City of Bonney Lake

Lake Bonney is a small lake that is only suitable for small boats without combustion engines. The public boat launch for Lake Bonney is located on 74th ST E just before Ken Simmons Park.

Lake Tapps is a reservoir lying to the North of Bonney Lake; the lake is owned and managed by Cascade Water Alliance. For more information visit www.cascadewater.org.

Lake Tapps Water Levels

Information on water levels in Lake Tapps water is available through the the following websites:

• Cascade Water Alliance - Recreational Lake Levels
• Lake Tapps Community Council - www.laketappsnews.org

Lake Tapps Planning & Management

Cascade Water Alliance became the owner of Lake Tapps from Puget Sound Energy in 2009. Property owners along Lake Tapps who want to build new improvements or modify existing improvements must obtain a license from Cascade, in addition to any City, County, State, or Federal permits required. For more information contact Cascade at 425-453-0930.

In 2011 a group, including representatives from the City of Bonney Lake, developed a working lake management plan. The plan is available to view online at www.cascadewater.org.

The City of Bonney Lake operates a boat launch and boat trailer parking at Allan Yorke Park on the south end of Lake Tapps. Kayak and paddle board rentals are available from the Snack Shack. Call 253-882-4169 for more information.

Please see boat launch parking fees or resident parking passes accordion above for information on Boat Launch Parking Fees & Resident Parking Pass.

Location: 7203 West Tapps Hwy (South end of Lake Tapps)
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Directions

Hours of Operation: closes at dusk 
When lake is at recreational levels

Parking Areas (Parking Map)

Questions? Call the City at 253-862-8602 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm 

Resident Parking Passes

• Each resident boat launch parking pass is $30.00 plus tax per year.
  
  
• Proof of residency is required; you must live inside City limits to purchase a resident pass. To verify residency inside City Limits, please view the City Limits Map or call the Police Department at 253-863-2218.
  
  
• Valid Driver's License or other acceptable identification is required.

• The fee for replacement of an annual pass is $100.00. No refunds will be given for lost, stolen, or unused passes.

For more information call the Police Department at 253-863-2218. 

Lake Tapps Water Levels

Lake Tapps is a reservoir managed by Cascade Water Alliance - see their website for Recreational Lake Levels and to receive updates.

Boat Launch Closures

The city may temporarily close the boat launch facility without advance notice. No refunds will be given for the temporary or permanent closure of the boat launch facility.

The Allan Yorke Park boat launch is scheduled to be closed on the following dates:

• No current scheduled closures

Parking Areas

Boat trailer parking is located in the gravel parking lot off West Tapps Hwy. Passenger vehicles only (no boat trailers) may park in Ball Field #4 (adjacent to the main parking area for Allan Yorke Park).

Location: 1715 198th AVE E Bonney Lake, WA
253-798-4177

Pierce County operates a separate park, swimming area, and boat launch on the north end of Lake Tapps. For more information, including park hours and fees for parking and using the boat launch, visit the Pierce County website.

The Washington State Mandatory Boating Safety Education Law went into effect on January 1, 2008. The law requires boaters to pass a boating safety course or an equivalency exam and to obtain a Boater Education Card before operating a motorized vessel of 15 horsepower or greater.

The card requirement is being phased in from 2008 to 2014. All operators of boats having motors of 15 horsepower or greater are required to have their Boater Safety Education Card with them when operating a boat as follows:

Year Age Group
2008 12 years to 20 years old
2009 25 years and under
2010 30 years and under
2011 35 years and under
2012 40 years and under
2013 50 years and under
2014 60 years and under

After 2014, all boat operators except those exempted elsewhere in RCW 79A.60.640 must carry a Boater Safety Education Card.

For more information please see the Washington State Parks Boating Program website or contact: 360 586-6592
 
For a list of boating safety courses available around the state, see the Washington State Boating Program website.

Be sure to review the Watercraft Regulations brochure provided by the Bonney Lake Police Department's Marine Service Unit.
In the brochure you'll find answers to questions such as:

• Do I need a boaters card?
• What is the legal age of vessel operation?
• What safety equipment is required?
• Do I need vessel registration?
• What are the speed limits and hours of operation?
• Is there a specific direction of travel?
• Are there marked restricted areas?
• What are the requirements for Personal Watercraft (PWC)?
• What are the laws on water skiing safety?
• Are vessel inspections necessary?

Boating regulations are also available in Bonney Lake Municipal Code Chapter 16.16. For more information on watercraft regulations and boating safety, please contact the BLPD Marine Service Unit at 253-863-2218

There are many options for recreation on the water around Pierce County and Washington State, from rivers and lakes to the Puget Sound. For more information visit the following websites:

• Pierce County Parks
• Washington State Parks