Cle Elum, located in the forested eastern foothills of the Cascades mountain range in Washington, is known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. The city is downstream from Cle Elum Lake along the Cle Elum River before it joins the Yakima River, with Seattle about 83 miles northwest and Tacoma approximately 96 miles west. Founded in 1902, Cle Elum developed around coal mining and logging, but now tourism drives the economy. Residents and visitors enjoy year-round outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, hunting, skiing, and snowshoeing. The area features a diverse assortment of home types, including grand lodge-style residences and cozy cabins, with new custom homes being added by developers like Trailside Group. Cle Elum's parks include Centennial Park, City Park, and Hanson Ponds Park, while nearby trails like the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail and Iron Horse Trail provide hiking and mountain biking options. Water recreation is popular on the lake and rivers, and the Teanaway Community Forest offers over 50,000 acres of wilderness. Downtown Cle Elum, particularly the Gaslight District, hosts locally owned specialty shops, restaurants, and markets. Notable dining spots include MaMa Vallone's Steak House & Inn and Ploy Thai Bistro. The area is served by the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District, which includes Cle Elum-Roslyn Elementary, Walter Strom Middle School, and Cle Elum-Roslyn High School. Events like Pioneer Days, Boo-Elum, and Christmas in Cle Elum foster community spirit. While some streets are walkable, Cle Elum is generally car-dependent, with significant I-90 traffic during peak seasons. Transportation options include free Kittitas County buses and the reservation-based Airporter Shuttle to Sea-Tac and Yakima Air Terminal.
