Castle Rock Area
Recreational Opportunities
Castle Rock was founded in 1888 by William and Eliza Huntington. William Huntington and his family had traveled the Oregon Trail in 1852 all the way up to Cowlitz Valley. William Huntington was a US Marshal, a member of the territorial and upper house legislation, and a Christian minister.
Castle Rock today is the "Gateway to Mount St. Helens" cozily situated between the Cowlitz River and Mt. St. Helens with current population of around 2200. The community offers miles of walking, jogging, and biking trails, a blooming downtown, fishing, hiking, hunting, and camping opportunities. Castle Rock's active transportation opportunities is a role model for promoting healthy lifestyles.
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Boating & Fishing
AL HELENBERG MEMORIAL BOAT LAUNCH is situated in the North County Recreation Sports Complex.
​Includes: fishing, picnic area, restrooms, parking
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BIG BEND is located at the east side of the Cowlitz River. West of Dike Drive is an undeveloped area perfect for fishing access and trail walking
​Includes: fishing, trail
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COLDWATER LAKE located along State Route 504 giving visitors access to water, boating, trails, and fishing.
​Includes: water access, boating, fishing, restrooms, picnic areas
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COOK FERRY is situated along Cook Ferry Road just off Westside Highway, Cook Ferry provides visitors with pathways and an open area for barbecuing, playing, and picnics.
​​Includes: fishing, picnic area, parking, trails, restrooms, BBQ pits
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HIGH BANKS is located West of the Cowlitz River, South of PH 10. High Banks serves as a great dirt trail and fishing grounds.
​Includes: fishing, trail, picnic
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SILVER LAKE is situated along State Route 504 (Spirit Lake Highway) adjacent to Seaquest State Park. Public boat launch is located off of Kerr Rd.
​Includes: water access, boating, fishing, restrooms
Campgrounds
PARADISE COVE RESORT AND RV PARK is located off I-5 onto exit 52. Paradise Coves is nestled at the gateway of Mount St. Helen’s Recreation Area
​​Includes: campsites, picnic, shower, restroom, hiking, hunting, swimming, fishing, boating (non-motorized only)
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SEAQUEST STATE PARK is located at 3030 Spirit Lake Highway across from the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center. Seaquest State Park is a day use and camping facility that offers a variety of activities, including 12 miles of trails.
​​Includes: campsites, restroom, shower, trails, hiking, bird watching, playground, volleyball field, horseshoe pits, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, amphitheater, yurt rentals
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SILVER COVE RESORT is located less than 10 minutes from Castle Rock off Spirit Lake Highway and borders on Silver Lake.
Includes: RV sites, cottages, cabins, lodges, campsites, boat launch, boat/kayak/peddle boat rental, disc golf, horseshoes, laundry
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​TOUTLE RIVER RV RESORT is located at 150 Happy Trails Road.
​​Includes: campsites, playground, disc golf. pool, sauna, sport platforms, picnic, shower, restroom, dog wash
Eat Smart
CASTLE ROCK COMMUNITY GARDENS is located in North County providing fresh vegetables to local food banks, assisted living facilities, local families, and the Castle Rock Senior Center. The Castle Rock community gardens is sponsored by Castle Rock School District and the CARE coalition.
​Includes: garden
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​SILVER LAKE GRANGE SATURDAY MARKET is located at 3104 Spirit Lake Highway. The Silver Lake Grange’s Saturday market is open every second Saturday of May through August.
​Includes: fresh local fruits and veggies, entertainment, arts, and crafts
Fairgrounds
CASTLE ROCK FAIRGROUNDS is located across the bridge at 120 Firlane Rd. The Castle Rock Fairgrounds offers a variety of events showcasing everything from animals to rock collections.
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Includes: barn, fairground, motorcycle track, exhibits, games, animals
Library
CASTLE ROCK LIBRARY is located at 37 Cowlitz Street West, providing access books, computers, and programs to local residents.
​​Includes: books, computer access, free online computer courses, annual summer reading program
Motorsports
MOUNT ST. HELENS MOTORCYCLE TRACK is located at the Castle Rock Fairgrounds at 120 Firlane Road. The Mount St. Helen’s Motorcycle Track gives riders and fans access to enjoy the racetrack.
​​Includes: race track, stands
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​RIVERDALE RACEWAY is located at 7255 Spirit Lake Highway. The Riverdale Raceway is a private motorcycle track that offers drag, motocross, and rally car race events.
​​Includes: motorcycle tracks, races
Parks
CASTLE ROCK BIKE SKILLS PARK is located off of the Riverfront Trail, and gives bike riders free access to obstacle courses, pathways, and jumps.
