Central to the best year-round recreation the PNW has to offer, this cozy retreat in Cougar WA offers easy access to your favorite outdoor activities. Walking distance from a Bar & Grill and Yale Lake / Cougar Park, enjoy nearby Gifford Pinchot National Forest with 1,500 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Explore Mount St. Helens Nation Volcanic Monument or Ape Cave lava tubes just minutes away.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
COUGAR House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat
In the heart of Cougar WA. Central to the best variety of year round recreation the PNW has to offer. From the comforts of this cozy retreat access all your favorite outdoor recreational activities within minutes. If you want to do it…. This is where to find it! Walking distance to Bar & Grill, stores and Yale Lake / Cougar Park. Gifford Pinchot National Forest, there are almost 1,500 miles of trails on the forest open to hiking, biking, ect. Mount St. Helens Nation Volcanic Monument, open for climbing year round and offers some of the most popular snow-parks for snowmobiling/cc-skiing enthusiast. Be sure to visit Lava Canyon! Ape Cave lava tubes (10 miles), which formed about 2,000 years ago and is open year round. Marble Mountain Snopark (4.5 miles) The trip to June Lake is one of the most popular ski tours from the Marble Mountain Snopark. If the snow is good, the skiing is easy. Other skiing and snowshoeing options are available, and the snopark also serves as a base for hiking and climbing trips. Marble Mountain Snopark is the hub for snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers on the southern slopes of Mount St. Helens. Adequate snow cover for skiing can usually be found from December through March most years. The snow at the snopark is seldom very dry and often changeable, so it’s generally best to be riding on no-wax skis. Most days are skiable here if you’re prepared for the conditions. The Falls (34 miles) Lower Lewis River Falls, the Middle Falls, and the Upper Lewis River Falls.
Local Fish Variety of trout, Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Silver Salmon, Kokanee, Northern pike minnow, Sculpin & Tiger Muskie, Coastal Cutthroat, Steelhead.
Boat Ramps & Recreation YALE LAKE RESERVOIR Cougar Camp (1 mile), restrooms and showers, parking for 180 vehicles, 15 picnic tables, and a one-lane boat ramp. Beaver Bay (3.5 miles), restrooms and showers, parking for 40 vehicles, 6 picnic tables, and a one-lane boat ramp. Yale Park (2 miles), restrooms, 30 picnic sites, parking for 130 cars and 80 trailers, a four-lane boat ramp and a beach swim area. Saddle Dam (9 miles), restrooms, parking, picnic tables, swimming area and boat launch ramps. LAKE MERWIN Cresap Bay (8.5 miles), restrooms and shower, 20 picnic tables, a two-lane boat ramp and a beach swim area. Speelyai Bay (8.5 miles), restrooms, 25 picnic tables, parking for 250 vehicles, a two-lane boat ramp and a beach swim area. Merwin Park (20 miles), restrooms, 135 picnic tables, parking for 250 vehicles, and a beach swim area. SWIFT DAM RESERVOIR Power Canal (7 miles), parking to fish at canal and two developed recreation facilities at the east end of the reservoir. Swift Forest Camp has restrooms a two-lane boat ramp with parking spaces and a day use beach swim area. Eagle Cliff Park has restroom, parking and is a walk in park with picnic tables and is a cool place with secluded feeling. MERRILL LAKE Merrill Lake Camp (6.5 miles), restrooms, parking, boat launch, catch and release fly fishing.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach loungers
Ski
Close to skiing
Snowboarding nearby
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Jetted bathtub
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
One pet total
Suitability/Accessibility
Designated smoking areas
Services and conveniences
Phone
Safe
Location highlights
In the city centre
In the mountains
On a lake
On a river
Things to do
Golf
Kayak
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Hunting nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rafting nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Sledding nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Parking available for 2-3 vehicles. for Additional
If approved your pet must be house trained . Your
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
1 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Must be approved by host
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Cougar, this holiday home is in the city centre and on a river. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Cedar Creek Grist Mill are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Ape Caves and Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Johnston Ridge Observatory and Pomeroy Living History Farm are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with snowboarding and skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling and sledging. Visit our Cougar travel guide
Is COUGAR House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at COUGAR House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at COUGAR House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at COUGAR House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is COUGAR House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat located?
