The best off-roading near Cle Elum is on the Forest Service routes south and east of town: Manastash Ridge, the Liberty and Lion’s Gulch loop, the Frost Jeep Trail, and rock-crawling areas like Funny Rocks near Cliffdell. Here’s each one, plus our own videos from the trail.
Manastash Ridge ORV Trail (FS 4W306) – Cle Elum Ranger District
- Difficulty: Moderate–Difficult
- Length: ~7 miles (with multiple connectors)
- Vehicle type: High‑clearance 4×4
- Notes: One of the most popular ridge‑top Jeep trails in the county. Steep climbs, basalt rock, and expansive views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams. Seasonal opening, typically mid‑June.
Moon Rocks
Off Roading Area
Plus Code – X2MR+7F Naches, Washington
Funny Rocks
Off Roading Area
Located in the Manastash Ridge / Little Naches OHV system, south of Cle Elum, west of Ellensburg and near Cliffdell.
Not a single trail—it’s more like a rock playground area you reach via multiple forest/4×4 routes (Milk Creek, Tripod Flats, Kaner Flats, etc.)
Plus Code – X2RW+4F Cliffdell, Washington
Full guide with our videos: Funny Rocks off-road area.
Fortune Creek 4×4 Trail (Roslyn Area)
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Length: ~6.8 miles
- Vehicle type: Short‑wheelbase 4×4 recommended
- Notes: VERY steep and rocky—often called the “Jeep Road from Hell.” Short but intense, with limited passing space. Not for full‑size vehicles.
Hawkins Mountain ORV
Off Roading Area
Plus Code – FXH4+F2 Ronald, Washington
Liberty – Lion’s Gulch – Billy Goat OHV Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate → Difficult
- Length: ~36 miles
- Vehicle type: 4×4 (full‑size not advised)
- Notes: Historic mining area east of Cle Elum. Narrow forest roads, rocky climbs, and great viewpoints.
Liberty–Beehive Road (NF‑9712)
- Difficulty: Moderate (can become difficult due to washouts)
- Length: ~29 miles
- Vehicle type: 4×4 recommended
- Notes: Scenic ridge road connecting Liberty area toward Mission Ridge. Washouts and erosion have historically closed portions—verify access before attempting.
Frost Jeep Trail (FS #4W310) — Taneum–Manastash Area
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Length: ~1.5 miles one‑way (≈3 miles round trip)
- Vehicle type: High‑clearance 4×4 (short wheelbase recommended), ATVs, motorcycles
- Notes: Short but very steep out‑and‑back jeep trail that climbs from Forest Road 3100 (Manastash Road) to the former Frost Mountain Lookout site. The route features loose rock, narrow tread, off‑camber sections, and exposure near the top. Traction becomes poor when wet.
Off Roading Videos
More off-road resources
Riding a quad or side-by-side? See our ATV and UTV trails for registration rules.
More trails near Cle Elum
Hiking · Biking · Off-roading · ATV & UTV · Snowmobiling · Horseback · Teanaway guide · Salmon La Sac guide
Planning a trip?
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