Cle Elum is known as the entrance to a vast recreation area. Located on the Yakima River, Cle Elum was named after the Kittitas name Tle-el-Lum and means “swift water” which describes the Yakima perfectly.
It tumbles swiftly down from Lake Cle Elum which is eight miles northeast of town. This delightful town is a mecca for great vacationing. Enjoy the many shops, restaurants and types of accommodations, including bed and breakfast inns, modern motels, resorts and RV campgrounds. You will thrill to the wide range of scenic beauty and all of the recreational opportunities here.
The Wenatchee National Forest and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest provides every conceivable sport to be found in a forest. A popular activity is the three to four hour raft trip down the 16 mile stretch of the Yakima River between Cle Elum and Thorp.
Another wonderful place that you will not want to miss is the Iron Horse State Park. This park is located on 213 acres approximately one mile from South Cle Elum. Here you can enjoy a 25 mile hiking and bridle trail along the scenic Yakima River. The John Wayne Pioneer Trail winds through the fir and pine forests of Easton to the farmlands and canyons of the upper Yakima River Valley. During the winter, cross-country skiing is popular. |