Located in the heart of Cougar, this holiday home is within 12 miles (20 km) of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Ape Caves and Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Ape Cave Lava Tubes is 11.9 mi (19.2 km) away.
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COUGAR House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We had one of the best times at this small little gem! Cozy tucked away with plenty of privacy. The way the house is set up outside was a hit for me. As I like to spend most of my time outside. Although it was small it was very functional.. The house keeper lives nearby and gave us some great info on what to see and how to get there! She and her husband are very nice people!!! Would definitely stay there again! Host was great answering questions right away with a quick phone call.The beauty of this area and the location of this house is exactly how I pictured it would be..!! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a get away in the mountains!! 5 stars all the way!!!
Great house, enough room to spread out in. Love the 2 bathrooms. It's in a quiet area but the little stores around the corner do have whatever you need (within reason). Caretakers are right across the street in case you need anything.
Cozy little cabin close to everything we needed. Lovely private outdoor space which really added to the experience. Good communication with Troy. Internet a bit wonky at times, but we worked it out!
Mary Ann B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Bridget S.
21 Apr 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Needs some TLC outside
Great proximity to the Lake and Mt Saint Helens trails. Very close to a conscience store and bar/grill. The garden and outdoor space needed some spring cleaning and the outside patio chair cushions were ripped and dirty. Inside was cozy and we had everything we needed. We were disappointed there was only a jetted bath tub and not a hot tub like advertised. Owner was quick to respond when we got there and answered our questions. Our overall stay was good and it beat sleeping in a tent.
Had a great time at the cabin! Was very well situated and lots of room for 4 adults. One room has a large bed and a bunk bed and the other has a queen size bed with an ensuite. Cooking with the hot plates and the tabletop oven went well and it was nice to have a small dishwasher too. Would love to return in summer when we can enjoy the lake!
We spend 3 days in this beautiful cozy house on the lake and we just LOVED it! The house was perfect size, crispy clean and cute decorated. We made a delicious dinner on the fancy BBQ and enjoyed the fire. It was great that we could use all the kayaks, paddling boards and had fun on the water. Thank you and we will be back!!!!
This is a wonderful place to stay. We had a family reunion group and it exceeded our expectations. Comfortable, peaceful, wonderful memorabilia that is extremely entertaining. Plan on returning!
Our family very much enjoyed our extended weekend at this cozy site. The fire pit was especially enjoyed by our younger members and the small enclosed yard was much appreciated by our dogs. A great location for exploring the southeast side of the mountain.
My family was looking for a place to stay to take a break from quaranteening. Cougar House is just the right place. It's cozy and homey. It was very welcoming as soon as we stepped-in. The house is rustic in design and yet modern. There is no stove but the cook top is enough to cook eggs and pancakes.
We were given the wrong codes to enter the house, without cell signal, we struggled to find a way to contact Troy. Wifi connection is 90% reliable so after we figure that out, we were able to contact him and was able to get in.
We were being cautious due to COVID so we checked the cleanliness first. We found some leftover condiments in the fridge and was expecting the garbage to be empty. It wasn't full, but empty juice bottle and some paper towels. There are also some leftover shampoo and soap in the shower. Turned out, past renters have been doing that and Troy said that if it not expired, they just keep them to help out new renters. We bought or own groceries and also left what we ddn't use.
The town itself is very small, has their own convenience store and a couple of restaurant.
Because of covid most of places we want to visit are closed, but the kids had a blast spending time in the lake.
All in all, we had fun. We will probably plan to go back after COVID.
This house was the perfect fit for a group of 4 friends and I. It had everything we needed to cook and BBQ. It is also within about a 5 minute drive of two parks on Yale Lake.
Very pleasantly surprised with our stay! It was just perfect for us. Clean, lovely accommodations. The owners have made sure that you have about everything you need. The only thing that we noticed missing was a stove and they made sure you had a hot plate which worked great. If you wanted to heat up something like lasagna ( baked ) foods you likely could do it in the microwave. They also had a barbecue grill and heated pan available. There was also a super barbecue pit, kayaks, games. We didn't miss anything! We had all our meals right in Cougar House it was so nice. It is located near beautiful Yale lake. We spent our weekend and visited the Ape Caves and Windy Ridge.. The drive to windy ridge takes long as it is up hill but the drive back was half the time going. Just keep that in mind. Definitely recommend both. We hope to return and highly recommend!