Welcome to Okanogan County

You have just discovered Washington State’s best-kept secret — Okanogan.

Okanogan is the heart of the scenic, historic and fruitful Okanogan Valley. Located in north central Washington, 50 miles from the Canadian border, Okanogan residents enjoy a quality of life characterized by extraordinary scenic beauty, low taxes, recreation, low cost of living and four distinct seasons each year.

Okanogan has become a magnet for young families, retirees, businesses, tourists, light industry and recreation enthusiasts looking for a pristine environment.

The Okanogan Valley is one of the few remaining locations where individual boldness and enterprise are rewarded, and where past, present and future are viewed with enthusiasm and promise.

Okanogan is a Salish Indian word meaning “Rendezvous.” Sometimes called “The Late Frontier,” the Okanogan Valley saw habitation by Native Americans for thousands of years, and — belatedly, compared to other regions of the country — saw a succession of explorers, prospectors, miners, trappers, cattlemen, settlers, loggers, farmers, missionaries and orchardists, providing in every respect a colorful history that carries forward to the present day.

The history of the region is ably depicted in the acclaimed Okanogan County Historical Museum in Okanogan.

Part of that history now includes a replica of the old Okanogan fire department building in Legion Park. It’s an exact replica of the original fire station building. It is used as a fire department museum, as well as a research center for the Okanogan County Historical Society and the Okanogan County Genealogical Society.

A refurbished, early model fire truck is displayed, along with other interesting items.

With first-rate schools, medical facilities and other amenities, Okanogan is a great place to visit, live, work, establish a business, locate an industry, enjoy recreation and more.

Okanogan is served by rail, highway and air, and is home to first-class motel and restaurant services. Okanogan is home to Okanogan Public Utility District, which provides Okanogan County with reliable, inexpensive electrical power. Infrastructure is in place or in development for commercial and industrial expansion.

A lively retail business district provides a complete range of goods and services for visitors and residents alike.

Distinguishing Okanogan in the Okanogan Valley region is one of the most precious commodities in the area — water! Okanogan has plenty of pure, clean water for residential and industrial use.

Okanogan enjoys more than 300 sunny days per year. The area has four distinct seasons during the year, with hot summers, snow in the winter, and perfect spring and autumn seasons.

Conditions in the Okanogan area have produced the finest location in the world for orchards, including apples, pears, peaches, cherries, nuts and others. Okanogan is the center of the Okanogan Valley fruit industry.

The scenic Okanogan River winds its way through the

VISITOR

A replica of the old fire hall in Okanogan

center of the city. Each year, thousands of Canada geese and other waterfowl migrate throughout the Okanogan Valley, following the river.

Visitors can hike, camp, fish, hunt, swim, boat, ski, snowmobile, golf, climb, sightsee, as well as enjoy clean air, clean water and all the amenities of an urban locale with a hometown feeling.

The modern stadium and arena in Omak is a great spot for a rodeo and famous “stampede” race.

Center of the Okanogan Valley

Omak

The busy hub of the Okanogan features year-round entertainment for tourists from all walks of life. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation full of camping and recreation activities or you want to attend a play, go to a rodeo or play some softball, you can do it all in Omak.

Visiting Omak is like taking some good medicine. At least that’s what some of the Indians thought when they traveled across the vastness of what is now called Okanogan County.

The center of the county is Omak, which means “good medicine,” because of its dry, healthful climate. Warm summers and mild winters lead to an average of over 300 days of sunshine a year.

Located in the fertile Okanogan River Valley near the pristine Pasayten National Wilderness, this lumber town is the largest in the north central part of the state and is known for its production of apples and its many orchards.

Visitors are encouraged to make the Tourist Information Center their first stop. A friendly staff will provide updated information for all areas of Okanogan County, the state of Washington and neighboring British Columbia, including available tourist attractions, facilities and services.

As the hub of the “all season” Okanogan vacationland, Omak offers vacationers a wide range of recreational opportunities. The city-operated Eastside Park offers full camping, R.V. facilities and showers, a new swimming pool, a golf course and bowling.

Conconully State Park

Conconully State Park, located in a side valley above Omak, is a cool, restful oasis on the banks of the Conconully reservoir, developed in the 1900s for irrigation. The park features standard and primitive campsites, and an expansive picnic area, complete with enormous shade trees, a picnic shelter, and a wading pool and play structure for youthful visitors.

Near the park entrance, a replica of the first county courthouse stands. It features a sod roof and is typical of many of the ranch cabins that dotted this landscape in the early years of white settlement in Okanogan County.

To reach the park, take the Riverside cut-off road from Highway 97, 5.2 miles north of Omak. The cut-off road will intersect Highway 215; follow this highway 10 miles to Conconully and follow signs to the park.

Bridgeport State Park

Bridgeport State Park is located near the enormous hydroelectric facility at Chief Joseph Dam. The green, fertile lawns of the park form a welcome relief from the brown, barren desert surroundings.

The park features standard RV hookups and handicapaccessible campsites, picnic sites and shelters, a children’s play facility, swimming beach, trailer camp and a nine-hole golf course.

To escape from the summer heat, cottonwood and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground. Wildlife that can be seen in the park include marmots,