We’re fortunate to live in this part of the United States because of the beautiful horse riding trails that are so close. The many state and national parks give us thousands of miles of trails just in Lewis County alone. If you are like me, your trail book is well worn and dog-eared – with a list of trails that you want to do each year.
Alas, finding time between work and other obligations to the hit the trails can be a challenge, so staying close to home helps as it takes less time to get to the trailhead, which means more time riding. The following are some the most amazing places to go horseback riding in Lewis County.
Willapa Hills Trail
More commonly knowns as “rails to trails,” this may be the most amazing ride we have in Lewis County. On this trail, you can ride your horse from Chehalis to South Bend for a 56 mile ride! The old railroad track and trestles have been replaced with a well-manicured trail that stays fairly dry year-round. The bridges offer spectacular views – which are a bit terrifying if you’re not a fan of heights, like me. In fact, I walked my horse over the first one we came to, but had the courage to ride over the next. You will see a wide range of vegetation and scenery as you go. More information can be found at the Lewis County Community Trails website, including directions to the many trail access points.
Packwood Lake Loop
On the far edge of Lewis County, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest offers up some exquisite riding trails. The Packwood Lake Loop is a nice, 8- to 12.5-mile round trip ride where you will see some lovely forest, views of the Tatoosh Wilderness peaks and, of course, the lake. Wildflowers are in abundance during the summer as well, making this an amazing trail simply for the scenery. It’s open from summer to fall and requires a fee or a day pass. More information can be found at the USDA Forest Service website, including directions to the trailhead.
Cody Horse Camp
There are four trails for equines at this amazing campground, along with 16 sites with highlines and cables for camping. It’s great for a weekend getaway with roughly 50 miles of trails in the area. For well-conditioned horses, the steep trails on the Klickitat Loop (part of the Pacific Crest Trail) offer some breathtaking panoramic views. No permits needed and no fees. For more information, visit the USDA Forest Service website, which includes directions to the camp.
Scatter Creek
Scatter Creek is amazing because of its location. If you live in Centralia or Chehalis, it’s at most a 20-minute drive. This makes it the perfect place to ride after work or when you only have a few hours on the weekend to ride. You can spend more time on the trail because you don’t have to spend an hour or more getting to them. While the gravel log roads make it open year round, the area is much more fun in the summer, when you can explore the crisscrossing bridle paths that wander throughout. More information can be found on the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website.
Goat Mountain / Green River Horse Camp
Goat Mountain, in Lewis County can be accessed at the Green River Horse Camp, which is just outside the Lewis County line, in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Goat Mountain requires horses that are well conditioned and courageous riders who are not afraid of heights and narrow trails. But if you brave the trail, you will be rewarded with incredible views of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Hood.
The Green River Horse Camp is amazing because it offers a ride through history as you meander through the Mount Saint Helens blast zone. Reach the top of these steep trails and breathtaking views will be there to greet you. More information can be found on the Discover Lewis County website, including directions to the camp.
Be sure to join the Lewis County Back Country Horsemen. They put on trail rides and organize work parties to keep the trails nice year round. They are a fun bunch. There are many other groups that put on prize and poker rides in Lewis County as well, a quick Google search will find you plenty to keep busy. They are great for the solo rider who is looking for fellow riders and you may learn about trails you hadn’t known about before. Be sure to check before hitting any of the state or national forest trails, as many are seasonal and openings can be delayed due to heavy rain or snow. Check the Washington State Parks website for more information.
