Cle Elum Lake

Cle Elum Lake is a big, clear mountain reservoir in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, about 8 miles long and roughly 4,800 acres when full, at around 2,200 feet in the Cascade foothills. It sits just north of Roslyn and Ronald in Kittitas County, about 7 to 10 miles from the town of Cle Elum. We offer the best boats, jet skis and water toys at Cle Elum Lake, so you can make the most of a summer day an easy drive from Seattle.

Cle Elum Lake Boat Rentals

With miles of open water and forested peaks all around, Cle Elum Lake is a beautiful place for skiing, wakesurfing and cruising. Our Cle Elum Lake rentals include:

• MasterCraft wakesurf and wakeboard boats for family and friends
• Ski boats for water skiing, slalom and tubing
• Tubes, wakeboards and wakesurf boards for every age
• Paddle boards and water trampolines for a beach day at Speelyi

Rather have someone else drive? Book a private boat charter and our captain will handle the boat. Damage waiver coverage is available on every rental.

Cle Elum Jet Ski Rentals

Jet skis are a fun way to explore the long lake and its quiet coves. Most of our jet ski rentals can pull a tube, depending on the model, and guided rides are available. See our jet ski models to pick your ride.

Speelyi Beach and Boat Launches

Speelyi Beach, in the southeast corner of the lake off Lake Cabins Road, is the most popular day-use spot, with a sandy beach and a two-lane concrete boat ramp with a dock. Wish Poosh, also near the southeast shore, has a campground and launch, and there are more launch points farther up the lake. We'll confirm your meeting spot when you book.

Best Time to Boat on Cle Elum Lake

Cle Elum Lake is an irrigation reservoir, and it drops quickly as summer goes on. The lake is usually fullest in late spring and early summer, which is the best time for boating. By mid-summer the water can fall below the end of the boat ramps, so plan your trip early in the season and check lake levels before you go. Ask us about timing when you book, and we'll suggest the best dates and nearby options.

Getting to Cle Elum Lake

From I-90, take the Cle Elum exit and follow State Route 903 through Roslyn and Ronald to the lake. It's about an hour and a half from Seattle over Snoqualmie Pass, about 40 minutes from Ellensburg and about an hour and 15 minutes from Yakima. See all of our Washington boat rentals.

Tips for a Great Day on Cle Elum Lake

• Come early in the season: June and early July usually offer the fullest lake and easiest launching.
• Bring a wetsuit: the snowmelt water is cold, especially early in summer.
• Watch for stumps: as the lake drops, stumps and shallows appear near shore.
• Make a weekend of it: stop in historic Roslyn for lunch on the way to the lake.

Good to Know Before You Go

• Washington boating rules: most drivers born after January 1, 1955 need a Washington Boater Education Card to drive a boat with 15 horsepower or more, and jet ski drivers must be at least 14. Jet skis can't be ridden between sunset and sunrise, and our rental drivers must be 18 or older. Ask us before you book and we'll walk you through what you need.
• Life jackets: everyone on a jet ski and anyone being towed must wear a life jacket, and so must children 12 and under on boats under 19 feet while the boat is moving.
• Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.

Lakes Near Cle Elum

Just west, we also serve Kachess Lake. Over the hills to the north is Lake Wenatchee near Leavenworth, and west of Yakima you'll find Rimrock Lake and Bumping Lake. For a bigger trip, try Lake Chelan.

Cle Elum Lake Map