Elkai Studio - Ceder Sauna & Rainier Views

Welcome to Elkai Studio, a thoughtfully designed mountain retreat less than 1 mile from downtown Packwood. Relax in the cedar sauna, take in Mount Rainier views from the deck or oversized sectional, and watch elk, deer, and wild turkeys wander by. The studio features a queen bed, fully equipped kitchen with a butcher block island, plus a separate Twin XL bunk room—your perfect home base for exploring Mount Rainier, White Pass, and the surrounding mountains.

We believe the best stays feel effortless. You'll enjoy complete privacy, but we're only a message away if you need anything—from local recommendations to assistance during your stay. We want your time at Elkai to be as relaxing and memorable as possible.

Packwood is a small mountain town with a big sense of adventure. Grab coffee from a local café, browse the shops, enjoy a meal at one of the town's restaurants or breweries, then spend the day exploring Mount Rainier National Park, White Pass Ski Area, or Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Whether you're here to hike, ski, fish, mountain bike, or simply slow down, Packwood is the perfect home base year-round.

Guests have designated parking, private access to the entire studio, and full use of the designated areas including the deck, BBQ, Adirondack seating, fire pit, picnic table, and seasonal herb garden. Self check-in makes arrival easy, allowing you to settle in at your own pace.

Every detail of Elkai was designed to help you slow down and reconnect with nature. The open-concept studio features a comfortable queen bed, an oversized sectional, and a fully equipped kitchen with a butcher block island, copper farmhouse sink, SMEG refrigerator, and seating for four. A separate bunk room with Twin XL bunks provides additional sleeping space, making Elkai a great fit for couples, families, or small groups.

The bright bathroom is filled with natural light from a skylight and features a attached cedar sauna—the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of hiking, skiing, or exploring. You'll also find a walk-in shower and an in-unit washer and dryer for added convenience.

Step outside and you'll discover what truly makes Elkai special. Enjoy sweeping views of Mount Rainier from the deck, fire up the gas BBQ, relax in the Adirondack chairs beneath café string lights, gather around the fire pit, or enjoy a meal at the picnic table. Keep an eye out for elk, deer, and wild turkeys, which are frequent visitors to the property and inspired the name Elkai.

We designed Elkai to be more than just a place to stay—it's a place to slow down. Over the past months, we've watched friends, family, contractors, and even our own team pause on the deck after a day's work, simply to take in the view and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. There's something special about this place that photos can't quite capture, and we hope you'll experience it for yourself.

A vehicle is recommended for exploring the area. Downtown Packwood is moments away, Mount Rainier National Park is an easy drive, and White Pass Ski Area is approximately 20–25 minutes from the property. During winter months, a 4WD or AWD vehicle is strongly recommended, especially when snow is in the forecast.

Elkai Studio is located above a detached garage on a shared mountain property. The main house, approximately 80–100 feet away, is also a vacation rental. The studio has dedicated parking, its own private entrance and dedicated outdoor spaces. Downtown Packwood is just moments away, the Stevens Canyon Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is approximately 17–25 minutes away, and White Pass Ski Area is about 24 minutes away. During winter months, AWD or 4WD is strongly recommended due to the steep driveway and changing mountain conditions.

The studio is located above the garage. Although rare, you may occasionally hear the garage door opening if access the space below is necessary. These visits are brief and infrequent, and we make every effort to avoid disturbing our guests. We will never enter the garage beneath the studio during your stay unless it's absolutely necessary for maintenance or property operations.