What once was known as the SSH 1R, a highway that was extended East to Silver Lake, in 1961 would change in 1964 in the renumbering of highways to State Route 503. The 503 corridor, located Woodland from Cougar, is home to the Southern Gateway of Mount St. Helens. The 503 Corridor is known for its outdoors attraction such as Lake Merwin,the Yale and Swift reservoir dams, Eagle Cliff Park, and the Trail of two Forest Trail. The community offers boating, fishing, trail walking, camping opportunities and has number of visitor centers.

  Trails

APE CANYON TRAIL- This 9 mile round trip trail begins at the end of Forest Road 83 near Lava Canyon Trail head. The trail offers views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helen’s. Ape Canyon is a popular hiking and mountain biking trail.

Includes: Trail, hiking, and mountain biking. NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful passes or $5 in a fee tube (closest tube is at Lava Canyon) required for parking.

APE CAVE- Walk through a 1,900 year-old lava tube. Ape Cave’s two routes (1.5 mile or 3 mile round trip) accommodate families or the more adventurous. Bring two light sources per person and dress warmly. 

Includes: Underground trail, rock structures, and a vault toilet. Washington State Sno-Park needed to park and walk in from at Trail of Two Forests 12-1 to 3-31.  NW Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or $5 in a fee tube required for parking the rest of the year.​

BUTTE CAMP TRAIL- This 2.7 mile one-way trail goes through old-growth firs, open slopes, and has views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helen’s. Start at Red Rock Pass Trail-head on Forest Road 81. Hike 1 mile to Butte Camp Trail 238A. 

Includes: Red Rock Pass Trail head requires no pass for parking 

CLIMBERS BIVOUAC TRAIL HEAD- is located at end of Forest Road 830, off Forest Road 81. Bivouac is the trail head to Monitor Ridge Climbing Route. Campsites and vault toilets are available. 

Includes: Trail, vault toilet, camping. Climbing permit required to travel above 4,800 ft. Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or $5 in fee tube required for parking. 

COUGAR PARK AND CAMPGROUND- is located along Highway 503 East off of exit 21 is Cougar Park and Campground. Cougar Park offers overnight stays and day use visits. The park provides picnic areas and water activities such as Kayaks, paddle boards, oars, and  inflatable water crafts are all welcome.​

Includes: day use fee, boat ramp, swim area, restrooms, picnic area, parking

CURLY CREEK FALLS TRAIL- Short .2 miles long, well-groomed trail that ventures through a verdant, western hemlock forest. It has a view of Curly Creek Falls and is located off Forest Road 90, just past Curly Creek Road. 

Includes: Trail, waterfall, restroom, and mountain biking. No fee for parking.

​JUNE LAKE TRAIL- is 1.3 miles one-way. This moderate trail leads to June Lake, which is fed by a small waterfall tumbling off basalt cliffs from a 1,900 year-old lava flow. Trail follows a creek and is located on Forest Road 83, seven miles off Forest Road 90.

Includes: Free parking at June Lake Trailhead. Small parking lot. ​

KALAMA HORSE CAMP CAMPGROUND- is located on Forest Road 81, 8 miles north of Highway 503. Kalama Horse Camp, primarily for horse riders, provides 27 campsites and access to over 50 miles of trails. $8 to $16 a night. No reservations.​

Includes: horse camping, trails, vault toilet, large shelter, water for horses only, horse pens​

LAVA CANYON TRAIL- Walk beside the river and see waterfalls and rock formations. Upper 1.5 mile loop is fairly easy, and brings you across a suspension bridge. Lower canyon is much more difficult, with narrow trails and ladders to climb. The trail is five miles round trip. 

Includes: Trail, waterfall, bridge, river view. Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or $5 in fee tube required for parking.​

LEWIS RIVER TRAIL- 15 miles round trip along the Lewis River is the Lewis River Trail. The trail provides biking access and views of sidestream, springs, and waterfalls. It guides you along a path of old growth forest full of tall rustic trees.​

Includes: hiking trail, mountain biking, requires valid recreation pass

LOWER FALLS CAMPGROUND- is located at mile marker 28 on Forest Road 90. Lower Falls offers 43 standard campsites. $15 to $35 a night. No hook-ups, vault toilet, hiking trails, mountain bike trails and views of a  waterfall.

Includes: Trails, campsites, and day-use parking. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass needed at day-use area. Reserve on recreation.gov or try one of 24, first come, first served sites. 

MARBLE MOUNTAIN SNO-PARK- is located six miles up Forest Road 83, the site is used for climbing Mount St. Helen’s, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. 

Includes: Trail, skiing, and climbing access. WA State Sno-Park permit required Dec. 1 to March 31. Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or $5 in fee tube required for parking during rest of the year. (Pay at fee tubes at Trail of Two Forests or Lava Canyon.)​

MERRILL LAKE CAMPGROUND- is located on 27 miles past UFSF Road 81. Merrill Lake Campground offers camping, Merrill Lake, and trails.​

Includes: trails, camping, lake access, boat access, catch and release fly fishing​

MERRILL LAKE WILDLIFE AREA- WDFW land nearby with areas to explore, walking paths, camping areas, lava casts, local wildlife, and waterfalls.​

Includes: trails, camping​

MIDDLE FALLS TRAIL- is located on Forest Road. Middle falls is home a waterfall that plummets from beneath two rock arches. This path is part of just one big loop of connecting paths.​

Includes: trail, waterfall

MILLER CREEK FALLS- is located on Forest Road. Miller Creek Falls is 3.8 miles round trip forested with creek crossings. It contains a 75 foot drop waterfall and is located close to Curly Creek Falls​

Includes: trail, waterfall

​MONITOR RIDGE HIKE- This ten miles round trip trail provides hikers with views of fall foliage, wildlife, summits, and mountain views. It is considered to be a more difficult trail but can be a great challenge for hikers 

Includes: climbers permit required, trail

NORWAY PASS- is located on Forest Road 26 on the east side of Mount St. Helen’s. The 4 mile, round-trip trail provides hikers with mountain views and leads into the Mount Margaret Backcountry. 

Includes: Restrooms and water during the summer. Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or $5 in fee tube required for parking. (Closest fee tube is at Meta Lake on Forest Road 99. ​

SADDLE DAM PARK- is located on Saddle Dam. Saddle Dam Park is a day park for swimming, boating. picnics, and trail walking.​

Includes: swim beach area, two-lane boat ramp. picnics, trail walking, equestrian trail

TRAIL OF TWO FORESTS- This short, ¼ mile boardwalk trail is kid friendly. View lava casts of trees from a forest that grew 1,900 years ago. Located on Forest Road 8303, just off Forest Road 83. 

Includes: Trail, restroom and interpretive signs. Washington State Sno-Park permit required Dec. 1 to March 31. Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass or $5 in fee tube required for parking during rest of the year.

  Visitor Centers

CEDAR GRIST MILL– is located on Northeast Grist Mill Road. The Cedar Grist mill contains history and food events and shows visitors how to make flour, corn meal, and apple cider.

Includes: tours, history, open space for rent, events

LELOOSKA CULTURAL CENTER– Located on 165 Merwin Village Road in Ariel, the Lelooska Cultural center shows visitors the importance and history of the Native Americans. They offer a variety of living history programs, workshops, classes and museum tours.​

Includes: displays, programs