33 Best Stops Between Seaside and Mount Rainier National Park
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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Seaside to Mount Rainier National Park?
The direct drive from Seaside to Mount Rainier National Park is 183 mi (295 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 10 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Seaside to Mount Rainier National Park, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Astoria, Cannon Beach, and Olympia, as well as top places to visit like Haystack Rock and Ecola State Park, or the ever-popular Nehalem Bay State Park.
Top cities between Seaside and Mount Rainier National Park
The top cities between Seaside and Mount Rainier National Park are Astoria, Cannon Beach, and Olympia. Astoria is the most popular city on the route. It's less than an hour from Seaside and 4 hours from Mount Rainier National Park.
Cannon Beach is a charming coastal town located in the northwest region of Oregon. The area is renowned for its long sandy beaches and iconic Haystack Rock, which serves as a seasonal home to tufted puffins. To the north lies Ecola State Park, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and lighthouse. On the southern side, visitors can explore Arcadia Beach with its delightful tide pools and picnic areas while Hug Point boasts enchanting sea caves.
83% as popular as Astoria
15 minutes off the main route, 5% of way to Mount Rainier National Park
Astoria is a municipality situated in Oregon, near the Pacific Ocean and along the Columbia River. The Astoria Column, which is a tall monument atop a hill, boasts panoramic views and murals that depict local history. The Columbia River Maritime Museum exhibits fishing, shipping, and military history within a building located on the waterfront. The Flavel House Museum is housed in an elegant Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion with well-manicured gardens and period furniture on display for visitors to appreciate.
Most popular city on this route
1 minute off the main route, 11% of way to Mount Rainier National Park
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Olympia, the capital of Washington state, is located at the southern end of Puget Sound. The city boasts the impressive Washington State Capitol Campus, which includes the Legislative Building and Governor’s Mansion. Visitors can enjoy Percival Landing Park's boardwalk and public art along the downtown waterfront. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse bird species at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.
32% as popular as Astoria
25 minutes off the main route, 57% of way to Mount Rainier National Park
Best stops along Seaside to Mount Rainier National Park drive
The top stops along the way from Seaside to Mount Rainier National Park (with short detours) are Haystack Rock, The Astoria Column, and Mount Rainier. Other popular stops include Ecola State Park, Columbia River Maritime Museum, and Washington State Capitol Building.
1
Nehalem Bay State Park
State park
Nature & Parks
890-acre oceanfront park with hiking, biking & equestrian trails, campsites, yurts & an airstrip.
Our favorite campsite! Just a disclaimer we are not hard core campers and not glampers. So Nehalem is right in between. All sites have a private spigot and electricity. I told you aren’t hardcore 😭. Around the area you get a beatific beach, bike trails, wildlife, clamming, crabbing nearby, cute little downtown and nearby market. We had such a great time that this will be a yearly camping spot for us
Ryan and Euni — Google review
The BEST place that we stayed during our RV road trip! I wish we stayed the entire week, but only did 2 nights. Such a fantastic area to be in! The RV site was beautiful and spacious, a short walk to the beach access, there's a playground for the kiddos, we saw so many deer... Just a wonderful experience. We will DEFINITELY be back for a longer vacation!
Naomi Cockburn — Google review
This is my second time staying here and I ❤️ it. So beautiful, easy beach access, Verizon cell service works, and close to scenic parks and trails. If they had full hookups, I'd stay longer and give 5 stars. I highly recommend 👌
Michele Mihalovich — Google review
Stayed in Site B4 with a teardrop trailer and two cars; plenty of space for all three.
Site does have room for a tent as well.
Site came with firepit, picnic table, electric, and water.
Site was clean upon arrival.
Bathrooms were clean and fully stocked with toilet paper/paper towels.
Hot showers available with strong water pressure.
Sink water disposal site nearby to B4.
If you have kids, this is the site for you as the playground is right next to it for easy access.
Plenty of biking and walking/hiking trails.
Centralized recycling and garbage area.
State park also as beach access a short drive away.
Stay was Fri to Sun and was booked thru ReserveAmerican for $86.
Bundle of wood is $5.
Alita Hawksworth — Google review
Great state park! The winds are strong and cold on the beach but the sand dunes block it from the campground. Be sure to use the sewer dump at the registration area before going to your site because the sites only have water and electric. There’s showers, bathrooms, and a playground. Our kids loved running down the dunes and riding their bikes on the trails- they didn’t want to leave! We even had a nice tote on the beach one night. It was cheap too at $36 a night!
Brent Hoffman — Google review
Not bad for a coastal campground, but definitely not my favorite. The sites lacked privacy and were small, there are no full hook-ups, and access to the beach was so-so. That being said, it was relatively quiet, clean, and the dump station could accommodate two at a time, so we did not experience a wait when leaving. There are a couple good dive bars in town for takeout and Manzanta is close.
Melissa Procaccini — Google review
I took the local Boy Scouts Troop on a weekend campout here. We have been to Nehalem Bay many times, but this time was amazing! Weather was phenomenal, so we hiked Neahkahnie Mountain Trail. The hike is more challenging than the reviews say. A lot of incline, only one bench to rest on. Over 8 miles for the complete out and back. It was a long day on the trail, but the view was spectacular. On a clear day, it's one of the prettiest views in Oregon.
Scott Johnson — Google review
Our new favorite camping spot on the Oregon Coast! Each spot has its own water source, picnic table, and fire pit. The restrooms/showers were always clean and maintained. The campground is within walking distance to the beach.
Allison Radel — Google review
Good camping experience. Came to escape the hustle and bustle but it's our first real camping trip this year, and kind of forgot how much work it is.
The park is nice, crowded but nice. The bathrooms all smell terrible like old urine. There's a lot of cars driving the loops all the time. Lots of kids riding bikes and having fun.
The beach was cold, windy and deserted.
Tim Williamson — Google review
I just luv camping here . I have been with horses and without horses. We always take our bikes. So much to do within short bike rides or car drives.
The beach is amazing.
The fresh fish , crab, clams and muscles and oysters yummmmmy.
The pictures we have from the beach and sunsets. Life memories
Arlene Vr — Google review
Obviously the beach is the main reason why people camp here. This campground is huge and packed in like a can of sardines! Too close for my comfort.
The female ranger at check-in was very nice & informative. The male rangers patrolling the grounds were kind of jerks. Totally see the “I’m the authority” attitude as they drive through the grounds. Ticketing cars left & right for any part of your vehicle off of the paved area, which is hard not to do with these tiny sites and a narrow drive lane! Also, the camp hosts (the female)were NOT FRIENDLY! Drove through the campgrounds a few times to take our garbage to the single dumpster and didn’t smile or say hello. In fact, she followed me (eye contact) as I drove by with the “stink-eye”! WTH???
THE GOOD…The restrooms were clean and the hot showers were free! Liked the trash compactor and recycling dumpsters, but there is only one location, on the way out of the campgrounds. Every site has power & water!
I was fortunate to have the company of good friends to make my time there enjoyable, but I would never book this campground again.
M Moore — Google review
Came here for a week with my family, and had a great time. Plenty of space, plenty of sites, and extremely close to town if you need anything. The beach is very clean, and the trails are well marked. The horse camp is smaller, but seems to have everything needed to have a nice horse camping experience. Very dog friendly, and the restrooms are very clean and nice. Overall, they do a great job here, and I have nothing bad to say.
George F — Google review
Mixed review. The beach is absolutely gorgeous. Breathtaking. Like look at the pictures, you can't complain. But the campground... Ugh. If you want ANY sort of privacy, or separation this is not it. From satellite view and website it looked like the sites had a decent shrubbery between sites, but there really isn't any. Also the inner loop sites are very very short. Even with a pop up there almost isn't room. Bathrooms are decent. So 3 for the campground, 5 for the beach.
Lisa Marie Short — Google review
Beautiful weather and great beach access at this very nice state park. We were in the non reservable loop D and had very few neighbors. Very quiet!
Barry Watson — Google review
Stayed early July 2023. Weather was clear but windy; with a very cool wind. We were given the heads up to bring warm clothing with us and glad we did. Unfortunately, the wind (which was consistently strong for days on end) we experienced really impeded our ability to enjoy the oceanfront, other than a few short trips to the beach.
The campground is filled with kids on bikes and there’s a really nice 2 mile loop through the forest for bikes or by foot. The shower and restroom facilities are looking pretty tired and really need some attention. There were only 3 of the 4 showers operable on the women's side for our entire (D) loop. They also need more attention on a daily basis to keep them clean. There also appears to be no limit as to the number of campers that can be on one site, so some of them were packed with multiple tents and lots of peeps. So be prepared you may have some noisy neighbours, but these seem to be few thankfully. Some of the sites are pretty close together with not a ton of green space in between and there’s not a ton of privacy.
The little town nearby has a pretty good grocery store, but I’d recommend doing your major shopping before you get here.
It’s a gorgeous area to visit; just be prepared for some cooler evenings and wind depending on the time of year you’re travelling.
JRT seg — Google review
When an absolutely wonderful place to go, I have my state park pass for day use and come here often. I like this state park because they have amazing camping. They have equestrian camping. And they have yurts. You can drive in and see lots of elk. They have a great boat launch. Plenty of parking and restrooms. What a beautiful site it is I happen to live across the bay in the town called Wheeler which is very beautiful to see from the state park, there’s lots of walking trails and beachfront. Breathtaking.
Denny Kleen — Google review
My boyfriend and I stayed here for one night and it was probably one of the best State parks we stayed in. We left Cannon Beach and drove here as the campgrounds were either over priced or closed for the season.
We arrived at this State Park at 6:30pm and the front desk was still open. We were allocated A20 which was a great site as we could hook up to the electricity and water. Also, for those interested, there are several yurts on site which looked great.
The showers and washrooms are in the centre. No tokens and no limits on how long you can use the showers. It was busy during our stay which meant we could hear several dogs barking early in the morning.
I would definitely come back here and recommend staying here.
Located just a few blocks from the beach and well known for its towering rock formation, Haystack Rock is a popular tourist attraction that offers stunning photo opportunities. It is also home to interesting animal species like crabs, limpets, sea slugs, starfish, sea anemone and chitons as well as many seabirds.
This place is unreal. There is plenty to see and explore. Really well kept and organized. There was a person there employed by the city to make sure everything went well and she was absolutely fantastic. Her name is Angela and she keep things under control while pointing out all the things to see and helping tourist not step on all the living organisms. She was great. I love this place. We spent quite a bit of time there and I am blown away by the experience. 5 stars for sure and a must see!
David Parra — Google review
Went in early June and the weather was great. Parking was a little confusing, we ended up just stopping on a nearby road and walking down but was only a 5 minute walk! The beach itself is beautiful and I loved that there were wildlife safety attendants who made sure to keep people off of the rocks and to help us spot animals! Cannon Beach was just down the road with a bunch of cute shops and restaurants to walk in. Loved all of the flowers in bloom.
Lizzie Albert — Google review
Very pretty, especially at sunset. Fun to see at low tide. You might even see starfish and sea anemones, plus tons of birds and maybe even a puffin or two! Free beach access but had quick access via nearby resort and spa. Romantic for couples, fun for families and even beach fires at night. There's nothing like waking up to the sound of the ocean and stepping out your balcony to see this beautiful sight.
Marisa Silversides — Google review
One of the prettiest locations I’ve ever been to. Went on a Saturday so parking was hard but we found something right near the one main entrance to the beach. Sand was so soft. It was very family friendly and pet friendly. It was such a beautiful day the weather couldn’t have been any better. Constant beach patrols going back and forth so that was nice to see.
Paulina Velez — Google review
Cannon Beach becomes even more beautiful with this extra touch—it just completes the whole picture. It's the kind of place that leaves you speechless, and trust me, you really have to check it out on your next Oregon coast trip. The sunset there? Absolutely worth every moment.
Fluffy Foody — Google review
We had to make a stop there and witness God's creation and enjoy it. This place is a must-visit attraction site if you are driving alongside the Pacific highway. I mean, there are many spots and viewpoints to enjoy and this one should be on the top 5 list. The area around it is very beautiful from sand, trees, and other natural sites. Make sure and stop there for a visit.
Peter Assad — Google review
The most beautiful place you'll find in the area. The tide pools are awesome to experience.
NOTE: If you choose to visit and see the tide pools, you MUST respect the rules. Stay on the sand.
DO NOT walk on the rocks or touch the wildlife. This is not some purpose made exhibit that you let your children crawl on. This is a delicate ecosystem. Please show respect and reverence to the wildlife.
Take a picture or watch. Don't touch.
Sunset and sunrise are stunning on Cannon Beach
Matthew Keel — Google review
"hey you guys" you've got to check out these rocks. I have seen puffin, sea stars, hermit crabs and other sea creatures out there but today I saw some Elk on the hill side leading down to the water. This place is special and is always a crowd pleaser. My son had fun spotting different sea creatures this last time we visited.
Domenic styer — Google review
Been visiting this spot since I was a little kid. Such good memories have been built on this beach. This is a must stop if visiting the coast. Cannon Beach is one of the best tourist stops on the coast in my opinion. Great stores, restaurants and beaches. What’s not to love. There is also plenty of rentals available for those wishing to stay more than a day trip.
Yedidyah Kent — Google review
One of the most beautiful beaches I've ever visited. So glad I made the trip. The beach wasn't too crowded. The water was freezing, but that didn't stop anyone from getting their feet wet. Plenty of overflow parking two blocks up from the beach. Well worth the drive up hwy 101.
Andrea Archer — Google review
Haystack Rock's natural beauty is awe-inspiring. Its grandeur against the ocean backdrop is captivating. Exploring the vibrant tide pools is like discovering a hidden world. The tranquility of the beach and the breathtaking sunsets make it a true gem for nature lovers. Oregon's masterpiece of nature! 🌄🌊
Bo Taylor — Google review
Iconic. Amazing. Well worth it. Must visit without a doubt. Go! Check it out. Make it a point to visit at least once. You will not regret. I will most definitely be back. I loved the beach and the view is amazing. I highly highly recommend.
Carlos Francisco Rivera — Google review
Must visit! The most amazing views. We stayed on the beach for a while, just in awe. We went on our own. We did not pay for a tour. If you rent a vehicle, you are able to drive there on your own and stay as long as you like. We ended walking to an amazing restaurant on the beach and had some delicious lunch. Don't think twice. Go!
Monique Baker — Google review
Long time & frequent visitor. So many great memories here. Hands down the most amazing beach I've ever been to. Night-time fires on the beach, picnics, birthdays, anniversaries, beach combing and the sunsets! The sunsets are incredible. Summer nights are the best because the sky is clear and you can see every star in the sky (provided you don't go on a full moon, which is equally as beautiful). I absolutely LOVE Cannon Beach. I loaded a mix of photos I've taken over several years. Time to go back SOON!
Stephanie Lorenzini Coleman — Google review
Beautiful beach. No litter (keep it that way!) And very dog friendly. Always windy, and always chilly. But beautiful and great for long walks on the beach. At low tide the volunteers that come out to keep people off the rock are amazing. They can teach you all about the wildlife that desperately need the safety of the rock to be protected.
Patrick Harding — Google review
This place has captured our hearts and refuses to let go. Cannon Beach, you’ve left an indelible mark on our souls. The memories we created there are etched in our minds like footprints in the sand. The feeling of the ocean breeze, so vivid and alive, still dances in our minds. It's like we can almost taste the salty air again! 🌅
But it was the kids eyes filled with pure joy that truly took our breath away. Seeing them delight in every moment was a reminder of how precious these family adventures are. ❤️
Saundharya Sivakumar — Google review
Wonderful beach and well worth a visit. Make sure to explore when the tide is out or at sunset. Starfish, puffins, etc...Perfect for kite flying too. Bathrooms are near the parking lot.
Wildcraft Rose — Google review
My first time in the Pacific Northwest! The coast is stunning! I'm a Florida native so the beach was a completely different experience! The water was a brisk 57 degrees and refreshing to walk in. I can't wait to visit again!
Melinda Thackrah — Google review
Haystack rocks is super cool. It is definitely worth taking the time to go over to it. Parked in a free lot just off the Main Street and walked over and it only took a few minutes. Got to the beach and walked a little ways to the rocks and it was awesome. The weather was gloomy and rainy but it really added to the ambiance of the rocks. Would recommend.
Tristan C — Google review
Gorgeous and worth the stop! We parked a few blocks away in a free public lot and walked over, maybe took 5 minutes. Great for walking or playing with dogs or just playing in the sand. Or just sitting there to relax and enjoy everything around you, definitely a good spot for that.
Alexandra Browning — Google review
What an amazing place! We went in January and were lucky enough to have the clouds part and the temperature rise to 50° for a few hours. The tide was also in a good spot to get close enough for a great shot. It’s a great day trip from Portland.
Charlie Foster — Google review
We visited the rocks during low tide. We parked on the street by the wayfarer restaurant and walked over to the big rock (~5 min) to where the tide pools are located.
We got to see starfish, anemones, sea slugs, and even octopus. What a great experience!
Jhonsen Djajamuliadi — Google review
One of the most magical things I saw. It was not just the rocks on the sand/water. It was the combination of the sunset sky, clouds, mist, reflections, waves!!! Oh my goodness~~ nature is beautiful!
We came in November, drove almost 2 hours from Portland just to see the Oregon coast! it was still chilly and rainy. But honestly, it was totally worth it! Come during sunset time, you will be amazed.
If not sunset yet, eat at MO’s seafood and chowder, you have a view of the coast in the restaurant.
Lia Guan — Google review
First time visiting since I was young. Great open beach with a lot of space to walk and wander between rock and coastal shrubs to higher land. I especially like the “channel-like” feel that gave a sense of plaza on this natural site and wonder.
Kristi — Google review
First time ever at Cannon Beach, and I got to be right up next to Haystack Rock! This was an amazing experience. Had an incredibly wonderful time just exploring and walking around on the beach with a low tide too!
Brendan Boyd — Google review
One of the most beautiful places here in PNW. So pleasing to the eyes. Stunning sunset experiences every time we visit. The important beach in Oregon and a must visit.
Ecola State Park is a breathtaking destination located on Oregon's northern coastline, just north of the famous Cannon Beach. This stunning park boasts sweeping coastal views and wind-swept rocky beaches, as well as a picturesque winding road and charming beach towns. The area also features an impressive rainforest with lush vegetation that visitors can drive through on their way up the hill. If you're planning to visit Ecola State Park, it's recommended to go around sunset for an even more awe-inspiring experience.
Amazing views and an easy to access park. There were even a few elk to greet us in the parking lot! As of April 2022, Indian Beach was open and we enjoyed walking that as well.
Ben Smith — Google review
What an amazing drive. 100% natural. If a tree falls, they leave it in place. In all its glory! There’s hiking trails in the forest itself, and a quick drive down to the beach and you have hours of entertainment walking and seeing beautiful, beautiful, pristine, beach, rock, formations, and, of course the magnificent ocean. They have picnic tables. I highly recommend purchasing the Oregon State park pass. An amazing value. And if you are a senior it’s $50 for two years. At all the state parks. Anyway, come on down to this state park it is magical. The smell is amazing! I think you’d be a great place to have a wedding.
Denny Kleen — Google review
Stunning park just north of iconic Cannon Beach with amazing views. My preferred time to visit is around sunset. You also get to drive through a really nice rainforest on the way up the hill. Oregon is amazing!
Dominick Weldon — Google review
This is a great spot for beginners or even elderly/handicap people. You get a great view even just driving up. There are bathrooms right near the parking and down the trail as well. There are some longer trails but you can still get some great views from the main short walking trails. It's a short drive from Seaside and parking is 5 bucks. Dog and kid friendly as well. Come check this place out.
Austin Miller — Google review
For a quick, scenic stop, this is the right stop. If you want to hike like we did, you have options too. The over look is an easy walk, but was quite muddy once you left the pavement. A nice view of Tillamook lighthouse is worth the short walk. The view of Cresent beach was equally impressive. We enjoyed our second time stopping here.
Bruce B — Google review
This beach was so magical!! First time ever seeing the pacific coast and I truly fell in love with this spot. We hiked all the way down to the beach trying to make it by sunset, and it didn’t disappoint one bit. The hike was a bit treacherous, but so worth it. The hike itself was beautiful, I felt like I was in the forest mixed with jungle! Once we were down at the beach, we were the only ones down there. We got to enjoy the sunset and beautiful views. Will definitely be back.
Laura Silva — Google review
Ohhhh the drive out there is a thrilling one for sure, esp in my tiny RV 😳😆😳...and people drive crazy fast so be careful!!! But it has very Beautiful views, and two long hikes to the beach ( which I didn't do) all of the shorter hikes and several view points are cabled off or have warning ⚠️ signs of closure due to active landslides. Place was packed like every place else. 🤷♀️ Drive out was even more exciting than the drive in.😳😳😳🤗😎
Twistedhippie — Google review
Amazing hike and views. We had the best time! Absolutely recommend!
Garrett Wheeler — Google review
Amazing views, trails can be muddy in spring so wear appropriate shoes.
This winery is known for its sweet fruit wines. This year’s crop doesn’t disappoint!
They offer $10 generous tasting pours of any 5 wines of their huge selection. Prices are very reasonable, and weather permitting you can sip you samples (or glasses) outside and take in the gorgeous view of the Neakahnie Mountains nearby.
The best part is how friendly and helpful their staff is. This isn’t for the snooty wine crowd, this is for people who enjoy life and want to have fun and try what others make. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Bring some food and have your lunch with a bottle of Oregon blackberry wine!
Jason B — Google review
Quirky little winery on the Oregon Coast. Wine flight was yummy, and the space was very cozy with fun decor all around.
Laurel Stalnaker — Google review
Definitely worth checking out. Great wine, friendly and knowledgeable staff and a great outdoor space with a view!
Alex Spencer — Google review
absolutely love their wines and the people that serve it. we've gotten some really good deals there. buy some get a bottle free. We have never had a bad experience with their wine and I'm sure if there was a problem they would cheerfully fix it. I love their summer concerts and there is always something going on
C Waite — Google review
I can’t believe anyone wound think these wines were good. Shocking really. The Cabernet and Merlot were so acidic I couldn’t finish the small taste offered. The pours were several tablespoons. The whites were too sweet.
Jennifer Starr — Google review
Love thier wine and the owners are genuinely great people. Just finished my last bottle and will head out for more in April for my birthday. Also looking forward to enjoying some live music and celebrating thier 50th anniversary in May.
