Mountain Biking
Don’t pass up the chance to turn a crank on the shoulder of an active volcano! The Ape Canyon ride, which begins on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is one of the Northwest’s premier mountain biking treks, with varied landscapes and incredible vistas. World-class single-track also awaits at Siouxon Creek, Lewis River, South Coldwater, and Old Man Pass/Falls Creek.

Tour de Blast – Road Biking
Tour de Blast is the essential event for road bikers, attracting crowds in excess of 1,000 each year. The 82-mile route from Toutle to Johnston Ridge takes riders into the very heart of the blast zone. If you can’t make the annual June event, you can still enjoy the experience and the views by following the ride route from Toutle Lake School to Johnston Ridge Observatory. Total elevation gain is 6,240′

STP Bicycle Classic
This 200-mile bicycle ride is the largest multi-day bicycle event in the Northwest, with up to 10,000 participants riding from Seattle to Portland in one or two days. The route takes you through the scenic valleys, forests, and farmlands of western Washington and Oregon.

Castle Rock Bike Skills Park
This is an awesome dirt track located in Castle Rock, WA. Jump lines, drops, skinnies, log-overs, and the Pacific Northwest’s largest pump track.
 

Bob’s Sporting Goods

Offering:

Full-time Pro Shop employees

Archery Lessons, Seminars

Archery League

11-lane air conditioned range

Full service repair shop

Offering Hoyt, Mathews, Mission Bows

Parts and Accessories

Tel: 360.425.3870

This year Castle Rock Festival of Lights will be a drive through the city to see all the decorated businesses, streets and neighborhoods. Due to the Covid Pandemic we are unable to have the event as we normally do. Thank you for your understanding during this time. We wish you a very merry Christmas to you and all of your family.

2021 Event
Castle Rock Festival of Lights
Tree Lighting and Parade
Second Saturday of December each year
Free pictures with Santa start at 3:30.
Hometown Parade will start at 5:30, with a tree lighting ceremony to follow.
Gift Vendors, Food Vendors, local businesses and restaurants will be open during the event.
Santa will hang around for pictures until about 7:30 pm!
When:  Saturday, December 11, 2021

Castle Rock Festival of Lights is an amazing family-friendly event each December.
Claim a spot of sidewalk along Cowlitz St. or Front Ave. for the hometown parade, starting at 5:30 pm. A very well decked-out Castle Rock Fire Department, several local businesses. Following the parade, the official tree lighting ceremony will begin near the Post Office at 126 W Cowlitz St. Santa will lead the countdown and we’ll flip the switch, illuminating the charming downtown with thousands of glittering lights. Following the lighting ceremony, the Castle Rock High School band and the Castle Rock Men’s Ensemble will lead the crowd in classic Christmas Carols. Businesses will be decked out, each trying to win the coveted Best Decorated Storefront award. The committee also encourages attendees to come early and stay late to enjoy restaurant and shopping specials throughout the town, on both exit 48 and 49. Festival-goers can also enter to win fantastic raffle prizes being drawn the night of the celebration.
And of course, Santa will be making his annual stop for free pictures with all the good little boys and girls, inside the Visitors Center located at 147 Front Ave.
Whether this is your 1st year or your 11th year, you are sure to have yourself a merry little Festival of Lights. There’s a lot to do in this little town! For complete details and a schedule of events, please visit the Castle Rock Festival of Lights Facebook page.

Climbing information – Permits

At 8,328 feet high (as measured by USGS in 2009), Mount St. Helens offers climbers a breathtaking view from the crater rim. Although it is not a technical climb, it is strenuous and hazardous due to ice, large boulders, loose pumice, fast-changing weather and volcanism. Climbers should be in very good physical condition, well equipped, informed about volcanic hazards, and have plenty of water and food.

The Mount St. Helens Institute has partnered with the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument to help protect the volcano’s fragile features and to ensure climbers have a safe, low-impact experience on the volcano.

