Alder Lake Park

It’s a beautiful park with a great view of the lake. I wish there’s a trail to walk / bike around the lake, but there’s no. If you happen to have some extra time during your trip to Mt Rainier, then you can stop by here to enjoy the beautiful view of the lake. The view of the dam is also pretty interesting.

Nestled amidst the picturesque landscape, this tranquil lake offers a serene escape. The glistening waters reflect the vibrant colors of the surrounding foliage. A gentle breeze whispers through the trees, creating a soothing symphony of nature. Visitors can enjoy leisurely strolls along the shoreline or partake in various water activities. It's a place where one can truly unwind and reconnect with nature's beauty.

Love the location! Day park access only during summer season is $10 per vehicle. A few handicap spots and regular parking fills up fast so make sure you get there early! Easy lake access for kayaks and paddle boards with designated swimming area but no lifeguard on duty. Nice open field area to play catch or football. No grills available for use so you must bring your own.

My favorite things about Alder Lake? First, the dock. Where else can you camp and have a free place to moor your boat? I left my jet ski in the water for three days. The dock is high quality, nice and wide, with built-in fenders. You can fish off the dock too. I saw people catch Kokanee and rainbow trout. Second, I loved the close-up view of Mt. Rainier. I loved coming around the tip of an island on the jet ski and seeing the mountain burst into view. Wow. Third, I loved the aqua (turquoise?) color of the water. Fourth, the bathrooms were very well stocked and very clean. It kinda sucked that you had to pay for showers though. I just said "screw it" and stayed dirty. Other things I liked were the low prices for campsites, the relative ease of reserving a site, the well-maintained boat launch, the safe swimming area, the dish washing stations (covered with sinks), the many islands and arms of the lake to explore, cliff jumping ... as you can see, Alder Lake is, well, pretty cool.

This was a great place to stay as a base to explore Mt Rainier. The staff was very helpful, we had electricity and water, they have a dump station. The lake was beautiful.