Burn Ban

No fires permitted at any time.

Construction

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There is construction at the Kittitas Depot. This work starts on March 5, 2025, and ends on July 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. 

Part of the Park is Closed

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Whittier, Roaring Creek, Cold Creek, and Keechelus Boat Launch parking lot bathrooms will be locked and closed for the winter. Weather-dependent, they will reopen in the spring as snow conditions melt. 

Yakima River bridge crossings near Lake Easton (east and west of Lake Easton) are closed for the winter. They will reopen in the spring as snow depth melts. 

General

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The Snoqualmie Tunnel is open for the 2025 season.

Large basalt hill and blue sky overlooking two trestles, one over water and one over land connecting a straight trail.
Three horse riders on brown, tan and black horses walk on a dirt road in front of an old trail stations painted orange with red trim. Two people wearing jeans and tshirts lean against the building watching the horse riders go by.
A clear sky aerial view of two trestles connecting a gravel trail over a creek.
A orange dog sled with seven dogs pulling as the rider, with a red and black jacket and black pants, hangs on for the ride. Snow covered trees and hillside sit in the background.

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, over the Columbia River on the recently renovated and reopened Beverly Bridge and ends at Royal City Cut-off (milepost 2010).

Rules

  • Day-Use Only
  • Dogs Allowed on Leash
  • Fires not Allowed
  • Horses Allowed

This trail runs through a U.S Army training center in Yakima, and you must self-register at either Renslow or Doris trailheads if passing through.

No motorized vehicles are 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. Please contact the park for more details.

Winter Schedule

Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.

The Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak closes seasonally for the winter. It tentatively closes at the end of October and reopens in May. Please check alerts for its status before heading out.

Activities

Biking

Bird Watching

Camping

Fishing

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

Field

Forest

Freshwater

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Lake

Meadow

Mountain View

River

Seasonal Wildflowers

Wetland

Wildlife Viewing

Rules

  • Day-Use Only
  • Dogs Allowed on Leash
  • Fires not Allowed
  • Horses Allowed

This trail runs through a U.S Army training center in Yakima, and you must self-register at either Renslow or Doris trailheads if passing through.

No motorized vehicles are 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. Please contact the park for more details.

Winter Schedule

Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.

The Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak closes seasonally for the winter. It tentatively closes at the end of October and reopens in May. Please check alerts for its status before heading out.

Map & visitor guide

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.

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.

Section Attractions and Highlights

This central section of Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail 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 crossing the Columbia River.

The shrubsteppe 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

Primitive campsites are 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 the campgrounds on foot or bicycle.

Reservable campsites are located at the Wanapum Recreation Area and Lake Easton State Park. These campgrounds have full hookup, standard and biker/hiker sites. Make your reservation here.

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, so 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 at the lake. Water is available here.

Additional campsites are available near the trail in the U.S. Forest Service campgrounds at Tinkham, Denny Creek, Lake Kachess and Silver Springs.

Other things to do near the trail in the area

Rock Climbing

Vantage is one of Washington's most popular climbing destinations. It has over 700 climbing routes, including trad, sport, toprope, bouldering and aid climbing. 

Rock climbing involves inherent risks, and climbers are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others.