Southwest Washington

Southwest Washington is a lush, forested region of Washington State. This part of the state is along north bank of the Columbia River, from where it carves a gorge through the Cascade Mountains, past the busy communities opposite of Portland, to its wide mouth at the Pacific Ocean. Its stretch of coastline features extensive sandy beaches as well as sheltered wetlands, and its interior is covered in evergreen forest punctuated with prominent volcanic peaks. == Cities == This region includes the Cowlitz, Clark, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties. === Cowlitz County === 1 Longview — largest city in Cowlitz County 2 Kelso — seat of Cowlitz County 3 Toutle — last town on the way to Mount St Helens 4 Woodland === Clark County === 5 Vancouver (Washington) — oldest permanent settlement in the Pacific Northwest, built around a fur trading post, and now the largest city in this region. (Not to be confused with Vancouver, BC, Canada.) 6 Camas — second largest city in Clark County 7 Washougal — motorcycling destination at the entrance to the Columbia River Gorge 8 La Center 9 Ridgefield === Lewis County === 10 Centralia — largest city in Lewis County 11 Chehalis — seat of Lewis County 12 Mossyrock — heart of East Lewis County 13 Packwood — a mountain town close to Mount Adams and the east side of Mount Rainier === Pacific County === 14 South Bend — seat of Pacific County, shellfishing center at the mouth of the Willipa 15 Ilwaco — where the Columbia meets the Pacific, at (the poorly-named) Cape Disappointment 16 Long Beach — the longest beach in the contiguous U.S. 17 Naselle 18 Ocean Park 19 Oysterville 20 Raymond 21 Seaview === Skamania County === 22 Stevenson — seat of Skamania County, at the heart of the Columbia River Gorge 23 Carson === Wahkiakum County === 24 Cathlamet — seat of Wahkiakum County == Other destinations == 1 Grayland Beach State Park Lewis and Clark National Historical Park — 12 park sites located on a 40 mi (64 km) stretch of the Pacific coast from Long Beach, Washington to Cannon Beach, Oregon, where the American explorers overwintered in 1804-1805. 2 Mount St. Helens — site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in known United States history. == Understand == Southwest Washington is bordered to the south by the mighty Columbia River and the scenic Columbia River Gorge. To the west, it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean and includes many broad sandy beaches and popular tourist towns. The crest of the volcanic Cascade Mountains is the eastern boundary. In 1980, Mount Saint Helens experienced one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the known history of the United States. == Talk == Like the rest of Washington state, English is spoken with a Pacific Northwest accent very similar to the General American standard accent (native to the Midwest), popularized in the 20th century by radio, TV and movies. People in the area generally have little to no problem understanding different accents of the English language. The Pacific Northwest attracts tourists from around the world, and it is common to hear many foreign languages being spoken in public in major tourist areas. == Get in == === By plane === {Portland International Airport, (PDX IATA), just across the river from Vancouver, is quite convenient for this region. It has flights to most major US airports and a few international connections. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, (SEA IATA) is about 90 minutes north of the region by car. It is the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest, with more international flights than Portland. === By car === Interstate 5 (I-5) connects the region to Seattle and Portland. From the Columbia River Plateau or Central Washington, take US-12 or SR-14 west. From the Oregon Coast, take US-101 across the Columbia River on the Astoria Bridge. === By train === The Amtrak Cascades and Coast Starlight services stop in Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver and Portland. === By bus === Bus services operate on limited schedules and routing but is doable between some of the major cities and towns: Greyhound and Flixbus, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. pass through the area, along Interstate 5, with between Seattle and Portland via Tacoma and Olympia. They no longer stop into Centralia and Kelso. See