Salmon La Sac is the area at the end of Highway 903, about 19 miles north of Cle Elum, between the Cle Elum and Cooper rivers. It’s the gateway to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, with a big Forest Service campground and trailheads in summer, and one of the area’s main snowmobile Sno-Parks in winter.
Closure: As of October 6, 2026, the Forest Service has part of the Cle Elum Ranger District closed through October 31, 2026 because of the Three Queens Fire, including the Rachel Lake, Pete Lake and Cooper River trails. Check the current closure order (opens in a new tab) before you head out.
Getting to Salmon La Sac
From I-90, take exit 80 and follow Highway 903 north through Roslyn and Ronald, past Cle Elum Lake. It’s about 19 miles from Cle Elum. Past Cayuse Horse Camp, the road splits: stay left for the campground, or go right on the gravel road to the Salmon La Sac trailhead. The rough Cle Elum Valley Road (Forest Road 4330) continues north toward Hyas Lake.
Salmon La Sac hikes
Salmon La Sac has the biggest cluster of alpine trailheads in Kittitas County. These have full trail guides:
- Hyas Lake: easy 4 miles round trip, great for kids
- Jolly Mountain: 13.9 miles round trip to a 6,440-foot summit, starting at Cayuse Horse Camp
- Thorp Mountain Lookout: 9 miles round trip to a fire lookout (access road currently closed)
For every trailhead in the area, see the Salmon La Sac section of our hiking list.
Salmon La Sac Campground
The Forest Service campground sits between the Cle Elum and Cooper rivers at about 2,400 feet. It has 69 tent and RV sites, about 40 reservable on Recreation.gov and almost 30 first come, first served, and it’s open from late May to mid-September. The Cle Elum Ranger District requires reservations for its reservable sites.
- Facilities: vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables
- Activities: hiking, backpacking, fishing, swimming and mountain biking
- Bears: common here, so store food and anything scented properly
- Details and fees: Forest Service campground page (opens in a new tab)
Snowmobiling at Salmon La Sac
In winter, the Salmon La Sac Sno-Park is one of the busiest snowmobile staging areas near Cle Elum. State Parks lists 38 miles of snowmobile trails and 4 miles of cross-country ski trails, with 100 parking spaces and grooming from December 1 to March 31. You’ll need a Sno-Park permit to park. See our snowmobiling guide and the snowmobile gear checklist.
Sno-Park details and grooming reports: Washington State Parks (opens in a new tab).
Passes for Salmon La Sac
- Summer trailheads: Northwest Forest Pass (opens in a new tab) or America the Beautiful pass
- Winter Sno-Park: Washington Sno-Park permit
- Camping: campground fee, paid through Recreation.gov
Common questions
Is Salmon La Sac open?
Partly. As of October 6, 2026, parts of the Cle Elum Ranger District around Salmon La Sac are closed through October 31, 2026 because of the Three Queens Fire, including the Cooper River and Pete Lake trails, and the Forest Service campground page shows the site closed. Check the Forest Service closure order (opens in a new tab) before you go.
Does Salmon La Sac campground have showers?
The Forest Service lists vault toilets, potable water and picnic tables at Salmon La Sac Campground, and doesn’t list showers.
Is there potable water at Salmon La Sac campground?
Yes. The Forest Service lists potable water at the campground.
How far is Salmon La Sac from Cle Elum?
About 19 miles north of Cle Elum on Highway 903 (Salmon La Sac Road), through Roslyn and Ronald.
Can you snowmobile at Salmon La Sac?
Yes. The Salmon La Sac Sno-Park has 38 miles of snowmobile trails and 4 miles of cross-country ski trails, and you need a Sno-Park permit to park there.
Sources: Forest Service (opens in a new tab), Washington State Parks (opens in a new tab), Three Queens Fire closure order (opens in a new tab). Last checked October 11, 2026.
More trails near Cle Elum
Hiking · Biking · Off-roading · ATV & UTV · Snowmobiling · Horseback · Teanaway guide · Salmon La Sac guide