The resort's marina price guide lists $4 daily parking and $10 boat launching as separate line items.
Restrooms
Yes
Resort-wide shower facilities and drinking water are provided as core campground amenities (per camper reviews on The Dyrt); exact restroom building locations relative to the swim beach were not specified.
Hours
No single posted 'park hours' were found; the resort appears to operate the campground/beach year-round with reduced services off-season. Marina rental hours are listed as 8am-6pm daily, extended to 8am-7pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
On the water
The resort's own marina rents and launches motorized boats (including a 50hp 'party boat') right at the swim beach area, so swimmers share the water with boat traffic; no no-wake or electric-only restriction was found in resort materials.
Rentals nearby
On-site marina rents an Almar 14' boat (15hp), a 50hp 'party boat', and kayaks & paddleboards; also offers boat launching and daily/monthly moorage.
Prices: Almar 14' boat: $110 weekdays / $150 weekends; Party boat (50hp, fuel included): $395 weekdays / $525 weekends; Kayaks & paddleboards: $10/hour weekdays (weekend rate listed as $50); boat launch $10; daily parking $4; daily moorage $22 weekday/$35 weekend, monthly moorage $395-$465.
On-site at MarDon Resort, 8198 Hwy 262 SE, Othello, WA 99344, directly on Potholes Reservoir · 8am-6pm daily; 8am-7pm Memorial Day through Labor Day
What regulars say
Campers describe simply walking from a beachfront campsite into the reservoir to cool off, a sandy beach with an adjacent playground that makes it kid-friendly, and consistent summer-weekend crowding ("it can be crowded on weekends," "weekends fill up fast"). Clarity and current strength remain unconfirmed by direct visitor accounts beyond the general resort and camping reports already noted.
Mardon Resort: FAQ
Is Mardon Resort kid friendly?
Sandy beach with shallow entry and an on-site playground make it a family-oriented spot per camper reviews, but this is a working marina/reservoir shared with motorboats, a 50hp party boat rental, and boat traffic, and no lifeguard is mentioned anywhere on the resort's site or in reviews, so supervise kids closely, especially near the boat launch/dock area.
Do I need to hike to reach Mardon Resort?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Mardon Resort?
Registered campers park next to their own site (drive-in access); a separate lot serves walk-in/tent campers and day visitors. The resort's marina price guide lists $4 daily parking and $10 boat launching as separate line items.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Mardon Resort?
The resort's own marina rents and launches motorized boats (including a 50hp 'party boat') right at the swim beach area, so swimmers share the water with boat traffic; no no-wake or electric-only restriction was found in resort materials.
When is the best time to visit Mardon Resort?
Summer (June through September per visitor reviews); central Washington is described as dry and hot in summer, driving the popularity of the swimming/beach area.
What water body is Mardon Resort on?
Mardon Resort is on Potholes Reservoir, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
