Kelso - Longview

Travel Guide

Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens
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 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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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? Triangle Bowl and Regal Triangle Cinemas 4 are a few top sights nearby.

Longview Heights
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Old West Side

While Old West Side isn't home to many top sights, Lake Sacajawea Park and Regal Triangle Cinemas 4 are some notable places to visit nearby.

Old West Side
Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview
Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview
3 out of 5
510 Kelso Dr, Kelso, WA
The price is S$140 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
S$140
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
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 (1,001 reviews)
"Great breakfast super nice bathroom and beds were cozy"

Reviewed on 19 Mar,2025

Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview
Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso
Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso
2.5 out of 5
723 7th Ave, Longview, WA
The price is S$138 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
S$138
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Longview. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"Solid stay"

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2025

Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso
Lewis River Inn
Lewis River Inn
2.5 out of 5
1100 Lewis River Rd., Woodland, WA
The price is S$145 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
S$145
includes taxes & fees
29 Apr - 30 Apr
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)
Sea Lions on the Lewis River
"River views off the back deck, sea lions swimming up the Lewis River. Clean room, quiet area, great food options nearby. Peaceful experience and a great location."

Reviewed on 23 Mar,2025

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.
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 ...
Hotel Cathlamet
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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