South Cle Elum Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

This substation was built in 1919 when the 208 mile section from Othello to Tacoma was first electrified. It converted 100,000-volt AC current to 3000-volt DC current, which was then fed to the locomotives via a catenary above the track. These locomotives were more powerful than their steam-powered forefathers, required less maintenance and service, and even recharged their batteries via regenerative braking.
This substation was built in 1919 when the 208 mile section from Othello to Tacoma was first electrified. It converted 100,000-volt AC current to 3000-volt DC current, which was then fed to the locomotives via a catenary above the track. These locomotives were more powerful than their steam-powered forefathers, required less maintenance and service, and even recharged their batteries via regenerative braking.
This retired fire truck serves as the sign for Smokey's BBQ. The restaurant is set up in the old train depot, and you'll need to enter from the boarding platform out back. While I can't say this was the best bbq I've ever had, it still hit the spot for us and we'll be making it a regular stop whenever we drive across the pass. We ordered the basic pork + beans + cornbread plate and a shake, though next time I'll be ordering the Train Wreck - an open-face sandwich where the meat, beans, onions, cheese and coleslaw are piled atop sliced cornbread and then smothered with bbq sauce!
This train depot was built in 1909 as part of a railway expansion into the Pacific Northwest. Depots and rail yards were built 100 to 150 miles apart (240km) as crew rest stops and an engine service stations. Originally this yard consisted of the depot, roundhouse, turntable, ash tank, water tank and bunkhouse. When the line was electrified in 1920 the substation (seen in the background) was added. By 1980 The Milwaukee Road was near bankruptcy. They sold off most of their property and transferred the line itself to the state. Today, a 100 mile stretch of that line forms the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, a non-motorized trail open to the public, including a 2.3 mile long (3.7km) tunnel under Snoqualmie Pass (remember to bring your flashlight).

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Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence

Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence

4 out of 5
3600 Suncadia Trail Cle Elum WA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$325 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
AU$325
17 Mar - 18 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Cle Elum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
We celebrated our wedding anniversary and were welcomed with the sweetest surprise — a bottle of wine and a card waiting on the table when we opened the door. Such a thoughtful extra touch that made our stay even more special. We loved soaking in the outdoor pool at night, and the view from our room ...

Reviewed on 19 Feb 2026

Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence
Stewart Lodge

Stewart Lodge

2.5 out of 5
805 West First Street Cle Elum WA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$117 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
AU$117
17 Mar - 18 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cle Elum. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Fair for the price. There is no hot tub which was incorrectly stated on the website and needs to be updated, it was why we booked. Breakfast was fine. My partner had a hard time sleeping due to outside noise of construction? very early in morning and vehicles. Staff was nice.

Reviewed on 13 Feb 2026

Stewart Lodge
Quality Inn Cle Elum-Ellensburg

Quality Inn Cle Elum-Ellensburg

2.5 out of 5
906 E 1st St Cle Elum WA
The price is AU$106 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
AU$106
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cle Elum. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
The water was very cold.

Reviewed on 8 Feb 2026

Quality Inn Cle Elum-Ellensburg
See all 829 properties in South Cle Elum
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
3065 STUDIO with VIEW!!! Hike🏔bike, golf 🏌🏻@ Suncadia!

3065 STUDIO with VIEW!!! Hike🏔bike, golf 🏌🏻@ Suncadia!

Cle Elum WA
Stay at this apartment in Cle Elum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping and a snack bar/deli. Popular attractions Swiftwater Cellars and Roslyn Museum are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (97 reviews)
Cozy room with a view!!

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

3065 STUDIO with VIEW!!! Hike🏔bike, golf 🏌🏻@ Suncadia!
Family and Pet friendly Cabin at Suncadia w/ Hot tub and Golf course view

Family and Pet friendly Cabin at Suncadia w/ Hot tub and Golf course view

Cle Elum WA
Stay at this golf holiday home in Cle Elum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and tennis courts. Popular attractions Swiftwater Cellars and Roslyn Museum ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (74 reviews)
It was a wonderful stay for my family over Christmas! House was very clean great amenities. Enjoyed the location, hot tub & outdoor fireplaces, as well as the indoor fireplaces, especially the one in the master bedroom. Would recommend to others and would stay again.

Reviewed on 10 Jan 2026

Family and Pet friendly Cabin at Suncadia w/ Hot tub and Golf course view
Year-round outdoor getaway with shared pool, private patio, full kitchen & WiFi

Year-round outdoor getaway with shared pool, private patio, full kitchen & WiFi

Cle Elum WA
Stay at this golf condo in Cle Elum. Enjoy a fitness centre, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Swiftwater Cellars and Roslyn Museum are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (56 reviews)
Poor cleaning and included amenities not worth how much we paid

Reviewed on 27 Dec 2025

Year-round outdoor getaway with shared pool, private patio, full kitchen & WiFi
See all properties in South Cle Elum
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

horse in pasture with white fence in Washington state

Washington State Horse Park

You can take time to visit Washington State Horse Park during your travels to Cle Elum. While in this romantic area, you can savour the restaurants and cafes.

Washington State Horse Park
Late afternoon at Plantes Ferry park along the Spokane River with the monument to early settlers in view in Spokane, Washington, USA.

Centennial Park

Centennial Park is just one of the places to see in Cle Elum, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the restaurants and cafes.

Centennial Park

Cle Elum Lake

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Cle Elum Lake during your travels in Cle Elum. Discover the area's mountain views and seek out the hiking trails.

Cle Elum Lake

Swiftwater Cellars

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Swiftwater Cellars during your travels to Cle Elum. Savour the area's restaurants and cafes.

Swiftwater Cellars

Roslyn Museum

You can browse the exhibits at Roslyn Museum, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Roslyn. While in this family-friendly area, you can enjoy the restaurants.

Roslyn Museum

Red Top Trailhead

You can take time to visit Red Top Trailhead during your travels to Cle Elum. Discover the area's mountain views and seek out the hiking trails.

Red Top Trailhead

Cities near South Cle Elum

Gold course trail with pine trees and homes after the rain

Cle Elum