Cabin Life At Potholes State Park
Two Nights In Eastern Washington
We love the outdoors and like to show off the glorious Pacific Northwest to friends and family. As it goes, we all have differing levels of interest, ability and desire to partake in the adventures nature has to offer. We had a family member come to visit and wanted to share someplace great, that would not take a ton of preparation. We decided to spend a couple of nights in a cabin at Potholes State Park.
“There are elements of intrinsic beauty in the simplification of a house built on the log cabin idea.”
A Desert Oasis
The park is a lovely, well-maintained space. Spacious green lawns for sunbathing, picnicking, playing and lounging are a hallmark here. Towering and mature poplar trees create shade and windbreaks all around the park. Located on the O’Sullivan Reservoir, this place indeed is an oasis in the desert. There are plenty of camping opportunities in this 775-acre locale, tent sites, numerous RV sites and a smattering of cabins. With cooling temperatures and the high winds typical in the region, the cabin was a perfect choice.
The cabin we stayed in could sleep six. There were two sets of bunk beds in the back room and a full-size bed in the front area. You must bring your own linens! The units have heating and air conditioner units as well as ceiling fans. A couple of wall-mounted shelves serve as tables, and there was a small bench for sitting. The room with the bunk beds had a door, which was great for privacy. There is no plumbing in the cabins, but the vault toilets were a short walk with the plumbed facilities being just a bit further off. Outside each cabin has a picnic table and a fire ring with attached grilling grate. The covered porch on our cabin faced out onto the reservoir and made for a lovely view.
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
While not many trails in the park, we did journey about 20 minutes to the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge to drive the gravel roads, hike a few trails and take in the rustic scenery. A surprising amount of wildlife takes advantage of this protected area. If you are a bird watcher or enthusiast, this is the place for you. Golden, rocky plateaus, tall amber grasses interrupted by inviting pools, ponds, and lakes with perimeters of thick green vegetation are the makeup of this area.
Final Thoughts
All of us enjoyed a couple of comfortable nights of good sleep. On our return journey we were sure to stop at Grandfather Cut Loose the Ponies. This sculpture is a favorite stop for us and impressive to newcomers in particular. High atop a hill with the Columbia River below, one cannot leave dissatisfied! These are the things that keep us returning to eastern Washington!
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