Soap Lake, city in Grant County, Washington, United States
Soap Lake is a small town in Grant County, Washington, situated on a mineral-rich body of water. The water is highly alkaline and salty, containing substances called ichthyols derived from ancient organisms that may help with skin conditions.
Native tribes such as the Moses-Columbia used the lake for hundreds of years as a healing place, believing in the restorative powers of the water and mud. In the early 1900s the area developed into a major health tourism destination, with numerous hotels and bathhouses offering mineral water treatments.
The name comes from the foamy mineral deposits that once appeared on the water's surface. Today the town is home to communities from Eastern Europe and Latin America who gather to experience the mineral-rich waters.
The lake and surrounding area are easy to access and offer visitors picnic areas, a small playground, and a nearby spa with soaking pools. Nearby accommodations include teepees right on the water, campgrounds and lakeside lodges with hot tubs, plus a small downtown with dining and theater options.
The lake has unusual features that fascinate NASA scientists because its layered water and extreme mineral conditions resemble those of possible Mars environments. The bottom layer has not mixed with the upper water for at least 2000 years, making it one of the longest known stratified lakes on Earth.
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