A B — Google review
Loved this tasting experience! The wines are fruity and not my typical favorites, but the experience here was top notch and the wines were somewhat original so I liked it. The server was very friendly and made great conversation while sharing about the wines. He gave us some great local information about places to take our dog as well. His dog was adorable and made an excellent winery greeter! Every new person that came in she went to in a calm and sweet manner.... I liked her almost as much as the wine! The location is a little off the main 101 but worth the side trip. The parking was ample for the crowd there on a weekend. Overall we really enjoyed the visit and came home with bottles of the Pacific Plum and the Cranpere. Worth a visit for sure!
Dawn (We Always WAnder) — Google review
Definitely recommend! We stopped by on a beautiful Saturday in February and was able to enjoy the outside deck while we sampled their many wine offerings. Beautiful view! Our service was very friendly, kind, fast, and helpful! I am no wine expert, but it seemed they had quite the variety and I enjoyed each wine I tried. They run a great deal on the sampling if you purchase a bottle. We had a great time and left with two bottles to enjoy at home. We look forward to our next visit!
Tiffany Ridenour — Google review
Found this place on our way home after some outings. Picked up two different bottles and thought the Foch would be pretty good to checkout. I must have a bad bottle or something... the cork looked rotten and did not smell good. The wine itself tasted sour and had a burning sensation in my throat for a while after just a little sip. Not expensive, but what a waste... don't think I would give them another try... Had a bottle of Lobo Hills from Columbia Valley before this one and tasted much better. I have low expectations when it comes to wine and I am disappointed enough to write about it...
Leo' Travel — Google review
My absolute favorite!! Wonderful ppl and stunning place to visit.
Best Mead I've ever tried!
Lace barnett — Google review
Went here for an impromptu wine tasting and absolutely loved the blackberry wine. It was refreshing, not overly sweet and decided to buy a bottle, which was $25. I am so glad my friend found this gem on the side of the road.
Solid convenience store next to the beach. Firewood, beverages, small packs of medicine, you name it.
Colbs — Google review
I feel the market is perfectly placed and has enough items , prices are a little high but so is anywhere else these days. The young man working the counter today could really use some people skills. Retail is never easy, however it's his job to have people skills. He was rude to my sister earlier today and me this evening. Having people run your store with a little smile and kindness will help your store grow. Good luck.
Kendra Shupp — Google review
There’s no prices listed on most things and I was charged $7 for 1 water! Also I was surprised at the price and the lady was really rude. I wouldn’t go here again $7 for water is ridiculous.
A J — Google review
Good beer and wine selection decent prices fresh firewood and really great super friendly staff! Always nice to stop in here on our trips to Seaside.
T J — Google review
Went there yesterday and everything is really spendy. For a 2"×3" "gourmet" chocolate toffee. Spent $5... didn't eat it until a few hours later. It was 3 mo the expired. The toffee was chewy like carmel. 🤢🤮 the gal working was nice,but they will make someone sick selling expired food. Waste of money. I'd be better off buying candy at a gas station.
Ashley Hoffman — Google review
Nice enough place but there’s no white monster and the manager has serious issues. “Playfully,” hitting employees and throwing things in the name of “comic relief,” and jumping out and scaring employees who have mental health issues and obviously don’t like it because, “it’s good for morale.” Support a family business and go to Leo’s instead.
Adrianne Remmert — Google review
Stayed seaside for few days great place. Went in there few times got sodas nice lady. But Sunday stopped in met there one douchebag employee. Young man what a punk! Don't think I will go back there next trip.
Joe Patterson — Google review
My hotel at 100 dollars per night didn't have 4 quarters for laundry. What kind of hotel doesn't have 4 quarters. Shilo Inn by the way. I went to the Turnaround Store. Leanna helped me and was awesome, and as it happens, had 4 measly quarters. Great plane and great job Leanna! She deserves a raise. Very friendly and clean place with what you need. Highly recommend.
Michael Quattrociocchi — Google review
The rudest young man that works there, his excuse "he's tired". Lesson for him is, I am old but I can do a review!
Santa Best — Google review
Convenience store, right near the beach. Small, but a decent selection of all the basics plus beer and wine.
The Seaside Aquarium, established in 1937, is a small yet enjoyable attraction showcasing seals, an underwater exhibit and a touch tank. Despite the unimpressive building structure, visitors can enjoy feeding the seals and participating in various hands-on experiences. The admission price of $9 for adults is reasonable and children under six receive free entry. Seal food can be purchased for an additional fee of $2.
Small and awesome little aquarium! My daughter has been asking to see an octopus and they have 2 fairly large ones! We also saw lots of fish, crab, snails and shark. My daughter also loved the two areas where you can reach in and touch snails, sea cucumber, starfish and sea anemone! Don't forget to feed the seals! So much fun!
Angy Hanson — Google review
We went on a weekend in mid October. It was pleasantly uncrowded compared to the aquariums I’m used to (Tacoma Point Defiance and Seattle). I loved how interactive it was. From feeding the seals, to touching the sea critters. For its size, I felt like there was so much to look at and do. I can’t wait to be back.
Nichole W. — Google review
We loved the aquarium. We enjoyed the seals the most. They clapped when they saw you had food in your hands. We will definitely go again.
kckay1979 — Google review
Small, friendly aquarium by the ocean where you can feed some seals.
When you first walk in, there's a bit of bottle neck and crisscrossing of coming-and-goings so it feels a bit crowded. It's also smelly because you're feeding chopped fish ($2) to the seals. It costs $10 per teens and adults, very young kids are free... There's a trace and color station for kids and in the middle they have tanks set up for kids or adults to touch marine life. There's a hand washing station after feeding the fish to the seals. A small gift shop that has neat gifts. My daughter bought a necklace kit with a pearl oyster, it was exciting to wonder what will be inside. She opened it to find a pretty pink pearl that went perfectly into her necklace.
Recommend, getting the seal food either in the beginning of your visit (that's what we did) or at the end, you may have to wait in line again to purchase the seal food if going at the end. Keep your little ones close, when we went it was so busy and crowded, we ended up carrying our 3yo. He really liked putting his hands in the tanks to touch the starfish.
MJ H — Google review
for such a small aquarium, lots to see an read. the harbor seals were so cute. one slaps the water when they want a fish. very personable. these guys love the attention, an the fishy treats. very nice people that run the place the gentlemen holding the rope gate was super sweet!. i enjoyed this aquarium. tons of people at the time we went... at 1130-1200pm.. best thing is you can go back till five same day you purchase entry... which is awesome! bought a harbor seal stuff animal an a treasure box.
Rohan Sunrunner — Google review
Fun little aquarium, helpful staff. Love feeding the seals! Price was $9 for adults, kids under 6 were free. Seal food was $2. Well worth it!
Michael Spry — Google review
Wonderful small locally owned and operated aquarium. Plan to spend about 45 minutes to see everything. There are detailed informational placards for every display and the staff are also very knowledgeable. Great peek at local marine life, and the seals are delightful. It's clear all the animals are well cared for.
Lillian Leader — Google review
It is well worth a visit here if you are in the area. It is very educational for kids. This is a very small aquarium but really educational about the ocean life on the west coast. They pack a lot in a small area. We LOVED feeding the seals, and touching some of the starfish, sea anemones, little crabs, etc.
Laura Kazlas — Google review
The building isn't impressive but it was a lot more fun than some of the big, expensive aquariums I've been to. The kids loved feeding the seals and the hands on experiences. We had a great time. The price is great, and even the gift shop wasn't horribly overpriced. FYI there is no public restroom, you'll need to go down the beach about 2 blocks to one. Accessiblity: aquarium itself is wheelchair accessible, but the gift shop portion is not. It is up about 4 steps. And the restroom down the beach is not wheelchair accessible, so I suggest finding a restroom before coming.
JaNae Wales — Google review
Great place for the family! Fed the seals and saw all there was to see! They had it all. Right of the board walk. Easy to access. Didn’t cost much. It was extra to feed the seals though but worth it. Tons of tanks with all kinds of sea life. Even got to touch the octopus. Even though your not supposed to. Honestly the signs that said no was tiny and didn’t have my glasses on! Should make those with big litters not fine print! Lol.
Gary Lee — Google review
Small but mighty aquarium. This historical aquarium has been around since 1937. It is small but it really is full of information. It is self paced so take your time. There is information about the creatures at each station. There is an interaction tank in the middle. The animals seem to be well cared for and happy. They do have a gift shop for those that wish to purchase a keepsake. The gift shop has stairs and is not accessible to my knowledge. There is no restroom available so plan accordingly. There is a hand washing station. It can get loud so I recommend noise dampening headphones for those with sensory issues. I recommend going upon opening if you want to avoiding crowds and noise. I especially appreciated the family rate option for tickets. Parking is limited and awkward. Most people seemed to have parked elsewhere and walked. All in all, this was a nice day activity for the family. We had fun and learned a lot.
Savannah — Google review
Cute but small aquarium. Not a lot yo see, managed to navigate it all in about half an hour. Had a good time. Place was clean and well kept. Animals all appeared well cared for and having fun
Jenifer Radland — Google review
My children loved feeding fish to the seals. The touch pools where nicely stalked, the fish didn't look overly thrilled to be there. If they could look sad they kinda did. $36 for family of 6 but w
Jamie Morris — Google review
The aquarium is one room with a variety of fish tanks holding various creatures of the sea. Kids love it and it is not that expensive. The seals up front, you can feed with the fish you can buy at $2 a tray.
Papa Bear — Google review
Been to Seaside so many times and this was our first experience at the aquarium. The sea lions were by far our favorite part. They had amazing personalities and we haven't laughed like that in a long time.
The facility is smaller but well maintained in and outside of the fish tanks. The signs were clever and a fun way to learn new things. Definitely worth a visit! (Note: NO public restrooms. Not a big deal, just something to be aware of)
Kayla Spicer — Google review
A quaint little aquarium right on the beach, but SO FULL of wonderful sea life to explore. It's perfect for little kids, and the sea lions are the best! I highly recommend visiting this gem.
Sarah Giammaria — Google review
Small parking lot attached
Tight in and out but doable
Parking lot available for an hour
Kids 5 and under are free
Three seniors and one adult cost $36 under the family plan.
Senior is $9 each and adult is $11
Friendly staff
Gift shope available
Small aquarium with hands on tanks for kids.
Small container of fish for $2 for the seals
Alita Hawksworth — Google review
I appreciate the free admission for kids under 5. They don’t have a great attention span for fish tanks. We all enjoyed our time here though! The hands-on areas were a real neat memory. I definitely suggest coming here every few years.
Amy Jackson — Google review
It has been years since I've been to the Seaside Aquarium, and I was not disappointed. It was an amazing little exhibit with many fish tanks and sensory tanks, plus feeding the seals! Loved it!
Uwin Hakan — Google review
While the place is small it is def worth stopping by. Having children under 5 getting in for free is a nice bonus as the memories that seeing the seals up close can make. The cost is well worth it for me because of how much you get to learn about the different animals & Oregon. Bring change here because the pressed penny machine is a must (in my opinion)
Astoria Riverfront Trolley is an amusement park ride that runs along the waterfront, through town. It's a great way to spend a summer day as it offers seasonal, hour-long rides. Astoria also has other attractions nearby like the Maritime Museum (#2 on this list) making it a perfect stop on your travels.
Super affordable at only $1 round trip or $2 all day, nice little ride with neat information on the sights you see.
Jonathan Adams — Google review
$1 to ride or $2 for all day. Takes you on a short river tour. Bob and Craig were funny and informative
Mary Curtis — Google review
The $1 you’ll spend. Entertaining 30 minute trolley ride along Astoria river walk. A “must do” Astoria attraction. Useful local information and take you past a few of the Movie attractions that Astoria has to offer… Goonies House and Kindergarten Cop school to name a couple
Mark Robson — Google review
Great little tour. The route is short due to the construction, but we still loved it. We were able to ask questions and the trolley tour guide knew the answers. They even have a tiny gift shop on the trolley and we bought a tshirt, magnet and postcards.
Katie Stiles — Google review
It was a wonderful look into the past. The ride was loads of fun and taught me a lot of fun facts about Astoria. Great trip for all ages and cheep to ride
Toasted Orange — Google review
We very much enjoyed our ride, albeit short as it was due to issues with the line. The trolley is very well maintained and looks fantastic inside for its age. The volunteers who run it do a great job at narrating the ride. And although we didn’t get to do the complete route, we followed along the tracks to Astoria and can see it would be a beautiful ride. We went towards the end of July 2022, and hope to come back and do the full ride someday.
Percy — Google review
Awesome and informative ride even if it is shorter than normal due to the Buoy Beer roof collapse. It currently stops at Stop #6 but that may change. The two gentlemen running the trolley were knowledgeable and friendly, with lots of great information along the way. The trolley is gorgeous and the way the seats switch sides for the return trip is so cool!! Definitely worth a buck, and if you can give them some extra or buy some merchandise, that helps them fund the trolley for future enjoyment.
manta8ray mommy — Google review
The trolley was such a fun easy going tour. It is also an affordable mode of transportation up and down the 3+ miles of the Astoria Riverwalk. The trolley starts near Bridgewater Bistro and ends at Pier 39. The volunteer staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
I recommend riding the trolley in both directions initially to hear about the city's attractions and history. There is also a fun surprise when the trolley changes directions. Round trip is roughly 1 hour and there is a QR code available to show the trolley's location. This is a popular attraction so there is the possibility of standing room only.
H Liening — Google review
Adorable trolley ride along the riverfront; lots of fun information given by very kind volunteer tour guides. Runs on donations. They even let kids ring the bell at some stops, which is cute. Great way to see a lot of the downtown area and plenty of stops to get off and walk.
Emily Ramos — Google review
So very nice and relaxing little train ride ! The gentlemen that ran the Trolley today were so nice and funny! Good job guys !👍
JoAnn Tafoya — Google review
Very interesting and educational trip with a great conductors! We have knew the history of Astoria and had a great time with a beautiful view. The pice is only 1$, donations welcome !
Inna Doskenova — Google review
One of the most important sources of info for guests visiting Astoria OR! The trolly conductors tell a wide range of stories about the Astoria waterfront and the Olde days of Yor, lol. Really great stuff.
Typically, it only runs on the weekend, noon to six pm. It will run on weekdays If there’s a cruise ship in town as well.
Ric Wallace — Google review
Absolutely an amazing experience. The trolley is very cost effective. It's usually run on donations and it just goes back and forth along the water side. It takes about 45 minutes for the trolley to return. If you walk along the tracks, you will most likely run into the trolley at some point. The volunteers that drive the trolley are very friendly and informative and tell you a lot about Astoria.
The Astoria-Megler Bridge is a truss bridge in the United States spanning the Columbia River between Astoria, Washington and Megler, Oregon. The bridge is open to pedestrians on a one-day event in the fall. It is known for its beautiful architecture and majestic views, making it a popular tourist attraction.
Super awesome high bridge which is amazing and free for private vehicles to drive the 4+ miles across on (no pedestrian/bike access) as seagulls try to match your speed. Restrooms at Dismal Nitch rest area on Washington side (plus great Lewis and Clark history!). On Astoria side, free parking at the end of Columbia Avenue for amazing views of the high end of the bridge from right underneath it. Also some benches and a very tiny sand beach. While there, be sure to visit the very nice and free maritime memorial with many interesting names and tidbits carved into it which give you a great sense of the history of the area.
If this information was helpful, I'd appreciate it quick like or follow. Thank you!
Julie McLeod — Google review
This an iconic bridge with 6.6 km length and breathtaking views especially in sunny days. From Fishing boat to huge tanker ships making spectacular scenes here. I drove three time over it!! The bridge connect Washington state to Oregon which like 80% of that is in Oregon.
Mehrdad Arastoo — Google review
Sadly, our plans put us in Astoria on a very rainy and cloudy day. The pictures I have of this bridge just don't give it the justice it deserves.
We drove over it from the Washington side to the Oregon side. As we approached the middle of the bridge it almost looked like the Oregon side far in the distance was going to have us driving straight up into the sky... Like we were in Hot Wheels cars about to launch off the track. That, combined with the heavy fog, made the trip over the bridge feel very eerie... But very cool.
It was too foggy to get any pictures of the bridge from the Astoria side. You really couldn't see the bridge through the fog as the day went on.
I wish I could have seen the bridge on a clear day, but even hugged by fog, the bridge is an amazing sight to see.
Angelique Ortiz-Kane — Google review
Awesome architecture, massive long bridge which connects Washington state and Oregon. Free to Private vehicle and was a beautiful drive with beautiful view.
Diwas SHRESTHA — Google review
I have seen this bridge many times, but never had the chance to go over it. Now I have and you should too. Four miles on dirt seems short, but the same distance over water certainly puts it into perspective! An amazing feat of engineering for sure.
Eric Rider (SoulRider.222) — Google review
I've crossed this bridge on multiple road trips and never took the time to share with the world how wonderful it is. I put this on a must for list to see if you travel the PNW.
Davin — Google review
One of my favorite bridges. The views are grand and always changing. If you want to see the bridge upclose and personal you can walk/run it during the ColumbiaCrossing 10k race held on the second Sunday of October.
George Scott — Google review
So when you leave Astoria Oregon heading into Washington over the Columbia River this bridge is quite intimidating two days before and all the way up until the morning we crossed there was pretty bad weather lots of wind rain and fog we were going to go the long way but woke up in the morning and my wife said there's a break in the clouds do you see the blue skies let's do it so we crossed it not a cloud touched us quite impressive Bridge as it is the longest trust Bridge in North America I recommend to drive the right lane to get a very good view of Astoria as you leave
LAND ROVER — Google review
One of the most picturesque bridges, and one of the highest ones in the US. We love driving from Oregon to Washington via this route. The views of the Columbia River and the huge shipping barges is unforgettable.
Jennifer D Warren — Google review
It is a totally awesome bridge. There beautiful views of the river. The last leg of the bridge it uphill . You go straight up . Found this out.This is the longest truss bridge in the U.S . If you're going that , you should definitely go on it . But if you're afraid of heights don't do it . It was awesome.
Mary Schmidt — Google review
I drove from Seattle to Seaside, Oregon. (Yes there is a place called Seaside). If you don't take the I-5 and go the scenic route you will see amazing views, and this amazingly scary and fun bridge. So good I need to grab some friends and take them over it.
Karen Young — Google review
A beautiful bridge. You can take pictures all day and they will all be gorgeous. This is a long bridge and fun to run or walk during the annual Columbia River Crossing.
Rachael — Google review
Nice bridge! I was quickly asked to STOP TAKING PICTURES AND NOT CRASH INTO THE OCEAN. Apparently this bridge looks like its going to collapse and/or cars are going to magically fall off of it. I witnessed neither phenomena and thoroughly enjoyed the trip. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Brett Stakelin — Google review
Beautiful bridge into Oregon and Washington. The bridge does have lots of birds flying around so try to be mindful and not hit them!
The Columbia River Maritime Museum is a kid-friendly maritime museum that tells the story of the surrounding region's maritime history. With a collection of more than 50,000 objects, it features special 3D movie screenings for a small additional fee.
First time in the museum & absolutely loved it. Lots of hands on things to try & learn about. Lots of audio so not just a bunch to read about, which is fantastic! Real ships & some incredible history. We would definitely go again. My boys 4 & 8 had a great time.
Mersadies Pringle — Google review
Outstanding museum of the maritime history of the Columbia River focusing on the amazing activities of the Coast Guard. The self tour of the lighthouse ship Columbia was outstanding. Many good exhibits including a very moving one about the return of artifacts from fallen Japanese soldiers to their families after many years. Highly recommended.
Ed Tubridy — Google review
Great museum, many exhibits and things to see and do. Kids loved the military ship deck the most. Good value and friendly staff. Admission is good for all day and includes re-entry. Cute little 3d theater as well, plus there is a light boat outside that you can visit. Highly recommend!
Bobby K — Google review
It was fun if you like museums it's a must stop. It was not expensive and not a long tour. It was very enjoyable, and the boat tour was a part of it. Read what is written. It is worth the time.
robert schankey — Google review
Really nice museum; large than it looks with lots of displays. Some interactive displays and a few areas they're actively remodeling. Beautiful location on the river with a stop right out front for the trolley along the riverfront. Plenty of parking.
Emily Ramos — Google review
We visited this museum several years ago, and returned last week. There have been many changes (more informational displays including video). The displays of ships over the years include pictures and display of hardware. There's a good gift shop with some local artisan jewelry.
There's an incredible audio recording of local Coast Guard rescue. It's a must stop for sea history.
Wayne O — Google review
We were a lil skeptical to visit this place but we are happy that we made a decision to visit here. Awesome & informative place. You can easily spend 2-3hrs here. There is so much to do & see. Adults as well as kids above 2yrs will definitely enjoy this place. The ladies at the gift shop were kind & friendly.
Chai Pai — Google review
A fascinating journey through the history of human exploration on the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. Tons of artifacts and a cool collection of fishing boats. The Lightship Columbia is a part of the ticket price. You can walk through most of it.
If you are in Astoria or the surrounding area and you are interested in maritime history, please support this lovely museum!
Matthew Keel — Google review
Very cool! Has some interesting history and I loved the live wall with the earth's clouds. There's wax sculptures in the museum that are very well done and a lot do cool visuals.
Sydney Pickett — Google review
We really enjoyed the museum and light ship. The museaum has lots of different exhibits related to the Coast Guard and the Columbia River. All are well done with good information. There's even a section on WWII with a handful of well-done ship models and a bridge from a destroyer.
There's also a theater in which we watched a very interesting show on fungus, but the theater isn't stepped, so if you're not in the front, people's heads may be in your view.
The gift shop is nice, prices aren't ridiculous. There is an unusually large selection of books.
Jack Kendall — Google review
A place of historical history shared for all ages. Great space through out the museum. 3D movie clips for extra charge. Location is good right near the water where ships come into doc. I definitely recommend this place if passing through Astoria.
Carlos Desoto — Google review
Sunday - 23 Oct 2022 - 5 Stars
We paid $26 (per person) to enter. This included seeing two 3D movies, per person. We had no wait to enter and bought tickets once we arrived.
The movies lasted 25 minutes, each. The rest of the museum, including the Columbia Lighthouse ship, takes about 2 - 2.5 hours to see - if you do a lot of looking.
Had a great time here. Close to some GREAT seafood restaurants close by, so we took a break party way through it all for lunch.
Dan Arnett — Google review
A museum that is very rich with knowledge and history about Astoria and the Coast Guards. I loved the experience but wasn't able to watch the 3D movies because of time constraints. A little pricey for an entrance fee for me.
Ginger Romero — Google review
Impressive place to visit. A couple of hours give you enough time to catch the highlights. A 20-minute movie is shown and is well worth the time spent. Learned so much new information. Greater appreciation for those who lived and continue to live that lifestyle. The time spent to go on the ship Colombia is worth the effort, too. Great place to take the family. Nice little gift shop.
