This Pierce County community was formed around a reservoir
The Pierce County community of Lake Tapps offers homebuyers the modern practicality of Northwest Washington suburban living, while being close to nature. Much of the area is forested, and there are views of Mount Rainier, the largest stratovolcano in the Cascade Mountain Range. Lake Tapps is about 20 miles east of Tacoma and 40 miles south of Downtown Seattle. "It's a really, really nice area where some people go to retire," says Corey Lofton, a real estate broker with the Washington Real Estate Team with Kelly Right Real Estate. It's also known as a family friendly community with well-regarded school districts. The lake proper, a 5-square-mile reservoir, was built in 1911 by Puget Sound Power and Light to provide power to homes and businesses. Though it's no longer cranking out electricity, the lake is owned by Cascade Water Alliance, which supplies drinking water to surrounding municipalities.
Stunning estate home on the shores of Lake Tapps.
Beautiful rural landscape overlooking Lake Tapps.
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Parks, trails and golf courses are around Lake Tapps
Residents of the area have plenty of outdoor sites to choose from. Recreational spaces close to home include playgrounds and sports facilities and there are parks on practically every side of the water. On the north shore, Lake Tapps Park has a boat launch, a swimming beach, hiking trails and picnicking areas. An agreement between the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Cascade Water Alliance helps preserve fish habitats. Largemouth and smallmouth bass and tiger muskies are some of the lake's inhabitants, and fishing is allowed for those with a license.
At the south end of the lake, Allan Yorke Park has a playground, walking trails and a skate park. The Bonney Lake Triathlon + Duathlon & Aquabike is a Labor Day Weekend event that starts at Allan Yorke. Tapps Island Golf Course on the east side is a public golf course operating in a residential development with a homeowners association. The facility also offers a junior golf camp in the summer. The Lake Tapps Parkway Trail on the lake's northwest side is popular with cyclists.
Allan Yorke City Park in Bonney Lake has pathways for residents to walk their dogs.
Tapps Island Golf Course in Lake Tapps is a serene place to practice your swing.
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The area is primarily residential, with a mix of styles
The community of Lake Tapps is mostly residential, with some outlying rural areas with small farms. “Lake Tapps is a true lake community, but there is a wider mix of home styles and prices than one might expect. There are some neighborhoods with new, traditional-style homes and some with midcentury homes," says Christine Gordon, a long-time resident of Pierce County and a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Tacoma. The median home price over 12 months — about $725,000 in early 2025 — was about $330,000 higher than the national median. Some surrounding areas, such as nearby Prairie Heights , are less densely populated, have more of a rural vibe and with prices trending lower.
Bonney Lake has newly built homes within the neighborhood.
Newly built homes in Bonney Lake go for the more modern aesthetic.
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Several well-ranked public school districts cover the area
School districts include the Dieringer School District, which has an A-minus grade from Niche and covers parts of the lake's north, northwest and east sides. Three area districts have a B-plus grades: the Auburn School District covers areas north of the lake, the White River School District is associated with areas east and south and the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District corresponds with south and southwest sections.
Lake Tapps Elementary School entrance.
North Tapps Middle School signage.
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There's dining by the lake and shopping nearby
Al Lago Ristorante is by the lake, with chef-created Italian dishes and an extensive wine list. Island Lodge by Al Lago is on the other side of the lake at Tapps Island Golf Course. Most nearby commercial areas are west of the lake: Lakeland Town Center has a Haggen grocery store and assorted restaurants. Sumner has a WinCo Foods, a Fred Meyer and various eateries along Main Street.
About 8 miles northwest of the lake's north shore is The Outlet Collection Seattle in Auburn. In addition to being the largest outlet shopping center in the Pacific Northwest, the site hosts events, markets and classes throughout the year. La Pulguita Outdoor Market is held here on weekends, year-round.
The Outlet Collection in Auburn is the closest mall to Algona and hosts many brand name stores.
Bonney Lake residents can get their groceries done at Fred Meyer.
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A military base and tribal-owned businesses provide jobs
Military installation, Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), located close to Tacoma, is one of Pierce County's largest employers, with about 15,000 civilian and contract employees. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, out of the Muckleshoot Reservation northeast of Lake Tapps, provides more than 3,000 jobs through fisheries, gaming, and management of natural resources. Municipal or county operations and school districts have other employment opportunities. Retail, healthcare and manufacturing also have a share, with jobs concentrated in nearby cities like Sumner to the west and Auburn to the north. Those commuting farther into the Seattle area may work for tech or aerospace companies.
Military training from Joint Base Lewis-McChord is quite noticeable in Dupont Washington.
The Muckleshoot Casino is a major employer in the Lake Tapps area.
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It's a car-dependent area with some commuter options
Many of the residential pockets around the lake have short or curved streets; although sidewalks aren't always a given, low traffic makes the streets somewhat walkable. Otherwise, Lake Tapps is car-dependent, and major roads include state Routes 167 and 410. Interstate 5 is to the west, running through Tacoma. Some people take commuter rail to cut down on driving. The closest stations for Sound Transit Sounder commuter rail are Sumner and Auburn, which offer service on the S Line: Seattle-Lakewood/Tacoma. Pierce County Transit, Sound Transit and King County Metro buses also connect the region. Pierce Transit's Lakeland Hills Express runs from Auburn Station to Lakeland Hills Way on the north side of Lake Tapps. On the south side of the lake, a Sound Transit bus from Sumner Station stops at the Bonney Lake Park & Ride. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
