Loon Lake

A clear, deep glacial kettle lake in southeastern Stevens County — a strong second-home draw from Spokane with reliable winter ice and one of the cleanest mid-sized lakes in eastern Washington.

Loon Lake is a 1,100-acre spring-fed glacial kettle lake in Stevens County, Washington — with 7.9 miles of shoreline, a maximum depth of 100 feet, and an elevation of 2,381 feet. Dock permits are issued under the Stevens County Shoreline Master Program under Washington’s Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), and Secchi readings of 15–25 feet make it one of the cleanest mid-sized lakes in eastern Washington. Waterfront homes typically trade between $500K and $1.5M, with premium estates reaching $2M+.

The shoreline runs mid-bank walk-out with sandy and rocky pockets — accessible in a way that the high-bank Pend Oreille and Priest stretches are not. Septic is universal, no central sewer, and the property tax footprint is the lightest on this list (Stevens County effective ~0.7%–1.0%). Stevens County Fire Protection District 1 is unusually well-resourced for a rural lake — career/volunteer hybrid covering 375 square miles from a Loon Lake headquarters.

The market splits roughly 55/45 year-round to seasonal, with a strong second-home contingent from Spokane and Spokane Valley. Median listing was $549K in 2025, premium estates clear $2M, and 15–25 transactions per year keep inventory moving. Loon is the cleaner-water, lower-tax alternative to the Spokane-County lakes — at the cost of a longer drive to medical and retail.

Loon Lake — stylized depth illustration

At a glance

Loon Lake by the numbers.

County

Stevens County, WA

Surface area

1,100 ac

Shoreline

7.9 mi

Max depth

100 ft

Average depth

46 ft

Elevation

2,381 ft

Water type

Spring-fed

Clarity

Secchi 15–25 ft summer; nationally recognized clarity for an Inland NW lake of this size

Shoreline

Mixed · Walk-out · Sandy · Rocky

Motorized boating

Allowed; no horsepower cap. Stevens County caps waterway speed at 50 mph; hold no-wake speed near shorelines, docks, and swimmers.

Dock permit authority

Stevens County Shoreline Master Program under WA SMA (RCW 90.58)

Typical price range

$500K – $1.5M waterfront · premium estates $2M+

Public access

• WDFW Loon Lake boat launch (west shore)
• Granite Point Park (private/fee)

Common buyer questions

What buyers ask about Loon Lake.

Permits, rules & permissions

• What is the maximum dock length on Loon Lake, and who issues the permit?

  Loon Lake docks are permitted under Stevens County's Shoreline Master Program and Washington's Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58). Private docks are generally limited to approximately 80 ft max length and 6 ft wide for single-use; conditional use permits are required for larger structures.
• Can I add sand to make a beach on Loon Lake?

  A Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) from WDFW is required, along with a Stevens County shoreline permit.
• Can I dredge or remove weeds at my private shoreline?

  An HPA from WDFW is required for mechanical work. Chemical treatment falls under Ecology's APAM permit. Hand-pulling is generally exempt.
• What herbicide or algaecide treatments are allowed?

  Only approved aquatic products under Washington Ecology's Aquatic Plant and Algae Management (APAM) General Permit.
• Are gas-powered boats allowed? Is there a horsepower limit?

  Yes, gas boats are allowed and there is no horsepower cap.
• What is the no-wake zone?

  Hold no-wake speed (≤5 mph) near shorelines, docks, swimmers, and anchored vessels; Stevens County caps open-water speed at 50 mph.
• Does the lake have a seasonal drawdown?

  No. Loon Lake is a natural unregulated lake.
• What is the shoreline setback for new construction?

  Stevens County SMP buffer from OHWM, typically 50–150 feet depending on environment designation.
• Is septic permitted on waterfront, or is sewer required?

  Septic only — there is no central sewer at Loon Lake. The Northeast Tri-County Health District permits drainfields with the applicable setbacks.
• Are short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) allowed?

  Yes. Washington's STR framework is set by RCW 64.37; Stevens County requires registration.

The water itself

• How deep is Loon Lake?

  Maximum depth is approximately 100 feet; mean depth is around 46 feet.
• How big is the lake?

  Approximately 1,100 surface acres with about 7.9 miles of shoreline.
• What is the elevation?

  About 2,381 feet.
• Is the lake spring-fed, river-fed, or glacial?

  Natural lake of glacial origin — a kettle lake — spring-fed with limited tributary input. The drainage is comparatively isolated.
• How clear is the water?

  Excellent. Secchi-disk visibility typically runs 15–25 feet in summer — nationally recognized clarity for an Inland Northwest lake of this size.
• What is the shoreline character?

  Mid-bank walk-out with sandy and rocky pockets, set against forested upland.
• Does Loon Lake freeze?

  Yes, reliably December through February.
• Where are the public boat launches?

  WDFW Loon Lake boat launch on the west shore. Granite Point Park (private/fee) also offers lake access.

Living on the lake

• What's the typical waterfront price range?

  Single-family waterfront generally trades between $500K and $1.5M, with premium estates at $2M+. Median list was approximately $549K in 2025.
• How many waterfront homes sell each year?

  Approximately 15–25 waterfront transactions per year.
• What's nearby for groceries, schools, and medical?

  The town of Loon Lake is a small community. Chewelah is about 15 miles north with Providence St. Joseph's hospital; Deer Park is about 10 miles south. Schools are Loon Lake School District 183.
• What is the property tax rate?

  Washington's Initiative 747 cap applies. Stevens County effective rates run approximately 0.7%–1.0%.
• How is fire protection structured around the lake?

  Stevens County Fire Protection District 1 — headquartered in Loon Lake, a career/volunteer hybrid serving 375 square miles across southeast Stevens County via 8 stations.
• Is broadband available lakefront?

  Ziply Fiber serves the town and parts of the lakeshore. Starlink is common at remoter parcels.
• Year-round community or seasonal?

  Mixed. Loon Lake has a strong second-home contingent from Spokane. Roughly 55/45 year-round to seasonal.

Keep reading

Across the region

• All Inland Northwest lakes
• Neighborhood guides
• Neighborhood spotlights
• Q1 2026 market report
• Relocation resources
• Active listings

Editorial disclaimer

This guide is for general information and is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Tax rates, dock and shoreline permits, school-zone boundaries, mortgage rates, and market figures change. Verify all specifics with the named agencies, a licensed real estate attorney, and your CPA or financial advisor before relying on any number for a transaction. Location NW Group, its agents, and Amplify Real Estate Services disclaim liability for decisions made in reliance on this content.

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