Soap Lake
3.5
About
You'll find people paddleboarding and kayaking at Soap Lake, but most are simply content to float their troubles away in the shallow mineral-rich waters, slathering themselves in mud—the lake has long been thought to have medicinal healing properties. The lake gets its name from the water’s soapy feel and foamy appearance, boasting the highest diversity of minerals of any lake in the world. There are inns and an RV park around the lake, with restaurants in the town on the south shore. Time your visit between May and June when conditions are ideal but just shy of the peak season in July. – Tripadvisor
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.5
57 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
20
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Poor
4
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4
El R
Moses Lake, WA1 contribution
Jul 2020
This is an outstanding place to have a yoga retreat, enjoy a quiet paddle on the boatless lake (no motorcraft allowed). You can find paddleboarders, kayakers, people soaking in the very shallow water, and lounging on the beach. The town has a great RV park with a few teepees and cabins n the north shore where I stayted for a month. The town of Soap Lake on the south shore has a few very good restaurants and rental options, as well as a "health resort and spa". If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to relocate, this is also a great retirement town with a lake that doesn't allow motorcraft (a rare and peaceful gem).
Written January 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly M
Issaquah, WA51 contributions
Jul 2020
I don't know if all the minerals really do help, but the water did make my skin feel smoother after my cleansing shower. I floated on the lake for a couple of hours and felt a little crusty when that water dried on me, but a shower in the hotel took care of that. The West Beach is definitely better than the East Beach due to the lack of large rocks at the West Beach. I did not cover myself in mud but did watch several people do it. Maybe next time.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Griffin P
Phoenix, AZ20 contributions
Feb 2021
Beautiful and relaxing setting! Visited during the winter and got some great pictures of the lake. Would love to come back in the summer to see what the mud baths are all about. Said to have more salt than the ocean and no fish live in the lake just bring shrimp. Very interesting place!
Written February 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Troy J
Walla Walla, WA85 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
This lake is right along the banks of the city park, and alot of people who are looking for a miracle cure for whatever ails them travel to this site to bathe in the waters and put the mud on their bodies. Soap lake became known for curing any number of problems people have and so the city in its hayday had sanatariums built onto the lake, and you could have the water piped directly into your bathtub in your room. Now people sit on the beach and put the mud on their bodies, with high hopes and strange looks.
The water is oily, and there are no fish that live in this lake, it is in my opinion a very gross experiance walking into the waters, and I would recommend not allowing children to swim here.
The water is oily, and there are no fish that live in this lake, it is in my opinion a very gross experiance walking into the waters, and I would recommend not allowing children to swim here.
Written June 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary B
Olympia, WA26 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Well, yet another of my semi reluctant visits to the favourite place for the males in our family to fish Lake Lenore. I have never quite understood their attraction to Soap Lake, not being a fisherman myself. The drive eastward over the mountains is long and tedious, but watching Washington state slowly transform itself from its coastal beauty towards one of dry desert coulees is quite wondrous.
Soap Lake in the off season offered a bleak welcome on a Friday night, but a 28 degree sunny bright Saturday morning improved things. A stroll around the town revealed a strange dichotomy, with evidence of redevelopment, tidy homes, as well as areas of neglect and disrepair.
Don’s restaurant, famous for its prime rib, was “closed for the winter”, and the old Notaris Lodge under new management has an obvious change of ambiance, now one with the “Inn at Soap Lake”.
“J and J’s”, provided a good breakfast , and the spotless Russian store, its usual delightful confections.
Soap Lake itself abuts the town with its foamy alkaline shore, but there were no mud larks there this cold day.
Soap Lake in the off season offered a bleak welcome on a Friday night, but a 28 degree sunny bright Saturday morning improved things. A stroll around the town revealed a strange dichotomy, with evidence of redevelopment, tidy homes, as well as areas of neglect and disrepair.
