Is Moses Lake Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Moses Lake, a city in central Washington, is known for its vast lake, which is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the state.

The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, particularly the Sinkiuse-Columbia, who were part of the larger Columbia Plateau culture.

The lake and surrounding lands were vital to their way of life, providing fish, game, and other resources.

The city’s name honors Chief Moses, a prominent leader of the Sinkiuse-Columbia tribe.

In the late 19th century, as settlers began moving into the region, Chief Moses played a significant role in negotiations with the U.S. government.

Moses Lake began to develop as an agricultural hub in the early 20th century, especially after the completion of the Grand Coulee Dam and the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project.

These developments transformed the arid land into fertile farmland, attracting settlers and boosting the local economy.

The irrigation project remains crucial to the region, supporting a variety of crops, including potatoes, corn, and wheat.

It has even led to some popular wineries across the wide landscape.

Today, Moses Lake is a growing community of around 25,000 residents.

Its central location and recreational opportunities make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Visitors can enjoy the lake, sand dunes, marshes, and many outdoor adventures in the Columbia Basin.

Warnings & Dangers in Moses Lake

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's really no way of getting around the medium risk due to higher-than-average crime statistics, but it's somewhat reassuring to know that very few are random violent acts.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public transportation in Moses Lake is limited, with services primarily provided by the Grant Transit Authority (GTA). GTA offers fixed-route bus services connecting Moses Lake to nearby towns, but schedules are infrequent. For visitors, renting a car is often the best option to explore the area.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Despite high theft rates, no pickpockets or purse snatchings have been reported in the past five years. You'll have a much greater risk of your car being broken into if you don't use smart personal safety steps.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Moses Lake faces medium natural disaster risks, primarily from wildfires, given the dry, arid climate of central Washington. The area also has some risk of flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt. Earthquake risks are relatively low, but the region's dry conditions make it susceptible to dust storms and high winds.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Just 11% of robberies over the past five years fall into the category that includes muggings. A house is more likely to be robbed than a person, but don't let your guard down. This is definitely not a place where you want to risk walking around unknown areas at night.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Moses Lake has a low terrorism risk, typical of smaller, rural communities in the United States. While the region's agricultural and industrial sites could theoretically be targets, the overall threat remains minimal. However, with a strong gang presence in the community, that's a much more worrisome threat.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. Check the fraud section of each department’s website for more information and to learn about common tactics. I've seen a lot of scams during my research in Moses Lake, mostly common scams that are persistent over months or years. Stay informed to keep the risk low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Women have the same medium risk as anyone else. While domestic violence is a big problem in Moses Lake, there aren't ongoing targets of visiting females. Street smarts and common sense go a long way here.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 report for Moses Lake shows full compliance and no violations, but there is some concerning information about the PFAS "Forever Chemicals" you might want to read about in the report.

Safest Places to Visit in Moses Lake

“Tour Moses Lake” is the name of the website that covers the community of Moses Lake and the lake itself.

The city’s website also has a list of parks, trails, and attractions.

Moses Lake is the main attraction, and you can take advantage of it by boating, fishing, or just relaxing on one of the beaches.

Blue Heron Park is a great spot with picnic areas, a boat launch, and a swimming area.

If you’re into off-roading, head over to the Moses Lake Sand Dunes, one of the largest dune areas in the state.

It’s a popular spot for ATV riding, dirt biking, and even sandboarding.

A short drive from Moses Lake, Potholes State Park offers hiking trails, bird watching, and access to the Columbia Basin’s unique landscape.

It’s a great spot for nature lovers, but bring bug spray!

The Surf n’ Slide water park is a favorite for families during the summer.

Considering how hot it gets here, you’ll find it to be a welcome relief from the sizzling sun.

It has water slides, a lazy river, and a flow rider.

Check out the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center for a lesson in local history and culture, with rotating art exhibits, historical artifacts, and educational programs.

Downtown Moses Lake (downtownmoseslake.org) is a collection of shops, restaurants, and art galleries in a newly designated Creative District.

“The community has so much to offer – it’s a multicultural recreation destination with a historic and vibrant downtown.

Their Creative District is a perfect addition to this mix and gives local residents and visitors more opportunities to experience the unique culture in Moses Lake,” Annette Roth, manager of the Creative District’s program, said.

The area also has several golf courses, wineries, and farms to explore.

The Gorge Amphitheater is about 35 miles west, with Moses Lake being the last community concertgoers pass through before the final stretch to the venue on the Columbia River.

The views here are amazing, even if you’re not the biggest fan of the band playing.

Places to Avoid in Moses Lake

Moses Lake Police Department doesn’t offer a crime map to check out the hot spots, but I did some comparisons between the higher crime areas and the groups of hotels.

You should feel safe booking a hotel room downtown or on the outskirts of town.

Most of the neighborhoods here that are less-than-safe will be visibly apparent.

However, I recommend calling the police department and asking about crime hot spots.

