The Six Rivers Trail is a drafted 36 mile multi-use trail plan that runs through Lewis County to Woodland. The Six Rivers Trail was inspired by Cowlitz County resident ,Mike Karnofski, and later adopted as a priority project for Connecting Cowlitz Communities FKA 40 for 2020 groups. The trail is based around Cowlitz Countys six primary rivers: Lewis, Toutle, Coweeman, Kalama, Columbia, and Cowlitz. Its pathway would connect exiting trails in Kelso, Woodland, Kalama, and Castle Rock and has a potential future tie into other cities, counties, and to become part of a national bike route. The Six Rivers Trail will highlight historical significance throughout Cowlitz County and the Southwest Washington region. The trail will serve as an important piece of active transportation, recreation, and tourism for our community.
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Pathways 2020 in 2017 received a grant from the National Parks Service and has been given assistance by Alexandria Stone with planning the Six Rivers Trail. A steering committee was formed which hold a panel of community representatives and those interested in Cowlitz County. Members in the steering committee represent the City of Woodland, City of Kelso, City of Castle Rock, Peace Health, River City Transit, Lower Columbia College, the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, CWCOG, the Port of Kalama, Cowlitz Bikes, Longview Parks and Recreation, Community Champion, Cowlitz Department of Health and Human Services, Cowlitz County Commissioner, and Cowlitz Tourism. Once the steering committee was formed a series of community workshops were held in Kalama, Woodland, Kelso, and Castle Rock to talk about the community significance, economics, challenges, and barriers within each city. After the community workshops the steering committee discussed final decisions about the community workshops outcomes involving concerns, amenities, and recommended routes. After our decisions on how to handle controversial topics we incorporated these decisions in the concept plan for the Six Rivers Trail.

If you are interested in learning more email Lindsey Cope at cope@cowlitzedc.com to be included on trail materials.