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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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 Regal Triangle Cinemas 4.

West Side Highway
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Old West Side

Old West Side might not have many top sights, but Lake Sacajawea Park and Regal Triangle Cinemas 4 are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Old West Side
Lewis River Inn

Lewis River Inn

2.5 out of 5
1100 Lewis River Rd., Woodland, WA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P8,855 per night from Jul 29 to Jul 30
P8,855
P9,819 total
Jul 29 - Jul 30
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! (1,015 reviews)
"very cute quiet inn. no fuss check in, i booked one night on a whim for a quiet solo getaway and it was perfect."

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2025

Lewis River Inn
Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview

Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview

3 out of 5
510 Kelso Dr, Kelso, WA
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Kelso. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
5.4/10 (1,005 reviews)
"The only negative that was quickly fixed with a change of rooms was that the air conditioner unit was not usable. It had some weird plug in that wasn't for American outlets. Why this was? No clue, but I was able to get another room in minutes without any issues."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview
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 P6,890 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P6,890
P7,655 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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! (438 reviews)
Sleep Inn great place to stay.
"Our stay at Sleep Inn was very pleasant. The staff went out of their way to help us and to make sure everything was just right. It was convenient to our visit to Mt. St. Helens area. We will recommend Sleep Inn to others."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Sleep Inn Kelso Longview
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 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!
Family-friendly Cottage w/ Playground in Centralia

Family-friendly Cottage w/ Playground in Centralia

3 out of 5
Centralia
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly cottage in Centralia. Enjoy free parking and air conditioning. Popular attractions Fort Borst Park and Ed Wheeler Field & ...
"Cozy cottage in Centralia WA was very comfortable. It was the perfect place to visit with family. Chris was very quick to respond when contacted and always had a helpful answer to questions. I would stay here again"

Reviewed on May 1, 2025

Family-friendly Cottage w/ Playground in Centralia
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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