Kelso - Longview Travel Guide

Tourist 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 artefact 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 coffee shops and gardens are a few reasons travellers visit Longview Heights. Want to see more of the surrounding area? Triangle Bowl and Lake Sacajawea Park are a few top sights 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 Cowlitz County Historical Museum.

West Side Highway
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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
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 AU$227 per night from 15 Oct to 16 Oct
AU$227
15 Oct - 16 Oct
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! (1,008 reviews)
"Check in was fast and the staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast items were fresh. The bed was harder than I would have liked."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Lewis River Inn
Best Western Woodland Inn

Best Western Woodland Inn

2.5 out of 5
1380 Atlantic Avenue, Woodland, WA
The price is AU$159 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$159
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Woodland. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Nice place"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

Best Western Woodland Inn
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 AU$176 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$176
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (559 reviews)
"Great staff and great breakfast"

Reviewed on 8 Oct 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.
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, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Cowlitz County Historical Museum and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (40 reviews)
"Cute little house. Unfortunately we had an issue the first night and the owner was super attentive and helped us resolve it right away. I'd recommend Lydia any time."

Reviewed on 23 June 2025

Single Bedroom Guesthouse in the Cowlitz Valley
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 Elochoman ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (186 reviews)
"Comfortable and clean, great views!!"

Reviewed on 17 Sept 2025

Beautiful Lower Columbia Hamlet On The Water
Renovated, dog-friendly lodge with river view, kayaks, great deck & firepit

Renovated, dog-friendly lodge with river view, kayaks, great deck & firepit

2 out of 5
Kalama
Stay at this vacation home in Kalama. Enjoy laundry facilities, a pool table, and patios. Popular attractions Upper Kalama Water Access Site and Woodland Motocross ...
10/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"This property is fabulous! Plenty of space for our family, with endless things for the kids to do. The roll-up garage game room kept us entertained for hours (darts, pool, air hockey & ping pong) The surroundings are beautiful & include the gorgeous Kalama River directly across the road. The house ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 2025

Renovated, dog-friendly lodge with river view, kayaks, great deck & firepit
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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