Cle Elum, WA

Cle Elum sits in the Cascade foothills along the Yakima River, about an hour and a half east of Seattle along Interstate 90. Home to around 2,000 people, the town offers a quiet mountain pace surrounded by pine forests and scenic river valleys. It originally grew as a timber and railroad hub around the turn of the twentieth century, taking its name from a Kittitas word meaning swift water. Today, that rustic heritage mixes with an active outdoor lifestyle centered around hiking, river fishing, and boating on nearby Cle Elum Lake.

ATTRgillfoto / CC BY-SA 4.0

Families are served by the local Cle Elum-Roslyn School District, and neighboring Roslyn adds extra charm with historic dining spots and community gatherings just down the road. Local bakeries, cafes, and outfitters easily cover everyday essentials, while Ellensburg to the east and the Seattle metro to the west handle major medical centers, universities, and big-box shopping. Mountain living brings distinct four-season weather, complete with snowy winters, warm and sunny summers, and the occasional blast of weekend ski and pass traffic.