Wildfire season is here and impacting several parks, so make sure you’re in the know before you go. Before you head to a park, please check its page or head to our alerts page for closures, alerts and other important information to make sure you have a fun, safe and informed trip.
No fires permitted at any time.
There is construction at the Kittitas Depot. This work starts on March 5, 2025, and ends on August 31, 2025. The work includes renovation of the existing depot. Part of the Kittitas trailhead will be closed. Parking will still be available on the east side of the trailhead. A detour will be in place between Railroad Ave. to Main St.
Roaring Creek and Cold Creek vault toilet restrooms will be closed Monday - Thursday, August 18 - 21, for maintenance.
During the Vantage Bridge construction project, WSDOT is redirecting bicycles from I-90, both directions, to take the Beverly Bridge detour. The detour signs on the Palouse to Cascades Trail are only for the I-90 detour. The trail is open through the Yakima Training Center.
The Central, 107 mile section of the PTCT begins at the Snoqualmie Tunnel and continues east through Ellensburg, over the Columbia River on the recently renovated and reopened Beverly Bridge and ends at Royal City Cut-off (milepost 2010).
This trail runs through a U.S Army training center in Yakima. You must self-register at either Renslow or Doris trailheads if passing through. Camping may also be allowed, for more information, call (509) 577-3337.
Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail except for snowmobiles in the winter. You may travel on snowmobile only from Stampede Pass Road to Cabin Creek.
Horse-drawn wagon users must obtain a gate access code from Olmstead Place Historical State Park.
Contact the park at (509) 968-5298 or Olmstead.Place@parks.wa.gov for more details.
Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
The Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak closes seasonally near the end of October and reopens in May. Please check alerts for its status before heading out.
Biking
Bird Watching
Camping
Fishing
Hiking, Walking, Rolling and Running
Horseback Riding
Long-Distance Trails
Rock Climbing
Winter Activities
Automated Pay Station
Accessible Restrooms
Restrooms
Picnic Tables
Accessible Parking
Parking
Interpretive Opportunities
Sno-Park
Accessible Trails
Bike Trails
Equestrian Trails
Hiking Trails
Creek
Field
Forest
Freshwater
Lake
Meadow
Mountain View
River
Seasonal Wildflowers
Viewpoint
Wetland
Wildlife Viewing
This trail runs through a U.S Army training center in Yakima. You must self-register at either Renslow or Doris trailheads if passing through. Camping may also be allowed, for more information, call (509) 577-3337.
Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail except for snowmobiles in the winter. You may travel on snowmobile only from Stampede Pass Road to Cabin Creek.
Horse-drawn wagon users must obtain a gate access code from Olmstead Place Historical State Park.
Contact the park at (509) 968-5298 or Olmstead.Place@parks.wa.gov for more details.
Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
The Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak closes seasonally near the end of October and reopens in May. Please check alerts for its status before heading out.
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.
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.
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.
This central section of the PTCT runs through the Snoqualmie Tunnel, along Keechelus Lake and Lake Easton, through Cle Elum to Ellensburg and across the Columbia River at the Beverly Bridge.
You have the opportunity to pass by two historic train depots, including the South Cle Elum Depot and the soon-to-be-renovated Kittitas Depot. To schedule a tour of the South Cle Elum Depot, please call (509) 856-4121
Be sure to also take in the sweeping views from the renovated Renslow Trestle over I-90 and the Beverly Bridge in Vantage at the Columbia River crossing.
The shrub-steppe landscape of eastern Washington is a great place to see colorful summer wildflowers and bird species that you won't find in any other part of the state, including sage grouse.
Camping is available first-come, first-served at Cold Creek, Roaring Creek and Ponderosa Pines. Each campground has three to four campsites, one picnic table and one vault toilet. You can only access these campgrounds by foot or bicycle.
Reserve your spot at Wanapum Recreation Area and Lake Easton State Park. These campgrounds have full hookup, standard and hiker/biker sites. Make a reservation here.
Water is available at both parks.
Camping is available first-come, first-served at the Beverly Dunes OHV Area managed by the Department of Natural Resources. This area may fill up on weekends with RVs, ATVs and dirt bikes.
There is no water available, so please come prepared.
You can also camp at Lenice Lake, which is quieter and has a vault toilet. Dispersed camping is allowed. Grab a spot by the lake, under some trees for more protection against the wind. Don't forget to pack your fishing rod as trout fishing is a popular activity.
Water is available at this site.
Additional campsites are available near the trail at several U.S. Forest Service campgrounds including, Tinkham, Denny Creek, Lake Kachess and Silver Springs.
To camp outside the Yakima Training Center, at Renslow or Doris trailheads, please call (509) 577-3337.
Vantage is one of Washington's most popular climbing destinations. It has over 700 climbing routes, including traditional, sport, top rope, bouldering and aid climbing.
Rock climbing involves inherent risks and climbers are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others.
