Winter Activities
You don’t have to travel far to discover outdoor adventures near Ellensburg this winter. When the snow turns our area into a magical winter wonderland, there are plenty of parks and trails to bring out your inner child. Whether you’re building a snowman or sledding at a nearby park, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing on a snowy trail, or heading to the closest skiing and snowboarding mountain for an epic day on the slopes, Ellensburg is your perfect home base to return to after a day at play.
25 miles south of Leavenworth on Highway 97 Four trails, Table Mountain, Lion Rock, Haney Meadows, Naneum Meadow Elevation: 4,100 feet.
Eight miles east of Snoqualmie Summit, Interstate 90, exit 62, to U.S. Forest Service Road 54 for a half-mile Connector and Crystal Springs Elevation: 2,400 feet Also has dog sled trails, cross country skiing.
South of Cle Elum, Interstate 90, exit 93 to Elk Heights Road, south for one mile Two trails, Peoh Point and Taneum Road Elevation: 2,300 feet. Also has restrooms.
North of Cle Elum, Interstate 90, exit 80, north on state Route 903. Two trails, French Cabin Creek and Thorp Creek Elevation: 2,250 feet.
20 miles north of Ellensburg on Highway 97 Three trails, Blue Creek, Red Top and Lion Gulch Elevation: 2,780 feet. No Sno-Park permit is required.
13 miles north of Ellensburg on Reecer Creek Road and U.S. Forest Service Road 3500 Two trails, Lion Rock and Snowshoe Ridge Elevation: 3,120 feet.
Just north of Cle Elum, Interstate 90, exit 80, north on state Route 903. Stay on 903 for 16 miles. Parking is off U.S. Forest Service Road 4315 Three trails, Fish Lake, Gallagher and Cooper Lake Elevation: 2,360 feet.
Ellensburg is surrounded by several ski resorts, the closest one being the Summit at Snoqualmie. When the snow is falling, the resorts are packed. Each resort has lots of amenities, such as instructors, gear, lodges and more.
Interstate 90, exit 93 to Elk Heights Road, north to Thorp Prairie Road, south for 3.5 miles, east on West Taneum Road for six miles Two trails, Quartz Mountain and Murray Loop Elevation: 2,580 feet.
Six miles east of Cle Elum, Highway 97, north to North Fork Teanaway Road Four trails, North Fork Teanway, Blue Creek, Jack Creek and Teanaway to Starlight Resort Elevation: 2,620 feet No Sno-Park permit required.
Woods and Steele
Interstate 90, exit 78, to Golf Course Road. South for just under a mile, left on Westside Road for 1.7 miles, right on Woods and Steel Road for just under a mile Three trails, South Cle Elum Ridge, South Fork Taneum Creek and Windy Saddle Loop Elevation: 2,210 feet No Sno-Park permit required Woods and Steel is not an official Sno-Park.
