Pearrygin Lake State Park
Winthrop, Washington · on Pearrygin Lake · Pearrygin Lake
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $10
- SEASON
- Spring
About Pearrygin Lake State Park
Pearrygin Lake State Park is a 1,186-acre Washington State Parks property surrounding Pearrygin Lake, about 2.9 miles from Winthrop in the Methow Valley. Established in 1959 and named for early settler Benjamin Franklin Pearrygin, the park has an official, buoy-marked swimming hole on the spring-fed lake alongside boating, camping, and fishing facilities, giving Winthrop visitors an easy lake to swim in.
The park almost entirely surrounds Pearrygin Lake in the Methow Valley's shrub-steppe country, with roughly 11,000 feet of shoreline, mountain views, and open grassy lawns running down to the water's edge. A local park ranger described the setting as visually striking, saying 'It's so gorgeous here, you can see in every direction.'
Swimming at Pearrygin Lake State Park
Swimming happens in a designated area of the lake marked off by a buoy line, adjacent to a grassy lawn with picnic tables and beached boats. The lake is spring-fed. The official park page lists swimming as a core summer activity alongside boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing, and local news describes the park as popular specifically for its water recreation.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located about 2 miles east of Winthrop, WA in Okanogan County's Methow Valley; the park's own boundary essentially surrounds Pearrygin Lake, with parking areas maintained year-round.
Parking: Multiple parking areas at the park, maintained year-round; winter roads are plowed for seasonal activities.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. The designated swim area sits directly off the park's lakeside lawn/parking areas, so no hike is needed to reach the water - just a short walk from the nearest parking area. The park's Rex Derr Trail (3.1 miles) is a separate hiking/biking loop around part of the lake and is not on the way to, nor required to reach, the swimming area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Official designated, buoy-marked swim area on a spring-fed lake with a grassy lawn running to the water's edge (not a steep or rocky entry) and no current since it's a lake rather than a river. No lifeguards are mentioned anywhere in official park materials, and exact swim-area depth/drop-offs are not published, so adult supervision is still warranted even though the setting itself (calm lake, gentle grassy shoreline) is family-friendly.
Parking
Paid, $10 one-day or $45 annual Discover Pass required to park at any WA State Parks lot
Multiple parking areas throughout the 1,186-acre park, maintained year-round (winter roads are plowed for cross-country skiing/snowshoeing access). No separate day-use parking fee beyond the Discover Pass; a $7/day boat-launch fee applies to those launching watercraft, and a $10/night fee applies to unattended overnight vehicles.
Restrooms
Yes
Washington State Parks lists 'Restrooms' and 'Showers' (including accessible restrooms) among the park's facilities; the official page does not specify which of the park's multiple areas (day-use vs. campground loops) each restroom/shower building sits in.
Hours
6:30 a.m. to dusk, year-round (per official Washington State Parks page)
On the water
Restrictions: Waterskiing and personal-watercraft (jet ski) use is restricted to set hours: daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May-June; Tue-Thu 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Fri-Mon 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July-Aug (outside those windows the lake is presumably quieter/no-wake for paddlers). A $7/day launch fee applies at the boat launch; the launch opens the first Friday of April, weather permitting.
Official park page lists boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding as core summer activities alongside a boat launch and dock; the existence of a boat launch fee and scheduled waterskiing/PWC hours confirms motorized craft are permitted (not a carry-in/electric-only lake).
Backstory
The park was established in 1959 and is named after Benjamin Franklin Pearrygin, an early settler. In 2025-2026 Washington State Parks completed acquisition of the adjacent 25-acre Yockey property (with Trust for Public Land support) to protect shoreline from private development and eventually complete a trail encircling the lake.
Pearrygin Lake State Park: FAQ
Does Pearrygin Lake State Park charge a fee?
Discover Pass required: $10 one-day or $45 annual. Watercraft launch fee $7/day. Overnight unattended-vehicle camping fee $10/night. Trailer dump fee $5/use.
Is Pearrygin Lake State Park kid friendly?
Official designated, buoy-marked swim area on a spring-fed lake with a grassy lawn running to the water's edge (not a steep or rocky entry) and no current since it's a lake rather than a river. No lifeguards are mentioned anywhere in official park materials, and exact swim-area depth/drop-offs are not published, so adult supervision is still warranted even though the setting itself (calm lake, gentle grassy shoreline) is family-friendly.
Do I need to hike to reach Pearrygin Lake State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Pearrygin Lake State Park?
Multiple parking areas throughout the 1,186-acre park, maintained year-round (winter roads are plowed for cross-country skiing/snowshoeing access). No separate day-use parking fee beyond the Discover Pass; a $7/day boat-launch fee applies to those launching watercraft, and a $10/night fee applies to unattended overnight vehicles.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Pearrygin Lake State Park?
Official park page lists boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding as core summer activities alongside a boat launch and dock; the existence of a boat launch fee and scheduled waterskiing/PWC hours confirms motorized craft are permitted (not a carry-in/electric-only lake).
When is the best time to visit Pearrygin Lake State Park?
Spring through fall for swimming and water sports, described by the park as 'a water enthusiast's dream'; the boat launch opens the first Friday of April (weather permitting) and camping is closed Nov. 1-Mar. 31. Winter draws cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking visitors instead.
What are the rules at Pearrygin Lake State Park?
Dogs must be leashed. Off-road vehicles are prohibited in the park. Fires are allowed only in designated areas (as of a July 2026 Burn Ban Level 3, only gas/propane stoves and portable gas/propane fire pits were permitted; no charcoal or wood fires). Park hours are 6:30 a.m. to dusk year-round. Waterskiing/personal watercraft are restricted to set hours (daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. May-June; Tue-Thu 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Fri-Mon 9 a.m.-6 p.m. July-Aug).
What water body is Pearrygin Lake State Park on?
Pearrygin Lake State Park is on Pearrygin Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
