Speelyai Bay
Just a short walk or drive (about 1/2 mile) from the home is this local paradise!
Spend the day at the Bay boating, fishing, or just relaxing on shore. There is a great family friendly picnic area, restrooms, roped off swimming area.
There is a speed limit on the bay which makes it great for kayakers and paddle boards, but the bay opens up into Lake Merwin for faster family fun tubing or jet skiing.
Parking pass required between Memorial Day and Labor Day on weekends only (Friday-Sunday, $4/day or $20/season pass)
No pass required Monday-Thursday during the summer season and are purchased upon entering the park.
Kayak rentals available at the Cougar Store during summer months.
Speelyai Park
Spend the day at the Bay boating, fishing, or just relaxing on shore. There is a great family friendly picnic area, restrooms, roped off swimming area.
There is a speed limit on the bay which makes it great for kayakers and paddle boards, but the bay opens up into Lake Merwin for faster family fun tubing or jet skiing.
Parking pass required between Memorial Day and Labor Day on weekends only (Friday-Sunday, $4/day or $20/season pass)
No pass required Monday-Thursday during the summer season and are purchased upon entering the park.
Kayak rentals available at the Cougar Store during summer months.
Speelyai Hatchery
11001 Lewis River RdHiking/Sightseeing
One of my favorites! It’s a short hike (1/4 mile) along a boardwalk, but a great stop to get a peek at the effect of a lava flow on the forest. You can even crawl through a tunnel created by lava flow over a fallen tree!
Restrooms available.
Trail of Two Forests Interpretive Site
9945 Virginia 122One of my favorites! It’s a short hike (1/4 mile) along a boardwalk, but a great stop to get a peek at the effect of a lava flow on the forest. You can even crawl through a tunnel created by lava flow over a fallen tree!
Restrooms available.
Formed 2000 years ago, the Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America. It is divided into two hikes: Upper cave (more rugged) and Lower cave (easier, more level) and approximately 2.8 miles.
Bring flashlights, and dress warm. It’s always around 42 degrees even on a hot day.
No food, pets or smoking.
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I-Ape Caves
Formed 2000 years ago, the Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America. It is divided into two hikes: Upper cave (more rugged) and Lower cave (easier, more level) and approximately 2.8 miles.
Bring flashlights, and dress warm. It’s always around 42 degrees even on a hot day.
No food, pets or smoking.
This trail begins with an amazing ADA accessible, interpretive trail before proceeding down a steep rugged canyon to a one-of-a-kind suspension bridge.
There are 3 sections to this trail:
The first section is perfect for everyone from youngsters new to hiking to those with stubborn knees. This section ends at a waterfall viewpoint.
The second and third section becomes more difficult and more adventurous as the route narrows and skirts along high cliffs, and crosses over a 125ft suspension bridge with an amazing view of the canyon below. The trail drops farther into the canyon, crosses over a steel bridge upstream of the waterfalls, crosses an exposed face followed by a water crossing with a cable to help hikers cross. A metal ladder descends a vertical cliff providing access to the canyon's waterfalls. The trail intersects Ship Trail (return route) which climbs to a viewpoint atop a lava formation that overlooks a long series of waterfalls in the lower canyon.
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Lava Canyon Trailhead
This trail begins with an amazing ADA accessible, interpretive trail before proceeding down a steep rugged canyon to a one-of-a-kind suspension bridge.
There are 3 sections to this trail:
The first section is perfect for everyone from youngsters new to hiking to those with stubborn knees. This section ends at a waterfall viewpoint.
The second and third section becomes more difficult and more adventurous as the route narrows and skirts along high cliffs, and crosses over a 125ft suspension bridge with an amazing view of the canyon below. The trail drops farther into the canyon, crosses over a steel bridge upstream of the waterfalls, crosses an exposed face followed by a water crossing with a cable to help hikers cross. A metal ladder descends a vertical cliff providing access to the canyon's waterfalls. The trail intersects Ship Trail (return route) which climbs to a viewpoint atop a lava formation that overlooks a long series of waterfalls in the lower canyon.
So much to see here and different ways to experience it! We've climbed to summit twice and both times were totally different and amazing experiences.
You can start at Climber Bivouac and hike to the tree line without a permit OR reserve your dates online to climb to the summit for an experience of a lifetime. Only a limited number of climbing permits are given per day so plan way ahead.
(There are restrooms at the trailhead and on the trail before the tree line)
OR you can drive around the mountain and stop at various lookouts, short walks/hikes along the Windy Ridge Loop which includes Spirit Lake, Sand Ladder Trail, Miner’s Car, and Meta Lake.
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Mount Saint Helens
So much to see here and different ways to experience it! We've climbed to summit twice and both times were totally different and amazing experiences.
You can start at Climber Bivouac and hike to the tree line without a permit OR reserve your dates online to climb to the summit for an experience of a lifetime. Only a limited number of climbing permits are given per day so plan way ahead.
(There are restrooms at the trailhead and on the trail before the tree line)
OR you can drive around the mountain and stop at various lookouts, short walks/hikes along the Windy Ridge Loop which includes Spirit Lake, Sand Ladder Trail, Miner’s Car, and Meta Lake.
About a 45 minute drive to this hike with beautiful falls and swimming area. A popular spot on a hot day.
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Lewis River Lower Falls
About a 45 minute drive to this hike with beautiful falls and swimming area. A popular spot on a hot day.
Historical Points of Interest
Built in 1876, the Cedar Grist Mill is a historical, water powered, grain grinding mill. Volunteers provide demonstrations, and bags of fresh milled flour and cornmeal to guests. They also host many free special events during the year- such as apple cider press - and they all include some good eats! See website for event info and closures due to covid.
