Accessible Trails along SR 4 (Ocean Beach Hwy) in Southwest Washington

This section covers trails in Wahkiakum County and the southern part of Cowlitz County near the Columbia River. For other trails within Cowlitz County also see the SR 503 - Lewis River Highway corridor and the SR 504 - Spirit Lake Memorial Hwy corridor sections, which cover the Mount St. Helens Area.

The Center Trail - Julia B. Hansen Refuge for Columbian White-Tailed Deer

Directions:

The refuge is located off Highway 4 along the Columbia River northwest of Cathlamet, Wahkiakum County. Julia Butler Hansen Refuge Goggle map.

From I-5, take the Longview exit. Drive west on SR 4 to Cathlamet. Continue on SR 4 approximately 2 miles past Cathlamet to Steamboat Slough Road (just west of Elochoman River bridge). At Milepost 33.5, turn south on Steamboat Slough Road. Refuge Headquarters is about 0.25 mile farther, on the right. Continue on the Steamboat Slough Road through the refuge for 3.3 miles to the west Center Road trailhead. (The east trailhead by the refuge headquarters is closed).

Ignore the sign directing hikers to the right-hand side of the parking area, and turn left for the easiest grade to the trailhead. There is a tight opening at the wigwag gate at the trail entrance that a 4' mobility scooter cannot get through. If notified ahead of time, refuge staff are willing to assist you over the grade from the parking area and/or unlock the wigway gate if necessary. Alternatively, they can let you access the trail through the shop area. Refuge headquarters is open from 7:30 to 4:00, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. However refuge staff may be in the field and not available, so call the refuge a few days prior to your trip (360-795-3915 ).

GPS: 46°15'23.60"N, 123°26'11.34"W (Trailhead)

Features:

Julia Butler Hansen refuge is known for providing a critical habitat for the 300 or so endangered Columbian white-tailed deer. However, the refuge offers opportunities to view other wildlife due to a diverse habitat of small pastures, riparian woodlands and shrubland, and tidal and nontidal wetlands.

Forest areas consist primarily of Sitka spruce, black cottonwood, willow, red alder and western redcedar swamps in the wet lowlands and the Sitka spruce/western red alder forest in the uplands.

Hiking is permitted during daylight hours on the Center trail from June through September. The Center trail is a service road - part graveled and part grassy. It is not wheelchair-accessible, but outdoor mobility scooters and power chairs with large tires should be fine. This moderate 5.5 mile out-and-back trip is generally flat with up to 8.5% grade at the entrance/end. The trail is accessible year round, but rainy weather may produce puddles and mud, making it difficult for wheelers.

The trail traverses the refuge through open pastures edged by wetlands. At 2.8 miles the trail ends near the refuge headquarters at Steamboat Slough Road.

Wheelers will have to retrace their steps unless they make arrangements with the refuge staff. Others have the option to loop back to the trailhead via Steamboat Slough Road.

The dike road surrounding the refuge makes a nice trail/road for viewing wildlife as it is elevated above the surrounding topography. It is paved and has some vehicle traffic but not a lot.

If you can't take the trail you can circle the refuge in your car (9.6-mile loop). Pick up a bird list at the refuge and start the auto tour at the Center Viewing Platform (at Milepost 31.8). Look for deer and elk in the wetland ponds. Drive counter-clockwise heading northwest on SR4.

Turn left on Brooks Slough Road.

On your left, look for deer in the trees on the edge of the pastures and waterfowl in the slough.

Turn left at Steamboat Slough Road and head south. At about 1/2 mile meadows begin where there is a good chance of spotting deer, including does with fawns.

Halfway around the loop, past the Center Road trailhead, is a large parking area that serves as another place to bird watch. North of here, look west of the maintenance barn in the fields for elk and other wildlife.

Depending on the season and time of day, you are apt to spot red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, short-eared owls, barn owls, and large flocks of migrating waterfowl. The refuge provides a wintering area for tundra swans, Canada geese, mallards, American wigeon and pintails. Sandhill cranes stop here during their spring and fall migrations. The refuge also has several pairs of nesting bald eagles and osprey.

Continuing past Steamboat Slough views open along the Columbia River for .75 mile. From the mouth of the Elochman River, there are alternating small pastures and woodlands on the left side and the Elochoman River sloughs on the right for the next 1.5 miles. You might spot beaver foraging in the evenings. Also in the sloughs, look for herons and Belted Kingfisher.