Dennis Gillen — Google review
Great place to go with the family. There are lots of interesting things to see and learn about. Really thought the real-time weather screen was cool! And the green screen room where you can act as the weather forecaster was fun. My husband and kids each made their own video on my phone. And the Hurricane machine was fun for my kids too!
The gift shop was nice. There are lots of great things for people of all ages. We missed out on the ship tour cause it was the end of the day, but I'd been on it before when I was younger and I liked it. We'll definitely go again someday!
Kimberly Feutz — Google review
Our family visited this awesome place and stayed way longer than expected because of how interesting, interactive and thorough it is!
The name “museum” just doesn’t sound cool enough for how fascinating this place is. What a great gift shop too!
I only wish I didn’t live many states away so that I could visit it again and spend even more time than we scheduled. Will definitely return again when in Oregon
Jefferson Davis — Google review
Pretty good collection of artifacts spanning multiple centuries. You’ll mostly like if you are a history buff. The section displaying shark ship is nice and also older maps and instruments used for geo location is well explained. Can finish seeing everything in about 1.5 hours. Entrance fee includes access to lightship Columbia. Large parking lot and restrooms inside. Gift shop had free coffee as well.
Ganesh Kumar — Google review
The outside is great (I should really go inside some day). The anchor is always a great picture spot, fun to take pictures of children as they grow. The water is beautiful. Interesting and peaceful. I stop anytime I'm nearby.
LJ S — Google review
I have driven by this place for over 10 years and never visited. Or 2 older kids and my wife visited and spent 2.5 hours there and really enjoyed the displays and exhibits. You even get to visit a lighthouse ship docked behind the museum. Highly recommend to anyone visiting or deiving through. Good place to get some photos also.
Jim H — Google review
Great museum but very expensive that's why I have it at 3 stars. There should be a deal where if you are local you and a guest get in for like $5 each or something. Being able to go aboard the light ship was the highlight. The volunteer Ralph told us all about it and did a great job.
Jill Harper-Smith — Google review
Interactive museum for all ages. The gift shop has souvenirs from $5 and up. If you’re visiting Astoria with or without children you don’t want to miss this opportunity to learn about our beautiful coastline and the Heroes that keep us safe.
Jaime Shepherd — Google review
We visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum located in Astoria, Oregon, and we had a great time. There are so many interactive displays in the museum, and the staff are very knowledgeable as well. The information provided helps us understand the challenges and dangers of navigating the Columbia River. There is also a retired light ship that you can walk through as well. This is truly a fantastic place to visit, and children will love it, too. There's also a great gift shop with lots of items to choose from.
Linda Sevison — Google review
It's worth the trip, very educational, and cool to see the inside of the Columbia ship. There is a $15 entry fee, per adult, for the Museum part, but that also includes a ticket to see the ship.
Laura H — Google review
Actually a really good local museum. I'm only a crappy kayak caster at best, but learning all the marine time history in the area was legit cool. Stories about coast guard training and rescue. Apparently the mouth of the Columbia is just as dangerous as trying to pass Patagonia. Then to learn all the history of the fishing industry, and its subsequent collapse. All these stories were presented through a variety of mediums, and were thoroughly informative and entertaining. We both enjoyed our visit.
Malcolm Earhart — Google review
Second visit in 22 years(?).
Brought my son and his buddy here, which was extra special being a merchant sailor. Showing them an industry and history most do not know about or put much thought into.
The Astoria Column is a tall, 125-foot monument built in 1926 that provides amazing views of the surrounding area. The column was constructed in order to give early settlers of Astoria a better understanding of the landscape and its importance to the region. Today, visitors can still climb the 160-plus steps to the top for a breathtaking view of the Columbia River, Astoria-Megler Bridge, and Pacific Ocean.
It’s a must see if you visit Astoria.
You need to pay $5 for each car (you can use the pass for 1 year)
You get 360’ awesome views.
You can climb the stairs to the top of the column which is a great experience itself.
There are picnic tables and a gift shop.
Grab a sandwich and enjoy the million dollar views.
Amin Sameni — Google review
Minimal fee to get your car in, free without a car. The column is beautiful with pretty amazing artwork going around it. Trying to see it all isn't easy since you need to crane your neck and walk all around it. If you're in decent shape, I highly recommend climbing the stairs to the top. It's a lot of stairs and they aren't very wide for passing people (up vs. down), but it's manageable. The view from the top is really great. Highly recommended!
Arian Kulp — Google review
This was spectacular! The view from the top was surreal! Great piece of history... definitely something you don't want to miss!!! I highly recommend adding this stop to your list of places to visit in the area!! No charge but the parking is $5. There are stairs inside the column to a viewing area at the top. It's a long climb and not for everyone.
Joni Jackson — Google review
We've been through Astoria many times
Not realizing there was such a beautiful column hidden away in the trees. We had a great time climbing the stairs to the top and amazed at the the views we have been missing through the years. We will be back.
Mike Ryan — Google review
The Astoria Column in Oregon is a historic monument that offers panoramic views of the Columbia River, Astoria, and the surrounding area. It stands atop Coxcomb Hill and features a spiral mural depicting significant events in the region's history. The parking fee here is $5.00, and it's a year-round price. It's a hot spot where you can experience the picturesque scenery from the top of Astoria, and it's connected to the Cathetral trail, and there's a trail road to the city.
We went up the tower, you can see a better view. We climbed all the way to the up, took us 15-20mins. But heads up that it’s not a dog friendly area. Views from the top are just amazing! We clicked so many pictures at this location. I highly recommend this place.
shruti gujar — Google review
Amazing view in a clear day, can see the bridge to WA, Mt Saddle...etc. Cute gift shop, $5 parking fee last 12months.
It's challenging to walk up to top of column as there isn't much space to stop & rest with other visitors going up & down. There were 6 bald eagles flying nearby, so beautiful
L Kwan — Google review
The view is spectacular, to say the least! Don’t miss this! The only expense is the charge for parking, which was $5 per car. There is a very small store with all the normal gift shop stuff you need.
There is also a nearby trail for additional adventures!
Ric Wallace — Google review
Enjoy the stunning views of the Columbia river. If you have the heart, try climbing the 265 steps of the tower and you'll be rewarded with the 360 degree view of the area in all its majesty. However, I suggest that you visit the souvenir shop first before you go up as this is where you can get your gliders. Adult and kids alike enjoy sending off these toy gliders from the top.
Dennis Capinpin — Google review
Took the family to the Astoria Column. We've been there several times and it's always a blast. This year we climbed to the top and threw our balsa wood airplanes from the observation deck. So fun to watch them loop and glide down to the ground.
After we descended the stairs we took the shirt hike to see the Cathedral Tree. The hike was nice, but the bugs were not. Be sure to use bug spray to avoid getting lots of bug bites.
Scott Johnson — Google review
The entrance fee is per vehicle for parking and it's good for the year.
Going to the top of the column is a climb but, it's worth getting to the top for the view. You can even buy a pin in the gift shop that says you survived the climb 😁 It can be cold up there and breezy.
The walk to the cathedral tree is beautiful! Not too hard and it's kid and dog friendly.
Veronica G — Google review
The parking fee is $5.00 per vehicle per visit. The downhill views are amazing and breathtaking. You can go inside the Column but it is quite high btw. There is a small Cathedral Tree trail nearby if you are interested. It worths your time to visit so please come
Danny Tram — Google review
Stunning and absolutely gorgeous views! We did the short hike to Cathedral Tree that was fairly easy for the most part(highly recommend good walking shoes). Climbed the tower(164 steps) and it was worth the exercise. Amazing panoramic vista's!
Joseph Curl — Google review
Nice spot to visit to get awesome views of Astoria and Columbia river. It costs five dollars for parking and parking pass is valid for the year. Spiral staircase to the top where you can get a 360 degree view from platform. Staircase is narrow so be careful when passing people going in other direction, has spots along the way to stop and catch your breath as well as letting other pass by. Mural painted on outside of column is beautifully done and wraps all around the whole way up. Information/ gift shop available and worth visiting. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable.
Carl and Marci Wiegand — Google review
First time here, recommended by family, inexpensive to get in, the gentleman at the gate was super friendly and talkative. Free maps and info, beautiful spot, also gorgeous views. The stairs are very narrow and high. It was very windy at the top which made it a little scary. Cute gift shop with very fair prices. Clean restrooms. Highly recommend and would return.
Kimberly H — Google review
We were here on a cruise to Alaska. This was our first port. We took a bus tour of the city, and we stopped here. The views of the Columbia River are stunning. The monument is outstanding, and there are clean restrooms and a gift shop.
Jim Earp — Google review
Five dollars per car to get into the park. The column is impressive!! My husband made the 165 stair trek to the top. I took pics from the ground and didn’t have sore calf muscles for 2 days lol I don’t do heights. But the views from the ground were just as beautiful! It’s absolutely worth the visit!
LeeAnna McDaniel — Google review
I had a great time visiting as this was a surprisingly fun monument to visit! The climb wasn’t too bad to the top and the views are incredible! You can buy a small glider and throw it from the top for just $1! The entrance fee is $5 and there is a good gift shop which has plenty of merchandise to buy! I highly recommend it when visiting Astoria!
Daniel Duran — Google review
Awesome view. Plenty of parking but it will cost 5 dollars but apparently it's for the year. Nice little gift shop as well. Don't forget to buy a wooden plan to threw at the top of the column. Just be warned it's 164 steps going up in a spiral staircase with traffic coming in both directions.
Mark Teodoro — Google review
We visited the Astoria Column the morning prior to driving back home. The weather did not cooperate, we could barely see anything due to the fog and it was extremely windy. It’s up a hill, about few minutes from our hotel. The drive was pretty anxious, we went through some steep and curvy roads. We attempted to go up the tower but I couldn’t keep up due to so many stairs, about 164 spiral staircase to be exact. My husband did make it up to the tower but the visibility was slim due to the fog. I still managed to capture few pics although it was nearly impossible. There are plenty of parking spaces, the lot includes a gift shop and restrooms. There’s a $5 parking fees for the whole year. We’ll definitely be back but probably not during fall/winter season.
Jeanne D Andre — Google review
Best Views. Best Gift shop. Best breath taker, literally. The stair climb w your excitement getting to the top is awesome once you reach it! Don't forget to get the wood gliders @ the gift shop BEFORE you go to the top!
Shawna Isom — Google review
Overall, a nice place to visit, with a great view of the Columbia River & Astoria. Inside the column is a spiral staircase where you climb to the top. On the top, you have a beautiful view of Astoria and the Columbia river.
In the gift shop, you can buy wooden planes to throw from the top.
Definitely would visit again.
Kaylee Crunican — Google review
have been here before like two yrs ago. but coming back an taking the time to visit at night- while different experience.. beautiful at night. the lights on the column... the harbor, the landscape. awesome! went in the rain an mist, very surreal. went on a clear night, majestic!
Rohan Sunrunner — Google review
Fun adventure, mixing sightseeing with exercise. 164 steps to the top. Beautiful views of Austria. $5 entry per car. I suggest purchasing the wood planes at the gift shop and letting them loose from the top of the column. Clean bathrooms and warm water in the restrooms.
Chris Littrell — Google review
Holy cow what a view. Be prepared to climb but it's worth it. Nice green lawn area so you can picnic some limited tables. The grounds were kept immaculate. You are able to see three separate rivers and the Pacific Ocean .
William Branson — Google review
What a great fun way to learn about history and get some exercise!!! Even my older out of shape self made it to the top!!!! You get to fly a balsa wood airplane if the top! How cool is that! We also saw several bald eagles and got to watch and hear them fly around. That was so cool! We went on a foggy day but it was still great! Go if you have any doubts just go!
MsForeverjoyful — Google review
Didn’t know such a magnificent place existed in the PNW. Must visit if you’re around Astoria. Great views of the Columbia bar, the bridge and multiple other scenery. Climbing the spiral stairs to the top is easy but very narrow. Takes about 5-10 minutes. Some people might feel dizzy though. View is worth the climb. Saw bald eagles and other birds as well. Parking is pretty good and there are restrooms. There is $5 fee to be paid in cash to enter. Gift shop is small and has some interesting items.
Ganesh Kumar — Google review
What a View! Damn it! Be prepared to climb, dont know how many steps, It gets tiring, but boy oh boy, its worth every step' the view is mind blowing, wish I could have stayed there until sunset! I could see the whole landmass! Both states, the bridge connecting, the waters! Damn! Let my photos tell the rest!
Camp 18 is a spacious log cabin restaurant known for its American classics and cocktails. It's a hidden gem with lovely Christmas decorations, making it perfect for a visit during the holiday season. The restaurant offers delicious clam chowder, chili burgers, onion rings, and giant cinnamon rolls that can be enjoyed by the fireplace. Situated on the way from Portland to Cannon Beach in Oregon, this big wooden lodge with mining equipment in the parking lot is hard to miss.
This place was amazing, the food and the cabin-like setting. It was fully decked out in wooden interior which perfectly fit the country music and food. The entree is an average of $16 but their serving can fill up to two skinny people. A friend showed me this place and I will be coming back, hopefully!
Alena Nikolaychuk — Google review
We called ahead made a reservation and went for lunch.
Plenty of parking spaces. The kids had fun taking pictures and looking around.
My kids enjoyed the waffle.
I ordered a garden burger. The burger was good but the onion ring was extremely oil with an aftertaste. We would hardly eat the onion rings. Except for onion rings, everything else (service, food, ambiance) was good
Traditionally Modern Food — Google review
Good food, but a little pricey. I didn’t find the food to be anything extravagant, but it was tasty. Cool place though if you’re just passing through! Kielbasa skillet was great as well as the Denver omelette.
ItsMyBirthmark — Google review
Beautiful place, a gigantic but cozy cabin, In general, everything around the cabin is a trip to the past. super nice staff! The food is absolutely amazing, everything we ordered was delicious, it was like cooked with your grandparents' recipe. Don't miss the cinnamon roll! totally worth it!.
Lizet Mendoza Maestracci — Google review
I've driven by a few times and was finally able to stop in. We managed to just get ahead of the lunch rush. Beautiful dinning room. Immediately seated and nice staff. They can tell you a lot about the Camp and the museum. The "museum" is a series of various old pieces of logging equipment spread around outside. Give yourself a walking tour, it's free. Pretty rainy when we came so we just explored the items while inside our car.
Food was good but the location made it great. An experience I'm looking forward to re-experiencing when it's drier.
C G — Google review
This place has a special place in my heart. I have a lot of logging family. The food is hit and miss; sometimes it's great, sometimes I have to send it back. The staff is understanding. They are also friendly and good servers. You get really large portions. I love the beef stew with cornbread. Today we had the biscuits and gravy combination, unfortunately it was unpleasant. I'll try again next time. The property has some really cool old looking tools and equipment. Large display of logging tractors pullies and etc. Also a touching memorial for fallen logging greats.
abe smalley — Google review
If you want that home style country cabin atmosphere along with the same style food then this is the place for you. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will leave you happy and content with a belly full of delicious food. We come here every time we go to the coast. You gotta stop by.
Selma Barreras — Google review
Was recommended we checked this place out by some locals. It had a very homey feel. The food was amazing, and workers were very friendly. We stopped by the gift shop to get some souvenirs, and walked around a bit to look at some of the history they have on display. There was a very cool trail behind the restaurant that we checked out. We almost missed the restaurant because it was directly after a curve, but very grateful we stopped.
Cendra Deardorf — Google review
We did not know to wait and eat. This place is amazing. The staff are all super friendly and accommodating even for the general tourists that are not eating.
Heard good reviews about the food, but this will have to wait.
For now, enjoy the history and atmosphere.
Kim K — Google review
Nice service ok food.
Ordered the combo breakfast with sausage, eggs, potatoes & biscuit. The sausage links were well cooked, the eggs were cooked well. The potatoes were undercooked; got a few that were browned, but most were under cooked. The biscuit was good, a little dense, but not dry.
The service was fast and friendly.
The atmosphere is really cool; very log cabin themed. Lots of fun stuff to look at. Great views!
Javier Santos — Google review
Fun place to stop and enjoy the old logging equipment and natural beauty in the surroundings. The restaurant is lovely however can be busy depending on when you go there is much to see and do here as well as a logging museum next-door. Lots of wonderful equipment that you can get photos with as well as just a natural scenery.
A Godley — Google review
We love coming here with the kids to eat - always great food and service - and explore the logging museum, river behind the restaurant and check out the old equipment around the grounds. This time I tried the grilled cheese with all the fixings...oh my, so great!! Perfectly salted and an abundance of Tillamook cheese. Fries were perfect and golden. We also ordered fish and chips, which were excellent. (Picture is dark, sorry)
Christine Torres Hicks — Google review
We've visited several times throughout the years. Most recently we went on a weekday during the off season. It was quiet, and no real wait to be seated. Food was good. Would have preferred to be seated near a window as the view is part of this place's charm...but we didn't specifically ask for a window, so it's all good. The padded seat of the table we were at was comfortable. The BLT we shared was good. Consider sticking around after your meal to check out the gift shop and all the logging history on the grounds.
Daedra Buntin — Google review
I love camp.18 it's a bit nostalgic for me so I'm probably biased but I love the atmosphere and how it feels very homey several beers are available on tap as well as cider and a wine list. I didn't see any liquor list or anything so i don't think they serve it. Maybe call and double check because I could be wrong. I recommend all the burgers as well as the blue cheese dressing, onion rings and the fries. Some of the best onion rings and fries around and I'm pretty picky. Oftentimes I find that the fries have old tasting oil and they come out somewhat soggy from the more homey restaurants and that's not the case with camp 18 you're getting nice crisp fries that aren't drenched in oil and burnt. Also the service was great we had 2 very angry children that turned into evil ogres about halfway into the meal they decided to dump out their drinks at different times in protest of not getting what they wanted. Overall, a great time and we will be back again. Much love from X oregonians.
John Bartley — Google review
A unique stop along the highway - a log building with antique wood touches, a small but nice gift shop, and a good sized sit-down restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had lunch. Service was very good - attentive and fast. Our meals were all good. Prices were $15-20 per entree. Enjoyed our visit and our meals.
Linda P — Google review
The club and BLT were pretty good. I prefer higher quality bread but the bacon was thick and tasty. Nice for after a long hike. The fries and especially the cinnamon roll were incredible. I generally go for a cinnamon roll with a tighter roll and assumed this one would be bready but no. It was so gooey and delicious. I was dreading the size of it but now I am glad to have more for later. I see now why it’s alway so busy whenever I drive by.
Bri — Google review
If you've driven to Cannon Beach from Portland Oregon, you've driven past this restaurant. You can't miss it. It's a big wooden lodge with massive mining equipment in the parking lot.
Primarily known for their breakfast, Camp 18 serves lunch and dinner as well. On this visit, I had the Lumber Jack Burger and it was huge! So delicious and the fries were crispy and hot.
The restaurant is exquisitely decorated in November and December for Christmas and is a great time to go. It is the off season so service was a little slow. I would recommend calling ahead if you have a dining party of 4 or more. But other than that I would recommend a trip to Camp 18.
Andrew Lyons — Google review
Overall, it was a good experience. It sounds like from other reviews that the food is really good. I will say that the size of the hamburgers is generous and the French fries were the best part of what we tried. I ordered the chicken avocado salad... I want to say that I liked it. It was not my favorite sadly. The chicken was cold, bland and dry and it was a very basic salad. Not worth the cost in my opinion. I imagine it being fairly authentic to a salad you might find in a logging camp though. The clam chowder was delicious.
The atmosphere though is incredible! The rich history and all of the amazing decor is so cool. I would definitely visit again and try the breakfast menu.
One of our favorite things about this place was walking around outside afterwards. Beautiful scenery, amazing curated pieces of the logging history.
Kayla Spicer — Google review
5s across the board! This place is stunning. I had the best breakfast of my life here, their gravy puts all others to shame. Food was amazing, tons of friendly staff and servers and the atmosphere and aesthetic inside and outside is beautiful. After you eat, there is practically a museum worth of history around the property outside and there is tons of nature and wildlife in the creek. A must stop!
Evan Engel — Google review
Yesterdays visit to Camp 18 solidified it as one of my all time favorite hidden gems.
It was the first time I was able to visit during Christmas season and enjoy the lovely decorations.
As always, we were quickly seated and served. I enjoy the clam chowder (add a bread bowl if you’re extra hungry or just love bread!) and sharing my husbands chilli burger and onion rings. They are Al fabulous.
And the giant Cinnamon roll with a cup of coffee by the fireplace topped it all off as a perfect afternoon.
Come for breakfast anytime before 2 PM or lunch/dinner after 11 AM.
Family friendly or perfect for a date.
R. Joy Rush — Google review
Unique restaurant within a beautiful log cabin. Large fireplace with seating while you wait. There's a bar upstairs, and downstairs is a banquet hall you can rent out. Stream behind restaurant was relaxing. Friendly service and a gift shop next door to look at while you wait. Got the homemade clam chowder in bread bowl. Son got the stack of flat cars (pancakes), and hubby got the biscuits and gravy.
Raelyn Rodriguez — Google review
We really enjoyed our lunch at Camp 18 today. There was no wait to get a table and the atmosphere was very nice and relaxing. The server was awesome, and the food was really good. The prices were a bit high, but considering where they are located, it was reasonable. The portions were really big too, so that was nice. The building and decor were amazing and a real step back in time. It was like having lunch inside a museum! The gift shop was cute, but pricey. There are a lot of cool old logging and railroad equipment on display outside, which provided for a nice after lunch stroll. We really recommend this place as a nice meal destination.
Pete Stofiel — Google review
After getting together with my best friend for our 45th consecutive New Year’s day. This year at Saddle Mountain, we decided on lunch at Camp 18. Excellent meal and a playful server, we had a great time. The atmosphere is very unique and inviting. If the opportunity comes around will definitely go here again.
We’ve been here at least 5 times. It’s my favorite zip lining so far. Not only the views breathtaking but the guides are the best!!
Trissa Ingram — Google review
This was my second visit. Had a blast! The two guides one named Ethan and the other I can't remember but we're very knowledgeable and put our minds at ease. I was the first to zip across so I got the chance to watch the guide with me really pay attention to what was happening, even with all us chatty woman up there he never became distracted. This is the best place to get some excitement. Highly recommend!
Leah Lupoli — Google review
I had never been on a zip line course, and this was a great place to start. Our guides were great teachers and very fun. The views from the tall platforms were beautiful, and all the lines and bridges were fun. I'd definitely come back here.
