Kelso Area
Recreational Opportunities
Kelso was founded in 1847 by Peter W. Crawford, a Scottish surveyor. Peter Crawford named the town after his home town of Kelso, Scotland. Kelso
became an incorporated city in 1889 and has a population of around 12,000.
The community offers beautiful parks, miles of walking, jogging, and biking trails, a skateboard park, fishing, boating, golfing, and sporting events.
Boating & Fishing
RIVERSIDE PARK is located at 1820 Westside Highway. This County park features playgrounds, picnic tables, covered areas, sports complexes, an open grassy field, and a large network of walking trails.
Includes: playground, bathrooms, picnic tables, large pavilion area, sports complex, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball court, walking paths, open field, shore fishing
Bus Stops
RIVER CITY TRANSIT has multiple routes throughout Longview and Kelso.
Historical & Museums
COWLITZ COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM is located on Allen Street. It collects, preserves, and interprets information and artifacts that tell the story of Cowlitz County. Its permanent exhibition, “Cowlitz Encounters,” is regionally and nationally awarded and shares the history of Cowlitz County, from its first inhabitants, the Cowlitz People, to American settlement, and the growth of the timber industry. It has over 35,000 objects in its collections and nearly one million images in its archives. These resources are available for research, academic study, and exhibition.​
Includes: exhibits, educational programs, archives, gift shop
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CHILDRENS DISCOVERY MUSEUM (CDM) is located at 404 Long Avenue. The Children's Discovery Museum is a free, child friendly space where children and their families can engage in imaginative, interactive hands on learning of the arts, science, and social play.​
Includes: exhibits, archives, events
Library
KELSO PUBLIC LIBRARY can be found inside Three Rivers Mall. The Kelso Public Library provides a variety of resources including books, ebooks, audio books, computer terminals and more. Their programming includes kids' story time and crafts, book clubs, educational opportuntities and much more!
​Includes: book clubs, crafts, story time, book sales, reading contests, classes
Parks
CATLIN ROTARY SPRAY PARK has been newly refurbished and will reopen in the Summer of 2025. The park is located at the corner of Cowlitz Way and Main Street and includes a water spray play area, benches, picnic tables and restrooms
​Includes: benches, restrooms, water spray play area
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​HEERENSPERGER FIELD GIRLS SOFTBALL COMPLEX is located at Tam O'Shanter Park and was dedicated May 8, 2010.
Includes: fencing, dugouts, softball field, bleachers, plaza entrance area.
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​KELSO VETERANS PARK is a quarter of an acre mini-park located in the business district at the corner of South Pacific Avenue and Oak Street. This park is open year around and intended for day use by people visiting the business district.
​Includes: picnic tables, park benches, drinking fountain, informational notice board, memorial structure
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​KIWANIS PARK is located at 121 Allen Street just west of the interstate highway. It provides a quaint respite for pedestrians and travelers.
​Includes: bench, landscape, path
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​​LADS AND LASSIES PARK is a small neighborhood park located at 706 Elm Street and includes a brand new inclusive playground, designed with various adaptive play equipment and sensory-friendly features to ensure that every child can participate and have fun.
​Includes: playground, park benches, picnic table, bike rack
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​RHODODENDRON GARDENS is located between North Pacific Avenue and Kelso Avenue. The primary feature of this little park is a variety of rhododendrons planted by the regional Rhododendron Society to beautify what was once an unsightly area. The park is prettiest in the late spring when the flowers are in full bloom.
​Includes: Flower gardens
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​RISTER STADIUM is located at Tam O'Shanter Park, and is a 500-seat baseball stadium named after Stan Rister, a passionate volunteer with Cowlitz Little League and Kelso Babe Ruth Leagues.
Includes: fencing, dugouts, baseball fields, seating for 500 people, concessions
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RIVERSIDE PARK is located at 1820 Westside Highway. This County park features playgrounds, picnic tables, covered areas, sports complexes, an open grassy field, and a large network of walking trails.
Includes: playground, bathrooms, picnic tables, large pavilion area, sports complex, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball court, walking paths, open field, shore fishing
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​ROTARY PARK is located east of Interstate 5 off of Burcham Street, adjacent to the Rotary Skate Park.
​Includes: playground, covered area, picnic area, restrooms, open field
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​ROTARY SKATE PARK is located at the corner of Burcham Street and Minor Road, and includes 10,000 square feet of extensive bowl and street elements.
