Castle Rock

Gateway to Mount St. Helens

Recognized as the “Gateway to Mount St. Helens,” Castle Rock is located on Interstate 5 between exits 48 and 49. Scenic (SR-504) Spirit Lake Memorial Highway originates in Castle Rock and provides access to the dramatic landscapes of the Toutle River Valley and Mount St. Helens.

The town’s namesake, a 150 foot-high rock, was a landmark for Cowlitz Indians and Hudson’s Bay traders as early as 1832. Founded in 1854, Castle Rock is an active community of 2,100. Points of interest include the Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, Harry Truman Memorial Park, and the Riverfront Walk. A popular destination for fishermen, Castle Rock also hosts professional motorcycle racing events, an antique car show, and a Mountain Mania festival. Take a few minutes to enjoy this quaint town. Do some antiquing, explore the Exhibit Hall or grab a bite to eat at the bakery, or one of the cafes or restaurants.

Stop by the Castle Rock Exhibit Hall to see the current exhibit on logging and its champions. Castle Rock, and nearby Toutle have produced an incredible number of nationally known logging champions, including Hap Johnson and Paul Searls.

Johnson was a tree-topping champion for nearly two decades, all-around best logger for four years and axe-throwing champion for three years. He was best known for his stand-in roll for John Wayne in North to Alaska. He also demonstrated his skills on many national television programs.

Toutle’s Paul Searls was a champion log bucker for 30 years and was featured on TV shows such as You Asked for It. Other area logging champions include Dwight Carpenter and Larry and Ron Downing.

The Exhibit Hall is located at 147 Front Avenue NW in Castle Rock. Please call 360.274.6603 for current hours and directions if needed.

Castle Rock’s Lon Minkler is an accomplished logger poet and the author of The Tall and Uncut and Uncut, Uncensored Logger Poetry.

To visit the City of Castle Rock website, Click Here

To visit the Castle Rock Chamber website, Cilck Here