Riffe Lake

Riffe Lake (it rhymes with "life") is a long, winding lake on the Cowlitz River in Lewis County, stretching 23.5 miles east from Mossyrock Dam along US 12 with about 52 miles of shoreline. It's named for the small town of Riffe that was covered when the lake filled in 1968, and today it's one of southwest Washington's big boating and fishing lakes, halfway between Seattle and Portland. We offer the best boats, jet skis and water toys at Riffe Lake, ready and waiting for you right at the lake.

Riffe Lake Boat Rentals

Riffe's long, narrow main lake is great for water skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and tubing, with forested hills on both sides and plenty of room to run. Our Riffe 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 a relaxing day on one of the lake's sandy islands

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.

Riffe Lake Jet Ski Rentals

Jet skis are a fun way to explore Riffe Lake, from Mossyrock Park near the dam up the lake toward Taidnapam Park and the Cowlitz River at the east end. 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

Mossyrock Park on the southwest shore near the dam and Taidnapam Park at the east end both have campgrounds and boat launches run by Tacoma Power. If you're searching for a Riffe Lake pontoon rental, boat slip or boat service, check with the parks. 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.

Mossyrock Dam and the Parks

Mossyrock Dam, completed in 1968, is the tallest dam in Washington at 606 feet from bedrock, and there's a viewpoint off US 12 where you can see it. Mossyrock Park near the dam has camping, a day use area and a boat launch, and Taidnapam Park sits at the far east end where the Cowlitz River flows into the lake.

Fishing on Riffe Lake

Riffe Lake is known for its landlocked coho, along with rainbow and brown trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill and perch, so there's always something biting. The lake also has a few small, sandy islands that make fun stops on a summer day.

Getting to Riffe Lake

Riffe Lake is about 20 miles east of I-5 on US 12, roughly 90 miles south of Tacoma. Turn off US 12 in Mossyrock for Mossyrock Park near the dam, or keep heading east toward Morton for the upper lake and Taidnapam Park. 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.
• Lake levels: Tacoma Power keeps Riffe Lake lower than it used to and draws it down every fall and winter, so launch docks can come out of the water in the off-season. Summer is the best time for a full lake, and watch for stumps and shallow spots near shore.
• Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.

Lakes Near Riffe Lake

Mayfield Lake is just downstream from Mossyrock Dam, and Lake Merwin is about an hour south toward Woodland. To the north, Alder Lake and Lake Tapps are both easy trips from the Tacoma area.

Riffe Lake Map