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.
Notification
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The John Wayne Pioneer Wagon and Riders Association will be hosting their cross-state ride May 22 - June 8. There will be horses, bicyclist, and walkers on the trail.
General
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The Snoqualmie Tunnel is open for the 2025 season.
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.
- Email: Olmstead.Place@parks.wa.gov
- Phone: (509) 968-5298
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
Image
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
Image
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.
- Email: Olmstead.Place@parks.wa.gov
- Phone: (509) 968-5298
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.
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