Kelso - Longview

Travel Guide

Mount St. Helens featuring snow, a sunset and tranquil scenes
Mount St. Helens featuring tranquil scenes, snow and snow skiing
Mount St. Helens featuring tranquil scenes, mountains and snow
Mount St. Helens featuring tranquil scenes, snow and mountains
Mount St. Helens featuring snow and tranquil scenes

Two serene towns connected by a bridge provide the ideal base for exploring Mount St. Helens and other outdoor highlights of this scenic part of Washington State.

Kelso and Longview are two quiet, friendly towns divided by the winding Cowlitz River. Stay in one of these charming towns to be ideally placed for hiking the picturesque trails of Mount St. Helens, fishing in rich waters and enjoying a wide array of welcoming small-town attractions.

Look for signs of the area’s Scottish roots as you explore. Visit pretty Tam O’Shanter Park, named after a poem by Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns. Come here in September to see adults and kids alike don kilts for the annual Highlander Festival. Watch participants in the Highland Games compete in traditional sports, and sample Scottish treats such as scones.

To see another side to the area’s history, head to the Cowlitz County Museum, which offers exhibits dating back to the early pioneer days. In the evening, see a show at the Columbia Theatre in Longview. This carefully restored building is a work of art in itself, and an important artifact of local history.

Bring your hiking boots when you come to Kelso and Longview, as the local trails are among the area’s greatest charms. Drive the beautiful road to Mount St. Helens, a major draw of the area. The dramatic silhouette of this volcano dominates the landscape for miles around. Pack a picnic and explore its slopes at your own pace, or join an expert-guided tour that will take you all the way into the crater.

Head deep underground by entering the nearby Ape Cave Lava Tubes, dramatic natural tunnels that no-one with a taste for adventure will be able to resist. Back in town, set up for a day of fishing at a peaceful spot by the edge of Cowlitz River or at gorgeous Lake Sacajawea. Or, head to Longview’s Mint Valley Golf Course to play a few rounds amid beautiful scenery.

Drive to Kelso and Longview from SeattleOpens in a new window in around 2 hours. As you approach, enjoy glorious views of the Cowlitz River, which flows parallel to parts of the road.

Where to stay in Kelso - Longview

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Old West Side

Old West Side might not have many top sights, but Lake Sacajawea Park and Triangle Bowl are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Old West Side
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Longview Heights

The coffeehouses and gardens are a few reasons travelers visit Longview Heights. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighborhood, you can visit Triangle Bowl and Lake Sacajawea Park, a few notable attractions nearby.

Longview Heights
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West Side Highway

West Side Highway is well-liked for its bars. If you'd like to do some sightseeing in the greater Kelso area, you might plan a trip to Triangle Bowl or Cowlitz County Historical Museum.

West Side Highway
Lewis River Inn

Lewis River Inn

2.5 out of 5
1100 Lewis River Rd., Woodland, WA
The price is P8,795 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P8,795
P9,753 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Woodland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Nice place. Quiet."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Lewis River Inn
Sleep Inn Kelso Longview

Sleep Inn Kelso Longview

2.5 out of 5
250 Kelso Dr, I-5 Exit 39, Kelso, WA
The price is P6,523 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
P6,523
P7,247 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this golf motel in Kelso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (475 reviews)
"Great place to get some rest!"

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Sleep Inn Kelso Longview
Motel 6 Kelso - Mt. St. Helens

Motel 6 Kelso - Mt. St. Helens

2 out of 5
106 N Minor Rd, Kelso, WA
The price is P3,904 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P3,904
P4,337 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kelso. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (736 reviews)
"Just coffee no breakfast"

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Motel 6 Kelso - Mt. St. Helens
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel Cathlamet

Hotel Cathlamet

3 out of 5
69 Main Street, B370, Cathlamet, WA
Stay at this 3-star vacation home in Cathlamet. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Puget Island and Elochoman Slough Marina ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"Such an interesting place, we loved the old school feel"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

Hotel Cathlamet
Astoria 4BR Nr Riverwalk Fishing Coastal Views

Astoria 4BR Nr Riverwalk Fishing Coastal Views

2 out of 5
Astoria
Stay at this vacation home in Astoria. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Hanthorn Cannery Museum and Uppertown Firefighters Museum and The ...
Astoria 4BR Nr Riverwalk Fishing Coastal Views
'astoria Painted Lady' Historic Apt w/ River View!

'astoria Painted Lady' Historic Apt w/ River View!

3 out of 5
3391 Irving Avenue, Astoria, OR
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Astoria. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Uppertown Firefighters Museum and The Children's Museum and Hanthorn ...
"What gorgeous views of the river."

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2024

'astoria Painted Lady' Historic Apt w/ River View!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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