Before climbing Mount St. Helens, please read climbing rules, road and trail conditions, and other important information from the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. (please use the URL in the website field to get your permit and view rules and regulations)

Climbing permits are required year-round on Mount St. Helens. A Climbing Permit allows an individual or group (max size limit of 12) to be in or upon the area defined as the Mount St. Helens Closure Area #2 (PDF) during the 24 hour period designated by the permit. (please use the URL in the website field to get your permit and view rules and regulations)

To reduce crowding and protect natural features, the number of climbers per day on Mount St. Helens is subject to a quota from April 1 to October 31.

During the quota season, permits must be purchased online in advance. A permit may be printed up to 14 days before your reservation date. Once your permit has been printed, you cannot make changes. Outside the quota season, permits are free of charge and self-issued at the trailhead.

April 1 – May 14: 500 climbers/day. Must be purchased online in advance.

May 15 – October 31: 100 climbers/day. Must be purchased online in advance.

November 1 – March 31: Unlimited climbers. Permit is free and self-issue at the trailhead.

Climbing permits during the quota season cost $15 per person per day. A $6 reservation fee is charged per transaction.

Permits are one per Group, rather than one per individual.

The Permit Holder (the purchaser) of the climbing permit can make a reservation for up to 12 total climbing Group Members. The Permit Holder must be included in the climbing group.

The Permit Holder must provide the names of all Group Members at the time of purchase. While climbing Group Members’ names can be adjusted after the purchase, the Permit Holder name cannot be changed nor refunded without cancelling the entire permit. All climbers in the Group must carry a government-issued photo ID that matches their name on the list of members on the purchased permit.

Every year millions of visitors use Recreation.gov to plan, reserve and share their experiences in national forests, national parks, and other public federal lands. Recreation.gov hosts more than 3,000 campgrounds nationwide, including 18 on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Permits

Located in the small quaint town of Cougar, Washington, on the south side of Mt. St. Helens, a paradise for the outdoor enthusiasts, you will find Cougar RV Park & Campground. There are four popular lakes within 20 miles or less of the park for fishing and water sports. The Ape Caves, the third longest lava tube in the United States, is just a short 8 miles away in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest; as well as the Climbers Bivouac Trailhead. The forest also offers ample outdoor opportunities: OHV trails, horseback riding trails, hiking trails, mushroom and huckleberry picking, hunting, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are just a few of the many activities nearby that make this park a great “base camp” for all your outdoor adventures!

Tuesdays – 9 am to 2 pm
(May through October)Saturdays – 9 am to 2 pm
(April through October)
7th Avenue – Longview
(across from Cowlitz County Fairgrounds)

Cresap Bay Campground Information

Open Friday before Memorial Day through September 30: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.

•56 overnight campsites; make a campsite reservation
•Group camping facility with 15 campsites (group site has a covered shelter with a fireplace, sink and electricity)
•Day use and camping (see fees)

•Swimming beach
•Two-lane boat ramp

•Separate 23-slip marina available for first come, first served use by overnight guests at the campground

•Water, restrooms and showers provided
•Recreational vehicle dump station, but no RV hook-ups at campsites

•Entrance gate closes at 9 p.m.

Visitors entering day use sites via vehicles are required to pay applicable fees. Pass holders must check in with booth attendant (if staffed). Passes must be displayed in car window at all times. Fees are non-transferable.

Eco Park Resort is a private reservation facility that offers the closest accommodations to Mt St Helens, with Log Cabins, Yurts, RV & Tent Sites, so you get to
spend more time taking in what you came to see. They offer a full service cafe on site for their guests, and have hiking and biking trails.

Conveniently located near Mt St Helens
* Forest Learning Center
* Coldwater Lake
* Johnston Ridge Observatory

Each year, thousands of visitors step back in time to discover the 1880’s Victorian Farmhouse and country gardens that comprise the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens.

