Major city · United States
Mossyrock
Skip unless you are fishing, camping or passing on US-12 between Centralia and Yakima. A 30-minute stop for the lake view is enough.
Mossyrock is a tiny town (population 759) in Southwest Washington, best known for Mayfield Lake and Riffe Lake. It has no major sights, limited dining and no hotels. Most travellers use it as a quick break on US-12 or as a base for lake recreation. One hour is enough unless you are camping.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–September
- avoid November–February (cold, rain, many facilities closed)
- Airports
- PDX · SEA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mossyrock911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mossyrock, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPDX Portland International (About 1 h 45 min drive via I-5 and US-12).
- Getting aroundUS-12 is the main road.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PDX Portland International (About 1 h 45 min drive via I-5 and US-12) · SEA Seattle–Tacoma International (About 2 h 15 min drive via I-5 and US-12)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mossyrock: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
18 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
US-12 is the main road. A car is essential. No public transport within town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
US-12 west to I-5, about 20 min
Historic downtown, antique shops, restaurants.
Mount Rainier National Park
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
US-12 east to SR-123, about 1 h 15 min to the Stevens Canyon entrance
A full-day trip; check road status in spring and fall.
Door to door: 40 min
US-12 west to I-5 south, about 40 min
Larger town with shopping and dining.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mossyrock town
No hotels; nearest lodging in Chehalis (about 15 min west) or Centralia (about 20 min west).
Mayfield Lake / Riffe Lake campgrounds
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife operates campgrounds at both lakes; check availability and fees.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–60 (camping, self-catering)
- Mid
- $80–150 (motel in Chehalis, restaurant meals)
- High
- $200+ (lodging in Centralia, dining out)
Watch out
Safety
- No gas station in Mossyrock; fill up in Chehalis or Morton.
- Cell reception can be spotty around the lakes.
- Lake campgrounds may close in winter; check the WDFW site.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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MossyrockMossyrock
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
Embassies in Washington, DC; consulates in Seattle and Portland.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- US-12 from I-5 to Mossyrock: about 22 miles, no toll
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mossyrock. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–September · avoid November–February (cold, rain, many facilities closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Lake-specific pages with fishing seasons and campground details.
- Seasonal event page for the Blueberry Festival.
- Day-trip route from Portland or Seattle.
Sources
Ask about Mossyrock
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