Recent weather events have impacted or closed several parks and trails. Please "know before you go!" Check park alerts, road conditions and weather reports before visiting.
Burn Ban
No fires permitted at any time.
Part of the Park is Closed
Posted on:
Near Hyak and Cabin Creek on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, there has been wash outs cutting through the trail. The trail will be closed from Hyak to Easton until we can repair the trail and safely reopen.
Part of the Park is Closed
Posted on:
The I-90 Exit 54 interchange on SR-906 leading to Hyak trailhead is inaccessible due to weather related issues. Crews are assessing the situation. Hyak Sno-Park will remain closed until further notice. Updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail
The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail (also known as the "PTCT") gives hikers, cyclists and equestrians an unconventional way to explore a variety of environments, flora and wildlife. Explore the forested Cascade Mountains to the arid shrub-steppe of eastern Washington. Sitting on the historic Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad corridor, nicknamed the "Milwaukee Road," this 251-mile trail runs in sections from Cedar Falls near North Bend east to the Idaho border.
Rules
- Day-Use Only
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Fires not Allowed
- Horses Allowed
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail East registration
To use the East section of the trail (from Warden to the Idaho border), you must pre-register online. For more information, visit the trail registration information page. If your group is larger than 20 people, please call us at (509) 337-6457.
Other rules
Parts of the trail may have construction, missing trestles or pass through private property. Make sure you check for detours and closures before heading out.
No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail except for snowmobiles in the winter. You may ride your snowmobile only from Stampede Pass Road to Cabin Creek.
Winter Schedule
Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
The Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed from Nov. 1 - May 1, the re-opening date is weather dependent.
Sno-Park
A Sno-Park Permit is required at all Sno-Parks from Dec. 1-March 31
Activities
Biking
Bird Watching
Camping
Fishing
Geocaching
Hiking, Walking, Rolling and Running
Horseback Riding
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Rock Climbing
Winter Activities
Amenities
Automated Pay Station
Accessible Restrooms
Restrooms
Picnic Tables
Accessible Parking
Parking
Interpretive Opportunities
Sno-Park
Accessible Trails
Bike Trails
Equestrian Trails
Hiking Trails
Park features
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Creek
Forest
Freshwater
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Lake
Meadow
Mountain View
River
Seasonal Wildflowers
Viewpoint
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Waterfall
Wetland
Wildlife Viewing
Rules
- Day-Use Only
- Dogs Allowed on Leash
- Fires not Allowed
- Horses Allowed
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail East registration
To use the East section of the trail (from Warden to the Idaho border), you must pre-register online. For more information, visit the trail registration information page. If your group is larger than 20 people, please call us at (509) 337-6457.
Other rules
Parts of the trail may have construction, missing trestles or pass through private property. Make sure you check for detours and closures before heading out.
No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail except for snowmobiles in the winter. You may ride your snowmobile only from Stampede Pass Road to Cabin Creek.
Winter Schedule
Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
The Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed from Nov. 1 - May 1, the re-opening date is weather dependent.
Sno-Park
A Sno-Park Permit is required at all Sno-Parks from Dec. 1-March 31
Map & visitor guide
The PTCT is split into three sections, West, Central and East. Each section offers unique experiences with varying degrees of difficulty due to surfacing variability, limited services and gaps in public ownership.
Scenery and activities will vary depending on what time of year you take the trail. In the spring and summer, you'll pass by small waterfalls, farmland, historic train depots and travel through former train tunnels and over high trestles and bridges. Experience vibrant changing colors and golden fields if you travel during the fall. The winter season opens up options for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and snowshoeing depending on location and conditions.
Know before you go
The PTCT is not a fully improved, continuous "cross state" trail. Several sections are closed to public access due to safety concerns, active rail use and private property. Exploring the PTCT requires informed planning and preparedness and, in the eastern section, pre-registration. Please familiarize yourself with the trail before visiting.
We are actively working to improve and adapt the PTCT for recreational use, which makes it a dynamic state park with ongoing projects that that could temporarily impact access.
Click here to visit the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail Visitor Information Map for more information about surface condition, trail ownership gaps and closed bridges.
Trail sections
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail West
North Bend area to Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel, 18 miles.
The West section of the PTCT is also the most improved for recreational use. This section starts in King County at the Cedar Falls Trailhead (milepost 2136) and continues east to the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel (milepost 2117).
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail Central
Snoqualmie Tunnel to Royal City cut-off, 107 miles.
The Central section of the PTCT begins at the Snoqualmie Tunnel and continues east through Ellensburg. Continue over the Columbia River on the recently renovated Beverly Bridge. This section ends at Royal City cut-off (milepost 2010).
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail East
Warden to the Idaho border, 126 miles.
The East section of the PTCT is the most variable and remote section requiring pre-registration before you visit. This section includes several areas that are closed to public access, requiring detours and more involved trip planning and support.
Park History
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