​​Includes: bike course, covered area, picnic table
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​COLDWATER PARK is located behind City Hall.
​​Includes: playground, picnic tables
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GATEWAY PARK is located at the northern entrance of Castle Rock. Its open space is home to plant life and a picnic area.
​​Includes: covered area, picnic area, plants
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​LIONS PRIDE PARK is located at Castle Rock’s southern entrance connecting to the Riverfront Trail.
​​Includes: river view, covered area, BBQ units, parking, restrooms, RV disposal station
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​MEMORIAL LANE VOLUNTEER PARK is located on the western end of Michner Street.
​​Includes: covered area, covered picnic tables, playground, grassy area
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​OLD JAIL PARK is located on Jackson Street Southwest. The Old jail park gives opportunity for visitors to enjoy landscaping and learn some of Castle Rock’s history.
​​Includes: historic jail, landscaping, horseshoes
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​PIONEER PARK is located on Tia Court near Pioneer Avenue.
​​Includes: bench, picnic area, play elements​
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SEAQUEST STATE PARK is located at 3030 Spirit Lake Highway across from the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center. Seaquest State Park is a day use and camping facility that offers a variety of activities, including 12 miles of trails.
​​Includes: campsites, restroom, shower, trails, hiking, bird watching, playground, volleyball field, horseshoe pits, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, amphitheater, yurt rentals
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​SKATE PARK is located on the west end of 3rd Avenue Southwest off the Riverfront Trail.
​Includes: skate ramps, basketball court and hoops
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​THE ROCK COMMUNITY PARK is located west of Huntington Avenue, just South of Dike Drive. This community park provides a system of trails and picnic area.
​​Includes: trail, covered area, picnic table
Rest Stop
1-5 PARK-N-RIDE is located off of I-5 Exit 49. The Park-n-Ride resides by the Castle Rock Visitor Center.
​​Includes: bus stop, Castle Rock Visitor Center, parking
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​TOUTLE RIVER SAFETY REST AREA is located north and south bound on I-5. The Toutle River Safety Rest Area provides travelers with a nicely maintained rest area, tables area, and a beautiful landscape.
​​Includes: restrooms, dog area, picnic tables, parking
Senior Center
CASTLE ROCK SENIOR CENTER is a non-profit organization located on 22nd Avenue Southwest. The Senior Center is a leisure and social entertainment venue for senior citizens.
Includes: multi-purpose room​
Sports & Fitness
CASTLE ROCK BIKE SKILLS PARK is located off of the Riverfront Trail, and gives bike riders free access to obstacle courses, pathways, and jumps.
​​Includes: bike course, covered area, picnic table​
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​NORTH COUNTY RECREATION SPORTS COMPLEX is located just above Castle Rock High School's sports fields
​​Includes: boat launch, exercise equipment, soccer fields, baseball fields, trail
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SKATE PARK is located on the west end of 3rd Avenue Southwest off the Riverfront Trail.
​Includes: skate ramps, basketball court and hoops
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​TOUTLE RIVER RV RESORT is located on 150 Happy Trails Road.
​​Includes: campsites, playground, disc golf. pool, sauna, sport platforms, picnic, shower, restroom, dog wash
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GYMS and FITNESS RELATED BUSINESSES:
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Studio 117​
Trails
BIG BEND is located at the east side of the Cowlitz River. West of Dike Drive is an undeveloped area perfect for fishing access and trail walking
​Includes: fishing, trail
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​COLDWATER LAKE TRAIL is an 8.7 mile moderate in-and-out trail with views of Coldwater Lake and Mt. St. Helens. Connects to the South Coldwater Trail for a longer loop, or to the Mt. Margaret Backcountry.
​​Includes: trail, boat launch, picnic area, wildlife
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​COLDWATER SCIENCE AND LEARNING CENTER WINDS OF CHANGE TRAIL is located on State Route 504. The Winds of Change Trail is a .3 mile loop with mountain, lake and river views.
​​Includes: gift shop, interactive exhibits, group tours, amazing views, trail, restrooms
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COOK FERRY is situated along the Cowlitz River on Cook Ferry Road just off Westside Highway. Cook Ferry provides visitors with beach access, pathways and an open area for barbecuing, playing, and picnics.
​​Includes: fishing, picnic area, parking, trails, restrooms, BBQ pits, public beach
HIGH BANKS is located West of the Cowlitz River, South of PH 10. High Banks serves as a great dirt trail and fishing grounds.