below under 'public transit' or use Amtrak Cascades to reach Centralia and/or Kelso without a car. Grays Harbor Transit, ☏ +1 360 532-2770. Connects Aberdeen to Olympia (40) and Centralia (45). == Get around == === By car === I-5, a major connector for the entire West Coast, travels from north to south through the center of this region. The two-lane US Highway 101 runs further west along the coast for a slower, more scenic pass through the area. State Route 6 (WA-6) runs along the north from Chehalis to Raymond. State Route 4 (WA-4) runs in the south along the Columbia River from Kelso to Naselle. Distances between gas stations can sometimes be vast, so make sure you're aware of your fuel level before heading out. === By public transit === There are county operated buses serving the cities and towns of southwest Washington. Some only offer in-town public transportation while others offer transport across rural areas, between cities and towns. The intercity services operate on less frequent schedules, check schedules: Lower Columbia CAP, ☏ +1 360 200-4911, toll-free: +1-800-752-9422. Rural public bus system to the 99th Street Transit Center (reachable by C-TRAN buses #32, 71 and 105) from Longview, Kalama, and Woodland. They also have a separate, less frequent, route from Longview to Castle Rock via Lexington.Passengers transfer to Twin Cities Purple Line bus (or Amtrak) to continue up towards Centralia from Kelso. $2 Each Way. Rural Transit, ☏ +1 253 472-7846. Office Hours M-F 9AM-3PM; Bus services M-F 6AM-6PM check schedules. Rural Transit (RT) connects the communities of Rochester, Tenino, Bucoda, Rainier, Yelm, and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation to the greater tri-city area of Tumwater, Olympia, and Lacey in the north and Centralia in the south on three routes. This service is offered by the Chehalis Confederated Tribes west of Rochester. (updated Jan 2019) Rt #2 Goes from Tumwater Square along Old Hwy 99 SE to Tenino and east towards Rainier along Sussex Ave E Rt #3 Goes from Tumwater Square along I-5 and Case Rd Sw to Grand Mound P&R (Exit #88 from I-5) and then west on US Hwy 12 to Rochester and the Chehalis Tribal Center on the Chehalis Indian Reservation. Rt #4 goes from Centralia to Grand Mount P&R, to Tenino (Tenino Library), Bucoda and back to Centralia from Bucoda. C-TRAN, ☏ +1 360 695-0123. Operates local city buses in and around Vancouver and to Battle Ground, Camas, Washougal, and Yacolt. They also operate express commuter buses to Portland from 99th St Transit Center, Fishers Landing and Vancouver on: $2.50 from Vanport or Parkrose Transit Centers, $3.85 express from downtown Portland. 71 Travels on old Hwy 99 from downtown Vancouver to 99th Street Transit Center 105/105X Express service from Downtown Portland to 99th Street Transit Center via downtown Vancouver and Rose Quarter Transit Center. Passengers transfer to the Lower Columbia CAP to continue north towards Longview from 99th Street Transit Center (see above). 164 Express service from Downtown Portland to Fishers Creek (east of Vancouver) on I-84, I-205 & WA-14 Pacific Transit System, ☏ +1 360 875-9418. Operates buses in Pacific County, between Illwaco (#24 & 50), Long Beach (#20), Raymond (#14 & 32), South Bend (#32) and Naselle (#50, connections with 'Wahkiakum on the Move' at Rockets Diner). Interstate/county connections to Astoria (Rt #24 & 50) and Aberdeen (Rt #14) are also available. (updated Nov 2020) River Cities Transit, ☏ +1 360 442-5663. Local city buses within Kelso and Longview only. (updated Sep 2020) Lewis County Transit (formerly Twin Transit), (transit station) Mellens St & Old Airport Rd, Centralia, WA, ☏ +1 360 330-2072. Lewis County Transit operates fixed route services throughout Centralia & Chehalis (Blue, Red, Yellow, & Orange Line routes) from the Mellen St Transit Station (P&R) and on the following intercity routes: (updated Sep 2019) Green Line, Olympia Transit Center - Centralia Mellen Street Station on I-5. Intercity route #600 continues from Olympia towards SR-512 Park & Ride in Lakewood, south of Tacoma, via Lacey on I-5. Purple Line, Twin Rivers Safeway in Kelso - Centralia Mellen Street Station on I-5. River Cities Transit #44 and 45 connect Twin Rivers Mall to the Amtrak Station for onward intercity connections. Brown Line, Centralia Mellen Station - Chevron in Morton on I-5 and US 12. Wahkiakum on the Move, (office & bus garage) 42 Elochoman Valley Rd, Cathlamet, ☏ +1 360 795-6212. Connects Rockets Diner in Naselle, WA to Kelso Amtrak Station via Cathlamet, WA (major town and county seat) on a single route along WA-Hwy 4 in Wahkiakum County. (updated Sep 2020) == See == === Historic sites === Lewis and Clark extensively explored the area during their 1803-1806 expedition, and left their mark on various places along the Columbia River. A few years later, Fort Vancouver near downtown Vancouver was built in 1825 as a fur trading outpost for the Hudson's Bay Company, making it one of the oldest establishments in this part of the world. === Architecture === Cape Disappointment State Park near Ilwaco features two historic lighthouses. === Scenic drives === White Pass Scenic Byway (US-12 between Chehalis and Naches). (updated Aug 2025) == Do == Southwest Washington is an outdoorsy place that offers an intimidating variety of places to experience nature. === Beachcombing === The beaches along the Pacific Coast are hugely popular. Fortunately, the 28 mi (45 km) Long Beach, arguably the longest beach in the United States, has room for everyone. === Boating === The Pacific Northwest is one of the most popular places for recreational boating in America. Breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountain ranges mingle with thick forests and clear bays and streams to create a humbling cacophony of natural sights for area boaters. Sea kayaking as a sport developed in the Pacific Northwest and the area offers hundreds of miles of convoluted shoreline to explore. Whale watching is good along the coast in spring and fall during the Grey Whale migration and Orca Whales can also frequently be seen. Many professional tours are available or check online for recent updates from various whale watching groups. === Hiking and backpacking === Opportunities for hiking/backpacking can be found nearly everywhere. The most extensive trail networks are found in the Cascades, where the Pacific Crest Trail link up destinations such as the Goat Rocks Wilderness and the Columbia Gorge. Mount St Helens is ringed with trails for all comfort levels, as well as a 2.5 mi (4.0 km) lava cave. There is more hiking in the area's many state parks, especially Beacon Rock State Park near Stevenson. Two volcanoes, Mount St Helens and Mount Adams, allow you to you scramble high above the surrounding mountains. === Motorcycling === Washougal is renowned for motorcycling each summer, hosting thousands of spectators at the Motocross Nationals at Washougal MX Park. == Eat == Willapa Bay has a large shellfish industry. You can buy oysters at the local markets and canneries. Also look for fresh Dungeness crab when in season. Wild mushrooms, cranberries, and blackberries are abundant in this region, and are frequently used alongside local organic produce. == Drink == === Beer === Like the rest of Washington State, microbreweries and beer in general is hugely popular, and the area has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. Some brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don't even bottle their product). Southwest Washington borders Oregon and benefits from the many larger brewers are located just across the border such as Full Sail Brewing in Hood River and are therefore plentiful in the area. === Wine === Southwest Washington wines are a well-kept secret as several dozen wineries dot the area, including Chehalis and Vancouver. == Stay safe == Being on the Pacific Rim means that earthquakes and tsunamis are an ever-present possibility. Areas along the coast have well-marked Tsunami Evacuation Routes to follow in case of an emergency. There are several volcanoes in the region. Mount St Helens was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded American history, taking 57 lives in 1980. Fortunately, large volcanic eruptions come with weeks if not months of warning. Lahars are volcanic mudslides associated with eruptions, and most river valleys in the Cascade foothills show evidence of these events. Cities near volcanoes have Volcano Evacuation Route signs to follow in case of an emergency. == Go next == The Puget Sound region lies to the north The Olympic Peninsula is also to the north, along the coast Over the Cascade Mountains to the east is the Columbia River Plateau Across the Columbia River in Oregon are the Oregon Coast and the Portland Metropolitan Area