Highway 503 Corridor (Lewis River Valley)
Recreational Opportunities
The Highway 503 corridor, follows the Lewis River, east from Woodland. It serves as the southern gateway to Mount St. Helens.
The 503 Corridor is known for its outdoors attractions such as Lake Merwin, the Yale and Swift reservoirs, Lewis River Falls and Ape Caves. The area offers boating, fishing, trails, snowshoeing, camping and more..
Boating & Fishing
CEDAR CREEK is located on NE Etna Road, fishing site is on your left.
​Includes: fishing, boat launch
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​HAAPA BOAT LAUNCH is located on the located on the North Fork Lewis River about five miles east of Woodland and nine miles upstream from the Columbia River.
​Includes: boat launch, fishing, BBQ grill, boat launch, fishing access, picnic tables, restroom, trails
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ISLAND RIVER ACCESS: Fishing and boat site located on the North Shore of the Lewis River.​
Includes: boat launch, fishing​
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JOHNSON CREEK ACCESS: Fishing site located on Old Lewis River road.​
Includes: fishing​
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LEWIS RIVER FISH HATCHERY is located on the North shores of the Lewis River Fish Hatchery provides fishing access.​
Includes: fishing​
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LIONS DAY USE PARK AND WDFW BOAT LAUNCH Fishing and boating site located on the North Shore of the Lewis River.​
Includes: boat launch, fishing​
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MERRILL LAKE 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 Merrill 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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MERWIN HATCHERY gives visitors access to the hatchery, fishing and boating access, and a picnic area.​
Includes: handicap access, fishing, hatchery, boat ramp, restrooms​
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MERWIN PARK is the largest recreation area on the Lewis River. It is located 7.5 miles on SR 503 East.
Includes: day use, restrooms, fishing, beach area, picnic shelters, picnic tables, water, playground​
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SADDLE DAM PARK is located off of Yale Rd on Saddle Dam Rd.
Includes: swimming beach, two-lane boat ramp. picnic tables, hiking and equestrian trail​s
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SPEELYAI BAY PARK is located 14 miles up SR 503.
Includes: day use, restrooms, boat ramp, beach area, picnic shelters, picnic tables​
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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
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YALE PARK has a four lane boat ramp, a picnic area, and a swim beach.​
Includes: day use, restrooms, boat ramp, beach area, picnic shelters, picnic tables​
Camping
​​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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​CRESAP BAY CAMPGROUND is located approximately 24 miles up Highway 503 East. .​
Includes: camping, marina, swimming beach, two-lane boat ramp, fireplace, restrooms, water access, RV dump station
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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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​​KALAMA HORSE CAMP is located on Forest Road 81, 8 miles north of Highway 503. Kalama Horse Camp, primarily for horse riders, provides 27 campsites and access to over 50 miles of trails.
Includes: horse camping, trails, vault toilet, large shelter, water for horses only, horse pens
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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 the 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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​CRESAP BAY CAMPGROUND is located approximately 24 miles up Highway 503 East. .​
Includes: camping, marina, swimming beach, two-lane boat ramp, fireplace, restrooms, water access, RV dump station
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EAGLE CLIFF PARK is located approximately 52 miles east of Woodland.
Includes: picnic tables, restrooms​
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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
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SADDLE DAM PARK is located on Saddle Dam. Saddle Dam Park is a day park used for swimming, boating. picnics, and trail walking.​
Includes: swim beach area, two-lane boat ramp. picnics, trail walking. equestrian trail
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SPEELYAI BAY PARK is located off State Route 503 on exit 21 is a two lane boat ramp with a swim beach area.
Includes: day use, restrooms, boat ramp, beach area, picnic shelters, picnic tables
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YALE PARK has a four lane boat ramp, a picnic area, and a swim beach.​
Includes: day use, restrooms, boat ramp, beach area, picnic shelters, picnic tables
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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MERRILL LAKE CAMPGROUND has a 1.0 mile loop trail. It 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: trail, camping, lake access, boat access (small craft, non-gasoline powered), catch and release fly fishing.
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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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SADDLE DAM PARK is located on Saddle Dam. Saddle Dam Park is a day park used for swimming, boating. picnics, and trail walking.​
Includes: swim beach area, two-lane boat ramp. picnics, trail walking. equestrian trail
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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
Visitor Centers
CEDAR CREEK GRIST MILL is located at 43907 NE Grist Mill Road. The Cedar Creek Grist Mill is a historical, water-powered, grain-grinding mill. Volunteers provide demonstrations and bags of fresh-milled flour and cornmeal to guests.
Includes: tours, history, events
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LELOOSKA CULTURAL CENTER is located on 165 Merwin Village Road in Ariel. The Lelooska Cultural Center showcases Native American life and history through a variety of living history programs, workshops, classes and museum tours.​
Includes: displays, programs
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WOODLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER is located at 900 Goerig Street. The Chamber of Commerce operates the Woodland Visitors Information Center.
​Includes: tourist information, Discover Passes, NW Forest Passes​, maps, gift shop
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