Cowlitz County Hotels: Find & Book Cheap Hotel Deals in Cowlitz County | 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!

2015

Our top choices for Cowlitz County hotels

Lobby

Best Western Woodland Inn

Woodland

Canada

Bradley

RM420 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Jan - 28 Jan

Premium bedding, pillow-top beds, desk, laptop workspace

Sleep Inn Kelso Longview

Kelso

United States

Stephen

RM412 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Jan - 28 Jan

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

Lewis River Inn

Woodland

United States

David

RM674 total

includes taxes & fees

22 Jan - 23 Jan

Desk, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

GuestHouse Kelso Longview

Kelso

United States

Melissa

RM491 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Jan - 28 Jan

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

Quality Inn & Suites Longview Kelso

Longview

United States

Valentina

RM379 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

Lobby

Comfort Inn Kelso - Longview

Kelso

United States

Bryan

RM398 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Feb - 2 Feb

Lobby sitting area

OYO Woodland Hotel and Suites

Woodland

United States

Joe

RM343 total

includes taxes & fees

22 Jan - 23 Jan

5 bars/lounges

McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge

Kalama

United States

Dawn

RM851 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Feb - 3 Feb

Breakfast area

Americas Best Value Inn Kelso

Kelso

United States

Kendrick

RM275 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Jan - 24 Jan

Indoor pool

Best Western Aladdin Inn

Kelso

United States

Andrew

RM442 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Jan - 27 Jan

Lobby

Red Lion Hotel Kelso Longview

Kelso

United States

Darcie

RM409 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Jan - 27 Jan

Reception

Travelers Inn by OYO Longview Kelso

Longview

United States

Angie

RM322 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, desk, soundproofing

Timberland Inn & Suites

Castle Rock

United States

Rebbecka

RM508 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Jan - 25 Jan

Coffee service

Motel 6 Kelso - Mt. St. Helens

Kelso

United States

Amanda

RM300 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Feb - 4 Feb

Living area

Lone Fir Resort

Cougar

United States

Jeremy

RM591 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Front of property

Town House Motel Inc

Longview

United States

James

Exterior

Longview Inn

Longview

United States

Michael

RM308 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Feb - 3 Feb

Interior

Riverfront Woodland Cabin: Wooded & Forested Views

Woodland

United States

Judy

Interior

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

Ariel

Interior

3 Acres! Spacious Waterfront Home in Amboy

Amboy

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Top Cowlitz County Hotel Reviews

Sleep Inn Kelso Longview

Sleep Inn Kelso Longview

10/10 Excellent

"The staff, clean rooms, the amenities are appreciated and thoughtful. "

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