Cle Elum

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WELCOME TO CLE ELUM

Small-town character, mountain beauty, and year-round adventure in the heart of the Cascades

Nestled along the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, Cle Elum is a welcoming mountain community where natural beauty, small-town character, and an active outdoor lifestyle come together. Surrounded by forests, rivers, trails, and mountain views, it offers a relaxed pace of life while remaining conveniently connected to Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region via I-90.

Cle Elum offers a diverse mix of properties and lifestyles, from historic homes near downtown and established neighborhoods to acreage, riverfront properties, mountain retreats, and thoughtfully designed new communities. Its central location places residents just minutes from Roslyn, Suncadia, Lake Cle Elum, and some of Central Washington's best year-round recreation.

What to Love

• Cascade Mountain scenery and four distinct seasons

• A charming downtown filled with locally owned businesses

• Hiking, biking, fishing, golf, skiing, snowmobiling, and lake recreation

• A diverse selection of homes, acreage, and mountain properties

• Easy access to Suncadia, Roslyn, Lake Cle Elum, and Snoqualmie Pass

• A genuine year-round community with deep local roots
  
  

Local Lifestyle

Life in Cle Elum has an easygoing, outdoors-oriented rhythm. Mornings might begin with coffee downtown before heading to the trails, river, or golf course. Summer brings hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and long days at the lake, while fall is one of the area's most beautiful seasons as the surrounding landscape changes color.

When winter arrives, the mountains become a playground for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and trips to nearby Snoqualmie Pass. Spring brings longer days, flowing rivers, and the return of hiking, biking, and golf.

Despite its popularity as a mountain getaway, Cle Elum remains a true year-round community. Local businesses, schools, events, and familiar faces create a sense of connection that can be difficult to find in larger resort destinations.

Dining, Entertainment, & Shopping

Cle Elum's dining and shopping scene is a blend of longtime local institutions and newer restaurants, cafés, tasting rooms, and independent shops.

For an elevated evening downtown, Orchard Restaurant serves seasonally inspired cuisine in an intimate setting. Stella's is a favorite for breakfast and lunch, while Cle Elum Taps & Tapas offers a relaxed place to gather over drinks and shareable plates.

Just minutes from downtown, Swiftwater Cellars is one of the area's signature destinations for wine, dining, and gathering. Located within Suncadia overlooking the Rope Rider golf course, the winery is home to the Hoist House Restaurant and Fireside Lounge, creating a beautiful setting for wine tasting, lunch, dinner, live entertainment, and special events.

Cle Elum is also home to several businesses that have become part of the town's identity. Cle Elum Bakery has been a local tradition for generations, while Owens Meats is known throughout the region for its butcher counter, smoked meats, jerky, and pepperoni. Glondo's Sausage Co. continues another longstanding local food tradition with Italian specialties, sausage, and cured meats.

Independent shops add even more personality to downtown. Cavallini + Co offers a curated collection of home décor, gifts, apparel, and children's items. Covey Goods features thoughtfully selected home goods and specialty finds, while Tuckaway Antique Mall is a favorite for vintage finds and treasure hunting.

Together, these local businesses create a downtown that feels personal and distinctly Cle Elum—small enough to know your favorite places by name, yet varied enough that there is always somewhere to meet, shop, dine, or linger.

Things to Do

The outdoors is an integral part of life in Cle Elum. The surrounding mountains and forests offer miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and exploring, while the Cle Elum and Yakima Rivers provide opportunities for fishing and floating.

Nearby Lake Cle Elum is a favorite summer destination for boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and days along the shoreline. Golfers have access to exceptional courses at nearby Suncadia and Tumble Creek, while the surrounding trail systems provide seemingly endless opportunities to explore on foot or bike.

Winter transforms the area entirely. Extensive groomed and backcountry trails make Upper Kittitas County a popular destination for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, while downhill skiing and snowboarding at The Summit at Snoqualmie are an easy drive away.

Whether Cle Elum is home year-round or a place to escape for the weekend, its combination of accessibility, community, and outdoor adventure makes mountain living feel remarkably easy.