Sawmill Flat Campground — Hotel in Cle Elum

We go to this campground at least once a year, a nice drive from Seattle (2.5 hours), and a chance to see Mt. Rainier heading up to Chinook Pass.

Of the 19 sites in the main campground (there are about 6 more sites in the picnic area, first come/first served), eight of them are on the Naches River, plus one for handcapped only. The other sites are on the highway 410 side of the CG road. There is one water pump for potable water (across from site 11). No hookups - fine with us, as tenters!

The CG road and parking spots are asphalt paved. All sites are in the woods, thus shady. The CG is well maintained, two pit toilets, one picnic area (full sun) with old shelter, and river "play area" for splashing around in the relatively still waters. We take our inflatables up river to end of CG, put in and ride the river to the picnic area - a nice run even into late August.

Many of the river-side sites have had some scouring from past floods meaning tables might be quite high; various low spots with boulders; and the distance from vehicle to tables might average about 50 feet or so. These sites do have reasonable areas for medium sized tents.

We have not had noisy neighbor problems nor does Highway 410 cause night time noise issues. Burn bans have been in effect in 2012, and again this year. If you aren't aware of it - propane fire pits are FS approved (check their site). We have come to really like those.

We recommend this...

It was gorgeous and keeps cool in the hot weather even though it is very close to Naches and Yakima. Helpful camp host. Clean washrooms. I'll book it again. Pleasant mornings with bird and river sounds. Water pump and trash options are there. I booked spot 23, and it was very close to 20. It was small and not private, so we requested switching, and the camp host was really friendly and smart; they helped us out. Other campgrounds were really big and nice. You may hear a road sound from some of the roadside campsites, but at the same time, you will hear the River sound. The River has cold water, and the flow is pretty fast, so perfect for rafting, fishing but not good for tubing or swimming activities. Someone saw a bear during our stay, it seems elks come, but the bear would be an unusual visitor. It would be important to keep the food safely stored. There is a burn ban going on. So right now, you can't do...

Fall is in the air and a early mushroom season is upon us. Hope to meet some new people this year. My report for this season in on Yellow (they have been up as of july 7th) Chanterelles as well as White and Blue Chanterelle is for a very good season so get out and gethers as much as you need for there is plenty this year to go around especially for the yellow chanterelle, Bolete season has been poor so far some places have not started while others have blown out and already have warms but the outlook for pine mushrooms "fabulous" so get out and enjoy the fall colors load up on wild edible mushrooms. August steinborn here with your fall report tell next week full...