Zach Powers — Google review
This was the most incredible experience!! The views, the thrill, and the tour guides made it totally worth it. Highly recommend!
Abby Dykstra — Google review
Awesome experience! Was a little apprehensive since I'd had open heart surgery a year ago, but our guide Ethan insured me I could take as long as I needed to climb the stairs and cross the suspension bridges. Our other guide, Monet, helped me with my footing before locking me in for zipping. I now feel I'm back to my pre-heartattack self! Than'k you, Ethan and Monet!
Linda Vosler — Google review
Really awesome zip line tour! The guides were amazing! It was just a really beautiful area to visit! 🌲⛰️🌲⛰️🌲
Christie Allen — Google review
Second time going to Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour and it's still great. Guides are excellent, views are amazing and overall a great experience. My 11 year old daughter and I went last week. The guides did a great job making sure she was comfortable and feeling safe at all times.
Stew Myvegas — Google review
AWESOME... well worth the money! Going back.... Always ask for Monet and Ian, they are THEE BEST!!!!!!
Kenyatta Trice — Google review
It was the first time for both of us & we had such a great time! The views are spectacular! Our guides, Liam & Ivan, were knowledgeable & lots of fun. We will most definitely come back again soon & do some of the tricks they showed us. Highly recommend this place.
Rhonda Jacobsen — Google review
I recently went ziplining and had the best time with a friendly and funny instructors. They made the entire experience so enjoyable and memorable. From the moment we met, their friendly personality put everyone at ease. Their sense of humor added an extra element of fun to the adventure, making it a truly unique experience. Not only were they funny, but they also had exceptional knowledge and expertise in ziplining, ensuring our safety while keeping us entertained. Their friendly nature and willingness to engage with everyone made the whole excursion even more special. I would highly recommend this ziplining experience to anyone looking for an exciting adventure with an instructors who knows how to make you laugh and have a great time. Definitely a 5-star experience!
Dipak Modi — Google review
I took my 11 year old son out to meet Ivan and Evan for the tour. These guys were great! We got lucky and it was just us 4 on the tour. We had an unforgettable time and hope to come back soon!
Aaron Wires — Google review
Amazing team makes the experience so much better. The route is well crafted not only for first time zip liners and families, but also has a couple of very high spots with an amazing view.
Well worth it for the experience.
sleepymike — Google review
My 12 yo son, me and my friend spontaneously went and had a great time. The price is fair for the adventure that you take, 7 runs that take about 1.5 hours. We went in the afternoon during a hot day, but it was beautiful and the views are incredible. The guides are professional and the equipment is quality. Despite being way up in the trees I felt safe. My son was leery about the last two runs opted out at ground level after run #5 and the guides were gracious and encouraging. This is a character building experience and they offer two photos ops during the zip adventure. Don't be lame and take photos off the monitor at the end. Buy the pics for $20 and they email them to you of a much better resolution. Only about a 15 min ride off the 26 in North Plains. Make your reservations online in advance, don't just show up.
Mark Richards — Google review
Brought my 9 year old here for his birthday and he loved it. Amazing views and the staff is lovely and helpful and made us feel safe. (albeit the gals need some deodorant). I recommend this place to anyone who wants an introduction to ziplining.
Nora Gruber — Google review
4.9
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5.0
(201)
22616 NW Pumpkin Ridge Rd, North Plains, OR 97133, USA
This expansive natural habitat offers restricted day-use activities such as fishing & picnics.
First time to this Wildlife Refuge, lots of land, and well maintained paths to explore. Beautiful green PNW scenery and foilage. We saw many different birds in our short jaunt here. Would recommend hiking shoes or boots, and jeans or long pants as it was a little mushy, and some taller grass. Parking area is sufficient, has a portta potty and well kept access areas. The road to get down here was all gravel and lots and lots of dust, so I'd advise not going right after you washed your car. Lol. We stayed about 45 minutes and didn't even begin to explore all the land here. Great spots for any bird photographers our there, or even just a fun little picnic.
Joy P — Google review
Very easy walking trail with much wildlife and canopy for shade. Just shy of 3 miles around with a boat pier just off the trail. Saw a number of harmless snakes, small frogs, a few small birds, slugs and quite a few heron. Trail wasnt crowded at all. Smallish parking lot. Trail will be muddy after a rain, and for a few days after that since many spots don't get any sun. Most mud can be walked around, though. Second time walking this one and I've enjoyed it both times. Looks like there might be quite a few blackberries along this one when the season hits. Enjoy!
Troy McCleary — Google review
Winter time on Sauvie Island is wonderful! I love to walk along the Columbia River! I walked from the clothing optional beach to the beach past Warrior Rock trailhead. The tide was out! I saw and heard hundreds of geese including the biggest flock of snow geese I have seen! I saw nine bald eagles and several heron and egrets! The day started out foggy but I got some beautiful sun in the late afternoon! I saw a total of less than 20 people! It was a perfect day!
PDXAlice — Google review
Great place for emergency and info about the island and life on the island.
Anton Boyarchuk — Google review
I have been to the Sauvie Island farms many times so I already knew this is a great place to visit. This was my first time on the Island early in the morning. The landscape was absolutely stunning with the early morning mist. The beaches were empty and so peaceful just waiting for someone to come enjoy. This is a perfect place to bring the kids and dogs for an early morning walk on the beach.
Rick Slossen — Google review
Peaceful, quiet, serene and close to home.
Jason Grant — Google review
Too all bicyclists, please ride single file and keep to the right. Sauvie Island is a live/work agriculture land, the roads are built for trucks and resident traffic. The island has grown in popularity the past few years which in turn is being over run with those who think it's a recreational hotspot. There are no dog parks on the island, please keep your dog on a leash and obey the scoop laws.
Bogan — Google review
I am sure this place it great, but FYI it’s closed for concerns of COVID19. The entrance is a little confusing. There’s a fish and wildlife center and you drive past the lot there to the parking in the back. The gate to that lot is locked with a “Close Not Open to the Public.” Bummer. Next time I guess...
Michael Springs — Google review
4.7
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4.5
(167)
18330 NW Sauvie Island Rd, Portland, OR 97231, USA
Scenic bridge leading to a small island with Japanese-inspired plants, rocks & water features.
Beautiful and peaceful Japanese inspired garden located on a small island. Water lilies and ducks can often be seen from the foot bridge to the garden. The garden has colorful maples in Fall and Rhododendrons and Azaleas in Spring. Open hours are limited, and the garden is sometimes closed to prevent disturbing wildlife, so plan ahead.
Jim Choate — Google review
These pictures are of the far West side of the lake close to Ocean Beach HWY. On the outer skirts of the lake is a dirt and light gravel wide walking path that circles the whole lake with multiple bridges along the path to cross over to the other side. People walk, run, jog, walk pets, bicycle, and some even kayak out on the lake. On the far West side of the lake is an island they built a walkable wooden bridge to and created a walk-around Japanese Garden that's only open at certain days and times. Around the center of the lake and on the far East side there are multiple playgrounds for kids and there's a multitude of park benches and picnic tables surrounding the entire lake. There's a ton of squirrels, ducks, and geese around the lake depending on the time of year. Everything 4th of July they have a fireworks show and flea market little fairgrounds festival around the center of the lake!
Christopher Wanamaker — Google review
Such a beautiful place! Definitely recommend visiting and taking a stroll
Melissa Evelyn — Google review
Stopped by to let this lil one roam for a minute. Very nice relaxing park, but the bathrooms were gross . . . I'd avoid those if you can...
Juanita Vanzzini — Google review
Nice little park, with plenty to do for everyone. The Japanese garden is the best part about the park in my opinion, but the lake is just as good. Small playground on one side of the park, a restroom, and people were walking their dogs around. If you wanted, you could also have a picnic, just wait for summer though.
DaBaby — Google review
Great place to walk. Nice views whether its sunny or not. Love this park!
Ann Weiland — Google review
Great place to relax and watch the geese. They also have a playground and the workers keep the place well kept up
Celena romaine — Google review
We went two weeks ago for the concert by the lake. We also went to the fair earlier in June. We're going tonight for one more concert.
It is a beautiful, well maintained place to visit.
Laureen Larson — Google review
This place is gorgeous, (specifically the Japanese Garden) lots of different spots for.a picnic (either on the ground or on a bench) & a great path for a mid-day walk or run! Also has a bunch of Poke spots, best place to Pokemon hunt in Longview (imo). My favorite spot to hangout was under the bridge.
Ghost — Google review
Not sure if I was here, but we stopped at a park in this area, the kids had fun, met some children to play with, it was nice. The park was next to a creek or small river, which was so cute.
Crystal Burch — Google review
A beautiful small Japanese garden. Worth checking out.
Christopher Walker — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous park,
Lot of shade in different times of the day,
Yes, dog friendly, waste bags available,
Yes, park has restrooms (newly built), but for such a huge park it's only one location (on Kessler side near playground)
Picnic tables are thru the park
Marina Orlovskaya-Vitus — Google review
Great walk to enjoy the scenery! This is a great place for your kids and pets! Lots of ducks in the pond. Went there during the leaves changing color and it was a very relaxing walk.
Andrea Delacruz — Google review
I lost over 40 pounds exercising at Lake Sacajawea Park in the last six months
Ryan Parr — Google review
Really nice and big park with so many different varieties of plant life…I had a great day walking around checking out the scenery
Relaxed lodging with free Wi-Fi, plus a casino, dining, live comedy & music shows.
What I like about Lucky Eagle:
1. Smoking is still allowed.
2. Slots are good; win or lose, your money lasts a little longer than at other places.
3. The card member money value of points stacks up bigger/faster than other places.
What I don’t like about Lucky Eagle:
1. They’re not open 24 hours, which is inconvenient since we come from Portland.
2. Their buffet remains closed as of now, but other food choices are still good and quality.
Overall, best casino in Washington and better than Oregon casinos also.
LuarelCreek707 — Google review
One of the best casino experiences I've had. The staff truly wanted to help you learn which kept me playing much longer than expected. Everyone was great, but Ben was especially fun. Its an hour away, but I'll definitely be making it back. I enjoyed the hotel as well, although I wish the sheets were softer. The restaurant in the casino was better than expected.
Lindsay Walker — Google review
We love this Casino! Everyone who works there is super friendly! There are great table games in a NON-SMOKING section of the casino. We didn't stay at the hotel but we came to play Craps two nights while staying nearby. The Craps dealers are the BEST ever!! We have recently played in Las Vegas, Arizona and California and the Craps dealers at Lucky Eagle Casino are watchful and helpful and keep the table running with great energy and make it super fun to play! It was $5 minimum too when we played there! We definitely recommend this casino and their Craps table and dealers ROCK! BIG SHOUT OUT for them and for games being NON SMOKING! THANKS VERY MUCH!!
Debbie Hill — Google review
I had won a smidge of money at Lucky Eagle casino and decided to get a room and what a room it was! Had a very spacious Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom. The suite we were in had a living area separate from the bedroom by a wall and a door. Absolutely HUGE. The bathroom came stocked with body wash, shampoo, and conditioner that smelled clean and wonderful. The down side is the drive to get there. I enjoy the hotel gaming room being open 24 hours for those nights that the actual casino is paying well but have to close. Long story short it's a good casino, despite the drive, the hotel is excellent.
Sheila Swope — Google review
We recently stayed a night at the Lucky Eagle Hotel, it honestly wasn’t that impressive for how much a nights stay costs. You could stay at another hotel for half the price and still get the same accommodations and service, plus some. The only thing that was really different from any other hotel, is that there is a slots gaming room in the lobby and a casino right next door. The staff was decent at check in, however, they gave us no information about anything the hotel had to offer. They gave us the directions to the elevator to get to our room and that was it. The food that was available next door was okay, but very greasy. The employees at both coffee shops within the hotel and casino, do not know how to make espresso drinks very well, if at all. The room was nice, spacious and clean. The bed was decent and they did give you two complimentary waters in the fridge. They also had an abundance of dogs on the premises. It did not seem as though they do a very good job separating the rooms that animals are allowed in vs. not allowed in. The air vent in the room made a very loud noise that was pretty annoying when trying to sleep. The hotel was overall I say 3 stars. There was good and bad. I wouldn’t necessarily choose it at a place to go again, unless I had to go to the area.
Jackie LaMotte — Google review
I know it's a casino and really what do I expect? Well I'll tell you what I expect! At least to be able to walk in and enjoy myself for more than 10 minutes. On $100 only betting $1 a spin that's about what I got. I couldn't even tell you about the service or how nice the casino itself was because I only made it to the first area of casino. All in all I don't think I'll make that drive from Centralia again. I mean it's casino,it's a business they are there to get deposits with very little withdrawals but come on $100 amuse me, give me a couple free spins. Entertain me. Make me want to come back and give you my money.
ron wiest — Google review
I expedite freight throughout the country. I was looking for a place that was pet friendly being that I would be in Washington over the weekend. I discovered the Lucky Eagle while doing a google search. This place is a gem and everything is convenient. The staff here at every level are more than willing to assist you. If ever here in Washington I look forward to spending time here at the Lucky Eagle Resort and Casino again. I want to thank the entire team for the positive experience and excellent customer service.
All Points Distribution — Google review
My wife and I stayed 2 nights this last weekend and we really enjoyed ourselves... the rooms are nice and kept clean. Employees were all very nice! We both ended up being able to gamble quite a bit and both of us came out ahead. We won enough to pay for our whole stay plus about $1000. The only thing we weren't impressed with is that they don't have a gift shop anymore but it still says they have one with hours posted on the door and everything..
Doug Evans — Google review
The buffet is currently closed. Apparently the casino itself has a staffing shortage. What was once a great place to dine, has all but succumbed to the aftermath of COVID. Hopefully it will return in the near future. The food and dining experience was quite decent.
R377 — Google review
So I’ve been going to this casino for years. Nice rooms, great staff. No buffet anymore but that’s the norm nowadays. I love the pizza restaurant there (try the spicy cheese curds). But lately the slots have gotten extremely tight. Spent like $400 a visit multiple times and never even hit a bonus. It’s not even fun anymore. At some point, you move on to other places. You’ll always be my favorite place, I just don’t play here anymore and enjoy the food and bar.
Jackie Schramm — Google review
If you go to the craft house you definitely want the waitress Marla Lee! Her service will have you coming back! She is one of the best server’s there. We debate whether to come back or not- thank God she is so amazing
Rita Hernandez — Google review
I stayed here for one night on a weekday in mid-October and was pleasantly surprised with how lovely the hotel was.
I initially booked it because I was looking for something reasonable near Olympia.
The room was gorgeous. Everything felt so new, clean, and thoughtfully designed. I loved the quartz countertops and the kitchenette, as well as the sitting area. The bathroom was also really well designed - a nice walk-in shower, a ledge and towel rack, and then a separate sink and make up area with nice mirrors and lighting.
The beds were comfy (if a bit soft) and there were built in outlets in the bedside table which I always appreciate it!
I didn’t get a chance to use the pool/hot tub but they looked great. Lots of amenities on each floor like vending machines and ice machines. Elevators were fast and quiet.
Only con in my mind is part of the property allows smoking, so some of the shared spaces (elevators, etc) can have that smell.
The casino is decent. I only walked though the one in the hotel lobby. The main casino across the street was much livelier. Decent sized non-smoking section and a few dining options.
I’d definitely stay here again if I’m in the area.
Allie M — Google review
Great big rooms, casino was nice. Check in process was smooth until the person behind the counter went through my phone because she didn't believe me when I told her I only booked one king not two. She wanted to charge me for two king rooms, even though I only had confirmation for one, she was rude. Room 188 steakhouse, great service, stay away from the wild salmon, it was disgusting. Prime rib was delicious and pork chops.
Ann F — Google review
The 3 different rooms I've seen were nicely furnished, carpet free, pet friendly and smelled good. Love the rooms and the little dog area outside. There is a cigarette slot room in the hotel that stinks up the hallways tho. A few front desk interactions were not so friendly. The bar and grill had a very unimpressive menu, same old bar food, American fare. Pricey burgers and pizza. Fried cheese curds were good. Will continue to have out of towner's stay here, but not spend money at the bar and grill.
lisa williams — Google review
The hotel was amazing. The room was not a bad price and the bed was AMAZING. We would go back just for the bed. The bed is now the bed we judge all other hotel beds by. I cant say enough the bed was so so so so so great. Did I mention we loved the bed. The 5 star rating is mostly for the bed.
The casino was ok i guess i don't really gamble much. The food at the restaurants that were open was good and the beer selection was good. When I was there the buffet was not open which was disappointing but not their fault. It wasn't any smokier than you would expect.
Brian Mettler — Google review
Great place to play and get away. There is a pool and hot tub, guest laundromat, and the slot room at the hotel is open 24 hours a day. The machines in the hotel slot room are in a bingo network so people 18 yrs on up are allowed to play there.
The food is good at the restaurants. Currently the buffet is closed and has been since the start of Covid but they've been opening it for special occasions. I wish it would reopen soon. It's the best buffet I've ever eaten at. The food is excellent there.
Connie Todd — Google review
Absolutely hate it that the casino closes at 2am. Everything was great except when we were ready to check out, we couldn't find a cart to carry our bags to the car. I asked a young girl at the desk and she was not very nice and wouldn't help me find one. The room was very nice and clean. One other thing that was TERRIBLE, they only had one entrance to the hotel. Many exits but you could only go out not in those doors.
Cathy Irwin — Google review
The employees to include security are really nice and very helpful. Great customer service. I get a good vibe inside this casino. I'm grateful they have a smoking section because I'm a smoker.
Kevin Harrison — Google review
Stayed last night, the check in staff wasn't very friendly no smiles no chit chat very unwelcoming. Room looked fresh and new but extremely overpriced! Sheets had holes in them, hair and food on nightstand, bathroom sink not wiped down. The only saving grace of this place was Kitty at the casino where you get your players card. She was wonderful! She was funny and welcoming the five stars in service is for her only.
Tawnya Seamster — Google review
The restaurant is good food, great service - but won't go back because the stank of cigarette smoke is just horrible. I smoke cigars everyday, and even I couldn't stand the smell.
The casino was fun, we won 1500 and had a fun couple hours of playing. We didn't expect to win anything, so that's always a fun surprise. We will probably lose those winnings on our next trip, but that's all part of the fun experience :)
thane west — Google review
My wife and I took the journey to visit Lucky Eagle. We had some food which was delicious. However, when we signed up for their club rewards as a new member, they gave me $10 free play. I tried to use the free play, and several machines wouldn't read my card. I went to get my card replaced, and when I went to use the new card, it had no free play on it. So again I went to the club desk to get this resolved. They said I used my free play. They left me with the impression that I was trying to scam them out of $10 in free play. I was not impressed and quickly left and will most likely not return due entirely to the service I received. I gave 3 stars on service because the food side was excellent.
Tim Kennedy — Google review
Not a bad little casino. Yes it's off the beaten path, but has a very relaxing atmosphere. The food looked good. My friend fell asleep at one of his machines. When he woke up he startled himself and got up and forgot his $150 ticket in the machine!! Now granted it was about 1:30 in the morning on a weekday, so it wasn't that busy. But an hour later a security officer came up and told us to hang tight, because they had been looking for him and they brought his ticket to him!! Now that's incredible! I knew they had cameras, but I was told there are at least 4 cameras that cover every machine! Great Casino and great employees!
Brittany Thovsen — Google review
Had not been since Covid. I hate how much things have changed. I don’t mind losing if it’s my own fault but three different machines didn’t work right. Either the screen didn't work when I touched it over and over again, or the buttons on the game were broken for certain betting amounts. 188 Steak house was still very good but definitely not on the level it use to be. The 45 min drive just isn’t worth it to me.
Mona Brown — Google review
The room was very clean. Love the dispensers of soap, shampoo, conditioner and skin lotion. Great way to eliminate packaging waste. And great for the environment. Excellent!! The only con if there is one, would be the distance from the main highway(too far). The food was also great. Love the Native artwork.
Nicolas Facelo — Google review
The casino is big with lots of slot machines. I don't play the tables so I won't comment on them. For as many slot machines this place has, It's quiet inside. I have frequented this casino many many times. I have stayed at the detached hotel which is nice. The casino closes around 3am the times I have been there. I can't recall what days. In the hotel lobby they do open a down stairs casino for their guests which is very cool but that also closes after a bit. The hotel after hour casino is small so its really crowded and lively. Like that saying goes "the house always wins" make sure you have a gps device/google maps on your phone because it's tucked away and anyone can easily get lost. Especially at night. There are construction detour signs so be careful not to turn on one. I can only imagine where you will end up. Yes, I turned on a detour sign, at night. I wasn't paying attention to Google map. When I turned on that road. It was pitch black dark. Small road. Making the turn around on that small road in the dead of nite was hilarious. My friend didn't want to get out of the car to help me navigate. I was maneuvering back and forth, little by little, back and forth. So stay on the highway and pay attention to the GPS.
Irene Echiribel — Google review
We were lucky enough to get a 2 night stay, no charge. Everyone, literally everyone we came in contact with was very pleasant! The people at the desk were friendly and accommodating. We played in the gaming area for hours on the free play we received! Thank you for making our stay with you so enjoyable! We just booked another 2 nights stay, and are excited to see you again in 2 weeks! Lucky Eagle for the WIN!
Pam Quinn — Google review
It's nice, well kept, and has fun games. Payouts are so-so but I don't go out gambling too often, maybe you'd have better odds. Smoking and non smoking areas also free self serv fountain soda.
Tyler James Christensen — Google review
Staff was amazing. Clean, large, comfortable rooms. 1 pool area for a facility this large isn't a good idea. Plus, I was surprised there wasn't any breakfast or coffee options in the hotel itself.
valerie martin — Google review
I stopped by here when I was returning home from Portland to Seattle. Besides the hangup getting my new visitor freeplay(it wasn't showing up and I never got it), I liked it
They have all the games I like to play and some I've never seen. It was Saturday, though, so it was crowded, and I didn't get to play some of my faves even though they had them. Everyone was friendly and did their very best to accommodate me, that I can say.
Mara Makuta — Google review
Beware the trap. If you stay once or twice you'll be fine... as long as you don't eat the food.
If you try to make it a regular stop, they stop giving you comps, they lose track of your spending, argue that you haven't been there. Ridiculously, if you offer to show bank statements or ask them to review video, that's also not an option.
Good for a night. Bad as a casino.
John Price — Google review
We all decided to make a day trip the 6 of us went out to the Fire Kitchen Buffet for a wonderful delicious Thanksgiving Dinner! The experience was just great! The dining staff were very welcoming and service was excellent! Will you offer another buffet at Christmas time 2023? Or New Year 2024?
