This rural corner of southwest Washington with its charming, friendly small towns has long been a timber, fishing and recreation center. The fiery eruption of Mount St. Helens in May 1980 shook area residents to their core and dealt a heavy blow to many area property and business owners. The eruption also, however, dealt a new hand to the communities surrounding the majestic mountain as tourists flocked to the area to gape at the awesome aftermath. The volcano spawned a new industry for the area and has continued to draw international attention as the mountain and surrounding forest heal and evolve.

Situated at the confluence of the Columbia, Cowlitz and Coweeman Rivers in the midst of majestic forests and mountains, Kelso offers plenty of recreational opportunities. The many lakes and rivers around Kelso offer abundant fishing, from salmon and sturgeon on the Columbia River to steelhead, rainbow trout, and cutthroat on local lakes. The Cowlitz and Columbia Rivers also feature smelt most years, and during the annual late-winter “smelt run” dozens of people line the riverbanks with nets and buckets to scoop up these silvery fish, known as Eulachon to the local Cowlitz Indians.