Evenings and mornings are the best time to spot animals including deer and elk. Beginning with the fall rut, deer are more active in the daytime and are more often seen in open areas. Rutting season is late October into December with mid-November being the peak. A late October visit has the added bonus of fall colors.

Other Info:

Restrooms are located in the headquarters building. Both the building and the restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

See Washington State Birding Trail Map. Also see the refuge's website.

The picturesque town of Cathlamet is nearby. The town was established as Birnie's Retreat in 1846 as a trading post. Cathlamet and Wahkiakum Indian tribes were found here by the Lewis & Clark expedition. Of special interest is the 1895 Pioneer Church, built into a rock outcropping that overlooks the village. The Wahkiakum County Historical Museum has displays from the county, including farm implements, artifacts from various Northwest Indian tribes, guns and logging equipment. Adjacent to the Wahkiakum County Museum is Strong Park located on on the shoreline of the Columbia River. Viewing benches and picnic tables offer the visitor a site from which to observe passing ocean going vessels. There is an historical locomotive and mural on display and a Master Gardener’s "Butterfly Garden" in the park.

Nearby Camping. Skamokawa Vista Park located on the Columbia river has day use and camping right on the sandy beach, as well as a boat launch in the slough. It is a good idea to call ahead for reservations at 360-795-8605.

County Line Park is located where Wahkiakum County and Cowlitz County meet on SR 4, (Ocean Beach Highway). The park is sited on the banks of the Columbia River and provides day use, RV camping and tent camping. Water, electricity and bathrooms are available.

Willow Grove Park

Directions:

From Ocean Beach Highway, turn south onto Willow Grove Connector Road and then right onto Willow Grove Road. A pair of ample parking lots can be found on the east and west ends of the park, and accessible restrooms are near the parking areas.

GPS - 46°10'34.02"N, 123° 5'36.84"W

Features:

Willow Grove is a 60-acre day-use park open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. in summer. It has a paved universal trail nearly a mile long. The trail runs parallel to the water between the parking area and the Columbia River with benches along the way.

Other Info:

The park is also used by swimmers, picnickers and fishermen. In addition to its other facilities, numerous benches, picnic tables (some covered) with fire rings and a small picnic shelter can be found near the center of the park.

County Line Park is located where Wahkiakum County and Cowlitz County meet on SR 4, (Ocean Beach Highway). The park is sited on the banks of the Columbia River and provides day use, RV camping and tent camping. Water, electricity and bathrooms are available.

Lake Sacajewea Park - Longview

Directions:

Borders St. John Medical Center in Longview. Between Nichols and Kessler Blvds.

Features:

The tree-lined park and 4.5-mile path surround a beautiful oxbow lake. Along the shores you will find 119 species of trees at the Frank Willis Arboretum. The park also has 120 acres with BBQ grills, fishing, playground, picnic tables, covered picnic area, restrooms. ADA accessible.

Other Possible trails and paths in Cowlitz County

Riverside Park
58 acre day use area and regional park on the Cowlitz River with trails and walking pathways. (Accessibility of trails not known at this time - contact Cowlitz County Parks Department.207 4th Ave. N., Kelso, WA 98626, Tel: 360-577-3030) The park includes a complex of 3 youth baseball fields, 2 soccer fields, 4 restrooms, playground equipment, tennis and basketball courts, open space, picnic shelters and tables.From I-5 north, take exit 36 to Longview. Take 3rd Ave. exit and turn right (north) on 3rd Ave. (also called WA.RT.411.) Follow 411 north to the 5 mile post and you can see the fields on the right. Mile post is next to park exit. Go 150 - 200 yards past exit to park entrance.

Kress Lake
The rough trail around the lake is not accessible, but there are accessible paved bankside fishing platforms near the parking area. Fishing for trout, bass, and bluegill. No gas engines. From Kelso, go south on I-5 to Exit 32 then east on Kalama River Road 0.25 mile. Access is on the right.

Tam O'Shanter Park
Tam O'Shanter Way, Kelso - 41 acres with BBQ grills, baseball fields, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, playground, paths/trails (jogging/biking along the dike), picnic tables, covered picnic area, restrooms, soccer fields, softball fields. ADA accessible.

Cloney Park
28th and Douglas, Longview - 5.35 acres with playground, paths/trails, picnic tables, covered picnic area, restrooms, BMX bike trail, skateboard/skate area. ADA accessible.