As it was fully enjoyable dining experience! Our grand children loved seeing how the salmon was being cook over the fire pit as did we. We all agreed if another buffet is offered this year in December 2023 or next year we would return at Christmas time . We have never been there before for a buffet and all agreed it was wonderful and would make the drive to return again . They drove an hour and a half to get there we drove just under an hour. All worth the drive!
Busy casino resort with concerts, trade shows & dining, operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
This is huge beautifully appointed casino with tons of extras. Gamble, shop, eat, drink, relax. Ilani has it all. I highly suggest Michael Jordan's. Great food and amazing atmosphere.
Kathrine Richer — Google review
Well decorations during Christmas 🎄 and wonderful holding event at Cowlitz Ballroom there but floor was slid up in half for VIP and half not, creating berries for all guests enjoy event time.
Highly recommended for future need to create photos section for guess and singer take photos together. That will lovely
YinG YinG Yieu — Google review
Love that the casino is smoke-free! Hope it stays that way. Enjoyed our afternoon at the casino. Super clean and modern. On the day we went, Lady Luck was on our side!😀 Good choice of restaurants and games ( we mostly play the slots). I always mention this fact (if it's true)- which is that the restrooms are super clean! Always appreciate gambling establishments that keep facilities clean and tidy!
Marsha Johnson — Google review
Beautiful! Hotel staff were so nice and helpful! I got a mountain view room on the 14th floor and it was perfect. I highly appreciated the mini fridge, different types of charging ports, the robes and slippers, the toiletries, just everything! Now onto the Pool! Gorgeous cabanas, poolside bar (food & drinks), lounge beds, in pool lounge chairs, and kid friendly! There is so much more to this hotel, I 1000% recommend!!!!
Crystal R. (SultryNinja) — Google review
I love this place; it’s such great energy, and everything is new. We always have a lot of fun in the casino. And I love the restaurant's options. The sushi is one of my favorite places to go, and the steakhouse is fantastic! I suggest you try both because you will love it. The new hotel looks good. I didn't have time to stay there yet, but I can't wait to have fun and stay there!
Jessica Reed — Google review
Great resort with so many amazing restaurants, gaming options, player perks, and so much more. Their newly opened hotel promises to host many happy memories. And don't forget to check the upcoming entertainment for awesome live performances.
Jason Eberhardt — Google review
We've been to ilani on numerous occasions and really enjoy it! The casino is smoke free, very clean and the bar staff are friendly. I've seen comments re: tight slots, but the reality is, gambling is just that. We always budget a set amount we're willing to part with and leave happy if we win. In fact, we typically win some, although sometimes we end up giving it back. ;-) My only negative for this casino is, the temperature is VERY chilly. Summer or winter, bring a warm sweater or better yet, a coat.
Friday Surf & Turf at Michael Jordan's is a great value. There are also lots of dining choices in a lower price point.
The hotel is beautiful! We've been to Vegas upward of 60 times (lots of work trips) and rooms at ilani put Aria, Cosmopolitan etc. to shame. Sadly, Vegas hotels haven't rebounded well post Covid and any type of Housekeeping is a thing of the past. It's now not uncommon to check into one of the nicer (on the surface properties) only to find your room is dirty. This will NOT be the case at ilani, where you'll be greeted by the warmest front desk staff and given the key to an immaculate, beautifully appointed room. For us it's a lovely escape just 45 miles from home!
LiFo — Google review
Ilani does a really great job of checking for Covid without being invasive or overbearing. We went for the Miranda Lambert concert and the venue was awesome. The sound was fantastic and all of the seats had great views of the stage. I would go to another concert here without questions. Right outside the hall was a beautiful smoking area which was beautiful and didn't smell of smoke. Bonus: It was decorated for Christmas so lots of twinkle lights. There is a bathroom area within the concert venue area and plenty of stalls so no super long waits. One minus is the seating is all folding chairs so not the most comfortable, but we stood most of the time anyway. All of the restaurants have excellent food. The gift shop is full of high-end items including a few things for kids but kind of pricey for a gift shop.
ellen partal — Google review
My wife and I visited not too long after it opened and neither of us got a good vibe there but we decided to give it another try... it's great!
Plenty of choices for food and they actually let you win. So far we've only played slots but they have a pretty good variety machines and tables. Love the self-service drink stations and there's usually tons of parking.
Not a bad drive even if you're coming from the south Portland metro area.
g f — Google review
There was a free concert, but it was standing room only. By the end, my feet were in fire. One thing I really like about ilani is the No smoking policy!! I absolutely love that and will consider it for future date nights.
Clean Casino, but not much staff around if you need anything.
Art McConneha — Google review
It’s a nice new casino but they still don’t stock some of the latest slots. Also, there are never enough blackjack tables open. You have to wait around a while to get a spot while there are empty tables with no dealer. Usually only one table offering 5 dollar min bet and that’s only on weeknights. Drink prices are high and they are not complimentary while you gamble. As of late I never hear of people winning much, I think they cracked down on money out to pay for the hotel.
Benjamin Wreath — Google review
Even though it's established in a particular location, it's a new establishment with a lot of potential. I enjoyed the pool side. Bar tender was very nice. I didn't cath her name but she was wonderful. She always had a beautiful smile.
Rooms are very beautiful and clean.
Security to go up to different floors on the elevator was a good.
MrTripoli — Google review
Stayed one night. The staff was very friendly and worked hard, loved the $4 valet option. Get the mountain view room, the view is fantastic and the highway noise is barely noticeable and non-existent at night. The room is very luxurious, everything is soft and comfy, we enjoyed coffee in the sitting area overlooking the view.
The pool area was nice, we enjoyed the hot tub with plenty of room for 10 and the bar. We didn't gamble, but the floor is nice to walk around, with free coffee and soda machines around.
Many dining options, we ate at the Longhouse twice. The curry was outstanding, and the pho was good too. The poke was fine but lacked seasoning and was bland. We had drinks after dinner on the 15th floor and the Muse bar, and the cocktails there were the best. The pool and Longhouse cocktails were not as good but probably depends on who is working that day.
We'd definitely come again for an event, but otherwise could get boring if you're not there to gamble.
Adelina Mart — Google review
11/10/23, I came to the casino with my son, I had an excellent time. The service was absolutely wonderful. I had gone home and realized I had lost my checkbook and I called the next day. After I gave them my info they were able to find my checkbook. I was able to pick it up at the casino and the man that helped me (Joe) was very nice. The casino is beautiful, good parking, I would recommend it to anyone.
Thomas Evers — Google review
Night out with husband. Love this place. I always win here; tonight I won a $1400 jackpot and in December last year, I won a $9800 jackpot. I only spent $100 on the larger pot but the smaller I ended up being even. Fun vibe too. 4/5 stars because rooms are close to $300+ night and the restaurant wasn’t great.
ShanUd — Google review
The staff members specifically security here are not friendly. I came here to pick up my friend and I was sitting by the smoking section in the pick up zone waiting for him. Listening to music and the security manager approached my car a d told me that there are parking spots and should park there in the most rudest way. I tried explaining the I'm waiting for my friend and that he's right behind him and he told me it didn't matter.
I would have had no problem if he asked nicely but he didn't he was rude right of the bat.
Alpha Lilly — Google review
Loved the show! Great Casino, The concert venue sucked. Chairs were so close together you couldn't really stand up it was a rock show you don't sit, but the set up forces you to. It's on a flat ground (not stadium style), so when people do stand, you can't see ANYTHING. I had a 7ft guy in front of me. (no joke) he was cool though. If you had your phone out you got accosted by security. Again show was great however I will never pay for a concert here again. I'll drive to the beach.
HD_JMac_94 Macaree — Google review
What a nice casino! I really enjoyed the wide open layout, and the expansive selection of table games, loads more than my usual casino back home. All the staff was very polite and professional. We ate dinner at the Longhouse and it was fantastic! Had a good conversation with the bartender about our shared craft and enjoyed a few great drinks and amazing sushi. It's a shame I live several hours away otherwise this place would be my new spot!
Matt Shipman — Google review
It's huge. The food selections range from Micheal Jordan's steakhouse to Smashburger. Plenty of places to get a drink and the sports bar in the back called "The stadium" is wow. Many large screens to watch live sports, eat, & make your bets. Great place to burn some cash.
Romeo — Google review
My friends and I have been to the Casino several times, and we always have a great experience. The restaurant choices are plentiful, and the staff is friendly. They always have great live entertainment options as well. Full disclosure, I have played there in my band. That just gives me a bit more knowledge of the entertainers they hire as I have worked with many of them. All well known top notch bands. I have not had a chance to stay in any of the rooms yet as I live close enough to visit. I hear the new hotel is awesome though.
Eric Storm — Google review
I definitely do enjoy the new Hotel. Makes it easier to visit the Casino, knowing you have a place to stay if needed.
Clean rooms, if anything is needed they are quick to accommodate. Do wish the pool and hot tub area would be open later then 10pm.
Ej Avendano — Google review
Me, my boyfriend and my son all stayed here for mine and my boyfriend's anniversary. When we booked the room, we put in the notes it was our anniversary so they comped us an upgraded room. We stayed about a week, they have a kids quest so that was a plus. And they have all sorts of food here too. We had a great time! 5 stars.
Cora Solano — Google review
Beautiful rooms and amazing dining and pool area. Very large casino floor with plenty of slots and table games. Valet, bell hops, front desk, pool bartender, and steakhouse bartender were amazing! Super friendly and attentive. The girl in the coffee shop told me to hang on while she put her hair in a bun standing in front of me and the food. Then I asked if they had breakfast items. She told me to go to a restaurant. I did, and they hadn't opened yet. I went back to the coffee shop and ordered a ham sandwich. She started to heat it and I asked her not to. She said that's the way it comes. As I was cashing out, she said the machine wanted to know if you tipped me or not. It was so rude and so unexpected in a place where everyone else was so friendly. I'll be back because I doubt she will still be there, and I loved the hotel. Super close to I5.
Alicia Adamson — Google review
Update... They have changed a whole lot. To start, I like the parking garage. You can park and stay dry all the way to the inside.
They have roulette on a machine now if the table is closed. They rearranged the machines. The machines seem to pay out a tad bit more than before.
I like that they have little extras occasionally on the momentum. Just gotta look for it.
I saw the security at the door doing a great job 👍. I like that if you forget your card or new one, you have a kiosk to do it yourself if you choose.
I was able to get a burrito and it was vegetarian w/tofu.
I enjoy coming here with my mom and husband.
Terry L-H — Google review
It's absolutely amazing. I've only ever been to casinos in Vegas. This place was so fancy and nice. Went there for my husbands work party it was a gatsby party which was fabulous! The whole thing was just extraordinary! Definitely want to visit this casino again! Also, the bathrooms are crazy insane like amazing. The women's toilets have plastic on them and a button to push, and the old plastic rotates to a new plastic liner. So that when you sit, it is fully sanitized. I've never seen that in my life, just saying that was probably the fanciest pee I've ever had, lol
Jordan Bedrick — Google review
Honestly, I had a better experience here than I do when I go to Vegas. The casino is brand spanking now, the staff is very attentive, and the rooms are wonderful. There definitely isn’t much to do around the area, but for a place talked away from things, it really had Top-notch service, the food was good, and was impressed with the casino
David Allred — Google review
Went for dinner and a show.. Ate at the sports book, food was excellent service was incredibly slow due to no bartenders on a Saturday night. We were served half our order at a time so one of us had to watch the other eat and drink. Our drinks came one at a time when getting a refill we only got one. The show Queensrych was amazing!! Plenty of bartenders in the back
Rhianna Rogers — Google review
Standard Reservation Casino. Expensive drinks but well made. Mediocre food unless you're spending a fat stack. Free drinks only for high limit tables. Good rooms and good service. I lost my Jacket at a machine and they grabbed it and returned it for me. They stole my 420 vape out of my coat though, can't have weed on the reservation so I couldn't say anything. I've always thought casinos should be more friendly. Like some tables to help newcomers learn table games. Lots of fun themed brand new slots. They always keep it fresh with fun, creative ways to take your $$$.
Nate Tucker — Google review
Don't bother going to a concert!!! So firstly they have no concert ready space. It is the standard conference room. Strange! Secondly they make an announcement at the beginning on the show about not recording. Fine. However, the security ran up and down the aisles shining flashlights in everyone's face. Disrupting entire sections. It was the weirdest experience at any concert. It was so bad that everyone around me agreed that we would never go to another concert there. Save your money. Just plain weird. Valet was great, drinks not that terrible. Concert, weird!!!
Chris Doubleday — Google review
Ignore the negative comments about RV parking. The RV parking situation is fantastic. When you arrive, go to the the parking lot south of the main lot, there's only one entrance and you can't miss it. You're supposed to check into the security shack but when we arrived there was nobody in it. We spotted security driving the lot as we entered and they instructed us where to park. It was a Friday night at about 8pm and there were only a handful of RVs so lots of room. The walk from the RV parking lot to the casino is easy, you do not need a shuttle. You have to cross the main road but there is a crosswalk with pedestrian crossing signs that light up when you push the button before crossing. It's very safe and convenient. We had some food and drinks and gambled a little before returning to the RV a little after midnight. We slept well and it was fairly quiet aside from some light highway noise. Overall this is a excellent RV setup and we will not hesitate to stop again.
LouieTeffeteller — Google review
Great place to people watch and go see a concert. Good parking is easy to get out with multiple roundabouts, keeping traffic flow smooth. They have complimentary self-serve sodas, water, and coffee. I will go back. There are places to sit if you're disabled.
Cathy Assad — Google review
Nearly everything was great about it. The rooms were beautiful, clean, high tech. Beds were comfortable. Pretty luxurious for the price. Service was awesome. We stayed there over Christmas, and I know it's not fun to have to work on Christmas day, but you wouldn't know it by interacting with the staff. They were pleasant as can be.
Just a few minor gripes that they can hopefully fix:
The pool is freezing cold. I've never been in an indoor pool that was so cold. It was just odd for how amazing the indoor pool looked for the water to be so unpleasantly cold. It seemed guests were spending 90% of the time in the hot tub and only a couple minutes in the pool.
The sliding door on the shower doesn't close. It closed halfway and then rolled back to be open a foot.
dsolomon — Google review
Upon arriving in our room we discovered that the toilet seat lid was broken when it fell onto the floor. Obviously the cleaning staff must have been aware of it. The big issue was a motion light censor located on the night stand between the beds that went off and on continuously all night resulting in no sleep. After the first day our room was not cleaned and no clean towels were furnished. When these issues were reported to the Hotel supervisor his response were as follows. Guests must request housekeeping at check in or none will be provided; we were not informed of this. As guests in our pajamas at midnight we would assume that repairs to the sensor light would not be performed in the middle of the night. The supervisor said if we had called they could have turned it off remotely. A placard in the room informing us of this would have been nice, how could we have known? We asked to speak to a manager, he was not in but was going to call, but never received his call. We will be sharing our experiences with family, friends, and acquaintances, and telling them to never stay at Ilani.
Casual resort offering an indoor water park, mini-golf & an arcade, plus dining & a spa.
Went with family for 1 night and 2 days, the water park was amazing! So many things to do for any age, young or old. The slide rides were a lot of fun. The hotel rooms were spacious and we had 8 people with us and it didn't feel crowded in the hotel. Although the breakfast was expensive, the food was delicious. I would highly recommend this place, it was really outstanding! The staff are kind as well. And the kids had a blast and I did also. I will be coming back in the future!
Lavender Clouds — Google review
Wow, this place definitely exceeded my expectations. Yes, it was expensive. But it was way cheaper than Disneyland. Honestly a great value. My kids (4 & 5) had an amazing time. We also saw plenty of older kids (even teenagers) that seemed to be enjoying themselves.
The food prices are fair, maybe a little more than a regular restaurant. We ended up bringing breakfast items from home and eating breakfast in our hotel room which had a fridge and microwave, and other meals in the hotel or nearby restaurants.
My kids were able to do everything in two areas of the water park all on their own, without adult help. With an adult, they were able to enjoy a couple other areas.
MagiQuest wands and games were included in our pass. I wasn't sure it was going to be worth it, but it was a big part of the enjoyment for us. It offered us something to do when we were taking a break from the water park. With all the walking involved it also helped tire the kids out!
I would recommend waiting to book until there's a good discount offered. The run promotions often, usually when better rates the further out you book.
Laurel Baeder — Google review
The experience was horrible from the moment we walked into the door. I went to check in and was told that our room was not ready. Check in time says anytime after 4. I arrived at 405. When I asked if we could leave our bags so we could take the kids around to play they just told me no (wow). We ended up having to sit around with all of our luggage doing nothing. 430 came and I went up since the first person told me to come up again if I don't get a text by 430. This next person seemed to be a manager and was SO RUDE. I asked when I could expect the rooms to be ready and she just told me "it will be ready when it's ready." Then I asked since we aren't able to check in in time if we could get late checkout proportionately to the amount of time that we weren't allowed to check in. She just told me no. Then when I emphasized that we were paying nearly $2000 for 19 hrs and we're being robbed of one of those hours, I asked if we could receive some credit to make up for it. She then just said "it says right up there that check in is 4pm or whenever rooms are ready. We don't owe you anything." Extremely rude and I thought asking for late check out was very reasonable.
The food was absolutely horrible. Everything was just fatty fast food. ZERO healthy options. Not only was it all unhealthy options, they were severely overpriced and also horribly made. Highly suggest if you go here you just bring food or go out to eat outside of the resort.
I accidentally forgot the charger to my laptop in the room. It was left right on the main table and no way could it have been hard to find. I called right away to which no one answered and was told by the automated system to just email. Zero response....
The only positive experience here was that the kids did enjoy going around and playing with the activities. The staff members that worked the kids' activities were friendly.
ben chang — Google review
This is a great place to stay for a vacation. The rooms are nice and have a lot of space, and the events are all really fun. The water park is awesome and it's pretty huge, as the whole building is as well. There are lots of rooms to choose from, and a golf course, lots of restaurants, a gift shop with quality merchandise, an arcade and more stuff to even name. The pool is a good temperature with just enough people to still be enjoyable with a lot of people there. The water slides are really fun as well. Worth the money for sure.
Matthew Plate — Google review
I took my daughters (7 & 2) here for a day trip. They had a blast. There wasn't a ton of places to put our stuff down, especially trying to keep tabs on my kids while they wanted to run in different directions. The toddler area was great and pretty mellow. The wave pool was fun but very packed. It was also a but intense for both my kids even though my 7 year old can swim. Be cautious and keep hold of your kiddos, and it'll be a great time. Definitely will visit again with 1 adult to kid ration.
Amanda — Google review
The rooms were good, not great. It served its purpose. The kids enjoyed having a den of their own to sleep in. Was very pleased to see that they had a lot of outlets for chargers and the likes.
The customer service was severely lacking. There were a couple times where employees were gathered around chatting and laughing as I waited patiently to ask a question or ask for help. There was always a long line for ice cream and we only ever saw one person to do it all himself. The front desk staff, while some were cheery, some looked absolutely miserable and as though they did not want to be there. The food was terrible and for the price it was 100% NOT worth it. Would definitely stop on the way and grab snacks and breakfast/lunch ideas for the rooms. The water park was fun, the kids had a blast. The life guards all seemed to take their jobs very seriously and it made us feel comfortable. They actually do drills throughout the day to keep them on their toes and it shows. Over all we had an OK time. The kids enjoyed it as a one off treat get away but we will definitely never be going back.
Nareen Atkins — Google review
Awesome time with the family, we were able to upgrade when we arrived to a wolf den for a pretty fair price. I love the new setup and the way the magi game is set up. Not going to lie I miss the way it was but the improvements are not so bad once you get use to them. One complaint would be the new kids section in the water park was really down grade and not even close to as fun. Other then that we really enjoyed our selves. They offered free large pizza and locker for free upon early check out we took advantage and liked the outcome there. Thank you
Trevor Price — Google review
This is our 3rd year in a row to be at this location. I'm not happy with all the changes. They removed one of the slides (green one) from the toddler area. A staff member just told us they will also be removing the purple one soon. We were in the wave pool yesterday for 45 minutes and the waves only came on twice. The staff is not as friendly at all. We normally stay in the kid cabin with the bunk beds and the single bed. That room wasn't available, so we have the kid cabin with the bunk beds. The room is really dark, coffee maker didn't work, and the sink doesn't drain.
The nachos reduced in size by half, but the price is the same.
Last year the arcade was decent, this year it seems rigged to never win. Spent $300 in an hour and only collected 2500 tickets.
They did away with the live interactive show for kids, now it's a video.
Temps were all over the place. Sunday the pool was warm and nice, Monday a bit colder, but by Tuesday my kids didn't even want to be in the water because it was so cold.
Now they are charging for parking!!! We already spend thousands, now you want to nickel and dime for parking.
We accidentally didn't return the towels by 8pm, so we had to return them the next morning. We were charged $45 for their cheap $5 towels.
We have always had so much fun here, but something is different this year. Does anyone know if they are under new management?
Vanessa Bell — Google review
Buffet breakfast was great. Rooms were ok experienced elevator issue. Food outlets were a bit overpriced especially for salads pizzas and wings. The supervisions and cleanliness of the indoor pool area are acceptable but with rooms for improvement. My kids saw poop-like substances in the water basketball area. House keeping was great, Front desk services below standard: greetings and eye contacts, problem solving, and a simple gesture that shows hospitality: smile. I do like to app but can’t say the overall experience being a good value for the price.
Ken Xu — Google review
Almost didn’t go because of the bad reviews. I’m glad I went. It was very fun. Fun slides with my 4 year old. And shallow pools with my 1 year old. 10/10 good day. A little pricey at $90 for my family. The wave pool was no joke. It’s everything you hoped the wild waves wave pool would be.
Kelsey Welsey — Google review
We love this place 💯 Come early and enjoy the water park and stay late the check out day. I would recommend to bypass the arcade park since it’s a money pit. There’s so much more to do there for free. Kids can enjoy the wizard games after age 5 at least otherwise you have to help them. They change themes with calendar events and always have friendly staff. Starbucks is inside the lobby thank Goodness 😅 the only thing that I would improve is the air quality in the water park- it’s a bit heavy when you’re there all day.
