Alder Lake

Alder Lake is a 3,000-acre reservoir on the Nisqually River in the foothills below Mount Rainier, stretching about 7 miles from Alder Dam up to the town of Elbe. With 28 miles of forested shoreline, big views of Rainier and plenty of open water, it is one of the best boating lakes within about an hour of Tacoma and Olympia. We offer the best boats, jet skis and water toys at Alder Lake, ready and waiting for you right at the lake.

Alder Lake Boat Rentals

The open water near Alder Lake Park and the dam has plenty of room for wakeboarding, wakesurfing and skiing, and calm mornings are the best time to get out. Our Alder Lake boat rentals include:

• MasterCraft wakesurf and wakeboard boats for family and friends
• Ski boat rentals for water skiing, slalom and tubing
• Tubes, wakeboards and wakesurf boards for every age
• Paddle boards and water trampolines for swimming at Sunny Beach Point and lazy afternoons on the water

Rather have someone else drive? Book a private boat charter and our captain will handle the boat. Damage waiver coverage is available on every rental.

Alder Lake Jet Ski Rentals

Jet skis are a great way to explore Alder Lake's islands and coves, with Mount Rainier towering in the distance on a clear day. Most of our jet ski rentals can pull a tube, depending on the model, and guided rides are available. See our jet ski models to pick your ride.

Pontoons, Marinas and Boat Service

Tacoma Power runs the parks on Alder Lake, with boat launches at Alder Lake Park on the north shore and at Rocky Point, plus day-use swimming at Sunny Beach Point. We don't rent pontoons or service boats, but we offer surf boats, jet skis and water toys to go with your pontoon day or lake house stay.

Mount Rainier Views

On a clear day, snowcapped Mount Rainier rises over Alder Lake, and the view from Alder Lake Park is one of the best in the area. The Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is only about 19 miles away, and the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad is just a few miles away, so a lake day pairs easily with a trip into the mountains.

Alder Dam and the Old Town of Alder

Tacoma Power finished Alder Dam in 1945, and at about 330 feet above bedrock it was one of the tallest dams in the country at the time. The rising lake covered the original town of Alder, named for the alder trees along the river, and today's community of Alder sits just north of the lake.

Kokanee and Trout

Alder Lake is best known for kokanee, and Tacoma Power stocks up to 500,000 of them in the lake every year. Good spots to try are the main lake off Alder Lake Park, the water near the dam and the Little Nisqually arm.

Camping on the Lake

Alder Lake Park has campsites, docks and a boat launch right on the water, and Rocky Point Campground offers more camping a few miles up the lake. Both are popular on summer weekends, so book your site early.

Getting to Alder Lake

Alder Lake is about 10 miles south of Eatonville, roughly an hour south of Tacoma and about an hour and a half from Seattle. From Tacoma, take SR-7 south through Spanaway to Alder Lake Park on the north shore. From Olympia, head east to Yelm and follow SR-702 to SR-7. Elbe and the road to Mount Rainier's Nisqually Entrance are at the east end of the lake. See all of our Washington lakes.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Washington boating rules: most drivers born after January 1, 1955 need a Washington Boater Education Card to drive a boat with 15 horsepower or more, and jet ski drivers must be at least 14. No one under 16 may rent a jet ski, jet skis can't be ridden between sunset and sunrise, and our rental drivers must be 18 or older.
• Life jackets: everyone on a jet ski and anyone being towed must wear a life jacket, and so must children 12 and under on boats under 19 feet while the boat is moving.
• Floating logs: spring runoff and storms can carry floating and submerged logs into the lake, so keep a sharp lookout and slow down.
• Changing water levels: Tacoma Power raises and lowers the lake through the year, so watch for stumps and shallow spots near shore when the water is down.
• Clean, drain and dry: if you bring your own boat, paddle board or kayak, clean, drain and dry it every time you leave Alder Lake.
• Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.

Lakes Near Alder Lake

More Washington lakes we service: Mayfield Lake and Riffe Lake to the south, Lake Tapps near Tacoma and Long Lake in Lacey.

Alder Lake Map