With so much gang activity in this city, it’s important to know which streets are seeing more problems closer to your visit.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Moses Lake

Moses Lake does have a local police department, but they work a lot with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, so I would recommend following them both on social media. You’ll get important information from each entity.
Grant County uses the Everbridge program to send out emergency alerts, including severe weather information, public safety hazards, and major road closures. You can also sign up for a free Nixle account to get updates on police and fire activity in Moses Lake.
Law enforcement patrols this region across the city, wilderness, water, and air. Washington State Police aerial patrols between Moses Lake and Snoqualmie Pass. Moses Lake PD has ATV units that patrol sand dunes and natural areas, while Grant County Sheriff has a Marine Patrol Unit in addition to road crews.
Speaking of the water, any boater driving a boat with 15 horsepower or more must take a safety course and obtain a boater education card. You can do that process online, but you don’t want to get caught without the right training on the water.
Use the Washington State Department of Transportation’s real-time traffic map before you hit the road in any direction. In addition to traffic delays, construction zones, and live cameras, you can also get wildfire information.
Stay away from the irrigation canals in and around Moses Lake. These waterways are used to help with the crops and can have swift currents that could catch a swimmer off guard. Plus, the canals are full of debris. I don’t even want to think about whether chemicals or stormwater pollution could be in the water, either.
Moses Lake is prone to toxic blue-green algae, especially during the warm, dry summer months. This algae isn’t always easy to see, but it can make people sick. The greater risk is for pets, as any ingestion can lead to death in hours. Use the Grand County Health Tracker on the Moses Lake Watershed website to get the most recent reports before you head to the lake.
You’ll be sharing some of the roads here with Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicles (WATVs), and if you plan to rent one while you’re here, review the WATV Ordinance on the city’s website. There is a list of safety measures in place.
Paddling the Moses Lake Water Trail is a fun activity, but it comes with rules and safety guidance as well. Everyone should have a life jacket, and those 12 and under must wear one at all times on the water. The 120-mile waterway does include private property that shouldn’t be accessed, barring an emergency.
Moses Lake has a series of railroad crossings throughout the community. Do not ever try to beat the train or rush through the intersection when the lights are on. Never stop on the tracks, even if a train is not approaching.

So... How Safe Is Moses Lake Really?

As of 2023, the violent crime rate in Moses Lake was 36% higher than the national and state averages.

During the previous five years, 85% of those crimes happened between people who know each other, and 54% were in private homes, not public spaces.

That means the risk of a random act of violence is lower despite the higher-than-average crime rate.

Theft rates were 148% higher than the national average in 2023.

Looking back at five years of crime data, nearly half of all thefts were shoplifting.

Another 27% were related to car break-ins or theft of car parts.

After diving deeper into the crime rates and headlines, it appears that the majority of criminal activity in Moses Lake goes back to either domestic issues or gangs.

That’s right – this small Washington town has a gang problem.

One headline that was particularly jarring read, “Brawl breaks out between Sureno and Norteño gangs at Moses Lake Middle School.”

It’s convenient to suggest that people who aren’t part of gangs won’t have to worry about risks, and the statement is true enough.

However, the problem with gang members is that they don’t care who gets in the way of their illegal activities.

That becomes even more concerning when a gang member could be a middle schooler.

Now, I grew up in a city where gangs were known to be present and active.

It’s not a concern that would prevent me from visiting a location, and it’s certainly not at the level my hometown of St. Louis experienced.

The bigger concern is that visitors who aren’t used to that kind of thing risk visiting a small town in Central Washington and being exposed to potential gang activity.

It’s just a great reminder that vigilance, personal safety steps, and common sense help you stay safe no matter where you visit.

None of this information is meant to intimidate potential visitors.

It’s just a realistic look at the crime rates and causes in Moses Lake.

There are plenty of safe places to visit within the community, and hopefully, we’ve started you out on the right path.

How Does Moses Lake Compare?

City	Safety Index
Moses Lake	46
San Diego	67
Miami	55
Honolulu	65
Chicago	65
Dallas	64
Memphis	54
Melbourne (Australia)	80
Montreal (Canada)	81
Sydney (Australia)	80
Santiago de Chile (Chile)	71
Vienna (Austria)	88
Hong Kong (China)	70

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

Moses Lake, WA, experiences a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cold, somewhat snowy winters. Annual rainfall averages around 7 inches, while snowfall totals about 18 inches. Summer highs reach the upper 80s to 90s°F, and winter lows dip into the 20s°F, with occasional colder spells. It is far from the lush landscape of western Washington.

Airports

The closest commercial airports to Moses Lake are Pangborn Memorial Airport (EAT) in Wenatchee (60 miles), Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco (90 miles), and Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Spokane (100 miles).

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Moses Lake Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -2° C

Feb 2° C

Mar 7° C

Apr 11° C

May 16° C

Jun 20° C

Jul 24° C

Aug 23° C

Sep 18° C

Oct 11° C

Nov 4° C

Dec -2° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	2	6	13	18	23	27	32	32	26	18	8	2
Low °C	-5	-3	1	4	8	12	15	14	9	4	-1	-5
High °F	36	43	55	64	73	81	90	90	79	64	46	36
Low °F	23	27	34	39	46	54	59	57	48	39	30	23

Washington - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Anacortes	82
Bainbridge Island	85
Bellevue	84
Diablo	78
Forks	85
Gig Harbor	75
Kennewick	40
Kent	42
Kettle Falls	78
Longview	82
Mercer Island	82
Moses Lake	46
Neah Bay	77
Ocean Shores	79
Olympia	57
Port Angeles	72
Port Townsend	81
Poulsbo	79
Pullman	79
Quinault	82
Renton	70
San Juan Islands	83
Seabrook	78
Seattle	55
Sequim	77
Snoqualmie	78
Spokane	74
Spokane Valley	62
Tacoma	38
Walla Walla	72
Wenatchee	80
Westport	78
Yakima	62

Is Moses Lake Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Washington : Safety by City