Ultra instinct Goku — Google review
Too pricey, like all amusement parks are. But you can find discounts and deals on your visit pretty easily- depending on what day(s) you plan on staying and if you are a first responder (nurse, doctor, fireman, police etc) It's convenient to have the all inclusive facilities in one building ( dining, sleeping, water park access, family style activities and even a few free attractions like yoga or bedtime storytelling). It's worth it to spend a few extra bucks on a themed room like the kid cabin or the wolf den which have semi-seperate rooms with cool bunk beds. It's very clean and I appreciate the numerous employees in the water park who ate monitoring the rides/pool/whatever. It's heated water thank God. We have been several times and the kids always enjoy it. By the way, they let 2 and under in fir free and they count a " kid" as anyone up to age 20. :) You can go frugally by packing a cooler with food, and avoiding the add-on passes, arcade and gift shops. If you're just there to enjoy the water park, and nothing else- you could essentially spend under 85 bucks per person. Not bad. Plus you get complimentary fuzzy wolf ears headband and souvenirs. Pretty courteous staff too. If you hate crowds, don't go on holidays or weekends.
E W — Google review
Only 2/3 elevators operating for 7 floors of families!!!! So many strollers and carts it was stairs or a ten minute plus wait. Rooms are small and lack basic amenities such as microwave. We went for one night with two kids and cheapest passes spending over 600 while our floor had open holes in the wall leading to exposed electrical circuits I saw more than one parent pull a child away from. The service on behalf of staff was great they were all the sweetest. The con is there are so few. Even for the ice cream bar there was one worker and he was clearly exhausted with a line of twenty plus impatient families. The lack of customer service makes some waits too long. They serve with a smile and always please so don't forget to be kind to the few workers. Life guards. Also amazing. Checking water thoroughly non stop alternating visual. I applaud the workers. Just sad they were so few doing so much. This place is making a massive profit in comparison to money they make per night vs what they are deducting for labor and basic amenities. No hot tub for parents which would be amazing. Stay was cute water was fun and stay was worth including passes. But very busy and highly priced for the speed and staff. Every shop I saw had one worker only two had two workers and they were operating separate lines. Sincerely for the quantity of family's housed per night in such a small space unacceptable. Oh Jesus. And the arcade? Bring your 401k ☠️😭
Lani Orr — Google review
Went for a birthday. Room was good and comfortable. Lots of kid centered activities. Price’s DEFINITELY add up if you aren’t careful. Was happy to have food options close by. Starbucks in the lobby was great to have and they were very quick! I’ve been to other indoor waterparks (Kalahari) so feel like they could have a better selection of rides and really need a bigger hot tub! Need more showers. Overall a great trip
Lacy Hussey — Google review
Yes, there are a lot of people, and it can be overwhelming. But honestly, the staff and facility do a great job of having plenty of fun activities for everyone. They even provide plenty of free activities! We just had a one night two day visit that created life long memories. The new room layout are modern and clean. The new magiquest was a blast be ready to get your steps in and have a great adventure with your kiddos!
Anne Lamping — Google review
A great getaway for the weekend. Fun for both a toddler and child. Service was excellent and I was impressed with how coordinated everything was. Rooms were clean and comfortable. Water park was clean as well. A great place to visit with kids as they have a ton of activities to keep them occupied during our 3 days there. Breakfast buffet was tasty and had lots of options.
Joslyn Flores — Google review
I’m not one to write a review, but I HAD to write one! This was our first visit to Great Wolf Lodge, and to be completely honest was NOT worth the money at all! Upon arrival parking was $15 a day which is ridiculous when paying over 2000 for 2 nights, check in was easy, our room was spacious but very very cold, the thermostat would not change at all. The toilet paper was worse than gas station toilet paper and the jetted tub was dirty I had to clean it first before giving my kids a bath. If you hate crowds then avoid coming here. The lines for everything were very long, the cost for everything was outrageous, the soda machine you had to use a QR code to fill any cups and was timed which I thought was weird. we had 3 kids 11,7,5 our younger kids enjoyed the water park, the slides were cool but it was smaller than we expected and hardly any seating. Dining was not the best either it was a 40 min wait for the grill but no wait for the Buffett, it was great for the kids but was lacking for adult options for the price. We did get the wolf pass which was awesome for the kids! And the man working the build a bear station was awesome! He was the best part of this experience! I know we will not be going back!
Ashley Skinner — Google review
This was my first time to Great Wolf Lodge. Let me just say it was amazing! I came by myself with my 3 year old. The resort was fantastic. The check-in process was easy. The room was ready early and looked great. We walked the grounds prior to hitting the fun stuff just to see what was there. The layout was easy to navigate. The front entryway was phenomenal. The kid activities that were set up in the front area were fun and my son had a blast. The employees putting on the meet-and-greet, yoga, and all the other activities were fantastic and engaging. They seemed interested in having the kids there. I would come here every year and plan too it was so much fun. So this is all the good stuff, on to the lesser.
I am a little disappointed with some of the staff. I had never been here before. But not a single staff member asked me if I had, every person I met worked with me under the assumption I knew what I was doing, even though I did not. I did not know I used my band to check out towels. I did not know my son needed a separate wrist band based on height. I did not know the towel was tied to my room and if not returned would end in a $15 charge, which I unfortunately got. I did stand at the entrance for the wood fired pizza restaurant for about 4 or 5 minutes and no one came to seat me, I eventually left and got food off the grounds.
I will say that we spent the majority of our time in the waterpark area. In the little kid section my child could do everything with no issues at all. My child really wanted to do the slides that were under the big bucket. I got up there only to find I could not ride with him, which makes total sense. What I didn’t know was that the people running the slides would “catch” him at the bottom. As one parent, I cannot be at the bottom waiting for him and at the top getting him on the ride. When the lifeguard said they could catch him that opened up the slides to him, he would go first and I would follow up. If this is a normal policy, great. If this is not a normal policy, it should be.
UPDATE - their aquatics director reached out to me and let me know that this "catch" is not a policy that they have in place and the reasons for such, which make sense. My recommendation would be try to come with two adults if possible.
James Golder — Google review
We returned to Great Wolf Lodge after not being there for a couple of years. The rooms are nice and the staff is super friendly. The water park is nice, though some of the sprayers in the toddler pool area were broken and could use maintenance.
Also, the dragon quest in the magi experience was broken yesterday. My boy, as well as several other kids couldn’t complete the quest. The experience just got stuck and wouldn’t reset and nobody could cast any spells. Most of the other quests worked fine, though the equipment is showing its age.
The staff was really helpful when we needed an extra bed. There are decent food options on site. Overall, my kids had a great time and my older son is already asking for a return visit.
Robert Kangas — Google review
We have gone twice now and had a blast both times. My kids enjoyed a normal two queen room rather then the kid cabin because they said the kid beds were not comfortable and the blankets were scratchy. The service is awesome though anywhere you go and they are very good with allergy concerns. The buffet is our favorite but buckets at the water park has good food as well.
All in all an awesome place to stay for a few days and totally worth it.
Stephanie Norwood — Google review
Expect theme park pricing, but this is a great family destination. The bunk beds in the kids area are too small for most teenagers, but if you have younger children, the cabin suites are a good deal. The staff is friendly and helpful and the check in and out process is smooth. The water park is a bit small, but definitely enough to fill a day. Magiquest also comes highly recommended as a fun activity. This was one of my kids big summer ask and it did not disappoint.
Jennifer Farley — Google review
We has fun. It was expensive. The staff was nice. They don't have microwaves in the rooms. They have one at the end of the hall. Breakfast is 20 dollars a person. They have all these extra items but they cost extra.. I think this place would benefit from a playground. The water park is cute.
LaCinda Paasch — Google review
I took my family for my son's 10th birthday. It was so fun. We went over labor day weekend so it was pretty busy but we always got good service. We loved going questing after a delicious all you can eat breakfast before going swimming. The food was all so good from all the different options. There was always something for each of my kids(10,5,2) to do that they were never board. We loved the birthday decorations and cake that was in our room when we arrived. The front deak was able to save us a bunch of money at check in and because of that I was able to do the Sip & Savor adult badge. We will definitely be going again soon!
Natasha Wann — Google review
Overall experience was not bad. My kid had a lot of fun and the place was nicely decorated for Christmas. The only concern I have is the lack of sound insulation in the room. I was bothered with kids running down the halls, screaming kids, loud banging of heavy feet on the floor above us, doors slamming and possibly jackhammering. This all happened between the hours of 10pm to 11pm. I understand that this is a hotel filled with kids but I would think this was put into consideration during construction and made the place more sound insulating.
Christian Aguinaldo — Google review
Great place to visit with your kid or kids. Plenty of fun for the kids (and adults) at the waterpark, water slides, arcade, candy store and shops. Kids also get to do a "Magi Quest" (which lasts for days or about 7 hours) around the resort. Be prepared to get your steps in parents ;-)
We spent 3 nights here and it was more than enough. Would definitely recommend for a visit, but wish they had more adult facilities like a sauna, steam room and cold plunge.
Prices at the restaurants and shops were quite high for what you got, but can't complain too much about the food. Breakfast buffet however, was way over priced.
In general, good place for a visit while kids are still young. Our 7 yr son had a blast!
Bart Pukacz — Google review
The place is what you'd expect, lots of kids, lots of opportunities to spend too much money 😂. It didn't smell like chlorine everywhere which was nice, the food was not very good but always available, and the staff were helpful. One small thing I really appreciated is the padded flooring in the hallways. It made it a lot quieter when kids were running up and down the hallway going from the water park to their rooms.
Bibby Haviland Moore — Google review
Wow, where do I begin, we had a such a wonderful time! We stayed one night and got the wolf pass, it was so worth it. Our daughter is going to be 9 in May and was over the moon in excitement the whole time. The water park was great, the mirror maze was cool, she uncovered pretty gems in the mining activity, the arcade was fun, she completed the Magic Quest and participated in the Master Magi Ceremony. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Everyone we spoke with had such a good energy and were amazing with kids. The lifeguards are so attentive. The food and drinks were delicious. If you plan on doing the Magic Quest, bring comfy shoes. I absolutely loved the activities they do in the lobby, the craft was so cute (origami bunny) and bingo was a blast. It was very convenient to link the card to the wrist band and to be able to enter our room that way. Highly recommend!
Ashley Reynolds — Google review
Absolutely wonderful time. This was our first time here and it didn't disappoint. The room was spacious, and very clean. Check in was easy and efficient. There were tons of activities to do with the kids from the mining to the pool. Staff definitely cared about the safety of everyone and were extremely helpful when we needed help or had a question.
The breakfast buffet was delicious. It was a long line but moved very quickly. We did the dinner buffet the first night we stayed, and it was good for the kids. A bit lacking for the adult selection for the price.
We definitely plan on coming back again in the future!
Tiffany Dixon — Google review
Our recent stay at The Great Wolf Lodge was a whirlwind of excitement and fun for our family. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this resort was designed with kids in mind, and they certainly had an absolute blast.
One of the standout features of The Great Wolf Lodge is its year-round accessibility, making it a convenient option for families living in the Pacific Northwest. The ability to escape to a water park paradise regardless of the weather is undeniably appealing, offering a welcome respite from the often rainy climate of the region.
The water park itself was a hit with our kids, who couldn't get enough of the slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. The variety of attractions ensured that there was something for every age and interest, keeping them entertained for hours on end.
However, as parents, we couldn't help but notice a couple of drawbacks during our stay. Firstly, the size of the resort felt somewhat smaller than anticipated, especially considering the price of accommodations. While the amenities were undoubtedly enjoyable, we had expected a bit more in terms of space and variety.
Additionally, we found the cost of dining at The Great Wolf Lodge to be on the higher side. While the food was delicious and satisfying, the prices felt somewhat inflated compared to similar establishments outside of the resort. This added expense was something we hadn't fully anticipated and did impact our overall experience.
Despite these minor drawbacks, our family thoroughly enjoyed our time at The Great Wolf Lodge. The memories made splashing in the water park and bonding over delicious meals will undoubtedly be cherished for years to come. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option, the convenience and year-round availability make it a worthwhile destination for families seeking a fun-filled getaway in the Pacific Northwest.
Jordyn O — Google review
I read a lot of mediocre reviews and was concerned. I went in knowing I would give them a fair shot. Check in was easy and the front desk staff were very nice and competent. Our room was ready early. Room was clean and up to my family's standards on how a room should be cleaned. We had a great time there. Had the morning breakfast buffet and it was up to the standards of most "free" breakfasts at major chain hotels so paying $18 each for this food was underwhelming.we had dinner off-site and would recommend others to do the same since there "dinner restaurants" were charging a arm and leg for subpar food. The water park was fun but there is a lack of chairs for people to sit in. So be prepared to stand while watching your kids swim. I need to state that all staff were great and engaging. Even with construction the hotel is kept pretty clean. Had an issue with room TV and an employee came up to fix it within 15 minutes. I would definitely stay there again, just not during peak summer months. We got a great deal on room so it made our stay affordable. I just wouldn't pay full price of $400 per night for the room during the summer. I paid 53% less to stay in February. Would I go there again? Yes I would.
beau hopson — Google review
Right off the freeway and near a bunch of restaurants. This place is not cheap it charges for everything and then some.But can you swim before your room is ready and after you check out? YES so that would be the best part.Eating at the lodge would be crazy because of the places you can go in less than a mile. Water slides,wave pools, small kids area, hot tub,and the giant bucket that will put you on your back side so be careful when that bad boy drops. Magic quest,mining and a mirror room for dry entertainment. Good thing for the family to do together, rooms are nice a couple of different styles to stay in.Definitely had to save to go but in the end good memories for sure.
Steven — Google review
The room I got for some reason was an ADA room with a sofa bed. The bed was super hard and it squeaked anytime you moved. So sleeping for my husband and I was so uncomfortable. You pay so much for a "nice" hotel and you can't even sleep. Caught one of the off the clock employees sitting in the "clean" towel bin with their shoes on. I brought this up with management already. Just hope this is resolved in future. Rooms are super clean, but I doubt we will stay again anytime soon. At least not until our backs feel better.
Gateway to the volcano with exhibits like a working seismograph, plus a wetlands hiking path.
Very beautiful place! Very people friendly wildlife.
Trails were spacious & clearly marked.
Sturdy boardwalk over the water was beautiful! Informational boards along the way.
Versatile impact trail if taken at your own pace.
Beano Trombino — Google review
Great visitor's center! Very informative, but interesting, too. Several hands-on things for kids and teens. Our whole family enjoyed out stop and really learned a lot.
You'll find restrooms and hiking trails, but the actual observation deck is a good drive away. Check in to make sure it's open and what the weather is like so that you don't make the drive for nothing
The visitor's center and observatory are pretty rural so plan on getting gas and food in Castle Rock proper.
Jennifer Nolen — Google review
Glad I stopped! Was headed to seaquest state park but unfortunately they are closed this year. The grounds keeper was super kind and informative while I stopped and asked her about the parks near by. A cute little nature walk about a mile was available to walk. It was a quick stop and super pretty views
Kay — Google review
The hall wasn't open, but the ranger was available as was a kiosk gift shop. The real draw was the marsh walk, with amazing views of Mt St Helens.
Jacintha Highland-Foorde — Google review
This is a very informative place, where you learn much of the history of the water bodies in the area. The lake, rivers and wetlands have all been drastically changed over eruptions from Helens. There is a single, day use parking lot right as you exit the highway, for Discovery Pass users who simply want to enjoy the wetland trail and not visit the visitors center. There are two larger lots, further in for those looking to partake of the center as well. We were lucky enough to enjoy the wetland trail for about forty minutes, before two busloads of visitors arrived...shortly after 1pm. There are multiple, beautiful spots to pause and take in the bounty and breadth of wetland flora and fauna. I learned about a plant that eats water dwelling beetles through traps in it's root system. On a clear day, you can enjoy distant views of Mt St Helens from the wetland boardwalk.
Dogs who are respectful and on leash are welcome. Our little ten pound putz enjoyed herself.
There are volunteers randomly walking around who will ask if you have any questions. The guy we ran into was knowledgable, quiet spoken and friendly.
The visitors center has bathrooms but none are accessible for only the trail. I highly recommend people check out this natural beauty.
Kelly Kirk — Google review
I've loved this place since I was a child. Moved here in 2000. Simple and serene little nature trail just along the Visitor Center that I enjoy walking. Rangers are very inviting. Neat and informative exhibit for those desiring to learn more about Mt. St. Helens. I'd recommend everyone coming here at least once.
Manon Kaufman — Google review
A very nice and well kept visitor center. Great key chain selection. You have to pay an extra $5 to see the exhibits and documentary. Its outside the park technically. Very well maintained.
Alex Melendez — Google review
This is a PERFECT outing for littles. The boardwalk loop is about a mile long, completely flat and very accessible (only struggled with one or two little bumps in the wheelchair). Nice educational signage throughout. Parking was abundant when we went, bathrooms were very clean, and there were plenty of places for them to stop for a rest or a snack. The views of the wetlands and foothills were stunning. Keep an eye out for fun bird species! Admission was only $5 and the interpretive center was fabulous. I highly recommend catching the short film if you can. Rangers were super friendly, enthusiastic, and informative. This place really sparked my oldest's interest and now we can't wait to venture closer to the mountain!
Chelsea Sonnenberg — Google review
The exhibits weren't open yet but there were rangers available on staff in the gift shop, which was still open. This signs on the road leading to the park may have been misleading to some indicating it was closed. The staff were very knowledgeable and helpful with all of our questions. This was a very nice facility and the gift shop was incredible with its selection. I would definitely recommend stopping in if you are visiting the park in the future.
Martin ONeal — Google review
Really educational and not that expensive to get in. I really liked the movie that goes over what happened in detail. Beautiful walk around the back. I find it strange that it's nowhere near the actual mountain, it's like an hour's drive away but I'm European and used to everything being close together. Gift shop prices were insane though.
Deer Bones — Google review
Nice place to stop on the way up the mountain. The exhibits are nice but nothing special. There is an overlook above the building that overlooks the valley. They have telescopes and we could see some wildlife. When we visited they had a volunteer up at the overlook pointing out wildlife and points of interest. There are benches outside and a little gift shop. Staff were friendly and helpful.
chris m — Google review
Great small educational center! We went on a pretty cloudy day, but the staff was super polite and informative. Definitely plan to visit during the summer.
Emi M — Google review
April visit was cool and overcast, but still lovely. Hwy 504 is not open to the Johnson Ridge Observatory due to road damage.
Jean Hauritz — Google review
Educational and fun. Easy drive from Portland, great way to introduce kiddos to volcanoes.
Mini movie about the eruption is neat and teaches everyone something.
Cool model displays and oodles of learning in the museum. Great gift shop with any kind of mementos you could need.
Plenty of parking and shaded parking too, there’s even an area to walk your dog. Paths are very accessible though there is a small incline to access the loop through the marsh, you could definitely roll it or navigate with cane.
Tables and spots for picnics and if you don’t pack anything, the snack bar is reasonably priced and has caffeine.
Well worth the drive.
Aria — Google review
Very informative. There is a great view of Mt. St. Helens, but --- only after mid-day. Otherwise, it is backlite and the mountain top fades into the bright skyline. The grounds and buildings are wheelchair accessible. There are two levels, about 5 steps, but there is a ramp also.
Christopher Light — Google review
Beautiful Visitors Center at Mt. Saint Helens. It provides lots of information before you set out to discover Mt. Saint Helens. The Park Rangers are friendly and knowledgeable. There is a well-done display and a very informational movie; there's a $5 charge if you choose to see it. Of course, there's also the requisite Gift Shop on site.
Ruth Jones — Google review
I enjoy coming here very much. The trails are nicely maintained, the bathrooms are clean too. It is great to have places to visit that are free too. Thanks I will be back!
The Washington State Capitol Building, constructed in 1928, is a legislative edifice located on a spacious twelve-acre property. It provides complimentary guided tours to visitors.
Awesome! They have jams, meat, fruit, and more. All products were top shelf organic. I do love my foods.
Charlie Juliet — Google review
Tons of variety here. I love the products from the sipping vinegar stall and the bread peddler, both delicious! Tons of florists and nurseries, a couple of meats and seafoods, breads, food shops surrounding it by the back, but one star minus off for being one of the most expensive farmers market I’ve been to in most states.
G T — Google review
I love this Farmer's Market and the variety of vendors. All of the produce is fresh and appealing; bakery items are tantalizing; hand crafted items are unique and well made. I was glad to see the number of people frequenting the vendors. Most of the restaurant kiosks were open and well attended despite rain threatening.
Chris Tucker — Google review
Huge fan! Fall is my favorite time of year and the Farmers Market always refects why. Colors, people, food and personal handcrafted products are amazing 😍
Mara Swensen — Google review
Ideal place for a day stop. Food and homemade items. Live music to sit awhile and relax. Times very and dates with more or less sellers. Worth checking this place out.
J M — Google review
I love the farmers market, I wish it was bigger, we got some really great jam that was spicy, I chickened out on the hottest one, but the second hottest was so good!. Don't forget to stop by the pickle stand, and get a fresh sour pickle. And the soap stand and get a bar of home made soap. All very worth it!
Michael Cochran — Google review
My first time to this market. Not as many produce vendors but it was just before Xmas and there isn't as much local produce in winter versus summer. There were a few bakeries, a butcher, honey, cheese, & jam vendors plus those with crafts, wellness products, etc. The eateries surrounding the main market are okay - a nice variety but flavor was flat. I'm a bit picky so it could have been my taste buds. Still, most will find some tasty, quality food items to take home. For me, this will be a once a month trip bc there is a sourdough bread situation there I cannot resist.
Debbie Sturt — Google review
One of the best places to visit in Olympia! Lots of variety in the vendors, and everybody is so helpful and friendly. Lots of amazing deals if you know where to look! Also, I LOVE the amount of booths that offer samples. Some of my favorite things to buy here are delicious jams from Johnson Berry Farms, and the hummus/pita chips from Mena! Can’t wait for summer again so I can visit more often!
Emily VanBlaricom — Google review
First time visited the farmers market. They sell many fruits, soups, honey, homemade art/craft and other stuff. We had paella and bought some fresh apples. Nice place to walk around.
Wendy Tan — Google review
This was a nice farmers market with a variety of vendors. I particularly liked the bakeries that were there. The market also had amazing fresh fruit available for sale. Buy some apples!
Carina Jahn — Google review
So big and fun! There is much to see and do! It happened to be 'Olympia Harbor Days' Celebrating 50 years! So it was twice as nice! The weather wasn't as good as we would like, but still very nice!! WEAR GOOD SHOES FOR WALKING!! 😁
Michelle Smith — Google review
We went in this last Saturday for the first time and we are very impressed! This is one of the best ever! Thank you so very much, love that I can go to the office and get up to $25 match for my EBT card. We got several herbs and several vegetables for our garden, again we highly recommend this farmers market!
