Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains, with Mount St. Helens to the north and bordered by the Columbia River and Portland Oregon to the south, Southwest Washington offers many different types of scenery, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation to enjoy. 

Here are a few short trip ideas and natural wonders to explore while you stay and play in Southwest Washington:

• Mount St. Helens - Just an hour and a half drive north, this is Southwest Washington’s signature landmark.  The explosive eruption of 1980 marked the re-awakening of this volcanic giant and is responsible for its wide-spread notoriety.  More recently, the volcanic stirrings and smaller eruptions in 2004 and 2005 have created a renewed interest in the awesome power of nature.  The area offers exciting hiking and cross-country skiing, and for the more adventurous, a helicopter tour provides an exhilarating and speedy way to take in the full scope of the eruption.  Mount St. Helens is as much about recreation and powerful vistas as it is about education.  Visitor centers along SR504 offer an array of interpretive videos and displays depicting the geologic events and history of the mountain as well as souvenir gift shops.  From I-5, take the SR504 exit at Castle Rock and follow the Spirit Lake Memorial Hwy up the mountain.  For more information, visit www.visitmtsthelens.com.

• Pacific Ocean - From the rugged coast of Astoria to the sandy beaches of Long Beach, there is much to see and do at the Pacific Ocean.  Just a two hour drive west of Vancouver, the area is rich in recreational opportunities from kayaking to kite flying, clamming to treasure hunting, fishing to beach combing.  The Corps of Discovery ended their epic journey here and visitors can enjoy many Lewis & Clark attractions on the Long Beach Peninsula.  The area is also a seafood lover's paradise with a variety of dining options offering locally-caught salmon, halibut, sturgeon, Dungeness crab, razor clams, oysters and more.  From I-5 north, take the Hwy 4 exit at Longview and follow the signs to Long Beach.  For more information, visit www.funbeach.com.

• Columbia River Gorge – This is the only designated National Scenic Area in the country offering visitors awe-inspiring natural beauty. Native American Indians were the first inhabitants of the area, drawn to the plentiful resources around the Columbia River and surrounding mountains.  Today, the Gorge is a popular destination for windsurfers, kiteboarders and other recreation enthusiasts enjoying hiking, biking, fishing and more.  Visitors can get a closer look at the area’s cultural and natural history at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center.   You may also want to check out Bonneville Dam.  Operated by the Army Corps of Engineers, the hydropower production plant is open to the public for tours and is free of charge.  To get to there, head east on Hwy 14, following the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Byway passed Washougal.  For more information, visit www.skamania.org.