Find & Book the Best Hotels in Cowlitz County for 2026 | Expedia

The Toutle Trail may be the best kept secret in all of Southwest Washington, which is to say, the world.

Meandering down the length of the Kalama River, it gently switches back and forth as it makes its way some 682 feet in elevation over the 4.4-mile one-way trip to a tiny cutoff.

You'll see songbirds, signs of elk (even elk, in season), wildflowers all through the summer, and if you're lucky like me, you'll see a few other critters along the way.

But the payoff is what you see here, a completely unimpeded view of the entire southwest flank of Mount St. Helens. To get a better view, you have to be at the foot of the mountain (or at the Plains of Abraham -- see earlier posts).

But in those spots, you won't have a cascading river and tall, shady trees to accompany you the whole way. And when you make that turn at 4.4 miles, you will get the big, cartoon eyes that characterize those which are witnessing overpowering and indescribable beauty for the first time.

And here's the best part. The trailhead shares space with a relatively active horse camp, which means you might meet a horse or two along the way, but most hikers steer clear of the place.

We went on a very warm, summer-like day, one essentially designed for a trail like this, where you keep a view of a river to your flank but hold the cover of trees the whole way. We met two horses and their owners, one coyote, two chipmunks, more songbirds than you might believe, and a very gregarious squirrel.

That was it.

This trail is like a gift to those who want all the attractions of a more popular hike (think Angel's Crest in Oregon, or Silver Star Mountain in Washington), without having to deal with the crowds and the conditions that result from them.

A gem of a place. A true discovery. And you can only find it here in Southwest Washington, probably the most beautiful place you never heard of before.

Well, you've heard of it now.

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Top Cities in Cowlitz County

Great graveled walking trail, roughly 3.5mi, playgrounds, opportunities for photography enthusiasts, public restrooms, & the lake is even used for kayaking!

Our top choices for Cowlitz County hotels

Lobby

Best Western Woodland Inn

Woodland

Canada

Bradley

NT$3,273 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 26 - Jan 27

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking | Premium bedding, pillowtop beds, desk, laptop workspace

Sleep Inn Kelso Longview

Kelso

United States

Stephen

NT$3,210 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 27 - Jan 28

Combined shower/tub, free toiletries, hair dryer, towels

Lewis River Inn

Woodland

United States

David

NT$5,251 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 22 - Jan 23

Traditional Suite, 1 King Bed (with Wet Bar) | Desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

GuestHouse Kelso Longview

Kelso

United States

Melissa

NT$3,823 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 22 - Jan 23

Desk, iron/ironing board, free cribs/infant beds, rollaway beds

Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso

Longview

United States

Valentina

NT$2,954 total

includes taxes & fees

Feb 8 - Feb 9

Lobby

Comfort Inn Kelso - Longview

Kelso

United States

Bryan

NT$3,100 total

includes taxes & fees

Feb 1 - Feb 2

Lobby sitting area

OYO Woodland Hotel and Suites

Woodland

United States

Joe

NT$2,672 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 22 - Jan 23

5 bars/lounges

McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge

Kalama

United States

Dawn

NT$6,629 total

includes taxes & fees

Feb 1 - Feb 2

Breakfast area

Americas Best Value Inn Kelso

Kelso

United States

Kendrick

NT$2,142 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 23 - Jan 24

Indoor pool

Best Western Aladdin Inn

Kelso

United States

Andrew

NT$3,441 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 27 - Jan 28

Lobby

Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview

Kelso

United States

Darcie

NT$3,187 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 23 - Jan 24

Reception

Travelers Inn by OYO Longview Kelso

Longview

United States

Angie

NT$2,505 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 25 - Jan 26

Deluxe Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Hot Tub | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, desk, soundproofing

Timberland Inn & Suites

Castle Rock

United States

Peter

NT$3,958 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 22 - Jan 23

Coffee service

Motel 6 Kelso - Mt. St. Helens

Kelso

United States

Amanda

NT$2,334 total

includes taxes & fees

Feb 3 - Feb 4

Cabin 6 | Living area | TV

Lone Fir Resort

Cougar

United States

Jeremy

NT$4,605 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 22 - Jan 23

Front of property

Town House Motel Inc

Longview

United States

James

Exterior

Longview Inn

Longview

United States

Michael

NT$2,400 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 31 - Feb 1

House (2 Bedrooms) | Interior

Riverfront Woodland Cabin: Wooded & Forested Views

Woodland

United States

Judy

House (2 Bedrooms) | Interior

Explore Mt St Helens: A-frame Chalet w/ Deck!

Ariel

House (4 Bedrooms) | Interior

3 Acres! Spacious Waterfront Home in Amboy

Amboy

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Top Cowlitz County Hotel Reviews

Courtyard by Marriott Portland North

Courtyard by Marriott Portland North

10/10 Excellent

"Hi! The room was very clean but the staff friendliness was what made our stay outstanding. Personable, genuine and always going above and beyond to be helpful. My 10 year old mentioned it several times as well! And kids tell the truth! We all noticed. Thank you!"

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