Silver Cove RV Resort

In nearby Castle Rock, you can visit the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center. Here you can see graphic footage of the damage and destruction resulting from the 1980 eruption. Through the huge windows, you can see for yourself the second-growth forests surrounding the center and local area. You can see Mount St. Helens clearly, even though it is 30 miles away. And, of course, there are plenty of displays covering the local area and how the land recovered in the years following the eruption. There is a large model volcano you can step inside of, a functioning seismograph that provides a continuous live feed of current seismic activity at the mountain, and theater programs to watch at five and 35 minutes past the hour. This is a great place to spend time when you rent a camper near Silver Lake RV Resort.

Just outside of nearby Longview in Cougar, you can visit the Ape Cave Lava Tubes. This popular tourist attraction features the longest lava tube in the lower 48. The tube measures more than two miles and is open year-round. The caves were formed over 2,000 years ago during an eruption of Mt. St. Helens. As the lava flowed down the mountainside, the outer layers cooled, forming a crust. Inside this "tube," molten lava continued to flow for months, creating the 13,042-foot long tube. This area has long been associated with Sasquatch or Bigfoot, but you aren't likely to see a Bigfoot here at any time as the myth probably started in 1924 following the report titled "I Fought the Apemen of Mount St. Helens, WA" by one of the local miners.

Those who are thrill-seekers can consider taking a drive along Spirit Lake Memorial Highway; it's sure to get your adrenaline pumping. The highway runs from I-5 all the way to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. As you drive along, there are no less than 14 bridge spans used to cross ravines, making for an incredible day trip while camping at Silver Lake RV Resort. The scenery has changed a lot along the drive since the 1980 eruption, but there are still hills covered in layers of covered in ash that have yet to see any signs of growth.

Timber cutting and lumber mills have long been a part of this area of Washington, and you can learn all about the history of this industry at the Cowlitz County Historical Society Museum in Kelso. There are displays covering the timber industry, including tools, photographs, and many other artifacts from this once highly prosperous industry. It's a great place for history buffs who book an RV in Cowlitz County, and only a short drive away when you are camping at Silver Lake RV Resort.

A short drive up I-5 will bring you to the Chehalis/Centralia area where you will find one of the largest outlet malls in the state. Chehalis is also home to the Chehalis/Centralia Railroad & Museum. Take a trip back in time as you board the steam locomotive powered train for a variety of events throughout the year, including a Sweetheart Dinner Train ride, a Murder Mystery ride, and those who come in the winter months can ride the Polar Express or the Santa Steam train. This a great place to take the whole family when you rent a camper near Silver Lake RV Resort.

Whether you are visiting the area for its history, the local wineries, the culture, or a little peace and quiet, your memories all start when you book an RV rental in Silver Lake, Washington.