43907 N.E. Grist Mill Road
Woodland, Wa 98674
360/225-5832
Open most weekends:
Saturday 1-4pm
Sunday 2-4pm
cedarcreekgristmill.com
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The Cedar Creek Grist Mill
43907 NE Grist Mill RdBuilt in 1876, the Cedar Grist Mill is a historical, water powered, grain grinding mill. Volunteers provide demonstrations, and bags of fresh milled flour and cornmeal to guests. They also host many free special events during the year- such as apple cider press - and they all include some good eats! See website for event info and closures due to covid.
43907 N.E. Grist Mill Road
Woodland, Wa 98674
360/225-5832
Open most weekends:
Saturday 1-4pm
Sunday 2-4pm
cedarcreekgristmill.com
Historical National landmark. Learn about the “Lilac Lady” and see the beautiful lilac gardens open to the public during Lilac Days (Mid-April through Mother's Day).
www.lilacgardens.com
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Lilac Gardens-Hulda Klager
115 S Pekin RdHistorical National landmark. Learn about the “Lilac Lady” and see the beautiful lilac gardens open to the public during Lilac Days (Mid-April through Mother's Day).
www.lilacgardens.com
Lelooska Museum is a Native American Kwakwaka'wakw cultural museum in Ariel, WA open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend on Saturdays 11-3 and by appointment.
Look online for schedule of living history performances, approx 2 hrs in length. (I have fond memories of these from my childhood)
Lelooska.org
Located 11 miles, 15 minutes away from the home
165 Merwin Village Road, Ariel, WA 98603
360/225-9522l
Lelooska Foundation
165 Merwin Village RdLelooska Museum is a Native American Kwakwaka'wakw cultural museum in Ariel, WA open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Weekend on Saturdays 11-3 and by appointment.
Look online for schedule of living history performances, approx 2 hrs in length. (I have fond memories of these from my childhood)
Lelooska.org
Located 11 miles, 15 minutes away from the home
165 Merwin Village Road, Ariel, WA 98603
360/225-9522l
Take a ride on a train!
About 15.9 miles, 26 minute drive from the home.
207 N Railroad Avenue
Yacolt, Wa 98675
360/686-3559
www.bycx.com
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Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
207 Railroad AveTake a ride on a train!
About 15.9 miles, 26 minute drive from the home.
207 N Railroad Avenue
Yacolt, Wa 98675
360/686-3559
www.bycx.com
Winter Fun
About 15 miles, 30 minute drive away from the home. Great place for some fun in the snow: cross country skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling or just a good old fashioned snowball fight. We've met several people who hike up the mountain and ski down!
There’s a warming hut with picnic tables and and a bathroom.
Washington State Sno-Park Permit is required Dec 1-Mar 31 and available for purchase at:
Cougar Store
16842 Lewis River Rd, Cougar, WA 98616
360-238-5228
Lakeside 24 Hour Fuel
16835 Lewis River Rd, Cougar WA 98616
360/238-5202
Be sure to check the Forest Service website for snow level and road conditions at the Sno Park
Sno-Park: Marble Mountain
National Forest Development Road 83About 15 miles, 30 minute drive away from the home. Great place for some fun in the snow: cross country skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling or just a good old fashioned snowball fight. We've met several people who hike up the mountain and ski down!
There’s a warming hut with picnic tables and and a bathroom.
Washington State Sno-Park Permit is required Dec 1-Mar 31 and available for purchase at:
Cougar Store
16842 Lewis River Rd, Cougar, WA 98616
360-238-5228
Lakeside 24 Hour Fuel
16835 Lewis River Rd, Cougar WA 98616
360/238-5202
Be sure to check the Forest Service website for snow level and road conditions at the Sno Park
Adventure
Nearby adventure just 11 miles, 19 minute drive from the home.
It is officially the highest legal bridge jump in the US!!
The private bridge/jump site spans a beautiful emerald green valley with a sparkling river 200 feet below and nestled on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Offered year round.
Make reservations online at Bungee.com or call 503/520-0303
32016 NE Healy Rd, Amboy WA 98601
General hours: 10:30am-3:30pm
Bungee Masters
Northeast Belvins RoadNearby adventure just 11 miles, 19 minute drive from the home.
It is officially the highest legal bridge jump in the US!!
The private bridge/jump site spans a beautiful emerald green valley with a sparkling river 200 feet below and nestled on the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Offered year round.
Make reservations online at Bungee.com or call 503/520-0303
32016 NE Healy Rd, Amboy WA 98601
General hours: 10:30am-3:30pm
Golf
About 15 miles east of the home is the Lewis River Golf Course, an 18 hole course featuring water views and the North Fork Grill.
3209 Lewis River Rd. Woodland, Wa 98674
360/225-8254
www.lewisrivergolf.com
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Lewis River Golf Course
3209 Old Lewis River RdAbout 15 miles east of the home is the Lewis River Golf Course, an 18 hole course featuring water views and the North Fork Grill.
3209 Lewis River Rd. Woodland, Wa 98674
360/225-8254
www.lewisrivergolf.com
Food scene
A great place to stop to refuel after hiking/sightseeing on Mt St Helens.
16849 Lewis River Road
Cougar, Wa 98616
360/238-5252
Cougar Bar & Grill
16849 Lewis River RdA great place to stop to refuel after hiking/sightseeing on Mt St Helens.
16849 Lewis River Road
Cougar, Wa 98616
360/238-5252