Kelso - Longview Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Mount St. Helens
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 Seattle 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

While Old West Side isn't home to many top sights, Lake Sacajawea Park and Triangle Bowl are some notable places to visit nearby.

Old West Side
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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
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Longview Heights

The coffee shops and gardens are a few reasons travellers visit Longview Heights. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Regal Triangle Cinemas 4 and Lake Sacajawea Park are a few top sights nearby.

Longview Heights
Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview
Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview
3 out of 5
510 Kelso Dr, Kelso, WA
The price is AU$175 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
AU$175
includes taxes & fees
11 Nov - 12 Nov
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 ...
5.6/10 (1,005 reviews)
"The hotel room was decent sized. The bathroom was big. The only thing was th bathtub was dirty and the shower curtain had stains all over it."

Reviewed on 27 Oct. 2024

Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview
GuestHouse Kelso Longview
GuestHouse Kelso Longview
2.5 out of 5
501 Three Rivers Dr, Kelso, WA
The price is AU$201 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
AU$201
includes taxes & fees
11 Nov - 12 Nov
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 helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,007 reviews)
"I loved my stay here. I communicated about the noise level and they gave me a quiet room. Relatively there’s a train that goes through. The staff was extremely friendly. It was nice and clean."

Reviewed on 29 Oct. 2024

GuestHouse Kelso Longview
Lewis River Inn
Lewis River Inn
2.5 out of 5
1100 Lewis River Rd., Woodland, WA
The price is AU$224 per night from 7 Nov to 8 Nov
AU$224
includes taxes & fees
7 Nov - 8 Nov
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Beds were very comfortable."

Reviewed on 24 Oct. 2024

Lewis River Inn
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.
Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley
Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley
Kelso
Stay at this vacation home in Kelso. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Cowlitz County Historical Museum and Triangle Bowl are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (27 reviews)
Cute guest house
"Cute guest house with a very comfortable bed. Lovely to have the space of the house. Easy check in and great communication."

Reviewed on 14 Sep. 2024

Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley
Your Unique Adventure Awaits w/ Unique Northwest Vacation Rentals
Your Unique Adventure Awaits w/ Unique Northwest Vacation Rentals
Longview WA
Stay at this apartment in Longview. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
Sweet Hideaway Vacation
"We loved our stay! It was peaceful and relaxing. We loved how secluded it felt while being close enough for adventures. The scenery is beautiful. You'll have to be prepared to climb the stairs to the bed and the Internet was slow, however we overall enjoyed the "tiny home" living experience. The ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2024

Your Unique Adventure Awaits w/ Unique Northwest Vacation Rentals
Beautiful Lower Columbia Hamlet On The Water
Beautiful Lower Columbia Hamlet On The Water
Cathlamet
Stay at this vacation home in Cathlamet. Enjoy patios, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Puget Island and Wahkiakum ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (163 reviews)
Puget Island Lodge
"Large clean property on the water"

Reviewed on 26 Oct. 2024

Beautiful Lower Columbia Hamlet On The Water
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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