Activities
Each season brings its unique opportunities to enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities of the area.Winter in the Packwood area offers unlimited recreation opportunities including alpine skiing and snowboarding at nearby White Pass Ski area, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on both groomed and back country trails.
Spring activities include lake fishing beginning the last weekend in April, hiking and spring snow activities. The best mountain trout fishing lasts from May through October and our local experts can fill you in on what, when, where and how to catch those beauties.
Summer on the west slope of the fabulous Cascade Mountains is not just for fishermen. The wondrous beauty of nearby Mount Rainier Park, The Goat Rocks Wilderness Area and Gifford Pinchot National Forest offer hiking, picnicking, sight-seeing and photography among other activities. The Forest Service Ranger station can pass along recent condition reports regarding trails, roads and camping areas.
Fall brings incredible colors as the deciduous trees change from green to golden and reds. A trip up and across White pass in October is absolutely breathtaking. Autumn also brings big game hunting, mushrooming and fresh water salmon fishing in the upper Cowlitz River.
Visit the following websites for more information on activities in our area.
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/gpnfMount Saint Helens
www.mountsthelens.comYour Guide to Mount Saint Helens and Cowlitz County, Washington.
Mount Rainier
www.nps.gov/moraThe Mount Rainier National Park offers every opportunity to get outdoors and have some fun!
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad
www.mtrainierrailroad.comMineral, WA - Steam train excursions through the foothills of Mount Rainier.
River Rafting
www.wildwater-river.comChoose a river rafting trip down the Tieton River (Highway 12 at mile post 180) or other rivers for a unique adventure. You can make reservations by calling Wild Water River Tours at 1-800-522-WILD (9453).
Northwest Trek
www.nwtrek.orgNorthwest Trek Wildlife Park is a treasure for wildlife enthusiasts.
Layser Cave
www.fs.usda.govA rare glimpse into the past. The Layser Cave in the Randle area dates back more than 7000 years and was perhaps used by the ancestors of the Taidnapam or Upper Cowlitz Indians. You can enter and touch the cool walls of a place that was home to many people in the past 3500 years.
Packwood Flea Markets
www.whitepassbyway.com/event/packwood-flea-marketPackwood is also known for their Flea Markets. Thousands of travelers and bargain hunters visit Packwood's Biannual Flea Markets held during the Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends. Vendors offer a wide range of wares, ranging from antiques to toys. Food vendors and local restaurants are are nearby should you feel hungry.
Morton Loggers' Jubilee
www.loggersjubilee.comThe Granddaddy of all Logging Shows - Second weekend in August.