Don’s restaurant, famous for its prime rib, was “closed for the winter”, and the old Notaris Lodge under new management has an obvious change of ambiance, now one with the “Inn at Soap Lake”.
“J and J’s”, provided a good breakfast , and the spotless Russian store, its usual delightful confections.
Soap Lake itself abuts the town with its foamy alkaline shore, but there were no mud larks there this cold day.
Written October 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lgtexashome
Dallas, TX2 contributions
Jul 2016
I have been traveled to 35 countries and 100th cities and never had so unhappy with terrible service and dirty place,rude customer service or better say no service at all. No recommended!
Written August 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whitewaterc5west
Vancouver, Canada34 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
While driving the Coulee Corridor we stopped at Soap Lake and found the small town to be extremely friendly. We were not out of our car for more than a few minutes before two local people introduced themselves and told us all the great places to see. It was perfect as we were looking for a visitor center but we were out of season. Each store we went to in town was just as friendly as the people we first met and I would highly recommend a visit. The lake and surrounding canyon are such an extraordinary environment and the people of Soap Lake match their geographic wonder with a warm welcome.We will definitely be back again.
Written May 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TAMAN1951
Liberty Lake, WA8,401 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
I suppose a mineral dip is on the unique side but not one if the better lakes in Washington.
The sundial is unique and purportedly the first one in the shape of a human but that’s not confirmed by us.
The sundial is unique and purportedly the first one in the shape of a human but that’s not confirmed by us.
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoeyBBNg
Richmond, Canada63 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
The city of soap lake was on our must visit list when we visited Eastern Washington in August due to the recommendations on the official guide. In the book, it’s says the lake is often called Washington ‘s health resorts, it also says the mineral rich waters make it a popular place of visitors from Eastern Europe and they compare the lake to resort along the Black Sea. I have not been to the resort in the black sea, but I do know what a resort town look like. The water of the lake is warm but I can see a lot of little creatures swimming in the water, that sip me from going into the water. There are no trees in surrounding of the lake, it does not look like a resort at all. The historical marker is a very nice statue and is worth stopping to take a picture, but if you are planning to spend a day in the city like you would in the resort then you will be very disappointed.
Written September 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhotosByJamieJ
Vashon, WA78 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
We went for a soak in Soap lake and basically had the place to ourselves. It is extremely alkaline so you float with very little effort. It was very nice to just lay back and take a soak in the cool but not cold water. If you are driving by or near, it is definitely worth a stop.
Written July 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where did you read that it was a "Resort Town"? In 1905 it was and then after the war time ended so did it's "Hay Day". Nobody with money has ever come back to make something of what is undeniably true, the Lake is one of a kind and unique indeed. Yes it's a sleepy town but don't dislike it because there wasn't enough to entertain you on your visit. Perhaps you could have spent a little more time understanding and learning about it's history and appreciating that instead.
Written July 6, 2019
Rosalie W
Mena, Arkansas
I have Cancer and have been told by medical doctors to make my final plans. I am moving to Washington State to be closer to my family and to cure cancer Naturopathiclly and holistically so I am looking for the most therapeutic environment in Washington State. Would Soap lake be a good environment for me to move to?
Written February 24, 2018
Yes! There are only two lakes like this In THE WORLD. I hope you can move here and win thw battle you're fighting.
Written May 11, 2019
runnerss476
Seattle, Washington
a room on the shore of the lake. short walk to the water ?
price's
Written August 9, 2016
There are a number of motels along the shoreline with easy access to the lovely waters of Soap Lake. There are rv camp grounds (at least two I can think of) and the motels are withing walking distance of downtown shopping as well.
Come to Soap Lake, you'll enjoy it.
Ralph Allen
Written August 9, 2016
Maxyne B
Calgary, Canada
To what mailing address can I send my request for a catalog of Soap Lake salts and other natural products made from the water in Soap Lake?
Thank you.
Written August 5, 2015
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