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Community & Environment > Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation

Tacoma Power Parks are available to you and your family for camping, boating, fishing, water skiing, nature watching and day use. Our four parks are located in western Washington on the shores of lakes formed by our hydroelectric dams, which generate clean, renewable energy.

Volunteer camp hosts needed: Do you enjoy the great outdoors and providing excellent customer service? We are looking for volunteer camp hosts at Alder Lake Park’s Group and Elk Plain campground. Get more details on this flier. Please call 360-569-2778 or email parkoffice.lagrande@cityoftacoma.org for more information or to apply.

Current burn ban information: As of July 2, 2021, campfires and the use of briquettes are not allowed at Tacoma Power Parks (propane devices are ok).

Updates as of July 21

Mayfield Lake, Mossyrock, and Taidnapam parks:

  • Get boat launch and day-use area information on the River Flows/Lake Levels page.
  • Reserve individual campsites up to nine months in advance for dates between May 15 and Sept. 15.
  • Please note that the Mossyrock Park Main Campground (sites 1-60) will be closed for maintenance beginning Sept. 16 for up to a month.
  • Group camp reservations are open at all three parks for available dates through Sept. 15.
  • Kitchen shelter reservations are open at Mayfield Lake Park and Mossyrock Park for available dates through Sept. 15.
  • Kitchen shelters and group camps are open for use on a first-come, first-served basis when not already reserved.
  • Playgrounds are open.

 Alder Lake Park, Rocky Point, and Sunny Beach Point:

  • Get boat launch and day-use area information on the River Flows/Lake Levels page.
  • Reserve individual campsites up to nine months in advance for dates between May 15 and Sept. 15.
  • Group camp reservations are open for available dates through Oct. 15 (max of 40 people per pod).
  • The kitchen shelter at the Stacel Point day-use area is closed for construction.
  • Playgrounds are open.
  • Rocky Point campground, day-use area, and boat launch are open.
  • Sunny Beach Point day-use area is open. The kitchen shelter is open on a first-come, first-served basis.

We continue to monitor the situation and the actions of Washington State Parks.

The parks include:

Alder Lake Park

Park office: 360-569-2778
Reservations: Use our online system or call 833-290-8180

Mayfield Lake Park

Park office: 360-985-2364
Reservations: Use our online system or call 833-290-8180

Mossyrock Park

Park office: 360-983-3900
Reservations: Use our online system or call 833-290-8180

Taidnapam Park

Park office: 360-497-7707
Reservations: Use our online system or call 833-290-8180

Fishing and recreation line for all parks: 888-502-8690

Tacoma Power Parks email: tacomapowerparks@cityoftacoma.org

How to Reserve

To reserve individual campsites, group camps or kitchen shelters at our parks, use our online system or call 833-290-8180. Our reservation system is for Tacoma Power Parks only and is not part of Washington State Parks.

General Parks Information

Recreation

Boater and Cold Water Safety Information

We want visitors to our recreation areas to have a fun – and safe – time. We ask that visitors please observe and follow all boating regulations: Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office Boating Information Portal

For example:

  • Wear your life jacket: All vessels must have one readily accessible life jacket for each person on board.
  • Never boat or swim under the influence.
  • Travel at safe speeds.
  • Look for water level changes, floating debris, rock outcrops, and stumps. (Get lake level info at MyTPU.org/LakeLevels.)

Learn more:

It’s important to remember that warm air temperatures don’t equal warm water temperatures. Even if it’s hot outside, the water is extremely cold. The farther from shore, the colder the water can be as well.

According to NOAA, cold water drains body heat up to 4 times faster than cold air. Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60F as it is from water at 35F. Even experienced swimmers can quickly lose muscle control.

Learn more by watching this story included in the July 9, 2021, edition of the Tacoma Report (from 1:06 – 3:02). 

Read about the steps you can take to help protect yourself and your loved ones from cold water hazards:

Local Tourism Resources and Maps

The following maps are courtesy of the WDFW Cowlitz Wildlife Area (CWA) team:

These trails are managed by the CWA:

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