Brian Amies — Google review
05/13/23: This was my first time here and I wish I could have visited more than once. You could find a variety of delicious food with affordable price. One thing I am sure is that this famer’s market offers you fresh and high-quality food from the Olympia farmers
Danny Tram — Google review
Very nice market. Large with lots of items. Flowers, produce, meats, cheeses, soaps, honey, jams, dog treats, woodworking, crafts, wines, and lots of different food. Live music too. Definitely recommend stopping to check it out. I ended up with some delicious cherries. They are closed Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. Open Thursday - Sunday 10am-3pm. No pets are allowed either.
Roberta Peek — Google review
A MUST STOP IN OLYMPIA!
we drove from Portland to Seattle and stopped in Olympia for the gluten free bakery. A barista at the Olympia brewing company recommended the farmers market and it was SO FUN!!!! many stands, super nice vendors, reasonable prices. Plus the marina was only a 5 min walk away!!
Alle Esor — Google review
We were visiting Olympia on Friday and arrived at 1:30 pm. It’s great that there was free parking. This farmers market closes at 3 pm. We ate at Dingey’s and had a little time to go buy items. Most of the vendors were packing up.
The Hands On Children's Museum provides interactive exhibits and educational programs that focus on both art and science for children of all ages. The facility offers various areas for imaginative play, with a specific section dedicated to children aged four and under. Outdoor activities include a large pebbled play area with trucks and flowing water, suitable for all age groups. The museum is recommended as a great place to spend several hours, particularly during weekdays in mid-afternoon when younger children are less likely to be present.
This place is the best! Keeps kids entertained for hours. It's best for younger kids but older kids have fun also. Kids can pretend to shop for groceries, pick veggies, serve ice cream, and make pizza. The emergency services room has an interactive ambulance, fire truck, police car and helicopter. There are too many activities to list all of them here!!
Alexis Telles — Google review
It's definitely worth visiting! The staff is amazing, I took cash out so I didn't need to use my card when we visited the gift shop, but I was short 84 cents no biggie was gonna use my card, but the lady insisted I not use my card for such a small amount and she would cover it. I bought my tickets off the website for $15, but there is an ebt discount for $3 a ticket. The exhibits were great, and my son had a blast! Will definitely b back!
Tiffany Weaver — Google review
Love this place for the kids. We've been coming almost every 2 months for 1.5 years (we live 40 min away, otherwise we would come a lot more). My boys are almost 4 years apart (4 & 7.5) but they both love it.
I've taken pictures of the food boards, since there is nowhere else you can find prices. The food is pretty yummy, and not priced like amusement park food either.
Katie Czerniak — Google review
Fun place for my cousins to hangout and have fun. As well as get some energy out. They enjoy coming here to so much and always look forward to coming
Taylor Nickeson — Google review
Super good, this place is better than the Tacoma children museum and Bellevue KidsQuest children museum. 4 hours is not enough, next time I will aim for 6 hours for my kid. Outside and inside playhouse were awesome.
Lily Wong — Google review
This is such a fun place for both younger and older children! We loved all the fun areas for imaginative play downstairs and all the creative areas upstairs, including a fun part exclusively for ages 4 and under. The outdoors is also a blast for all ages, especially with the large pebbled play area with trucks and water flowing. I highly recommend you check it out at least once and be prepared to stay for as many hours as your children will last. A weekday mid-afternoon seems to be a good time to come when the youngest children tend to not be here and it's mainly older children who no longer nap. If we didn't live over an hour away, we'd for sure become members!
Jenny Ma — Google review
What an awesome place! I highly recommend taking your children! All ages could have fun, I’m 26 and I did! Lol. We will definitely be back! So much to do and see, with only so much time!
Marissa Longtain — Google review
Yes! The Children's Museum that we have always wished for! Our group had people from 4 yrs old through to 57 years and we all had a blast! We got a membership so we will be back.
The employees were all friendly and helpful!
You have to check this place out!
Suzanne Houser — Google review
This place is amazing! We were lucky enough to attend an anniversary party for my husband's work, D L Henricksen. They rented out the entire museum and it was seriously a blast. There's so much to do. My 6 year old had so much fun and we are already planning out next visit.
C W — Google review
This is a great museum for kids, our 4 year old daughter loved this! Outside near the museum is also public water play area which worked out perfect for a hot day.
There are all kinds of areas to explore for kids of various ages.
Outside there's a track to ride a tricycle around, there's a ship, there was areas to build your own mud pie, and areas to climb and play. Inside there was some slides, play areas, and other interesting things.
Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended. We were just in Olympia one night, this was a perfect activity.
Paul M — Google review
Having a young child in Washington means dealing with rain a lot of the time. Now don't get me wrong, I love rainy-day adventures even outside. But sometimes it's great even on sunny days to let your kid just run around and safely have a blast while learning.
I have been attending the Hands-On Museum for over 20 years with my older children and now my young son. It's great to see how much it has changed and the location where it's at is a beautiful structure. Proud to have been part of the fundraising a long time ago for this location. My son loves running around and so do I because I get to just be a child with him again and see the things that he sees.
It can be loud and chaotic, but it goes with the place and it's accepted and expected. Fortunately for those who have sensory issues, they do have quiet hours. A great place for a birthday party or to take a grandchild or a niece or a nephew as the fun Aunt or Uncle. You can go as a one time visit but honestly a membership pays off in 1 or 2 visits.
In the summer it has a great water structure that the kids love to just splash and get wet in. Not intended for swimming, just for dipping your feet and simply being a child or with child like wonder. I'd recommend you attend with a child, or cool off elsewhere in warm months, it's just creepy otherwise hanging out around young children and their family.
Jen Procick — Google review
This is amazing for children of all ages. Spent the entire day. My 3 year old son was over the moon with the place. Food was excellent. I cant think of anything they didnt have to entertain children and adults. Would recommend this place to all.
Saundra Quillen — Google review
I'm an adult and I love this place. My kids always leave smiling. The staff are super friendly to kids and stressed out adults. Every time we go there is something new to do. We are so lucky to have this place in our backyard.
Sarah Barnwell — Google review
I attended a Christmas party there and it was amazing, many things to do with the children.
Glacier Lloyd — Google review
What a blast for kids of all ages! I had fun exploring too. So many stimulating and problem solving activities to get those wheels turning. A fantastic place to let yourself and kids imagination run wild and live in a creative world. You need at least 3 hours to enjoy everything. Make sure to take water to stay hydrated because you are going to be all over the place trying to keep up lol.
The Nessassities — Google review
Great place! So happy to see more businesses having programs that cater to single income families on state funded programs. What would have cost me over 60 dollars cost under 10, just to get in the doors. You can easily spend all day with the family. Hope to be back soon, we came at a time of day that my littles would normally be napping and we became overwhelmed pretty quickly between the things to see and other children, etc. Thank you for being such a fantastic place. Truly.
Spirit Lake Hwy, also known as Highway 504, is a scenic route that ascends about 4,000 feet from Castle Rock to the vicinity of Mount St. Helens. The winding road offers breathtaking views and takes travelers through diverse landscapes as they make their way towards the mountain.
4.5
(96)
Washington, USA
23
Ape Cave
Cave
Nature & Parks
Caverns & Caves
In addition to views of Mount St. Helens, this national forest also features a popular cave trail.
Place is still pretty but it's been closed since covid but you can still go. Only problem is some kids today painted over the sign to tell you which way is harder then the other. And they tagged a lot of the walls. If you go at least have the respect for places like this and don't trash them.
Natalie Mulliniks — Google review
Goonies adventure in a cave! This was amazing! Bring 2 flash lights,warm clothing. The lower cave is great for kids and not so adventurous adults. The upper cave is for a serious strenuous hike in the pitch black with many rock piles and obstacles cliffs to climb. Not for the faint hearted. It was a great experience!
Mat D — Google review
It was raining outside but with the cave being underground it didn’t matter what the weather was like outside. We did the lower trail with our 1 year old baby and was a nice walk. Make sure to have at last 2 lights per person we brought extras! At one point we turned off the light and it was completely pitch black, surreal. Exploring the Ape Cave was a fun adventure!
Nikki Hyodo — Google review
This place was awesome and I met the nicest lady who lent me one of her headlamps and we went through the cave together. Its a first-time experience I would like to live over again and again. DO bring a coat (its cold down there year-round) and do bring your own flashlight (even though I did not)
Bronson Allen — Google review
We went to the Ape Cave on a very rainy day and had a great time despite the weather. You need to bring flashlights for each member of your party. If you forget, you can rent them. It is pitch dark inside. It was cool walking through the lava tube all the way to the end. It felt like we were in a movie. Parts of the cave were very easy to get through and other parts were a little challenging. They have 2 routes you can take. One of them is very challenging so don't take that one if you are not physically fit.
Hilda Martinez — Google review
This was a fantastic hike in and out of the caves. There are two paths inside. One super easy and recommended for the young and elderly and the moderate side.
The moderate side can be just a little intense with climbing over boulders and rocks and climbing up walls and squeezing through very very tight spaces. I'm 5'7" at 130lbs and I even had to take my backpack off to fit through some spaces.
And when you think you've hit a dead end, look again!
The hike outside is nice and beautiful.
Definitely recommend.
Junior Fras — Google review
Cool cave to walk through. Be sure to bring VERY bright lights, comfy walking shoes and a second layer (coat or sweater! I run warm so I took my jacket off halfway through the hike through.
Tiara Watson — Google review
Amazing cave. Did lower and upper caves in about 3 hours. Great mix of terrain in the caves. Often wet (it was raining above) but never slippery. Only bad thing was how loud people choose to be - sound can really echo. At the latter part of the upper cave we didn’t see anyone else for a long time which was great since some parts were very crowded. Beautiful up above too on the hike back.
Joel Bartlett — Google review
Very adventurous and exciting. Technical hiking through pitch black, lighting is required. Very light climbing at one or two places. Regular sneakers we're fine for me and a simple flashlight. Less is more, you probably don't need a backpack and a bottle of water, just take a flashlight and maybe a sweater. The air is cool and rich inside. There are places where the ceiling fell and so you have to scramble up and over the rocks which have since fell. They are stable though and navigating for me was quick and easy. If you are the adventurous type and are also the athletic type, then I'm sure you'll love this hike! Oh, there are two different options, one is a through hike from one cave entrance to a different exit, that one is the more adventurous, longer, and technical hike. The other one is the lower hike which is preportedly easier and shorter. I didn't see any bats or signs of life. Stopping at The Cougar Restaurant was nice afterwards.
Lucas Kerper — Google review
Did a lot of hikes around the Washington area but none was as unique as Upper Caves. APE cave has 2 trails one called upper cave and other lower. I did the upper cave which is supposed to be longer and more difficult. Truly astonishing hike and one you can't forget. It took us 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the upper cave. Add another 30 minutes to complete the trek loop to the parking spot after coming out of the cave. You should carry water with you. You will get at least 20 rock boulder kind of terrain on the upper cave. Having good hiking shoes with ankle support is highly recommended. Also carry gloves with you. One of my friends got her hand cut by a rock. Rocks can be sharp here and you should watch your head. There is no way you can do this hike without a flashlight. Flashlights are a must. Headlamps are optional but are more convenient.
Kumar Vaibhav — Google review
Wonderful Adventure. If you don’t like the cold definitely bundle up. Bring a good flashlight as it’s 100% needed. Good Shoes is another important thing to bring. Stellar times with amazing photo opportunities. The hike was great but very easy if your in basic shape. Overall it’s a great hike to get out in nature.
Coach T — Google review
Very cool lava tube, very refreshing. Was 42 degrees when we were in there end of July. Great break from the heat. Near experience
jack petty — Google review
Amazing place,
The pay/ reserve sytem can be confusing but no worries ws unless busy you can pay $2 at upper lot per person, etc.
Be sure to get a $5 heavy duty flashlight at upper parking lot before going up to the cave.
The flashlight has a couple settings and can spread light to the side as well as the beam on the front.
The caves are much more enjoyable the more light you have to see the intricate differences of the walls and ceilings.
Note:
There is about 18 piles of rubble to climb over &/or walk thru as well as its quite chilly about 55 degrees- Do not go down without a hoodie & or beanie! Jeans are suggested though i went with shorts and only got on knees one time for 3-5 feet.
The gifts shop is really cute and has plenty of souvenirs too!
Christopher Styles — Google review
Do prepare scrambling with gloves, water, headlights, long pants, hiking boots! Enjoy and be careful. Take care, Nick!
La Coqueta Jewelry — Google review
Impressive! We could have done the upper cave but we needed better shoes for climbing rocks and more time. The lower cave is kid friendly, despite having a dead end. For both, you can use a cellphone flashlight but it's more comfortable to use a head lamp for the upper cave. In this picture what you see is not worms over a rock but empty bubbles from volcanic gases. This rock is 1/3 inside the upper cave.
Emilia Fichter — Google review
The cave temperature is very cool (42°F) but I felt fine in a breathable t-shirt and shorts, however I would still recommend packing some sort of long sleeve shirt or jacket.
Regular tennis shoes are fine, but make sure they have traction as the ground is very uneven and there are a lot of sections involving clambering over boulders, some of which are wet from the condensation dripping from the ceiling.
If you plan on exploring any of the few "offshoots" or short tunnels that deviate from the main path, BRING KNEEPADS AND GLOVES. The ground is VERY rough and will destroy your knees.
While the hike is short in distance, it is very technical and feels much longer. You don't need any equipment, but there is one section (the lava falls) that is difficult to climb if you aren't able to easily lift your own body weight. I had to help a group up that likely would've had to turn back without some assistance.
Lastly, make sure you buy your recreation pass ($5) and your reservation ($2) online and PRINT THEM BOTH before you go. There is no internet here and you will have to turn around to get internet and buy your pass if you don't beforehand.
Johnston Ridge Observatory is a visitor center located near the summit of Mount St. Helens, which offers interpretive displays, ranger talks and a gift shop. It is named after scientist David Johnston who was killed by the mountain's lateral blast. The observatory provides stunning vistas of the crater with smoke rising from it, showcasing the unique nature of this mountain.
Amazing views of the crater!
On a clear day you can see the smoke rising and the growing nature of this unique mountain.
There are many trails and walkways in summer.
In winter its a long hard hike and careful planning as its around 14 miles round trip.
The road is gated just after the Coldwater lake, hence the walk will be long and will need snowgear in winter.
Either way in all seasons its amazing!
Neo Xplores — Google review
The Johnston Ridge Observatory is absolutely amazing with the most stunning views. We went with a tour company called Jeff’s Eco Tours and it was such a fun day.
Veronica Lanni — Google review
Fantastic view of the mountain. In late April the drive up to the observatory was completely clear, but a few of the viewpoints and all the trails were covered in feet of snow.
Matty B — Google review
This is an amazing observatory. It explains what happened during the 1980 volcano and talks about volcanic activity since then. It has this wonderful 3d model of the mountain that shows you exactly what happened that morning. Plus more exhibits including stories of survivors. And the view is exquisite! We are hikers and have hiked around the mountain, but non hikers can really enjoy the view of the mountain. Everyone should visit this site!
S Tower — Google review
We showed up on a clear winter day, enjoyed the exhibits, and joined in on an interpretive ranger program about the history of Mount St. Helens. The program was absolutely captivating, led by one of the most passionate educators I’ve had the pleasure of listening to. Everyone in the group was so enthralled that we didn’t even notice it had started snowing very hard until the ranger pointed it out at the end, saying “you all were so interested in the story, I didn’t want to distract you from it!”. I wish I had thanked that ranger more thoroughly for a lovely experience.
Lindsay C — Google review
Enjoyed this view to Mt Saint Helen. Drove up the mountain mid-day on a October brisk Fall day (50°F-56°), do not go up if fog heavy or clouds are low you will not be able to see it. But, make sure winter clothing is on deck (coat,gloves & jacket). At this location it's a scene you must see. If you have trouble breathing or walking uphill be prepared is 4000+ ft above elevation.
Yolanda Simmons — Google review
Worth the drive to reach this observatory, which is named for a scientist who saved numerous people with his early warnings to evacuate but died himself in the 1980 eruption. We visited when there were clouds around the top of the summit, which made the views more eerie. Informative exhibits, take the hike on the trails. Parts of the landscape has yet to recover.
Kevin James Shay — Google review
Got there Sunday, just as they were closing (6pm), but had enough time to get some souvenirs. The prices were fair, and they had a nice selection. The views were spectacular! We got some beautiful photos. The roads are well maintained, with some great pulloffs. Keep in mind that they're dark, steep and windy, so don't stay up there too late. This was a "bucket list" item that SHOULD HAVE BEEN on my list - do yourself a favor and put it on yours!
Patricia Vasko — Google review
Beautiful spot to get a good look at Mt Saint Helen's, good for all ages an abilities. Once you park you'll have to walk up a hill to the center, but it's all paved ect an wheelchair accessible. There's a little loop that is paved, but has some rough spots. We hiked up to Coldwater peak, was cloudy so couldn't see a lot but was beautiful. Got to hangout with a couple goats while we had lunch
Mark Aloisio — Google review
Wonderful. The view you have with My St Helens, there's no words. I was speechless. No pictures or TV can really do justice. If you have the park pass? Then you can go in the building for free. Although that was Labor Day day so check into it. You won't be sorry. All the forest you'll see has come back after she blew. Beautiful.
Ty Lynn Young — Google review
Amazing beauty. The drive is quite pleasant with many view stops along the way. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Be aware the Ranger talks (usually on the hour) are canceled if the weather is cloudy in the morning, regardless of if it clears up later in the day.
mystyrica — Google review
Just wow! We are local Washingtonians, but this up close view of the inside of the volcano never gets old. The drive up is always worth it. Local hint: Get there at 10:00 am when it opens and you’ll have very little traffic and the visitor center will be less crowded, then, on the way back down, about 8 miles, you will see signs for Coldwater Lake. It was a lake created by a landslide with the eruption. It’s gorgeous, has an interpretive trail, and if you cross the shallow creek that is at the picnic area’s parking lot (just at the start of the trail), you can have a large sandy beach to yourself. Bring a picnic (pack everything out). Great day trip from Portland or Seattle.
Jimmy Harris — Google review
Me and my husband recently traveled here and it was amazing. Mt. St. Helen's is in bird's-eye view. There is a gift shop on sight if you wanted to purchase some goodies from your visit here. There is plenty of parking and a coffee stand if you wanted a good cup of coffee and a light refreshment. The walk up is really nice and paved. There are also hiking trails available. I would highly recommend going here.
Walking paths & driving tours to view moose, American bison & bighorn sheep, plus birds of prey.
This place was a lot of fun. We were on the Sunday, 10:00 am driving tour. The only thing we did not see was the moose. The walking area is great too, many animals to see. They have a kids play area that is pretty nice too. The staff were very knowledgeable about the animals.
Judy McConnell — Google review
Loved it! It was my son 3rd birthday the day we were there! It was mid week and we were there shortly after the park opened. Everything was amazing and we had a blast! The children's playground was pretty magical with a little creek running through and plenty of places to climb! We did the drive tour as well and got to see even more animals! We will definitely be going there much more often now!
Heather Ann Laginess — Google review
Our family had a great time on our Mother's Day visit! We did the drive through adventure and got to see several animals along the way. The tour guide was really informative and made the drive really enjoyable. The park was fun too. It was a really hot day, but there was plenty of shade to keep us cool. Lots of animals out and about, our kids really likes the bear exhibits the best. Only bummer of the day was the Kid Zone didn't have the water feature on, which would have been nice on the hot day. Otherwise, an overall fun day and we look forward to visiting again in the near future.
Mark McGillis — Google review
Great for family and especially KIDS. I had a blast as a solo traveler. I went to attend the "wild drive" driving tour. This tour was great. Saw all 7 wild animals they had to display. This tour is great if you have an amazing zoom in camera because some animals are really far. One thing i wish is we could've stop our car to take good steady pictures. On the tour you always moving around 5 mph. Tour guides are very knowledgeable and throw a few jokes in. Ill def come back again.
Tarik Melo — Google review
Great way to spend the day. Make sure you plan to go earlier in the day because you're ticket will include both a driving tour (about an hour) and walking around the park for your entire car (around 8 people i believe). The trek around had one steep incline but had greatly placed benches all around the park. Not sure this place would be that fun for younger kids as many of the animals are harder to spot, but my 11 year old enjoyed it.
Heather Erickson — Google review
We went April 9th with our 2 boys 3 and 6. we did the 10 am wild tour. The girl that did our drive was amazing. She knew so much info. She talks the whole drive about how it started and about all the animals. I loved her. Then we went inside and did the whole tour inside. 10/10 for sure and will go back. I recommend if you go to go early spring or late fall when it cools down so you see more animals. Its a better cost to pay the $90 that gets up to 8 people in for the tour and the entire park.
shannon K — Google review
Very relaxed visit as there were no crowds. We saw a few animals on the driving tour but not real close. Walking through the shady paths was nice on this 80 degree day but apparently animals are more visible on cooler days. The 6 year old in our group didn't have any trouble walking through the park and enjoyed Child Trek, a kids play area, complete with a small stream to walk in, barefoot of course. Benches available for watching adults in sun and shade.
Laurie Carlson — Google review
We did the Wildlife Trek and the zoo/park area on our visit with my mom, my 6 year old, my husband, and myself. Each of us absolutely LOVED it! Somehow we went on a day where almost every single animal was out and active (first rainy day in awhile, if that helps)! The animals were so cool and the trek was absolutely worth it! - Things to Know: •For the trek, buy tickets in advance and show up a tad bit early! Plan your drive accordingly with traffic and possibly road work (which we ran into). •Parking is free for the zoo/park area. •Bring comfy shoes if you do the zoo part as it's quite a walk (but absolutely gorgeous). •If you do the trek, tune into the radio station they tell you to. Lots of info and lots of directions for keeping you and the animals safe. •Look ALL around on the trek! We saw animals everywhere, not just the main focus ones being talked about at the time. •Give yourself time! If you do the trek and the zoo, give yourself time for it all. •Be prepared to see some cool animals! A lot of the animals were "up close" than I've seen at other zoos. •Go into the buildings that are there/open (wolf viewing, kids area, etc.). •Plan out bathrooms (they're all over, but also spaced out). •Be careful where you stop under the Bald Eagle area (bird poop and all that). •There is a bear viewing platform that is amazing! •The cafe is small but good! •The kids park area is pretty big, but super fun!
Heather N — Google review
The ride along (car train tour) is So worth the price, and it INCLUDES getting to go into the zoo itself! This place FOCUSES on conservation, and better relationships with the land we live in and the animals we share this land with! Please please please consider coming here! It's so cool and informative!!!
