



Story by Caili
Tiny Forest Cabin in Cle Elum
Adventure in Cle Elum, Central Washington, WA, US
Drive a little over an hour from Seattle and you'll arrive in the historic logging and mining town of Cle Elum, Washington. This quaint town has many things to offer, including local dining, coffee stops, hiking and a slower way of life.
The tiny home itself is off the beaten path, past farmland and nestled on 11 wooded acres, about 15 minutes from downtown. The view from the back deck of the cabin is magical, with sounds of the forest, wildflowers (in the spring) and fresh mountain air. Spend time soaking it all up, reading a book, or dining al fresco!
During our visit, we really enjoyed a bit of decent weather on the patio, then hunkered down in the tiny place reading and cooking meals, since it was during rainy season. Take a stroll through the nearby forest, head to the downtown area or, if you're feeling more adventurous, pack for a day trip and head into Leavenworth, which is exactly what we did.
Leavenworth is about an hour from Cle Elum. Take Blewett Pass for a gorgeous scenic drive and enjoy the picturesque views along the way. Once you get to Leavenworth, check out the plentiful hikes, ranging from beginner through to advanced. We opted for Icicle Ridge, a shorter hike, then stopped at Sleeping Lady for an after-hike lunch and beer on their patio.
Before leaving our stay, we made sure to check out the local coffee place, Pioneer Coffee Roasting Co. for a quick bite to eat and a great local brew.
Overall, we really enjoyed our time here and would certainly love to return to Cle Elum to check out more of what the area has to offer!
The tiny home itself is off the beaten path, past farmland and nestled on 11 wooded acres, about 15 minutes from downtown. The view from the back deck of the cabin is magical, with sounds of the forest, wildflowers (in the spring) and fresh mountain air. Spend time soaking it all up, reading a book, or dining al fresco!
During our visit, we really enjoyed a bit of decent weather on the patio, then hunkered down in the tiny place reading and cooking meals, since it was during rainy season. Take a stroll through the nearby forest, head to the downtown area or, if you're feeling more adventurous, pack for a day trip and head into Leavenworth, which is exactly what we did.
Leavenworth is about an hour from Cle Elum. Take Blewett Pass for a gorgeous scenic drive and enjoy the picturesque views along the way. Once you get to Leavenworth, check out the plentiful hikes, ranging from beginner through to advanced. We opted for Icicle Ridge, a shorter hike, then stopped at Sleeping Lady for an after-hike lunch and beer on their patio.
Before leaving our stay, we made sure to check out the local coffee place, Pioneer Coffee Roasting Co. for a quick bite to eat and a great local brew.
Overall, we really enjoyed our time here and would certainly love to return to Cle Elum to check out more of what the area has to offer!
Things We Did
- Hike
- Café
- Walk
Hiking, biking and climbing are plentiful in this region! Enjoy the many opportunities. This particular hike was Icicle Ridge.
Mingle with the locals and enjoy a breakfast pastry and freshly roasted coffee at Pioneer.
Take in the peaceful scenery on the property and enjoy forest bathing.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
We've plotted our adventure on the map below. Select the map icons to discover more details.
Share The Love
Add this story to your bucket list or gift it to someone you think deserves it!
Book Our Adventure
Book through this story to receive our itinerary and extra tips to help you live your adventure to the fullest.
What are Riparide Stories?
Riparide Stories are authentic experiences shared by real travellers (who are handy with a camera). It's like reading your best friend's travel journal - packed with photos, honest reviews and visual itineraries.





