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 dams, which generate clean, renewable hydroelectric energy.
Current burn ban information: There are no burn bans in place at this time.
Updates as of Dec. 13
Mayfield Lake, Mossyrock, and Taidnapam parks:
- Get boat launch and day-use area information on the River Flows/Lake Levels page.
- We’re open for first-come, first-served camping! “Walk-in” stays of up to 10 days are available in open campsites at Mossyrock and Taidnapam parks. No reservation needed.
- Campsites at Mayfield Lake Park open on April 15, 2022, for “walk-in” stays of up to 10 days. The day-use area and boat launch remain open.
- All parks are closed Dec. 20 – Jan. 1.
- Reserve individual campsites, group camps, and kitchen shelters up to nine months in advance for dates between May 15 and Sept. 15.
- The online reservation system and call center (833-290-8180) offer the same real-time campsite availability. Save money on reservation costs by booking online.
Alder Lake Park, Rocky Point, and Sunny Beach Point:
- The water at the campsites is shut off until warmer weather returns and the risk of freezing pipes is over.
- Get boat launch and day-use area information on the River Flows/Lake Levels page.
- We’re open for first-come, first-served camping! “Walk-in” stays of up to 10 days are available in open campsites. No reservation needed.
- The park is closed Dec. 20 – Jan. 1.
- Reserve individual campsites up to nine months in advance for dates between May 15 and Sept. 15.
- Make group camp reservations up to nine months in advance for dates between April 15 and Oct. 15.
- The online reservation system and call center (833-290-8180) offer the same real-time campsite availability. Save money on reservation costs by booking online.
- Rocky Point campground, day-use area, and boat launch are open.
- Sunny Beach Point day-use area is closed for the season.
The parks include:
Park office: 360-569-2778
Reservations: Use our online system or call 833-290-8180
Park office: 360-985-2364
Reservations: Use our online system or call 833-290-8180
Park office: 360-983-3900
Reservations: Use our online system or call 833-290-8180
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
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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
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- You may reserve campsites nine months in advance for dates between May 15 and Sept. 15.
- The rest of the year, campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis (except Mayfield Lake Park).
- Campground check-in begins at 2:30 p.m. Check out is 1 p.m.
- Day-use visitors may use the boat launches and picnic areas between 8 a.m. and dusk.
- Our parks are open year-round except for between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1. (Except Mayfield Lake Park campsites, which are closed Oct. 16 through April 14.)
- See the Department of Natural Resources and respective county websites for burn ban details by county. Alder Lake Park is in Pierce County; Mossyrock, Taidnapam and Mayfield Lake parks are in Lewis County.
- Learn more about reservations and fees at our parks.
- For information about boat launches, river flows and lake levels call (888) 502-8690.
- For other information, please contact us at tacomapowerparks@cityoftacoma.org.
- Boater and Cold Water Safety Information
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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:
- Life Jacket information: Wear it Washington and Wear it Life Jacket
- Washington State Parks Boating Program
- Washington State Boater Education Card
- National Safe Boating Council
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
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- White Pass Scenic Byway
- White Pass Scenic Byway Map
- Discover Lewis County
- Pierce County – Explore
- Travel Tacoma – Mt. Rainier
The following maps are courtesy of the WDFW Cowlitz Wildlife Area (CWA) team:
- Peterman Hill Unit Trail Map (trail is co-managed by Tacoma Power and the CWA)
These trails are managed by the CWA: