Black Lake sits just west of Tumwater and southwest of Olympia — a 570-acre warm-water lake that's been one of the south Sound's favorite summer spots for generations. The neighborhoods that ring it (along Black Lake Boulevard, 62nd Ave SW, and the south end near 110th) range from true waterfront homes with private docks, to lake-view homes set back across the road, to family-oriented subdivisions a few minutes inland with deeded community lake access.
Life here is built around the water. Black Lake is open year-round for fishing — largemouth bass, rainbow trout, yellow perch, and cutthroat — and the WDFW boat launch on the east shore is the main public access point. Summers bring out paddleboards, kayaks, ski boats, and the kind of dock culture that defines lake living in the PNW.
Despite the get-away feel, Black Lake is genuinely close to everything: about 10 minutes to downtown Tumwater, 15 to downtown Olympia, and a straight shot to US-101 for trips out to the Olympic Peninsula. Most of the area is served by the Tumwater School District (with some addresses in the Olympia or Griffin districts depending on which side of the lake), so it's worth confirming the exact boundary for any specific home.
Pricing varies more here than almost anywhere else in Tumwater: a tucked-in interior home can land in the mid-$400s, while a no-bank waterfront with a dock and western sunset views routinely clears $1M+.
What you'll love about Black Lake Area
- Year-round fishing, boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding
- Mix of true waterfront, lake-view, and lake-access homes
- Quick access to downtown Tumwater, Olympia, and US-101
- Strong sense of lake-neighborhood community
- Sunset views over the water from the west-facing shore
