Potholes State Park sits on the shoreline of Potholes Reservoir in Washington's Columbia Basin scablands, 20 minutes from Moses Lake at 1,070 feet elevation. The 139-site campground features well-maintained grassy RV loops with full hookups and more basic dirt tent areas. It's a hub for boating, fishing, and birdwatching, though seasonal mosquitoes can be severe and water quality varies.
Combination of developed RV loops with full hookups, primitive/dirt tent loops, cabins and a group camping area.
Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the park's best conditions: highs between 80 and 95°F, cool nights in the 50s and 60s, and reliable sun for boating and swimming. Spring and early summer see heavy mosquito and biting-fly activity. Visitors report insects biting through clothing. So DEET repellent and screened tents are essential. Shoulder-season nights are chilly enough that campers advise packing extra blankets before June. Weekdays remain manageable even in summer, but weekends fill quickly.
Natural Features and SceneryThe park occupies high-desert scablands marked by basalt formations and irrigated lawns that contrast sharply with the surrounding arid landscape. Poplars and scattered trees provide shade in parts of the campground, while open grassy areas stretch to the reservoir shoreline. Potholes Reservoir supports strong fishing and a boat launch with dock and fish-cleaning station. Birdwatchers report regular sightings of Sandhill cranes, eagles, waterfowl, and shorebirds along the weedy, reedy shoreline. The water itself is often murky with vegetation, and algae blooms occur periodically.
Geological RegionColumbia Basin scablands / high desert with basalt scabland features (visitor descriptions)
Scenic ViewsSunsets over the reservoir and open high-desert/scabland landscapes; expansive grassy campground areas and poplar-lined spots offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding scablands.