The City of Bonney Lake is home to multiple lakes. The two public lakes open to boaters are Lake Tapps and Lake Bonney.

Mandatory Boating Education Cards are required for most boaters. See below for more information.

Water Safety Concerns
If you see or have any water safety concerns, please fill out our MSU Water Safety Concern Form located under Marine Service Unit located on the Police Operations Page.

For water safety information and tips can be located here: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/2420/Swimming-Safety-Tips
Allan Yorke Park

For the latest parks and trails update with restrictions and guidelines click here

During the boating season, the boat launch requires payment of an annual Resident Parking Pass (for residents only). Non-residents can pay a daily parking fee of $17 plus tax at the kiosk located by the boat launch.

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.  

Allan Yorke Park Boat Launch:

 

The boat launch will be open to Bonney Lake residents who purchase a parking pass or those who purchase a daily parking pass. Tow vehicles and watercraft trailers can be parked in the ballfield 4 parking lot. Please see the map for directions. Tow vehicles and watercraft trailers that are parked in any of the other Allan Yorke Park lots or in surrounding neighborhoods are subject to having the tow vehicle and watercraft trailer impounded.

The boat launch will open for City residents and the purchasing of boat launch passes for City residents will begin on May 16, 2022. The boat launch will remain open until Cascade Water Alliance has drawn the lake down below recreational levels. Please see their website for more information on recreational levels.

If you would like to subscribe for notices of when the Allan Yorke Park Boat Launch may be closed, reopened, or if hours/days change for using the boat launch please sign up for the subscription on our website home page under subscriptions or click this link: Subscription Sign Ups

Resident Boat Launch Parking Passes

Boat Launch parking passes are available for purchase by residents living inside the Bonney Lake City Limits. See also BLMC 12.12.051

This pass allows residents to launch their boat and park the tow vehicle and watercraft trailer.  

Each resident boat launch parking pass is $30.00 plus tax (total $32.82) per vehicle per year.

Starting May 16, 2022 Resident parking passes can be purchased by:

Lake Bonney

Lake Bonney

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

Bonney Lake Aerial

 

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:

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.

Allan Yorke Park Boat Launch And Parking

AYP docks

The City of Bonney Lake operates a boat launch and boat trailer parking at Allan Yorke Park on the south end of Lake Tapps. Lake Tapps is a reservoir managed by Cascade Water Alliance - see their website for Recreational Lake Levels and to receive updates.

Boat Launch Parking And Resident Passes:

See the top of this page for directions, fees, and application

The boat launch will be open to Bonney Lake residents who purchase a parking pass and non-residents who purchase a daily parking pass.

Boat trailer parking is located off West Tapps Hwy in the Ball Field #4 parking lot (adjacent to the main parking area for Allan Yorke Park). See the parking map below for directions.

Allan Yorke Park 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.

Closure Dates:

  • No current scheduled closures
If you would like to subscribe for notices of when the Allan Yorke Park Boat Launch may be closed, reopened, or if hours/days change for using the boat launch please sign up for the subscription on our website home page under subscriptions or click this link: Subscription Sign Ups


Location: 7203 West Tapps Hwy (South end of Lake Tapps) Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Directions: Google Maps
Hours of Operation: closes at dusk
Parking Areas: (Parking Map)
Questions:  Call the City at 253-862-8602 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm

Kayak and paddle board rentals are available from the Snack Shack. Call 253-882-4169 for more information.

 

Lake Tapps North Park Boat Launch

North Tapps Boat Launch

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.

State Boating Rules & Regulations

Washington boaters card

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 Washington boaters card
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.

City of Bonney Lake Boating Regulations

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

Other Boating Options in Pierce County & Washington State

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: