Burn Ban

No fires permitted at any time.

Part of the Park is Closed

Posted on:
Ends on:

Snoqualmie Tunnel at Hyak is closed for the winter. Weather-dependent, will reopen in early May. 

Due to the forecasted snowfall, the Whittier, Roaring Creek, Cold Creek, and Keechelus Boat Launch parking lot bathrooms will be locked and closed for the winter starting November 17th, 2024. Weather-dependent, they will reopen in early May. 

Old western style building painted orange with red trim with a sign on the left front reading, "Cle Elum". Wooden park benches sit on the front, open porch of the building. Picnic tables sit on the dirt in front of the building.
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 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

Travel 107 miles from Snoqualmie Tunnel, through Ellensburg, to Royal City Junction. Explore temperate forests, rolling grasslands, wildflowers, unique sage steppe birds and channeled scablands.

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. Check out the information and rules document for more details.

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 Lake Easton State Park.

Winter Schedule

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

The Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed Nov. 1 - May 1, and the re-opening date is weather dependent.

Activities

Biking

Bird Watching

Camping

Fishing

Hiking, Walking, Rolling and Running

Horseback Riding

Image
decorative 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

Image

Creek

Field

Forest

Freshwater

Image
decorative icon

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. Check out the information and rules document for more details.

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 Lake Easton State Park.

Winter Schedule

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

The Snoqualmie Tunnel is closed Nov. 1 - May 1, and the re-opening date is weather dependent.

Map & visitor guide

This central section of Palouse to Cascades Trail runs through Snoqualmie Tunnel, along Keechelus Lake and Lake Easton, through Cle Elum to Ellensburg and across the Columbia River at Vantage.

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 with full hookup sites, and Lake Easton State Park which has standard, full hookup and biker/hiker sites. 

More campsites are available near the trail on U.S. Forest Service campgrounds at Tinkham, Denny Creek, Lake Kachess, and Silver Springs. Search for a site and make a reservation online.

Birdwatching

The shrubsteppe landscape of eastern Washington lets you admire colorful summer wildflowers and bird species that you won't find in any other part of the state, including sage grouse. 

Interpretive activities

Map and interpretive information kiosks and panels are installed at Hyak, Easton, South Cle Elum, Thorp and Kittitas.

Historic sites

History buffs will enjoy exploring the historic train depots at Cle Elum and Kitittas.

Winter activities

Ski, snowshoe, sled or ride a snowmobile at several Sno-Parks located along the trail. You will need a seasonal or day permit Nov. 1 - Apr. 30. Hyak, Crystal Springs and Lake Easton Sno-Parks also require a groomed trail sticker with a seasonal permit. Daily permits do not require a sticker. 

Rock Climbing

Vantage is possibly Washington's most popular climbing destination. Over 700 climbing routes of all difficulty ratings and types including trad, sport, toprope, bouldering and aid climbing are located here. The three main climbing areas are Feathers, the Sunshine Wall and the Middle East Wall. If you're looking for an outdoor climb during the winter, the Sunshine Wall is a good option from late fall through early spring.