Parks & Recreation

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

• 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

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:

• NOAA Cold Water Hazards and Safety
• Washington State Parks – Cold Water Safety
• National Center for Cold Water Safety

Local Tourism Resources and Maps

• 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:

• Kosmos-Rainey Creek Kiosk Map
• Mossyrock Unit Kiosk Map
• Swofford Pond Boat Ramp Kiosk Map