To showcase the site, the Gardens and historic buildings have been lovingly maintained by the Hulda Klager Lilac Society, a nonprofit volunteer organization. The Society fully funds the care and upkeep of the historical site from the proceeds of Lilac Days, dues and donations. With the help of our volunteers and members, the Society continues to carry on the work of growing and showing the beautiful lilacs including those hybridized by Hulda Klager many decades ago.

Lilac Days 2021
April to May

History of Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens
Woodland is perhaps best known as the home of Hulda Klager (1863–1960), who was a prolific breeder of lilacs. The “Lilac Lady” Hulda Klager née Thiel, was long the pride of Woodland. She immigrated from Germany to Wisconsin in 1865, when she was just two years old, and came West when her family bought a farm in Woodland. Later she married and settled down on the family farm. When a friend gave her a book about Luther Burbank, she began creating flowers, hybridizing new varieties of roses, dahlias, even apples, and lilacs in particular. By 1920 she had created such a magnificent array of new hand-pollinated lilacs that she opened her garden on Lilac Week every spring for visitors. The floodwaters of 1948 rolled over her garden, destroying every shrub and hand-pollinated lilac. The loss grieved those who visited her garden or who had purchased her lilacs. From all over the Northwest, people sent starts of her lilacs from their own gardens. By 1950, at the age of eighty-seven, Klager, who loved flowers and who had been honored by the state of Washington as well as such organizations as the nationally famous arboretum at Cambridge, Massachusetts, again opened her home for Lilac Week. After her death in 1960, the Woodland Federated Garden Club, shocked that the garden might be bulldozed for industry, succeeded in raising money to buy it and have it declared a state and national historic site.

Set in a quiet forest, in an old homestead, the park offers a convenient base for sightseeing, hiking and biking the Mt. St. Helens area. Kid Valley Campground is also located close to fishing opportunities at nearby lakes and the famous Toutle River.

Winter activities include hunting, crosscountry skiing, and snowmobiling in the nearby area, including the Toutle state forest, with 35,000 acres open to snowmobiling.

We are located adjacent to the Toutle River and a few miles from the Green River, both of which have recovered from the volcanic mud flows and offer great salmon and steel-head fishing. We are a short drive from fly-fishing at Coldwater Lake and bass and trout fishing in Silver Lake. Year around elk viewing is popular on the road to Mount St. Helens and hunting in the Winston, Toutle, Coweeman and Margaret units are nearby, too. Call for special hunting season rates.

Located 30 minutes north of Portland, Oregon, and just a few minutes (5 miles)east of I-5 at exit 21 (Woodland, WA.), the Lewis River Golf Course is tucked between the North Fork of the beautiful Lewis River and the evergreen foothills of the Cascade mountains. The golf course environment contains numerous species of shrubs and trees, framing the beautiful Pacific Northwest valley and the scenic Cascade foothills. The tree-lined fairways require accuracy to score well, and the greens, with challenging contours, are some of the finest you’ll putt on in the northwest. Also home to North Fork Bar & Grill.

At Mint Valley you will find one of the finest public golf courses in the state of Washington. The well-bunkered greens, water hazards, and tall trees will test every skill level. This par 71 championship course plays 6,432 yards from the back tees and 5,230 yards from the forward tees. The greens are always fast and in excellent condition. The course also features practice putting and chipping greens as well as a covered driving range. The course is easy to walk, but if you prefer to ride just call ahead and reserve a cart.

Mint Valley also has a six-hole, par 3 course with holes ranging in distance from 50 to 90 yards. This is a great place to fine tune your short game and introduce the game to beginning players.

Mint Valley Golf Course…it’s beautiful, friendly and affordable. Come out and play!

Marina & Recreational Area

The Port of Kalama offers stellar riverfront recreational facilities, including walking and biking paths, playgrounds, covered picnic shelters and the  tallest totem pole in the Pacific Northwest! The Port operates a 222-slip marina, and its public beaches are a southwest Washington destination for swimming, windsurfing, fishing and just relaxing.

