Living in Medical Lake

Where it is

Medical Lake is reached by SR-902, which loops off I-90 and runs through town. Fairchild is to the north and Cheney to the southeast.

The lakes

• Medical Lake and Waterfront Park: about 45 acres on the south shore with more than a mile of shoreline, and a multi-use trail of roughly three miles around the lake.
• West Medical Lake: public boat launch at the south end.
• Clear Lake: public launch on the south side.
• Silver Lake: mostly private shoreline, with a state fishing access and dock.

What the homes are like

In-town homes on city lots, properties near the lakes, and acreage in the pines outside city limits.

Schools

The Medical Lake School District serves the town, with Hallett Elementary, Medical Lake Middle School and Medical Lake High School. Michael Anderson Elementary, on Fairchild, is part of the same district. Confirm assignment for the address with the district.

Day to day

Founders Day fills Waterfront Park on the third weekend of June. Eastern State Hospital and Lakeland Village are both here. Spokane Transit connects town to the West Plains Transit Center.

The Gray Fire

In August 2023 the Gray Fire burned about 10,000 acres around Medical Lake and destroyed 240 homes, most of them outside city limits near Silver Lake. Rebuilding is still under way. This community has been through a great deal, and it matters to how you buy here.

What to check before you buy

• Insurance first. Get a quote and ask about wildfire coverage and defensible space before you write an offer.
• Rebuilt homes. Ask for the permits and final inspections.
• Well and septic. Outside city limits, inspect both.
• Lake access. Shoreline can be public or private. Confirm what comes with the property.

Drive times are free-flow estimates from mapping data, not traffic-aware. Ask me and I will time the route you would actually drive.