​Includes: Bowl and street elements for skateboarding
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​SCOT HOLLOW PARK is a three-quarter acre open space park located at the intersection of North 19th Avenue and Bates Road.
​Includes: picnic table, park bench, open field for play
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​TAM O’SHANTER PARK is a 38-acre park located on Tam O'Shanter Way, directly south of Kelso High School and adjoining the Coweeman River. This multi-use community park has Rister Stadium (baseball), Heerensperger Field (Girl's softball), concession areas, five baseball fields (two lighted), three softball fields, a multipurpose field for soccer, a basketball court with six hoops, two horseshoe pits, disc golf, access to a regional trail system, access to kayaking, 30 picnic areas, and 10 restrooms. There is a large playground to the south of the fields for use by younger children.
​Includes: covered picnic areas, playground, restrooms, Rister Stadium, Heerensperger Fields, concession stands, baseball fields, softball fields, soccer field, basketball court, horse shoe pits, trail system, 9 hole Frisbee golf course​​
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​WOODBROOK PARK is a small neighborhood pocket park located on Ostrander Road.
​Includes: playground equipment, open field
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 Rover 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
KELSO SENIOR CENTER ASSOCIATION is located at 106 NW 8th Ave., inside the newly refurbished Catlin Center. The Senior Center gives seniors a chance to enhance their life experiences by offering services, activities, and a lifelong connection with peers.
​Includes: support, services, games, wellness information, wellness information, bingo, fitness, pinochle, dancing, pool, books, bridge, ukulele, Wii.
Sports & Fitness
GAITHER POOL is located at Kelso High School.
​Includes: pool rental, swimming lessons, swim meets, lap swim, open swim, aerobics​
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​MANASCO SOCCER FIELD is located at 1800 Block River Road S.
​Includes: restrooms, soccer fields
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​RIVERSIDE PARK is located at 1820 Westside Highway. This County park features playgrounds, picnic tables, covered areas, sports complexes, an open grassy field, and a large network of walking trails.
Includes: playground, bathrooms, picnic tables, large pavilion area, sports complex, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball court, walking paths, open field, shore fishing
​
​ROTARY PARK is located east of Interstate 5 off of Burcham Street, adjacent to the Rotary Skate Park.
​Includes: playground, covered area, picnic area, restrooms, open field
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​ROTARY SKATE PARK is located at the corner of Burcham Street and Minor Road, and includes 10,000 square feet of extensive bowl and street elements.
​Includes: Bowl and street elements for skateboarding
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TAM O’SHANTER PARK is a 38-acre park located on Tam O'Shanter Way, directly south of Kelso High School and adjoining the Coweeman River. This multi-use community park has Rister Stadium (baseball), Heerensperger Field (Girl's softball), concession areas, five baseball fields (two lighted), three softball fields, a multipurpose field for soccer, a basketball court with six hoops, two horseshoe pits, disc golf, access to a regional trail system, access to kayaking, 30 picnic areas, and 10 restrooms. There is a large playground to the south of the fields for use by younger children.
​Includes: covered picnic areas, playground, restrooms, Rister Stadium, Heerensperger Fields, concession stands, baseball fields, softball fields, soccer field, basketball court, horse shoe pits, trail system, 9 hole Frisbee golf course​
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​THREE RIVERS GOLF COURSE is located along the Cowlitz River at 2222 S River Road.
​Includes: year-round golf, putting green, driving range, pro shop, lessons, cart rental, club rental
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GYMS and FITNESS RELATED BUSINESSES:
Trails
COWEEMAN RIVER TRAIL is a 4 mile gravel pathway takes you along the dike that follows the Coweeman River, passing near Tam O'Shanter Park.
​Includes: trail, parking, restrooms and picnic area at Tam O'Shanter Park
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​COWLITZ DIKE TRAIL is a 2.5 mile asphalt trail following the dike on the east side of the Cowlitz River.
Includes: trail, street parking nearby, wheelchair accessible
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RIVERSIDE PARK is a county park near the community of Lexington and features playgrounds, picnic tables, covered areas, sports complexes, an open grassy field, and a large network of walking trails.
Includes: playground, bathrooms, picnic tables, large pavilion area, sports complex, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball court, walking paths, open field, shore fishing
Visitor Centers
KELSO AND LONGVIEW VISITOR CENTER is located at 105 N Minor Road in Kelso, sharing a building with the Chamber of Commerce.
Includes: tourist information, maps, gift shop, historical information
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!