Kayaking and Lakes Near Mount Rainier

Lakes at a Glance — Comparison Table

Alder Lake — Closest Paddling to Ashford

Alder Lake is the go-to day-trip lake for anyone staying near Ashford or Elbe. The reservoir was created by the Alder Dam on the Nisqually River and sits at 1,200 feet elevation — low enough to be reliably snow-free from May through October.

Pierce County Alder Lake Park is the main access point, located off WA-7 near the town of Alder. It has a concrete boat ramp, restrooms, and developed campsites. A day-use fee applies to enter the park. The park has a swimming beach as well, making it a good combined paddle-and-swim day.

The lake is wide open and calm in morning hours. Afternoons can pick up a breeze from the southwest. If you're paddling in a hard-shell kayak or canoe, the full perimeter is about 10–12 miles. For a relaxed 2-hour paddle, follow the south shoreline east toward the dam view and back. For a complete breakdown of fishing (rainbow trout, kokanee, bass), swimming conditions, and camping at Alder Lake, see the full Alder Lake recreation guide.

• Distance from Ashford: 15 miles via WA-7 north (about 20 minutes)
• Launch fee: Pierce County day-use fee applies
• Motorized boats: Allowed with current licensing
• Swimming: Designated beach area at Alder Lake Park
• Camping: Pierce County campsites available (reservations recommended July–August)

Mowich Lake — Paddling Inside the Park

Mowich Lake is the only lake inside Mount Rainier National Park where watercraft are allowed. At 4,929 feet elevation and surrounded by old-growth forest and subalpine slopes, it's one of the most scenic paddling settings in Washington state.

Getting there requires driving 17 miles on a gravel road from Wilkeson — the Carbon River Rainier Scenic Byway. The road is passable for most vehicles in dry conditions but not suitable for low-clearance cars or trailers. Plan about 45 minutes from WA-165 to the lake.

Non-motorized watercraft only. No rentals available. Your options are to strap a hardshell to the car, bring an inflatable kayak, or use a packraft. The lake is about 1 mile long and less than half a mile wide — it's intimate paddling, not big water. Water temperatures stay cold even in August (snow-melt fed), so a dry bag for your gear and a PFD at all times are non-negotiable.

• Distance from Ashford: ~40 miles, about 1 hour 20 minutes (WA-706 west to WA-165 north)
• Watercraft rule: Non-motorized only (kayaks, canoes, packrafts, inflatables)
• Access season: Road typically opens early July, closes October after first major snow
• NPS pass required: America the Beautiful or $35/vehicle day pass
• Camping: Mowich Lake Campground (walk-in sites, first-come first-served; no reservations)

Riffe Lake — Best Large-Water Paddling in the Region

Riffe Lake is a 10,600-acre reservoir on the Cowlitz River, created by Riffe Dam in the 1960s. It stretches roughly 23 miles east-to-west and offers the most expansive open-water kayaking within an hour of Mount Rainier. It's particularly popular with sea kayakers, touring paddlers, and canoeists doing multi-day lake camping trips.

Two main Washington State Parks access points serve the lake:

• Mossyrock Park — near the west end of the lake, off WA-122. Boat ramp, camping, swimming beach. A Discovery Pass ($11.50/day) is required.
• Riffe Lake Campground — along the north shore of the main reservoir body. More remote feel, less boat traffic than Mossyrock.

The east arm of the reservoir (toward Pe Ell and the Tilton River arm) tends to be the quietest stretch — good for multi-hour touring. Watch for afternoon wind patterns building from the southwest May–August. Water levels can fluctuate in spring depending on snowpack.

• Distance from Ashford: ~50 miles via US-12 west then WA-122 (about 1 hour)
• Distance from Packwood: ~25 miles west on US-12 to Morton, then north on WA-122
• Launch fee: Washington Discover Pass required at State Parks launches
• Motorized: Yes, full powerboat access

Packwood Lake — Hike-In Wilderness Paddling

Packwood Lake sits inside Gifford Pinchot National Forest at 2,857 feet elevation, reached by a 4.4-mile trail from the trailhead on Forest Road 1260 (about 6 miles east of Packwood on US-12). No motors allowed. No fishing boat rentals. If you want to paddle here, you carry it in.

An inflatable kayak or packraft makes this feasible. The lake is roughly 1.3 miles long and 0.4 miles wide — a short and beautiful paddle in a wilderness basin. The surrounding forest saw significant wildfire activity in 2020 and is regenerating. Bring a filter; no developed water at the lake.

Best season: July through September. Snow lingers on the trail through late June most years. A Gifford Pinchot National Forest Recreation Pass is required at the trailhead.

• Trailhead location: ~6 miles east of Packwood on US-12 / Forest Road 1260
• Hike in: 4.4 miles one-way, ~500 ft elevation gain
• Distance from Ashford: ~35 miles to Packwood, plus hike
• Fee: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful at the trailhead

Lake Kapowsin — Early Season Option

Lake Kapowsin, a 480-acre lake near Eatonville, is worth knowing about for early-season paddling. At about 600 feet elevation, it's snow-free from April and warms faster than the high-country lakes. The lake is partially private but has public access at a small county launch area. Motorized boats are allowed. Not a destination in itself, but it's convenient if you're driving WA-161 and want a warm-up paddle before Rainier season opens.

What Lakes Don't Allow Watercraft

A few commonly mentioned lakes near Rainier are off-limits for kayaking:

• Reflection Lakes — no watercraft of any kind. These are small roadside ponds alongside Stevens Canyon Road, primarily a photography location.
• Tipsoo Lake — at the Chinook Pass summit (WA-410). Watercraft are not permitted. This is a wildlife-viewing and photography stop.
• Frozen Lake (Sunrise area) — no watercraft, and often partially frozen into August.

Paddling Season by Month

What to Bring

• PFD (personal flotation device): Required by law for anyone on the water. Washington law requires one per person on board.
• Dry bag: For phone, keys, extra layers. Mowich Lake especially — water is cold enough for hypothermia risk in capsize conditions.
• Layers: Temperatures at Mowich (4,900 ft) can drop fast. Even on a 75°F day in Ashford, plan for 55–60°F at the lake.
• Sun protection: Alder and Riffe Lake are exposed, and water reflection amplifies UV.
• Water + snacks: No concessions at any of these locations.
• Pump/inflation kit: If using an inflatable kayak, pack the manual pump as backup.

Kayak Rentals Near Mount Rainier

There are no kayak rentals in Ashford itself. Your best options:

• REI Tacoma or Seattle: Rentals for multi-day trips. Reserve in advance.
• Inflatable kayak (buy or rent): An inflatable kayak stored in the car trunk makes Mowich Lake and Packwood Lake feasible day-trip additions. Several models (Sea Eagle, Advanced Elements, Intex Challenger) pack to backpack size.
• Bring your own: Hard-shell kayaks on a roof rack are the most practical for Alder Lake and Riffe Lake day trips from Ashford.