Here at Rocking Horse Ranch, LLC we offer Horse training, Riding lesson’s, Farrier service. & Training clinic’s
Training offered
Colt starting, ranch versatility, tune-ups, correcting bad habits, ground work, trail obstacles, confidence building and working ranch horse.
Lesson’s we offer
Roping
Riding
Beginning horsemanship
Intermediate horsemanship
Advance horsemanship

We specialize in training horses from ground work to the finished bridle horse, roping, ranch versatility, working ranch horse, extensive trail riding, packing and horsemanship, lesson’s from beginning to advanced.
Mike Gunnels AQHA professional horseman

Breathtaking views, Lakeside relaxation, & World class fishing. Magical evenings around the bonfire with new friends. Friendly staff who treat you like family. Silver Lake Resort has it all, with a variety of accommodations to meet your needs. Our beautiful property is located on the shores of Silver Lake with stunning Mt. St. Helens in the backdrop. Silver Lake has some of the best fishing in the Pacific Northwest – from one of our many rental boats, from our docks, or even from the balcony of your own room. Kids can play on the playground, feed the ducks by the waterfront, or catch fish with a rented fishing pole. Silver Lake Resort is the perfect lodging for visiting Mt. St. Helens, fishing for largemouth bass, or relaxing in the natural beauty all year ‘round. Our rustic setting has been drawing vacationers looking for rest and relaxation for over 50 years

Just minutes away to Castle Rock WA and the following Restaurants and more to explore
* Parkers Steakhouse
* El Compadre
* Papa Pete’s Pizza
* Peper’s 49er
* C & L Burger Bar
* CJ’s Pizza
* Crosscut Taproom
* Mount St Helens Visitor Center
* Castle Rock Visitor Center

Streeter’s Resort

The History of the Rodeo

The Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo originated as a PRCA rodeo in 1975 under the direction of rodeo committee members Ron McCoy, Mel Boultinghouse, Cal Christensen, Vern Eaton, Wayne Gossett, Bill Merz, George Moore, Les Nelson, and Jan Searing. The rodeo was originally called The Cowlitz County Fair & Rodeo, but after Mount Saint Helens spewed its fire and thunder upon this area in 1980, committeeman George Moore suggested in 1981 that the rodeo’s name be changed to The Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo.

Since 1981, the rodeo has been known by this memorable name, which though was derived from a volcanic eruption, it also aptly denotes the thundering hooves and energy, which this rodeo brings to town.

When the rodeo began in 1975 we used a borrowed, portable arena that was erected just before the Cowlitz County Fair opened, and had to dismantle it after the fair ended. In 1979, we established a permanent arena. Although this arena was a vast improvement over a portable arena, we now have a state of the art arena, which we are proud to state was entirely constructed by committee members. Cowlitz County Fair Grounds 1970’s Our present committee is comprised of 12 committee members, whereas we had 8 committee members when the rodeo originated.

Christensen Brothers was our original stock contractor. Gold Buckle Rodeo Company is our present stock contractor. We began with $300.00 per added event, and now we add $3,000.00 per event, including barrel racing. Since this rodeo’s origination we have consistently drawn top cowboy and cowgirl contestants to the competition. The Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo committee believes that the keys to success in having a great rodeo consist of having excellent stock, quality contestants, talented bullfighters, funny clowns, and exciting half-time entertainment. Each year we strive to make the rodeo the most successful rodeo competition we can bring to the Lower Columbia region. We hope that you have the opportunity to experience the Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo!

The Unique Tin car show and Cruise has become one of the premier car shows in the northwest. We are the second or third largest event in Cowlitz County and bring 500 or more classic and performance cars to the area every August. We provide a fun and profitable show for the local economy, give support to local charities and businesses, and manage to enjoy doing it. We hope to continue for years to come.

When:  August 2021
Location:  Cowlitz County Event Center
1900 7th Avenue
Longview, WA 98632
Contact:  Everett – 360.636.1969

Please visit our website for more information.