Speelyi Beach Day Use Area — Attraction in Cle Elum

Beautiful Lake with Endless Summer Fun

We visited Lake Cle Elum this summer and now I understand why it’s such a popular spot for water activities in the area. Living on the Puget Sound, we have plenty of options so we were not sure where the top places were at. This lake definitely stands out as one of the places for summer fun.

Finding the access point wasn’t very obvious (I imagine there are multiple, possibly more private ones). Once you get in, you can either park up top in the small lot or drive right down onto the sand. At first glance, the entrance looks quiet and desolate , but once you crest the slope, the view opens up to hundreds of cars, tents, and water toys lining the shore. It honestly felt like that Independence Day scene where Will Smith turns around on the salt flats and sees the RVs rolling in such a surprising and fun sight!

The lake was low during our visit, but still very accessible. The water isn’t exactly warm, but on a hot day it feels amazing. Be prepared for changing conditions: one day was calm and peaceful, the next was so windy it would’ve been perfect for windsurfing. Parents were literally chasing kids who had floated across the lake — so keep an eye out if you bring little ones.

Amenities are limited, with just one bathroom at the entrance (bring your own toilet paper). Luckily, the surrounding towns make it easy to grab supplies. We picked up floaties at Cle Elum Farm and Home Supply they have a great selection of fun summer gear. If you’re looking to rent water or winter toys, check out Cascade Playtime Rentals right in town.

Overall, Lake Cle Elum is a beautiful, lively place to spend a summer day, whether you’re swimming, floating, or just soaking...

Very nice beach. NO PASS REQIRED.Pretty views of evergreen trees and mountains. Sand, rocks, pebbles and pine cones on the beach make for a lot of fun for kids. It was very windy, might be the norm there because people do windsurfing there. TIP: pack a windbreaker or a light sweatshirt. Lots of families with kids. Pet friendly (we had a lady with a cat on a leash next to us:) and dogs, some on leash some not, but all well well behaved, no nuisance. People don't wear masks, but stay with their companies/families and keep distance from others. The only trouble might be people thinking it's a place to practice Paris-Dakkar rally. Saw a few cars speeding and driving recklessly. TIP: Keep an eye out for kids and pets, as you would next to the water anyway, right?) The police got someone when were there, though, so they might be frequenting the beach to catch those Formula 1 racers-in-training. TIP: Also, parking lot is small, but if you are not afraid to get stuck in the sand (like I almost did on my way back from the beach on a minivan), you can drive closer to the water and park...

Great Lake to visit. We come here often. The people that do the land management are very kind and helpful. The lake itself is clean and beautiful. You have access to picnic tables, grass areas to set up chairs and relax. There is a smaller area that’s roped off for swimming that many younger kids enjoy. We prefer to go down by the rocks to fish and paddle board. Our family can easily spend 10 hours here without being bored. The kids catch and release tons of fish and we can float and paddle board without much interference from boaters. There is a lot of boat activity but they generally stay off to one side of the lake and away from the area that most swimmers are in. The parking lot does fill up fast, because it’s mostly for boaters, but many will go park in the hatchery and walk down. They have a real restroom so you can change and use the bathroom, no need to worry about portapotties. It’s a wonderful...