Omak blends Western charm with rivers and rodeo flair
In the desert of northern Washington, Omak is a rural community of 5,000 people, known for its signature rodeo stampede. Located near the Colville Reservation, Omak is a town center with vintage restaurants, ski resorts and a Western atmosphere centered around the Okanogan River. "We're a small town with a tight-knit community, where people can count on their neighbors," says Cole Harvey, an area local and real estate professional. "It's not super busy and doesn't have heavy traffic, but it's still conveniently located to cities and everything I like to do. It's peaceful."
Horse race at the world-famous stampede
The Omak Stampede is a four-day celebration of regional culture with an art show, vendor fair and games that honor the Native community in the second week of August. The "World-Famous Suicide Race" is an equestrian race that draws thousands of annual spectators to watch cowboys saddle up to plunge down Suicide Hill, swim across the river and climb to the finish line. "We get people internationally, not only from Canada," Harvey says. "There are rodeos everywhere, but the race adds a unique flavor to the event."
Craftsman homes with mountain views by the river
Centered around the river, Downtown Omak features a gridded layout lined with pine trees. Its single-level homes are on flat lawns with distant mountain views, and rural properties have more land outside the city center. This community features primarily Craftsman cottages and ranch-style homes. Closer to downtown, homes with a half-acre of land or less cost between $60,000 and $420,000. Properties on the outskirts with more than one acre can go for $200,000 to $530,000. Manufactured homes cost around $230,000 to $500,000. "You can get a lot more bang for your buck, and you can still get acreage for a decent price," Harvey says. "Many buyers come from out of town looking for a slower pace and seclusion."
Cafes and markets in the Omak's city center
Downtown Omak is an old-fashioned city center with eclectic boutiques around Main Street. Magoo's Restaurant serves breakfast and lunch in a family friendly environment with Disney decor and a toy train chugging above the dining room's perimeter. Breadline Café offers locally sourced menu items in a homey, vintage decor with local art. The area's chain supermarkets are Safeway and Gene's Harvest Foods. There are also locally owned convenience stores like Okanogan Food Center.
Ski slopes and Omak Lake offer year-round recreation
Outside of downtown, there are several outdoor recreation areas. "It's an outdoor person's paradise," Harvey says. "You have Conconully Lake, Omak Lake, and you're not far from Wenatchee, which is nice." About 9 miles south, Omak Lake has swimming holes at a sandy beach area with docks for boating and fishing. A Colville Indian Reservation permit may be required to access Omak Lake and other areas east of the river. The Loup Loup Ski Bowl features 300 acres of dry powder terrain for winter skiing, roughly 25 miles west. Eastside Park is a central green space with a skatepark, baseball fields and a dog park. Its location by the river makes it a popular venue for community events, like the Omak Stampede.
Okanogan County is prone to wildfires, like the Okanogan Complex Fires in 2015. These fires led to a community rebuild, using fire-resistant materials like metal roofs for Omak structures. Forest fires may also cause poor air quality. Parts of Okanogan County may experience avalanches near the Cascade Mountains.
Schools offer early education and STEM programs
North Omak Elementary School earns a B-plus grade from Niche and serves grades PK-2 with an early childhood program that includes special education. East Omak Elementary School has a C and serves students in grades 3-5, and its curriculum focuses on Native American education. Omak Middle School receives a C-minus and has STEM-oriented programs in web design, robotics and tech fundamentals. Omak High School scores a B-minus, offering a dual enrollment program with career-oriented courses like engineering design.
Traveling to Wenatchee and the Spokane airport
The Okanogan County Transit Authority (OCTA) provides some public transit to the surrounding communities through the TranGO system. The nearest emergency room is Mid Valley Hospital, a mile south of downtown. U.S. Highway 97 is the area’s expressway to nearby cities. Wenatchee is roughly 95 miles south on US-97, and Spokane is around 140 miles southeast on Washington Route 155. Around 135 miles southeast, the Spokane International Airport (GEG) offers direct flights to 21 cities.
