Central Washington

Cle Elum, Washington

City

Mountain town at the Cascades crest

Cle Elum is a small mountain town on I-90 west of Ellensburg, a gateway to Cle Elum Lake, Suncadia and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

History & Local Character

A coal mining and railroad town incorporated in 1902, Cle Elum now depends on recreation and pass traffic.

Housing & Real Estate

Historic town homes, cabins and resort properties at Suncadia.

Restaurants & Shopping

Downtown holds bakeries, cafes, a brewery and family restaurants.

Schools & Education

Cle Elum-Roslyn School District serves the town.

Parks & Recreation

Cle Elum Lake, the Palouse to Cascades trail and nearby Snoqualmie Pass trails serve residents.

Transportation & Accessibility

I-90 runs through Cle Elum, with Snoqualmie Pass to the west and Ellensburg to the east.

Local Businesses

Restaurants, resorts, outdoor outfitters and pass-area services.

No businesses are listed in Cle Elum yet. Add your business to be the first.

Nearby Attractions

  • Cle Elum Lake
  • Suncadia
  • Roslyn
  • Snoqualmie Pass

Advantages & Considerations

Advantages

  • Mountain recreation
  • Small-town character
  • Affordable compared with Seattle

Considerations

  • Winter pass closures
  • Limited services

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cle Elum near Snoqualmie Pass?

Yes. Cle Elum is about 25 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass summit along I-90.

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