Cougar Area
Recreational Opportunities
Cougar is a small unincorporated community located 29 miles NE of Woodland along Washington State Route 503 (Exit 21 off of I-5) with a population of less than 200 people.
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Cougar is home to outdoor attractions such as Ape Caves, Lave Canyon, June Lake, Merrill Lake and Yale Reservoir. Lewis River Falls and Kalama River Falls are also nearby.
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The community offers miles of walking, jogging, hiking and biking trails, parks, campgrounds, boating and fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing - all against a beautiful Pacific Northwest backdrop.
Campgrounds
BEAVER BAY CAMPGROUND is located approximately 34.5 miles up Highway 503. They offer campsites, day use, and a fishing and boating area. The park allows access to water activities: kayaks, paddle boards, oars, and inflatable water crafts are all welcome.
​Includes: picnic area, day use, campsites, covered shelter, fishing and water activities, restrooms, RV dump station
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CLIMBERS BIVOUAC is located at end of Forest Road 830. Bivouac is the trailhead to Monitor Ridge/ Ptarmigan Trail Climbing Routes. Climbing permit required.
​Includes: trail, vault toilet, camping, mountain views, wildlife, wildflowers
COUGAR PARK AND CAMPGROUND is located along Highway 503 Cougar Park offers overnight stays and day use visits. The park allows access to a picnic area and water activities such as kayaks, paddle boards, oars, and inflatable water crafts are all welcome.
​Includes: day use, boat ramp, swim area, restrooms, picnic area, parking
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GREEN RIVER HORSE CAMP is located off Forest Road 26 on NF-2612. Green River Horse Camp provides campsites and trails into the back country.
​Includes: horse riding, camping, trails
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LONE FIR RESORT is located at 16806 Lewis River Road, Nestled at the base of two mountains. Lone Fir Resort provides outdoor recreation activities, cafe service, and scenic views.
​Includes: campsites, cabins, hotel rooms, cafe, club house, pool, gift shop, horseshoe pits, restrooms, showers, laundry, playground, fire pit
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LOWER FALLS CAMPGROUND is located at mile marker 28 on Forest Road 90. Lower Falls offers 43 standard campsites (no hook-ups), vault toilet, hiking trails, mountain bike trails and magnificent waterfalls nearby.
​Includes: trails, campsites, day-use parking
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MERRILL LAKE CAMPGROUND is located on Forest Road 81, 4.6 miles north of Highway 503. This 114-acre site consists of a forest cover of conifers and hardwoods along a lake. Nine, first-come, first-serve campsites, catch-and-release fly fishing, boat launch for small craft (non-gasoline powered).
​Includes: trails, camping, lake access, boat access (small craft, non-gasoline powered), catch and release fly fishing.
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SWIFT FOREST CAMP is located on 280 Road in Cougar and used for camping and day use purposes. Swift Forest Camp provides a two lane boat ramp and swimming beach.
​Includes: boat ramp, swimming area, picnic area, covered area, restrooms, parking, dump station, campsites
Parks
BEAVER BAY CAMPGROUND is located approximately 34.5 miles up Highway 503. They offer campsites, day use, and a fishing and boating area. The park allows access to water activities: kayaks, paddle boards, oars, and inflatable water crafts are all welcome.
​Includes: picnic area, day use, campsites, covered shelter, fishing and water activities, restrooms, RV dump station
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COUGAR PARK AND CAMPGROUND is located along Highway 503 Cougar Park offers overnight stays and day use visits. The park allows access to a picnic area and water activities such as kayaks, paddle boards, oars, and inflatable water crafts are all welcome.
​Includes: day use, boat ramp, swim area, restrooms, picnic area, parking
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MARBLE MOUNTAIN SNO-PARK is located six miles up Forest Road 83. The nearby trail is used for climbing Mount St. Helen's, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
​Includes: trail, skiing, climbing access, permit required
Trails
APE CANYON TRAIL is a 10 mile out and back trail that begins at the end of Forest Road 83 near the Lava Canyon trailhead. The trail gives views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helen's. This is a hiking and popular mountain biking trail.
​​Includes: trail, mountain biking, mountain views, wildlife, wildflowers.
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APE CAVE allows you to walk through a 1,900 year-old lava tube. Ape Cave’s two routes (1.5 mile or 3 mile round trip) accommodate families or the more adventurous. Bring two light sources per person and dress warmly.
​Includes: underground trail, rock structures, vault toilet.
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BADGER PEAK TRAIL is a 7.5-mile round-trip with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet and a high point of 5,664 feet, offering views of Mount St. Helens and the blast zone. Bring mosquito repellant or netting.
​Includes: trail, dogs allowed, old growth forest, wildflowers, wildlife, mountain views
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BUTTE CAMP TRAIL is a 7 mile out and back trail goes through old-growth firs, open slopes and has views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helen's. Start at Red Rock Pass Trail-head on Forest Road 81. Hike 1 mile to Butte Camp Trail 238A. Climbing permit required to travel above 4,800 ft.
​Includes: trail, dogs allowed on leash, forest, wildflowers, wildlife, hiking​
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COUGAR PARK AND CAMPGROUND is located along Highway 503 Cougar Park offers overnight stays and day use visits. The park allows access to a picnic area and water activities such as kayaks, paddle boards, oars, and inflatable water crafts are all welcome.
​Includes: day use, boat ramp, swim area, restrooms, picnic area, parking
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CURLY CREEK FALLS TRAIL is a short, .9 mile long, trail that ventures through a verdant, western hemlock forest, offering a partial view of Curly Creek Falls. Located off Forest Road 90, beginning at Pepper Creek Road.
​Includes: trail, waterfall, restroom, mountain biking, free parking
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JUNE LAKE TRAIL is a 2.5 miles out and back trail leading to June Lake, which is fed by a small waterfall tumbling off basalt cliffs from a 1,900 year-old lava flow. Located on Forest Road 83, seven miles off Forest Road 90.
​Includes: small parking lot, hiking, snow shoeing, forest, mountain view
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KALAMA RIVER FALLS is a 3.9 mile out and back trail leading to Kalama River Falls in the Merrill Lake Wilderness Area. Walk along a gravel road to the trailhead off to the right.
​Includes: parking outside the gate, hiking, dogs allowed, forest, waterfall, wildlife
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LAVA CANYON TRAIL is a 1.2 mile out and back trail. The former lower trail and suspension bridge are permanently closed.
​​Includes: trail, waterfall, river view, paved, lava rock formations
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LEWIS RIVER FALLS TRAIL is a 8.8 mile round trip hike along the Lewis River. It provides hiking and biking through old growth forest with views of side streams, springs, and multiple waterfalls. Parking can be found at Lower Lewis River Falls, Middle Falls, Upper Falls or Kalama Horse Camp, and the trail may be hiked in sections for shorter hikes.
​Includes: hiking, mountain biking, waterfall, forest, river​​
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PTARMIGAN TRAIL SUMMIT HIKE is an 8.5 mile round trip leading to the Mt St Helens summit, offering great views of fall foliage, wildlife, summits, and mountain views. Leave from Climber's Bivouac/Marble Mountain Sno-Park (see camping/parks above)
​Includes: climbers permit required, hiking, snowshoeing, glissading, summit views, mountains, wildlife, ​
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TRAIL OF TWO FORESTS is an easy .5 mile boardwalk trail. View lava casts of trees from a forest that grew 1900 years ago. Includes a ladder you can descend 8-ft into a lava cast tree mold. Located on Forest Road 83.
Includes: trail, restroom, interpretive signs, tree molds
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