​Includes: fishing, trail, picnic
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​HUMMOCKS TRAIL is a 2.4 miles easy/moderate loop trail off of Spirit Lake Highway. It offers wildlife, river, and mountain views.
​​Includes: trail, interpretative signs, wildlife, wildflowers​​​
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MOUNT ST. HELENS FOREST LEARNING CENTER tells the story of Mount St. Helens and the remarkable recovery of forests, fish and wildlife following the eruption. It is located just inside the volcanic blast zone on Highway 504 at milepost 33. Learn about the massive destruction caused by the eruption and the amazing return of plants, fish and wildlife. Take a virtual helicopter tour to soar above Mount St. Helens and the surrounding forests. Experience salvage, recovery and reforestation efforts through hands-on displays and interactive exhibits.
​​Includes: free, exhibits, walking paths and 1/4 mile interpretive loop trail, views of Mt. St. Helens and wildlife
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​MOUNT ST. HELENS VISITOR CENTER BOARDWALK TRAIL is located east on Highway 504 at milepost 5, across from Seaquest State Park. The Visitor Center is currently closed through May 2025 for renovation, but the trail and outdoor areas are open.
​​Includes: movie, displays, gift shop, 1-mile boardwalk trail, mountain and lake views, wildlife
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​RIVERFRONT TRAIL is an ADA-accessible trail along the Cowlitz River, about 1.8 miles in length one-way. A mountain bike course, playground, and several picnic areas dot the trailside, and with various access points to it’s easy to duck off into town. Parking is at Lion's Pride Park on the east end or North County Recreation Complex on the west.
​​Includes: trail, river view, history markers, picnic tables, ADA accessibility, restroom
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SEAQUEST STATE PARK is located at 3030 Spirit Lake Highway across from the Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center. Seaquest State Park is a day use and camping facility that offers a variety of activities, including 12 miles of trails.
​​Includes: campsites, restroom, shower, trails, hiking, bird watching, playground, volleyball field, horseshoe pits, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, amphitheater, yurt rentals
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​SOUTH COLDWATER TRAIL is a 7-mile moderate hike that begins just past the Hummocks Trailhead. The road to the trailhead is currently closed, but can be accessed from the parking area to the Hummocks Trailhead. This does require an additional mile hike up the paved road. Hike uphill past logging equipment destroyed by the 1980 eruption and enjoy views
​​Includes: trail, restroom, bike access, mountain views, lake views, wildflowers, wildlife
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​THE ROCK COMMUNITY PARK is located west of Huntington Avenue, just South of Dike Drive. This community park provides a system of trails and picnic area.
​​Includes: trail, covered area, picnic table​
Visitor Centers
CASTLE ROCK VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER is located off of I-5 at Exit 49.
​Includes: parking, gift shop, history, information about local attractions, flower gardens
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JOHNSON RIDGE OBSERVATORY: Due to a landslide on May 14th - Johnston Ridge Observatory will be closed until the unforeseeable future. Located at the end of State Highway 504 (52 miles east of Castle Rock), in the heart of the blast zone. The observatory hosts interpretive displays that tell the biological, geological, and human story of Mount St. Helens.
Includes: currently unreachable
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​MOUNT ST. HELENS VISITOR CENTER is located east on Highway 504 at milepost 5, across from Seaquest State Park. The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center offers movies and display about Mt. St. Helens and what life was like before and after the 1980 eruption. The Visitor Center is currently closed through May 2025 for renovation, but the trail and outdoor exhibits are open.
​​Includes: movie, displays, gift shop, 1-mile boardwalk trail, mountain and lake views, wildlife
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​COLDWATER SCIENCE AND LEARNING CENTER is located on State Route 504. The Coldwater Science and Learning Center provides great views and interactive exhibits.
​​Includes: gift shop, interactive exhibits, group tours, amazing views, trail, restrooms
Live, Work, Play
The CEDC creates opportunities to foster success and economic growth in Cowlitz County. With thriving communities, a strong business environment, and diverse recreational opportunities, Cowlitz County has everything and more.
CEDC
The CEDC promotes economic development and quality of life in our community by creating, retaining, and expanding high-quality jobs, facilitating growth, and helping provide a stable tax base and thriving economy.
Do Business
Cowlitz County has a strong business environment, conveniently located in SW Washington, with access to a range of transportation alternatives, giving your business an affordable advantage.
Ports
As the main source of industrial property in Cowlitz County, our three ports have both the infrastructure and expertise needed for successful development.
Cowlitz Co.
Cowlitz County and its encompassing communities provide exemplary quality of life for individuals and families of all ages
Recreation
Cowlitz County has something for everyone – biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, sports, festivals, arts, theater and so much more!