We're updating our camping and moorage fees to continue providing great experiences for visitors amid inflation and rising costs. You will see a rate increase for camping stays booked for May 15 and beyond. Moorage fees will increase Jan. 1. Learn more here.
No fires permitted at any time.
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 while getting a taste of Washington’s scenic diversity. 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.
To use the section of trail from Beverly to the Idaho border, you must pre-register online. For more information, visit the trail registration information page. If your group is large than 20 people, please call us at (509) 337-6457.
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.
Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed Nov. 1 - May 1, and the re-opening date is weather dependent.
Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
If you are interested in winter sports at Sno-Parks located along the trail, you will need a seasonal or day permit Dec. 1-March 31. Hyak, Crystal Springs and Lake Easton Sno-Parks also require a groomed trail sticker with the seasonal permit. Daily permits do not require a sticker.
Biking
Bird Watching
Camping
Fishing
Geocaching
Hiking, Walking, Rolling and Running
Horseback Riding
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
Forest
Freshwater
Lake
Meadow
Mountain View
River
Seasonal Wildflowers
Waterfall
Wetland
Wildlife Viewing
To use the section of trail from Beverly to the Idaho border, you must pre-register online. For more information, visit the trail registration information page. If your group is large than 20 people, please call us at (509) 337-6457.
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.
Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed Nov. 1 - May 1, and the re-opening date is weather dependent.
Learn about seasonal closures and operational changes during the off-season on the Winter Schedule page.
If you are interested in winter sports at Sno-Parks located along the trail, you will need a seasonal or day permit Dec. 1-March 31. Hyak, Crystal Springs and Lake Easton Sno-Parks also require a groomed trail sticker with the seasonal permit. Daily permits do not require a sticker.
The PTCT has three main sections: West, Central and East. Each section offers unique experiences throughout with varying degrees of difficulty due to surfacing variability, limited services and gaps in public ownership.
Your scenery and activity options will vary depending on what time of year you take the trail. In the spring and summer, you will 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.
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, over the Columbia River on the recently renovated and reopened Beverly Bridge and 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.
