Cowlitz Valley Area

This area is located in the Northern most portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwest Washington, and comprises about 575,000 acres. Administered by the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, the area is roughly located among three volcanic peaks:  Mt. Adams to the east, Mt. Rainier (Tahoma) to the north, and Mount St. Helens to the west. A line connecting Mt. Adams and Mount St. Helens following the Boundary Trail #1 makes up the southern boundary. On clear days this trail affords spectacular views.

Nearby towns include Packwood, Glenoma, Morton and Ashford, WA. The area has numerous campgrounds and over 500 miles of trails for a wide variety of users. Cowlitz Valley Ranger District manages four Wilderness areas including the Goat Rocks Wilderness, Glacier View Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness and William O Douglass Wilderness. Major River Drainages include the Cowlitz River, Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, and the Cispus River.

Nearby attractions include East entrance (Blast Zone) to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Rainier National Park.