Riffe Lake

About Riffe Lake

Since the man who founded the reservoir, William Davisson, there have been two name changes, and since it emerged from the MossYrock dam, it has been called Mossyrock Lake. Eventually the name was changed to Davisson Lake and then Reefs Lake, which under any other name would still be a fantastic place. It was renamed Riffe Lake, after the small pioneer village that now lies in its waters.

It will probably forever be called Mossyrock Lake, but it is still a beautiful lake and one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States of America.

Recovery, flood protection and wildlife habitat have been integrated into the planning and operation plan in line with industry best practice. Reefs Lake began when the Mossyrock Dam was built in the 1930s to generate electricity from hydropower. The project included nearby Mayfield Lake downstream, and the dam was to be owned by the Tacoma Power Company.

The reservoir is open for camping and fishing, with two amusement parks that offer a well-equipped campsite and fishing pier. The water supply is adjusted so that the river depth is optimal for fish and the water levels at Reefs Lake are between 300 and 500 meters.

There is a private house, which is located directly on the shore, with a large pool, a swimming pool and a picnic area, as well as a fishing pier and picnic areas.

The shore of the lake is densely wooded and gives a sense of wilderness without losing sight of the boat ramp. The two main campsites are located in Mossyrock Campground, a small campsite on the north shore of Riffle Lake. MossYrock has 152 pitches, 76 of which have electricity and water up to 76. Each campsite has a ring of fire and a picnic table spread out among the trees.

There is a coin-operated shower and washing facilities at each location, and seasonal snacks and supplies are sold at the concession stand.

Ninety-six of the campsites also have sewer connections for campers, and 24 leave a place to serve people who long for solitude. Taidnapam Park has four campsites, each with its own bathroom and shower, and a picnic area.

The park also has a day use area and a small swimming area is open if the water level allows. The popular Fisherman's Bridge is wheelchair accessible, as is a picnic area with picnic tables and picnic chairs. An interpretative exhibition at the entrance to Taidnapam Park tells the story of Reef Lake and its inhabitants, from its origins to the present day.

Some free campsites are located near the dam on a first-come basis and other commercial campsites are located nearby.

Fishing has always been a big attraction at Reefs Lake, and the lake is home to some of the best salmon fishing in Washington state, as well as a number of other salmon species. Because the dam interrupts the natural salmon migration from the river, the salmon and cowslip salmon brood are farmed and transported to catch salmon at the dams and stored in rivers around ReefS Lake. The artificially engineered salmon transported by salmon are part of a multi-year project by the US Fisheries and Wildlife Service to improve fisheries.

There do not appear to be any restrictions on engine size, but specific fisheries rules could apply and a Washington fishing licence is required. At least five boat ramps are located around the lake, and most have floating docks to accommodate varying water levels and access to a range of other facilities.

The lake is not powered, but there is also a small pond nearby for fishing. Rainbow trout, white mules, bluefish, redfish, whitefish and other species live in the pond.

If you want to hike or observe animals, this is the place for you, but the area is mostly criss-crossed by single-lane forest paths. The north shore of Reefs Lake stretches for about 2 km from the shore of the lake to the south shore.

This wildlife area covers much of the Reefs Lake coastline and serves as a protected wildlife management area (WMA) for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The 6,800-hectare wildlife area also offers a stream and big game hunting season, including bears, deer and elk.

Small mammals thrive in nearby undergrowth along the coast, and other wildlife sanctuaries surround nearby Mayfield Lake.

Campfires are not allowed within the wildlife area, but camping is not allowed on the banks of Reefs Lake or at any of the other nearby lakes or streams.

Although there is no town on Reef Lake, several small communities nearby provide fast food "lodging" type accommodations. The ancient history of logging tells the story of the unique character of these historic buildings. Nearby are a number of art shops, restaurants and art galleries, as well as a variety of restaurants and shops in the town of Mossyrock, a small town downstream of Reefs Lake. There is a museum, an art gallery and a café, along with a few other small shops.

The best way to Reefs Lake is via US-12, which will take you about 60 miles east of I-5 south of Chehalis. Driving east on US 12, past the town of Mossyrock, you can see Mount Rainier and Mount Hood, as well as a few other small towns along the way.

This is a picturesque holiday region, and you can find several accommodations in the town of Chehalis, about 60 miles east of Reefs Lake. We were in a small motel near the main intersection of the city, just a few kilometers south of the town of Mossyrock and about half an hour's drive from the lake.

In May, Reefs Lake is an ideal base for exploring the scenic area, but not all access roads to the National Park are open in winter. Drivers driving through the scenic area should heed warning signs and be prepared for a wintry climb.