(I ended up with So So So many videos and pictures of all kinds of creatures, but I think what is super important is to show all the plaques and signs in the zoo, they're educational about the plants, the woods we live in and the different habitats and education on the animals they have there!)
Our lead for our driving tour, I cannot remember his name right now, but he was SO SO GOOD! 🙏🏽🧡
He said he used to visit this zoo/park when he was a child and now he works there, educating on the animals and the land, and he said it felt like he's gone full circle. And I Love that. Thank you so much for sharing you knowledge, we WILL be coming back again!
Vaesen Pastry — Google review
Did the driving tour, and it was enjoyable. Saw almost everything but 1 species of animal. The moose were "babies" but still gigantic. Hard to take photos as you can't stop. Pricey for just 2 people in the car. You can have up to 6 but it's the same price regardless.
Afterwards, went inside and walked around. Most of the animals were out.
The 2 black bears got into a little scuffle when the little one was drinking the water, walking back to the other side. The big one then chased the little one off after.
A.j.m — Google review
Love being able to see local nature. The kids area is awesome now. So much to climb on and slide down. The kids had a blast and all but 1 animal was open out in plain sight. Such beautiful creatures!
Sheena Nessly — Google review
We are season pass holders for NWT and have been for two years. We definitely get our money's worth. We go 2-3 times a month. It's a nice change of pace for walks. The play area is a highlight too! I recommend allotting time for the kids to play there! All of the animals are so well taken care of. They do enrichment and extraordinary enclosure maintenance for the animals.
The tram still isn't open which is a major bummer, but they will give you a free ticket for when the tram is open if you ask about it. The new electric tram is scheduled to open Spring 2023. ☺️
Esprit Dunn — Google review
This truly is a great experience but I was very disappointed that we could not take the bus ride around the park to see the Bison and Elk, etc. That's the main and best part in my opinion and it's currently halted until some electric bus thing is installed.
They should have some way to still do this until the electric bus is installed.
Outside of that, it was a nice trip. Most of the animals were out. The cats were still sleeping though. We went from 10am to 1pm. Kids really enjoyed the play area and the food is no badly priced.
Allofus Ra — Google review
This is a great experience and in a beautiful setting in the shadow of Mt. Rainer. I hadn't been here in several years (10+) and I was happy to see it was just as good. Like any drive through wildlife park where the animals are free to roam, what you see is hit or miss because the critters are free to do as they want. We did manage to see a lot of elk, some deer, a few bison, and a couple sheep (the last two weren't even spotted by the guide).
The walking exhibits are also good to see and while still in a very natural setting, are more visible than those in the driving area. It's a great experience for kids and adults alike. It's about a 3.5 hour drive for us, so we likely won't be back for another 10 years or so, but still highly recommend it (it's worth the trip at least once).
Kevin — Google review
We paid $90 for the driving tour. It was a little underwhelming, but cool to see the animals right there. I got to take some nice pictures of the animals during the ride. Having the radio tuned to the host was really good, she gave a lot of good information during the trip, but maybe next time she should get more sleep. I have never heard a presenter yawn so much before...anyway, I found out that $90 also gave us entry into the zoo. This was a nice surprise and made it worth the $90-to do both things. The zoo part has the animals I looked forward to seeing as well. Just remember, the animals like to take naps as well! Sucks to see the wolf sound asleep but he/she needs his rest. I wish the areas the animals are kept in were bigger, but I guess that is the best that can be done.
The staff is very friendly and I am glad we stumbled on this place while out driving. Not sure if I will go back, but it doesn't hurt to see this place at least once. The staff I interacted with seem to really care about their jobs and sharing their animal knowledge with us.
The Reats — Google review
First time I've been back in about 15 years. Honestly, I don't love seeing caged animals, but the animals at NWT are either being rescued, restored, or protected, which makes it much easier to enjoy paying to view them. The only animal we didn't get to actually see was the Wolverine. We will definitely be going back. We walked through the animal park area and then did the Wild Drive. Great place for families!
Reba VanBrunt — Google review
It is beautiful! The sights themselves are amazing and even better with the animals! The tram is wonderful. You get to ride around and look at elk, moose, bison, and more! Then you get off the 5 you get to see the bear, wolves, cougar, bobcat, lynx, and so much more it's an amazing experience and an amazing place to visit!
Cierra Russell — Google review
The zoo was amazing. Do note that it is a small zoo, so if you go, keep that in mind. But the exhibits give you a great view of the animals and the staff are amazing.
I did the drive-thru tour where you drive your own car. It was $110 for my car, which at first I thought was a little expensive. But then I learned that includes allowing ALL people in your car to enter the walking part as well.
I was very happy and felt it was worth it for the family to enjoy the day at the zoo!
Justin Heaston — Google review
Purchased the combo household membership so we can visit this zoo plus the point defiance zoo unlimited for a year! They do offer 10% military discount but you must buy in person. Credit and cash only, no tap to pay.
Took the jeep tour and it was amazing. Lots of information and saw so many close encounters.
Would highly recommend!
Angela Roy (Travel CNA) — Google review
This was a great experience. 6 out of 7 species on the drive and a cool walk around the habitats to see predators and small animals. The lead car/tour guide was very cheery and kept the caravan involved. Will go gain.
tyler dietrich — Google review
I love coming here. It's smaller than Point Defiance, but still has a good amount of animals. There are a lot of beautiful trees, flowers, and other plants.The walkways are mostly shaded, so it doesn't get too hot or risk sun burns. There's a great play area for kids when they're done looking at the animals. We only had the fries and ice cream, both were good.
TOTALLY WORTH IT!!! We were looking for something fun and memorable to do for Christmas, and this was definitely it. The staff is incredibly friendly, and go above and beyond to accommodate to make the make the ride special for everyone. The train is decorated for Christmas, and the route that is taken is gorgeous. If you are looking to make an awesome memory with your family I highly recommend making it with the Mount Rainier Railroad!!!
Amanda Bartling — Google review
We went on the cider tour and it was great! It was a beautiful ride both to and from the museum. We had first class tickets and were able to experience some cider tastings on board!
The gluten free food options and the quality of the food was not the best. But the museum, train ride, and cider more than made up for it. Plus they sell snacks at the museum!
Katherine McCusker — Google review
Sadly this was closed when we decided to visit, it was still nice to check it out.
Gavin Gardener — Google review
I had an absolutely wonderful time here! My husband and I rode a train pulled by a steam locomotive from Elbe, Washington to the logging museum in Mineral, Washington, where we learned all about the history of logging. Oh, and not to mention seeing some beautiful views!
I would definitely go with first-class again. It's well worth $54 per ticket. They'll give you snacks, drinks, alcohol, and a really nice water bottle. I might also mention that all the cars are air conditioned and heated.
Cello Player — Google review
It was amazing trip! Not too long, pretty comfortable, absolutely enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Anna Solodova — Google review
A truly memorable experience! I only wish the ride was a little longer, it felt short because it was an out and back trip. I would still not miss this opportunity. Great for families!
Sarah Kline — Google review
Fun train ride. Great, friendly staff. We went on Peanuts and the Great Pumpkin day because it fit our schedule and we weren't interested in wine day. Only critisizim is the train should have slowed considerably at the one brief opportunity to view Mt Ranier. No opinion on the food because we brought our lunch. A fun day and we had perfect sunny weather. Nice museum.
Suzanne Rowley — Google review
Really nice place to hold a private event. In the town of Mineral, the only way in is the Mt Rainier Steam Railway. Event content and age can be controlled. We did Oktoberfest and no one under 21 was allowed to attend. Even with attendees policing themselves, staff was on top of checking ID and making sure everyone having the beer was supposed to be there and safe. There is a really scenic event ground at the town that you need to go through the rolling stock to get to. There are several Ales to Rails events per year as well as a Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin Ride and a Polar Express at Christmas. All are well worth the trip for the age appropriate audience.
Guy Sykes — Google review
Definitely a good time wonderful workout as well, staff are fun and friendly and they tell funny jokes.
LaGrand A. — Google review
My boyfriend and I rode a locomotive steam in Elbe, Wa. for his birthday. We had the best time. So much fun, staff is friendly and fun, and lots of beautiful sights.
Highly recommend 12/10
Naome Young — Google review
We took the scenic whiskey train, it was a blast. While the whiskey was ok, the experience was a lot of fun! The ride is a great short trip and the venue was nice. The live band was pretty good and the service was very good! Definitely recommend this trip! They also have family friendly trips too!
Brian Babcock — Google review
Easter train ride. A boxed brunch (a nice variety of foods) and a beautiful train trip through the woods and farm lands to Mineral and back to Elbe. Spend some time in the open air car to get the full experience of being on a steam train with the whistle blowing!!
Gayle Hunt — Google review
Had a great time. They are coming back after the pandemic so the train are not fully restored but I was comfortable and enjoyed the ride. Great activity to do with the whole family. Can't wait for the museum to open up.
Stefanie Crow — Google review
We rode the Holiday Timber Train. It was a fun, festive 75 minute ride to Mineral and back. With clear skies you could see Rainier at the river crossing which was great. You’re able to move between cars and look over the half doors which is a cool feeling. The individual windows on the train open as well. Very popular with kids who all having a great time.
Josh Beeler — Google review
Great experience with family. My son is autistic and he enjoyed the trip.
Magaly I Roman — Google review
Amazing experience. Each and every person was super friendly and they even waited extra few minutes for one of the group. You can see my rainier, river, horses, etc. A must visit if you have kids and you are near by.
Mount Rainier National Park offers a variety of lodging options for visitors. The park is home to Paradise, a popular spot for hiking with stunning views and waterfalls. For those seeking a more challenging hike, the longer trail up the back of the mountain provides a less crowded but rewarding experience, leading to Panorama Point. The drive through the Cascade region offers picturesque views, although visibility may be limited in cold weather. Visitors can rent tire chains in nearby towns during winter months.
Follow the directions to Paradise or the visitors center and bring your hiking shoes. Take the longer trail up the back of the mountain if you are physically fit. You'll walk up past the falls (take a quick stop, it's beautiful) and then past the paved path to the left. You'll encounter a FRACTION of the people on this steeper and longer trail, but it's well worth it and you'll be amazed once you get to Panorama Point. We hiked down the face- this was a mistake, go back the way you came and avoid the insane crowds.
Wear appropriate shoes, bring more water than you think you'll need and take in the amazing scenery. We saw marmots and chipmunks everywhere and even ran into a mountain goat. Truly a breathtaking and majestic hike.
Tricia Baker — Google review
Enjoyed staying inside the park.
Rich — Google review
🙂
Jeffrey F. Caldejon — Google review
Pretty drive through the Cascade region. Couldn't see all of he mountain at a distance due to the cold fight weather. Friendly staff at the park who are knowledgeable. Be sure to bring tire chains to the park if visiting in winter months. They can be rented in small towns 10 minutes outside of Mt Rainer National Park.
Ashley — Google review
Were I go to find God, much closer up there
Kathy Wirkkala — Google review
This is a very nice place to go hiking and snowshoeing in the late winter/early spring and the lodge is cozy also.
mountain man — Google review
It will be fun during snow times, only if you can reach it :)
Saroj Kumar Mohapatra — Google review
Awesome! Everyone should visit at least once in there life!
john dehaan — Google review
Its a spetacular place with breath taking views .Its a must...
This active 14,411-ft. volcano & scenic hiking destination is the Cascade Range's highest mountain.
Absolutely gorgeous views! Only thing to regret is paradise was still closed😭
Teh Ville — Google review
I don’t know if words do this place justice. Just breathtaking. I visited sunrise, paradise, ohanapecosh, and carbon river. My favorite campsite was at ohanapecosh. My favorite trail was pinnacle peak. My favorite pie at paradise lodge was the triple berry. I could write a book about this place!
Some helpful tips: I charged my phone and rechargeable batteries at paradise lodge. There are NO showers within the park so plan accordingly. Visit reflection lake either at sunrise or sunset. If you are going to paradise get there early! Pack in, pack out, and stay on trail.
Raychel Gray — Google review
Glacier-fed rivers and cascading waterfalls carve their way through the park, adding to its beauty and creating a soothing soundscape. The roaring waters and misty spray create a sense of wonder and remind us of the power and force of nature.
Faris Al Orfali — Google review
We had a delightful trip with 3 kids, 8yrs, 4yrs and 2 yrs. All of them are enjoyed the views and snow. We didn’t hike although I know it would be one of the best hiking route! It was above our expectations on going there with kids.
Yue He — Google review
We chose to go here on a Saturday with good weather. The scenery to drive here from Seattle was very beautiful. We climbed the mountain for two or three hours, the more excited we climbed, the scenery above was very beautiful, and we could meet animals. It is a perfect place for family and friends to enjoy themselves together.
Selina A — Google review
Visited Mount Rainer today but many roads were closed due to snow covered. Managed to visit Narada Falls and some vista points at foothills and the views were breathtaking.
christine wong — Google review
Can’t miss this if you’re from Washington or visiting! This park exceeded my expectations. Nature at its best! Majestic views! Truly Awesome waterfalls, and very accessible.
The park is extremely well managed and maintained. The hikes are manageable, the roads are well kept.
In summer it gets crowded especially on weekends, so plan to visit during the week if you can. Bring water on the hikes! It gets warmer than you think.
Some helpful tips:
The line at the entrance gets long, like 1hr and a half to two hours! Brutal. Again, especially during the weekend. Plan to arrive before 7am to avoid being stuck in traffic.
Reflection point won’t reflect unless there’s no wind. Usually there’s less wind at sunset or sunrise.
Make sure you reserve a camping spot, those first come first served are gone as soon as they open.
You don’t need to camp inside to enjoy the park. If you want to go last minute, there’s several camping spots right outside the entrance, with decent amenities and you can still spend the whole day at the park!
PS. It’s true what you hear, the berry pie is absolutely amazing!
AM — Google review
It’s just peaceful place for nature lovers. We visited on Sept 2023, the climate was awesome and the trail was beautiful.
You may expect full parking lot on weekends, try to plan on week days.
Thanks.
Ashis Laha — Google review
Amazing place with beautiful landscape. There is a lodge to get coffee and food before going in the trail. It is definitely a must do trail when in Washington state.
Tip: Always check road conditions before leaving.
Uriel Mazoz — Google review
One of my favorite places in the whole world! Camping, Hiking, just Viewing! I absolutely love it here.
Pavel Kowalski — Google review
This is justtttttt an amazing place. Though it was annoying with the long wait times to get in , it is WORTH the wait .. the view is just magnificent… it’s almost like a dream ! God gift to human beings . One of the best places that I have ever seen in my life . There are few trails and depending on how much you can walk , take those trails .
When we went , it was too crowded . Went late summer and there were beautiful wild flowers . Just loved them . We walked for few mins to view the rainier and then walked towards myrtle falls view and back to visitor center . It was just a breathtaking adventure … loved it to the max . A must visit place for anyone who visits WA .. 👍👍👍
Raj S — Google review
I don't even know what there is to say that hasn't already been said. Plenty of sights. Trails. Souvenir shops. Lodging. Food along the way. Peace. Clean hikes. We loved every minute of our time here. Just 30 for your car to get in. That ticket is good for a whole week and you can leave and re enter if you're staying outside of the park. We didn't get to go to the summit because of the snow and weather but maybe next time. It was so cool.
Iconic Thibodeaux (Iconic Thibodeaux) — Google review
The nature is very beautiful, even though I really wanted to see wild flower fields but it didn't specify anywhere which trail to take, where to go to see it. It was extremely crowded, hard to find parking, just two bathrooms at the visitor center, and huge long lanes to wait, could have built more knowing how many people out here. The food is extremely expensive and a very poor choice. Would visit again more prepared next time, maybe will like it more then.
verunushka — Google review
Beautiful mountains, some areas of the park had no fence or something between the road and the cliff, and for someone who is afraid of the heights it was scary so I turned around first chance I had. Signs could be better, apparently there is a lodge, we didn't know where it was. Overall it was nice, we got some amazing pics
El Mor — Google review
We went to Mount Rainier through the Paradise/Longmire entrance on November 8, 2023. We got an unexpected three feet of snow the day before our hike. Luckily, it was a clear day and some people from the national guard were also hiking up. They paved a way for us to go up. The views were breathtaking! The snow surprise made the whole experience even better. Will definitely be back to experience the other seasons!
Vivian Pan — Google review
The place is mesmerizing!! Was it worth it? Yes!
The route was a bit scary as there was no fence between the road and the cliff but just go for it and you will be there. We left pretty late so thought of turning back on the way as it seemed far and never ending and assumed it would be too late by the time we reach, but no, there were plenty of people up and they stay up for longer so you are not alone. We left at 3pm and still managed to complete the trip. You have access to so many mountains, parks and you can go for trekking but mind you, we did not find any place to eat so carry your own food and water. Beautiful view with lots of parking space, air is clean and crisp and you will feel at the top of the world, so go for it!
Tiara — Google review
Holy smokes! Stunning 🤩 expect a $30 entrance fee. One of the main roads is closed so we couldn’t get to some things without doing some serious hiking which we weren’t properly clothed for. The visitor center at the top had a good cafe and cute but cram packed gift shop.
Michelle Fuhr — Google review
Amazing how close you get to see the mountain! You can see the massive glaciers and falls. Surrounding area is nothing but breathtaking.
Pictures can’t capture its beauty enough, highly recommend to actually go there! Many view points can be accessed with short hike.
Kanako Sakurada — Google review
I LOVE this mountain. Absolutely stunning and incredible. Careful about the water in the bathrooms up towards the top of the mountain as is gets so cold it’s dangerous to touch. I hadn’t thought about how cold the water was going to be after I lathered on a bunch of soap and caused really bad nerve pain in my finger for a few days. I have no hard feelings it was my own lesson to learn but for anyone reading this that isn’t aware then here’s your heads up.
Amazing views of the backside of Mt. Rainier!
We went on a hot and hazy day, and still made the most of it.
Very high in elevation, so hope you can get acclimated!
Did a loop to Frozen Lake and back to the visitor center, equivalent to 3ish miles. Lots of ridges, and loose rock and gravel, so please be careful with children.
No dogs on trails, so leave Buddy at home.
Enjoy these amazing views of mountains, valleys, and meadows.
Melissa Tucker — Google review
A pinnacle of natural beauty! Mt. Rainier is an episodically active volcano, but don’t let that scare you. The drive up to Sunrise was beautiful, and the view of Rainier from the visitor center is already picture perfect. But we decided to hike up Sourdough trail. For some extra fun, bring headlamps and hike the trail near sunset. When it falls dark, the stars (and even Milky Way) are fully visible. It was nice of the park to not install lights in the parking lot, which made the sky even brighter.
Joshua Lim — Google review
If you are planning to see sunrise, plan to come at least 1 hour early to sunrise . You need to hike at least 20 minutes to reach a place you have a good view . Secondly the pre sunrise rays are the one that makes rainier beautiful
Anumod Thomas — Google review
Stunning. It felt like a storybook view of the Alps. Seriously, so beautiful! They have bathrooms... though, at the time we went, were really dirty. Plan on bringing sanitizer. The picnic areas were great. The view, on a clear day, is spectacular.
Emily Sanders — Google review
This is a very well kept visitor center with a great view of Mt. Rainier. The park rangers are nice and knowledgeable. Plenty of parking for compact and large vehicles. There's a variety of trails to take to get different views of Mt. Rainier. There's a bit of history posted around the visitor center. Friendly reminder to pack warm and prepared as nighttime can get chilly during the Summer and frigid during Fall and Winter into Spring.
Brenton Nikolaus — Google review
The visitor center has a snack bar for some quick to-go snacks along with coffee and a couple of soup options. Open on weekends from 9-5pm. Well maintained flush toilets. The visitor center also has some bunch of information on the volcano and the flora and fauna on the mountain. I prefer this visitor center when compared to Paradise since you have comparatively lesser crowd both at the center and on the trails and definitely closer views of Rainier.
Castern Fernandes — Google review
Great views on the way up to this point. Taking a star off those as the visitor center and gift shop was closed September 3rd... It was the only visitor center I was going to be able to visit on my trip too, so I was veer disappointed. I'm a patch collector and love supporting our parks by purchasing some at each location and of course getting a stamp!
Michelle Massa — Google review
We didn't venture far from the Visitor Center since we're short on time. The view of Mount Rainer from there was not as breathtaking as we had hoped, and the store was closed despite being advertised as open during our time there. So no snacks or refreshments for us, but thankfully the water fountain was working.
There is a lookout halfway between the park entrance and Visitor Center with better views.
They charge $30 at the park entrance. From there, it takes about half an hour to reach the Visitor Center. Prepare to drive along a winding and narrow mountain road, with the lack of guard rails in places making for a heart-stopping ride.
G Aquino — Google review
We visited the day before July 4th and the ranger at the entrance warned us that there may not be parking. We lucked out and got a parking. There was a ranger making room for extra parking spot. The Visitor Center was closed. We lucked out with beautiful weather, and Mount Rainier was prominent and spectacular from various angles. There were wildflowers and some snow. We hiked Sourdough Ridge Trail which provided panoramic view of the Cascade Crest Summits.
Catherine Hunt — Google review
What an amazing viewpoint for Mt. Rainer and nearby valley areas. At 6,400 feet elevation, the cool summer, mountain air was very crisp and refreshing. This is a must stop for those desiring to see up close this massive 14,411 foot volcano outside of Seattle, Washington. The center is a beehive of activity. The help is outstanding and very capable.
Ronald Rees — Google review
Great area to see Mt. Rainier. The visitor center doesn’t open till mid July but there were still a variety of beautiful hikes, a place to buy snacks and a good restroom. Our favorite hike was to the lookout. Whether you plan on hiking or not it’s still a great place for views of the mountain and glaciers.
Quincy Bowcut — Google review
It is a spot of heaven on earth! Mount Rainier is something to see in your lifetime.
Go out of your way to see the mountain/volcano. I'm still holding my breath...lol
Just stunning! The cost to get into park is by car, not individuals.
Denise Talbot — Google review
Nicely located with well kept trails to hike. Great view surrounding area and clean restrooms for public use. To access park area for park showed $30.00 and is free for military
Agustin Sandoval — Google review
An absolute must when you go up to Mount Rainier! Take in the history and ask the Ranger about the mini hike and the mountain! I would recommend going around the building to take photos instead of against the glass of the building.
Scenic 1.5-mi. roundtrip loop through a grove of "patriarchs": ancient 3- & 4-story trees.
Fairly short and easy trail through a low suspension bridge and part wood-decked, walkway with trees around. Many spots for photo opportunities with the right angle of lighting. Spectacular trees. But, don’t expect to see trees like the Redwoods in Cali.
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