Pierce County Lake Tapps North County Park

LAKE TAPPS NORTH PARK

2022 - 198th Ave. E.
(off 12th St. E.)
Bonney Lake, Washington

About Lake Tapps

This popular swimming, boat launch area is located in North Pierce County. A largely undeveloped 80 acre site with approximately 10,000 feet of waterfront with restrooms, with 3 miles of undeveloped and natural surfacestrails and a seasonal food concession stand.

Take a stroll after swimming or water skiing through pathways of trees and underbrush that entwine throughout Lake Tapps Park.

A variety of improvements have been completed at Lake Tapps including:

an improved boat trailer parking area
two new boat landing docks
a boat wash off area
adjustments to improve traffic flow around the boat launch.

Park Hours

7:30 AM - 8:00 PM from April through September 21, 2008
- No new vehicles allowed to enter the park after 7:00 p.m.
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM from October through March.

Fees

Lake Tapp Gatekeeper Booth

New Seasonal Parking
and Boat Launch Fees

As per ordinance #2007-97

Parking Fee:

$7.00 - Vehicles and motorcycles
$3.50 - Seniors*/Persons with disabilities
Disabled American Veterans are exempt with a valid Washington State Parks Veterans Pass.

Boat Launch Fees:

$15.00 - With a trailer per launch
$5.00 - Seniors*/Persons with disabilities with or without trailer per launch

Combined Boat Launch/Parking Pass

$50.00 - Pierce County Resident Boat Launch/Parking Pass
$150.00 - Non-Resident Boat Launch/Parking Pass

(All fees subject to change)

*Seniors are ages 62 and older

Swimming Safety Tips

Know the Water

Hypothermia Risk Exists.
The bottom of the lake is uneven with sudden drop-offs, dead trees and other hazards.
Swim only in designated areas. Keep away from boats by staying inside the buoy line.

Know Your Limits

Be aware that cold water can kill, even on hot summer days. Stay close to shore and rest if you are cold or tired.

Wear a Life Jacket

Bring your life jacket or borrow one for free from the concession stand (supplies are limited).
Wear a life jacket when swimming. It's easy to misjudge the water and your swimming skills. Trouble can happen quickly, be prepared!

Supervise Children Around the Water

Nothing replaces adult supervision!
Assign an adult to watch children at all times.
Constantly watch your children in or near the water.
Keep young children within arm's reach.

Remember

water at Lake Tapps comes from a glacier! Lake Tapps water averages 50° in the summer - this is not the same as air temperature.
Swimming in a glacier-fed lake is not the same as swimming in a heated pool!

Directions

Lake Tapps Sign From SR 167

Follow SR 410 through Sumner.
Take the 166th Ave East exit and head north (left) on 166th.
Stay on Sumner Tapps Hwy as it bends east (right) and turns into 16th St. East. Then it will bend north and turn into 182nd Ave E.
Turn right on 9th Street East which bends gradually and turns into 12th St. East.
Turn right on 198th Ave East and go approximately 1 block to park entrance.

Pierce County Parks & Recreation
9112 Lakewood Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499