Pierce County Lake Tapps North County Park

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

Lake Tapps North Park

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 access including a sandy swimming area.

Park Hours

7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. from April through September
- No new vehicles allowed to enter the park after 7 p.m.
- Please note that lake is not at full capacity until mid May.
The Park gates and boat launch are closed October through March.

Come early on hot days and weekends - parking is limited and the gates are closed to vehicles and boats when parking is full.

Fees

Seasonal Parking and Boat Launch Fees

Parking and launch fees will be charged:

Weekends: May 18-20, Sept. 8-9, and Sept. 15-16, 2012
Daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day
Fees can be paid via cash, check, and/or charge. All fees subject to change.

Disabled Veterans are exempt from the parking/launch fees with a valid Washington State Parks Veterans Pass. To have a State Parks Veteran Pass application mailed to you, please call (360) 902-8500, (360) 902-8844 or send an e-mail to infocent@parks.wa.gov.

Parking Fee:

$7.00 - Vehicles and motorcycles
$3.50 - Seniors(62+)/Persons with disabilities
Disabled American Veterans exempt with valid Washington State Parks Veterans Pass.

Boat Launch Fees:

$15.00 - With a trailer per launch
$5.00 - Seniors(62+)/Persons with disabilities with or without trailer per launch

Combined Boat Launch/Parking Pass

$75.00 - Pierce County Resident Boat Launch/Parking Pass
$150.00 - Non-Resident Boat Launch/Parking Pass

Pass Information:

Passes are valid for one boat launch per day.
Passes need to be placed where easily visible in your vehicle or boat.
Passes are accepted only when parking is available.
Boat launch passes are available to purchase on a seasonal basis. Passes are for immediate family use and are non-transferable. 'Family' means one or more persons related by blood or marriage (or adoption), living as a single housekeeping unit.
Passes are used for recreational purposes only, not for personal financial gain.

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 I-5

Take Exit #127 (Puyallup/Mt. Rainier) and head east to Hwy 512
Merge onto WA-167 N towards Seattle
Take the Stewart Rd/8th St. E. exit toward Pacific/Milton
Turn east (right) onto 8th St. E./Stweart Rd. SW
8th St. E/Stewart Rd. SW becomes Lake Tapps Pkwy E.
Lake Tapps Pkwy E. becomes 9th St. E.
Go approximately 1 block to entrance of park.

From SR 410 in 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.

Print directions/map to North Lake Tapps Park.

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