Kite spot on water · United States

Cascade Lake Pine Lakes Ranch

Name: Cascade Lake Pine Lakes Ranch
Address: US

Riders have kited it in S, SW, W, NW–N. Best in NW–N.

Show on the map44.5703, -116.0644

Works in: S, SW, W, NW–N
Best: NW–N
Watch out: S, SW
Nearest airport: MYLMcCall Municipal Airport, 36 km

Forecast and webcams

Before you go

Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.

Tips for this spot

Offshore wind carries you away from land. Do not ride it without a rescue boat.
When a storm is coming, get out of the water and land the kite at once. Gusts before a storm are violent and a kite overhead is the highest point around.
New spot: ask locals about shallows, currents and where people launch.

On site

Wind and riding area

bestworksdoes not work / gustyno reports

Direction the wind blows from. Based on riders' experience, not a forecast.

From riders

What you need to know

Size of the area: Wide open spot.
Watch out S, SW: In S and SW, there are lulls and wind holes from the bluff to the south; strong wind over 20 mph is needed.

Watch out for

In S and SW, wind holes and lulls from the bluff to the south; boat ramp traffic.community map

Where to launch

Launch from the south end of the boat ramp (straight into deep water) or directly from the shore if boats are loading.community map

Parking

Parking at the boat and trailer ramp.community map

Rules and respect

This is a boat ramp and trailer parking area, stay at the southern end of the launch area to stay out of the way.community map

Conditions

Wind sessions tend to be short (1-2 hours), mild chop on W wind, immediately deep water by the boat ramp. Coarse sand, booties are useful for sensitive feet.community map
Water is warmer; at least a 3mm wetsuit is recommended in late summer, thicker in early summer. Tested in August.community map

Riders' tips

Best wind is at the north end of the lake, but this spot is wide open and usually has fewer boats.community map

In riders' own words

„Works on a N, NW, W. ... S,SW could work here but you need some serious wind 20+“
„Your NW to N will be the most consistent wind.“
„S,SW could work here but you need some serious wind 20+ to deal with the kind of luls and holes coming off the bluff to the south.“
„this is just a fun wide open spot fewer boats usually.“
„Launching from the boat launch puts you right into the deep water which is where I like to take off from“
„This is technically a boat launch /trailer parking location.“
„deal with the kind of luls and holes coming off the bluff to the south.“
„This is technically a boat launch /trailer parking location. So use the southern end of the launch area to stay out of the way.“
„West is a little bit choppy up and down but still works. ... Conditions the sand is large granules but walkable for the tender foot you might want booties.“
„Water is warmer but you might want at least a 3mil suit late summer and early summer will want something more.“
„The best wind is at the north of the lake but this is just a fun wide open spot fewer boats usually.“

Wind by month

When it blows

Average wind speed 10 m above ground from NASA POWER (MERRA-2, 2001–2025). The model works on a grid of roughly 50 km; on hills and by the water the wind is often stronger and gustier.

4.7Jan2.4

5.0Feb2.6

5.3Mar2.7

5.2Apr2.7

5.0May2.6

4.8Jun2.5

5.1Jul2.6

5.1Aug2.6

5.0Sep2.6

4.9Oct2.5

4.9Nov2.5

5.0Dec2.6

windiest monthsaverage wind in knots, NASA POWER; below the month in m/s

Values by month

January	4.7 knots · 2.4 m/s
February	5.0 knots · 2.6 m/s
March	5.3 knots · 2.7 m/s
April	5.2 knots · 2.7 m/s
May	5.0 knots · 2.6 m/s
June	4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
July	5.1 knots · 2.6 m/s
August	5.1 knots · 2.6 m/s
September	5.0 knots · 2.6 m/s
October	4.9 knots · 2.5 m/s
November	4.9 knots · 2.5 m/s
December	5.0 knots · 2.6 m/s

Nearby

More spots within 60 km

Cascade Lake N Boulder CreekWater · 13 km

Been there?

Add what you know

Parking changed, a new ban, a new obstacle in the water? Tell us, we will check it and update the page.

Sources: Community map “USA NW Kite Spots” (Google My Maps). Wind NASA POWER, airports OurAirports, photos Wikimedia Commons (author and licence with each photo). As of 17 October 2026. These are riders' reports; local rules change, so look around before you ride and follow local signs.