South Cle Elum, WA

Travel 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).
Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence

Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence

4 out of 5
3600 Suncadia Trail Cle Elum WA
$231 nightly
The price is $255 total per night from Jan 15 to Jan 16
$255 total
Jan 15 - Jan 16
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa resort in Cle Elum. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Fantastic family winter vacation at Suncadia!

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2026

Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence
Stewart Lodge

Stewart Lodge

2.5 out of 5
805 West First Street Cle Elum WA
$52 nightly
The price is $57 total per night from Jan 16 to Jan 17
$57 total
Jan 16 - Jan 17
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cle Elum. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
The hotel looks a little old and dated, but the rooms are large, clean & updated quite nicely! We really enjoyed our one nights stay. We stayed in a downstairs room in the back building (#3). Be forewarned it seems a lot of construction workers stay here during the week and they start their big diesel ...

Reviewed on Jan 9, 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
$59 nightly
The price is $65 total per night from Jan 18 to Jan 19
$65 total
Jan 18 - Jan 19
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Cle Elum. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (998 reviews)
The staff was amazing. The young man at the front desk was accommodating and professional. The breakfast was a very basic hotel breakfast. Hard boiled eggs, waffles, yogurt, oatmeal, packaged pastries, juice, bagels, cereal, toast…but it got the job done. My only complaints are that it dumped about ...

Reviewed on Dec 29, 2025

Quality Inn Cle Elum-Ellensburg
See all 801 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 WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a snack bar/deli. Popular attractions Swiftwater Cellars and Roslyn Museum are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (96 reviews)
The resort was so beautiful and room was so clean and spotless. Had everything we need to cook and for a the perfect place for an overnight stay. I would definitely recommend this place!

Reviewed on Dec 12, 2025

3065 STUDIO with VIEW!!! Hike🏔bike, golf 🏌🏻@ Suncadia!
Winter Just Got GRAND! Suncadia’s Largest/13,500sqft+Pool - Famous Speakeasy

Winter Just Got GRAND! Suncadia’s Largest/13,500sqft+Pool - Famous Speakeasy

Cle Elum WA
Book a stay at this golf vacation home in Cle Elum. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Swiftwater Cellars and Roslyn Museum ...
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Absolutely incredible house!!This house was stunning, so much attention to detail to make it a luxurious destination and experience. We rented this house with family and friends to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday. All 30 of us had an incredible time celebrating and creating lifetime memories. ...

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2025

Winter Just Got GRAND! Suncadia’s Largest/13,500sqft+Pool - Famous Speakeasy
Dog-friendly lakefront home surrounded by trees with wood stove, deck & firepit

Dog-friendly lakefront home surrounded by trees with wood stove, deck & firepit

Ronald WA
Stay at this cabin in Cle Elum. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Roslyn Museum and Coal Miners Memorial are ...
7.8/10 Good! (19 reviews)
We had a good time at the cabin! Check in was smooth. The extra long table was great for board games and shared meals for our group of 8. The kids loved the bunk bed set up. The property was very quiet and had almost everything you’d need. The only thing was that there is no AC and with all the fans ...

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Dog-friendly lakefront home surrounded by trees with wood stove, deck & firepit
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 savor the restaurants and coffeehouses.

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 romantic area, you can savor the restaurants and coffeehouses.

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. Savor the area's restaurants and coffeehouses.

Swiftwater Cellars

Roslyn Museum

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

Roslyn Museum

Fireman's Park

Explore the great outdoors at Fireman's Park, a lovely green space in South Cle Elum. Discover the restaurants in this family-friendly area, or seek out the biking trails.

Fireman's Park

Cities near South Cle Elum

Cle Elum

Cle Elum

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