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Cougar, Washington

Top Spots in and near Cougar

  • Ariel, Washington

    Kayak at Yale Lake

    5.0
    Just 55 miles northeast of Portland lies a body of water so pure you have to see it to believe it...that's right, we're talking about Yale Lake. One of three lakes beneath Washington's ever rumbling Mount St Helens, Yale offers the outdoor lover just about everything they could ask for: calm wat...
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  • Ariel, Washington

    Fly Fish Merrill Lake

    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    Surrounded by old growth forest, Merrill Lake near Cougar, Washington is the perfect little gem to get in some late summer, mid-elevation mountain lake fishing. The morning and evening hatches are known state wide for the size of fish they attract. There are stories of Eagles even stealing trout ...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Explore the Ape Caves

    4.0
    As if erupting volcanoes weren't awesome enough, ancient lava flows also left behind these giant, hollow tubes as they cooled. Spend all day exploring deep underground in this 2.5 mile cave.To get there, head to the SOUTH side of Mount Saint Helens. You must pass through the town of Cougar to get...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Mount St. Helens Summit via Worm Flows

    4.8
    10.53 mi / 5725 ft gain
    The Worm Flow Route, starting at Marble Mountain Sno Park, is the most direct winter route up to the summit. You'll start at around 2,700 feet and begin a steady walk along the trail for 2 miles. Although the trail is fairly well marked well above the snow, you'll want to pay attention to the arr...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    June Lake Loop via Pine Martin Trail

    5.0
    5.93 mi / 1079 ft gain
    In the winter you will need to start at Marble Mt. Snowpark and purchase a snow park permit. The hike starts here on the eastern side. Follow the Pine Ski Trail for about 1 mile along NF-83 Road. Then follow the June Lake Trailhead up to June Lake for about 1.5 miles. You will come to June Lake a...
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  • Amboy, Washington

    Siouxon Trail to 14 Mile Falls

    5.0
    13.03 mi / 2310 ft gain
    When you park at the top of the trail, all you see is layers and layers of emerald trees and ground clear of any underbrush. Once on the trail, you start on a rapid decline that brings you to the first of the many streams along this hike. Cross the bridge made out of logs and head towards the ma...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Mount St. Helens Summit via Monitor Ridge

    4.4
    8.64 mi / 4652 ft gain
    Monitor Ridge is the "easiest" of the routes one can take in order to claim that they have stood on top of the sleeping giant better known as Mount St. Helens. This route is heavily favored over Worm Flows as the starting elevation is not only an additional 1,000 feet higher but the overall asce...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Loowit Trail Loop

    4.0
    32.46 mi / 7014 ft gain
    This is a very difficult hike. Camp sites are scarce and access to water is very limited. Overexposure is a concern so be sure to pack a hat and apply sunscreen frequently. There are sketchy sections of the trail where you will be forced to navigate steep washed out gullies that are unstable due ...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    June Lake

    2.47 mi / 0 ft gain
    June Lake, is a beautiful mountain lake located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington. The out-and-back trail starts at the June Lake Trailhead and parking area. This hike is family-friendly at just under 2.5 miles to June Lake. Dogs are permitted on the trail on their leash.  This park...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Hike to Ape Canyon

    9.6 mi / 1650 ft gain
    Not to be confused with the ever so popular Ape Caves, the Ape Canyon is a moderately challenging hike that remains above ground, climbing a total of 1650 feet in elevation parallel to the Muddy River.  Although originally designed as a hiking trail, this route has become increasingly popular wit...
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  • Cougar, Washington

    Hike the Lava Canyon

    3.0
    6.5 mi
    Starting at the Lava Canyon Trailhead, you will walk on a paved trail down a few switchbacks until you reach the river, where you can go right or left. Either way takes you to the suspension bridge, but I recommend going right if you are following this guide. It will make more sense in a moment.A...
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  • Skamania County, Washington

    Fly Fish Lewis River, Cougar, WA

    2.0
    An 1.5 hour drive NE from Vancouver, WA this section of the Lewis River makes for a perfect day fishing trip.  Heading North on I-5 for approximately 20 miles take the Woodland / HWY 503 exit East and head towards Mt St. Helens.  You'll follow the Lewis River along Hwy 503 (Lewis River Road) the ...
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  • Woodland, Washington

    Explore the Cedar Grist Mill

    3.6
    After parking in the lot near the mill, walk across the bridge. This is the first good viewpoint for photography. Next, I recommend walking under the bridge, this is my favorite spot for taking photos. The whole area is free to walk around, you can even walk in the mill and then walk up stream do...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Loowit Viewpoint

    5.0
    From roughly May to September, both star gazers and photographers alike travel to the darkest locations in order to capture something truly magnificent- the galactic core of the milky way. The Loowit Viewpoint is unlike any around due to the perfect combination of it's remote location, higher ele...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Hike to the Summit of Coldwater Peak

    12.2 mi / 2000 ft gain
    While thousands of visitors come to witness the raw power and devastation left behind from Mount St Helens' famous 1980 eruption, few wander past the groomed paths surrounding the Johnston Ridge Observatory. It is beyond these paths where you come across the more commonly designed backcountry tra...
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  • Toutle, Washington

    Hike to Coldwater Peak via Boundary Trail

    5.0
    14.8 mi / 2700 ft gain
    The Boundary trail is amazing. It's 54 miles long and runs for the most part along a ridge in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. You can climb various peaks and viewpoints right off the trail, but this trip report is for climbing Coldwater Peak and hiking up to Harry's Ridge Viewpoint on the way. H...
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Camping and Lodging in Cougar

Sunset Camp
Yacolt, Washington

Sunset Camp

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta
Carson, Washington

Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta

Paradise Creek Campground
Carson, Washington

Paradise Creek Campground

Lower Falls Campground
Skamania County, Washington

Lower Falls Campground

Beaver Campground
Carson, Washington

Beaver Campground

Panther Creek Campground
Carson, Washington

Panther Creek Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Cougar

Ultra Running Around Mt. St. Helens

Ultra Running Around Mt. St. Helens

Rachel Davidson

The Best Campsite Ever: Salmon Creek and Sardine Lakes

The Best Campsite Ever: Salmon Creek and Sardine Lakes

Benjamin Canevari

The 10 Best Campsites near Portland, OR

The 10 Best Campsites near Portland, OR

The Outbound Collective

My Five Favorite Parks in Portland, OR

My Five Favorite Parks in Portland, OR

Adam Edwards

10 Must-Do Winter Adventures near Portland, Oregon

10 Must-Do Winter Adventures near Portland, Oregon

The Outbound Collective