Things To Do on an eBike in Kittitas County, WA
Kittitas County's signature eBike ride is the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail between Cle Elum and Ellensburg, a gravel Milwaukee Road corridor with short tunnels. The Coal Mines Trail links Cle Elum, Roslyn and Ronald for a shorter gravel option, and Ride Roslyn rents bikes in Roslyn.
This guide covers only routes in Kittitas County. The Apple Capital Loop Trail, Yakima Greenway and Columbia Plateau Trail listed on older versions of this page are in Chelan, Yakima and Adams counties, so they are not included here.
Where to ride in Kittitas County
Cle Elum and South Cle Elum are the west trailheads for Palouse to Cascades toward Thorp and Ellensburg. Roslyn sits on the Coal Mines Trail.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail (Cle Elum to Ellensburg)
Route: Washington State Parks manages the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The Palouse to Cascades Trail Coalition breaks the Kittitas segment into Easton to South Cle Elum (11.9 miles), South Cle Elum to Thorp (18.5 miles, with two short tunnels) and Thorp to Ellensburg (7.3 miles). Bring lights for the tunnels and expect mixed packed and loose gravel on the Cle Elum to Ellensburg corridor.
Access: South Cle Elum has a restored Milwaukee Road depot. Through Ellensburg, the right-of-way is broken by development, so riders use city streets to reconnect east of town. Bring lights for the tunnels. A Discover Pass is required where State Parks charges for parking.
eBike access: The State Parks e-bike information sheet allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on this long-distance trail. Class 2 is not on that list. Wide tires help on loose gravel east of the Renslow area.
2. Coal Mines Trail (Cle Elum to Ronald)
Route: Cle Elum Trails describes a 5.5-mile one-way wide gravel trail connecting Cle Elum, Roslyn and Ronald with about 453 feet of elevation gain. No pass is required. It is open to walkers, bikes, horses and leashed dogs.
Access: Cle Elum trailheads include Flag Pole Park / Wye Park area and Howard Carlin Memorial Trailhead Park. Roslyn is the midpoint for food and services. Ride Roslyn sits on Pennsylvania Avenue near the trail.
eBike access: Cle Elum Trails confirms conventional bikes are allowed. The trail is locally managed, not a State Parks long-distance rail-trail, and Cle Elum code restricts motorized vehicles on the Coal Mines Trail without naming eBike classes. Check posted signs or call the city before riding an eBike.
Washington eBike rules
- Under RCW 46.61.710, Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes may use shared-use paths unless a local jurisdiction or state agency restricts them.
- On Palouse to Cascades, follow State Parks Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist rules.
- On the Coal Mines Trail, follow local postings; do not assume State Parks long-distance rules apply.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Rent in Roslyn, ride the Coal Mines Trail toward Cle Elum or Ronald and back on gravel, up to about 11 miles round trip if postings allow your eBike.
Full day: Ride Palouse to Cascades from South Cle Elum toward Thorp with lights for the tunnels, then reverse. Wide tires and extra water help on loose gravel.
What not to ride
A Class 2 throttle eBike on Palouse to Cascades. State Parks lists Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist only.
An eBike on the Coal Mines Trail without checking local postings. Bikes are allowed; eBike class rules are not published the same way as State Parks long-distance trails.
When to ride Kittitas County
Palouse to Cascades summer hours start at 6:30 a.m. and winter hours at 8 a.m., both to dusk. The Snoqualmie Tunnel farther west closes in winter for ice; the short Kittitas tunnels still need lights year-round.
eBike shops and service
Ride Roslyn Bike & Board, 111 W Pennsylvania Ave, is listed as a bicycle rental service in Roslyn. Call (509) 649-5300. Dirt-E Bikes in Cle Elum is listed as a tour operator. Recycle Bicycle Shop at 415 N Main St in Ellensburg is a bike shop; call (509) 925-3326 about eBike service.
Ride Roslyn Bike & Board🚲 Rentals
Frequently asked questions
How far is Palouse to Cascades from Cle Elum to Ellensburg?
The trail coalition lists 18.5 miles from South Cle Elum to Thorp (with two short tunnels) and 7.3 miles from Thorp to Ellensburg. Use city streets through Ellensburg where the right-of-way is broken.
Are eBikes allowed on Palouse to Cascades in Kittitas County?
Washington State Parks allows Class 1 and Class 3 pedal-assist eBikes on this long-distance trail. Class 2 is not on that list.
How long is the Coal Mines Trail?
5.5 miles one way from Cle Elum to Ronald through Roslyn.
Are eBikes allowed on the Coal Mines Trail?
Conventional bikes are allowed. Local rules restrict motorized vehicles and do not publish a clear eBike class list, so check posted signs or call before you ride an eBike.
Where can I rent a bike in Kittitas County?
Ride Roslyn Bike & Board in Roslyn is listed as a bicycle rental service. Call (509) 649-5300.
Do I need lights on Palouse to Cascades?
Yes. The Cle Elum to Ellensburg section has short tunnels, and riders should carry lights.
All eBike shops in Kittitas County
See the Kittitas County eBike shops page for the full directory, and our Washington eBike laws guide for state rules.