Potholes State Park RV & Campground Guide
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This is one road trip where you won't want to avoid the potholes because the potholes are named after the water-carved geological features that were formed during the last ice age. Nestled on the northern border of Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, the park is between Spokane and Seattle, east of the Cascade Mountains. The campground at Potholes State Park sits on the shore of the Potholes Reservoir, providing a fishing oasis in this desert region. The reservoir at Potholes State Park was formed by O'Sullivan Dam, which was finished in 1949.
Spring 36-61 F
Summer 52-82 F
Fall 38-60 F
Winter 25-38 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Potholes State Park
The state of Washington has an abundance of state and national parks to visit, and the best way to see everything on your own schedule is with an RV. If you don't own an RV, you can easily rent one from RVshare.
Potholes State Park Campground
The campground at Potholes State Park offers 60 full hookup spots and has a dump station. Full hookup sites start at $35 in winter and $40 during peak season. The campground offers a playground, ADA accessible showers and restrooms, trash dumpsters, and boat ramps.
Sundesert Park
The Sundesert Park is an RV campground located right next to Potholes State Park. Each spacious site has full hookups, and telephone and Wi-Fi are also available. Feel free to bring your well-behaved pet. Daily rates start at $43.16, and they offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly rates.
The Last Resort RV Park
Each RV spot at The Last Resort RV Park is separated by a grassy lawn. Offering full hookups, the sites are large enough for even big rigs. The Last Resort RV Park is happy to offer discounts for veterans, seniors, and those with disabilities. The park is pet-friendly, and rates start at $30/night.
MarDon Resort
MarDon Resort has been in business since 1972, and they offer both partial and full hookup sites to fit any size of RV, including big rigs. In addition to a swimming area with a beach, the resort has a mini-golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, a playground, and four horseshoe pits. They offer a marina with boat rentals and an on-site tackle and grocery store. Rates for seniors start at $24/night in the winter and $44/night in the summer.
What to Do at
Potholes State Park
Inside Potholes State Park
The Potholes Reservoir offers year-round fishing for yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and walleye. During the summer months, you can enjoy waterskiing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. For landlubbers, you can take advantage of three miles of hiking trails. The marshland welcomes a number of migrating birds to watch for, including Sandhill cranes, sage thrasher, and lark sparrow. In April, you're likely to spot one of several species of raptor, and in August, you can spot sandpipers, stilts, plovers, and curlews on the mudflats.
Outside Potholes State Park
You'll find several small towns within about 20 minutes of Potholes State Park that offer restaurants, shopping, and other activities. It's also a great area to check out rock formations and explore wildlife. You'll experience both desert conditions that cover most of eastern Washington and marshy wetlands that were formed by runoff from the Cascade Mountains.
Restaurants
The Beach House at MarDon Resort
The Beach House at MarDon Resort serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed environment with indoor and outdoor dining. You'll find several flavors of locally made ice cream on the dessert menu. It has a full bar with TV screens to watch sporting events. During peak season, The Beach House hosts events such as Karaoke night, concerts, and family entertainment.
Type: American
Location: 8198 Hwy 262 SE MarDon RV Resort, Othello, WA
Corral Restaurant and Lariat
This cozy diner serves breakfast all day and also provides a lunch and dinner menu. Locals frequent this restaurant for its friendly service.
Type: American Diner
Location: 120 S Main St, Warden, WA
Casa Mexicana
Casa Mexicana serves food inspired by the flavors of the Monterrey region of Mexico. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer seafood dishes such as Camarones Acapulco and fish tacos, as well as burgers, soups, and salads. Casa Mexicana features daily specials Tuesday - Sunday.
Type: Mexican
Location: 1224 E Main St, Othello, WA
Ironworks Café & Market
When you need a coffee fix, head to Ironworks Café & Market. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch starting at 6 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on Saturdays and has vegetarian-friendly items. The market offers seasonal produce, knick-knacks, gifts, and nursery items such as hanging baskets and vegetable starts.
Type: Café
Location: 335 S Broadway Ave, Othello, WA
Golden Fountain
Golden Fountain is open for lunch and dinner. You'll find chop suey, chow mien, and noodle dishes along with a variety of chicken, beef, pork, and seafood items. They also serve sandwiches, steak, and chicken strips.
Type: Chinese
Location: 640 E Main St, Othello, WA
Shopping
Potholes General Store
Potholes General Store has a little bit of everything. In addition to general camping and fishing supplies, the store carries convenience store items such as ice cream, snacks, and hot food to go.
Location: 6897 Highway 262 SE, Othello, WA
The Old Hotel Art Gallery
The building that houses The Old Hotel Art Gallery was built in 1912. The shop is run by a non-profit group and sells local and regional arts and crafts. You'll also find antiques and collectibles, jewelry, and homemade foods and baked goods.
Location: 33 E Larch St, Othello, WA
Sightseeing
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
You can take in spectacular views during an auto tour of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge. Within the refuge, you'll find the Hutchinson-Shiner canoe park with a canoe and boat ramp. You'll enjoy the sounds of nature because gas motorboats are not allowed on these two lakes. Other activities in the refuge area include fishing, hiking, hunting, birding, and wildlife viewing. In addition to the extensive birding list that includes the sandhill crane, you might spot beavers, porcupines, coyotes, elk, and deer.
Location: Morgan Lake Road, Royal City, WA
Moses Lake Museum & Art Center
Located in the Moses Lake Civic Center, Moses Lake Museum & Art Center houses the Adam East Collection of Native American Artifacts, local historical exhibits, and a giant Columbian Mammoth metal sculpture. You'll also find a fine art gallery and museum shop.
Location: 401 S Balsam St Inside of the Moses Lake Civic Center, Moses Lake, WA
Japanese Peace Garden
The serene landscape of the Japanese Peace Garden covers four acres. You can stroll the stone walking path and view ponds, waterfalls, a Torii gate, and Japanese lanterns. The Japanese Peace Garden also features a bamboo tea hut.
Location: 800 Alder Street, Moses Lake, WA
How to Get to
Potholes State Park
If you're traveling on Interstate 90 from the Spokane area, take Exit 182 and continue on that road until you reach the park. If you're on I-90 from the Seattle direction, take Exit 137 and continue on WA-26 E until you reach the park.
Entering Potholes State Park
Summer hours for the park are from 6:30 a.m. until dusk, and winter hours are from 8 a.m. until dusk. The park has automated pay stations to get a one-day pass, annual Discover Pass, or a boat launch permit. The State of Washington offers substantial discounts for low-income seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Potholes State Park One-day vehicle pass : $10.0
There are plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast in and around Potholes State Park. You can set your own schedule when you travel in an RV rented from RVshare. While you're out exploring, be sure to tag us in your social media posts. You can also email us your photos and memories to [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions About Potholes State Park
Summer is the best time to visit Potholes State Park if you want to boat and enjoy the water. Bird-watchers should plan their visit from May to September, and anglers will enjoy the tranquility and lake access of the offseason.
Bald eagles make their homes in the park during the winter months. Sandhill cranes stop during their migration in the fall, and bird-watchers can see raptors in April and long-eared owls in May.
There are 61 sites available for tent campers and RVers. Potholes State Park has 60 camping sites with full hookups. One dump station is available for use.
Potholes State Park does require reservations. The park charges an $8 fee when using the online reservation system and a $10 fee for reservations made through the call center.
Potholes State Park allows pets. They must be under the control of their owner and be on a leash no longer than 8 feet. The park does not allow pets in any designated swimming areas.