Waterside camping near Cle Elum

Set in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, tiny Cle Elum is big on natural beauty. Snow-capped peaks rise on every side, and icy rivers run into sparkling lakes. Tucked into it all, some of Washington’s most beautiful campsites and RV parks await.

In the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Forest Service campgrounds allow easy water access. From the Cle Elum River Campground, walk to Cle Elum Lake for boating and trout fishing. French Cabin Creek and Red Mountain offer riverside sites. Deep in the forest, Salmon la Sac has RV and tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings.

Close to town, the Teanaway Community Forest has three campgrounds on the Teanaway River. Indian Camp, Teanaway, and 29 Pines each offer fire rings and bathrooms. Nearby, hiking trails wind through the forests; in the winter, try skiing or snowmobiling. From town, you can bike or ride horses on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.

Head down I-90 toward Ellensburg to find Taneum and Icewater Creek campgrounds. Located high in the hills, these areas are ideal for relaxing and creek fishing. For a heart-pounding adventure, try mountain biking the steep forest roads.

Many campgrounds near Cle Elum open from spring through early fall. In the winter, pack lots of layers and book a camping cabin or an RV park. The heavy snows bring fantastic snowmobiling, skiing, and ice fishing.