Cowlitz Boat Launches

Living in Southwest Washington provides access to one of the best fisheries in the country. The Cowlitz river is a year-round fishery, and even though much of the land is private, there are many access points and boat launches that can be used tio get on the water with a boat, or fish from the shore.

The first ramp is located at Barrier Dam, just downstream from Mayfield lake, and can be accessed via I-5 to HWY 12, then South on Fuller Rd..

barrier Dam campground and boat launch

The second boat launch that gets quite a bot of use, is at the Blue Creek Hatchery. It has a really nice launch, and camping is permitted in designated areas . There is also plenty of room to fish from the bank, or you can bring a pair of waders and get quite a ways out into the water, especially during summer months, when the water level is lower.

The third boat ramp on the Cowlitz River that gets regular use is in the town of Toledo. It can be accessed by taking I-5 to the Toledo- Vader Rd. and following it right through the center of town. This is a really nice boat ramp

Another is located off of Mandy Rd. It can be accessed from Jackson Hwy, off of I-5. right next to the bridge, and across from River Oaks RV Park and Campground. This is a nice place to launch a boat because the water is pretty calm

The next access to the Cowlitz is off of Meikler Rd. at Olequa Creek. it isn’t a very nice launch, but it isn’t crowded, and it serves the purpose. It can be reached easiest by following Mandy Rd. until it turns into Imboden Rd. then West on Meikler Rd. Barnes Dr. will also get you there depending on which direction you’r coming from.

Further downstream, there is a little used area where you can launch a boat, althought it isn’t cement. Locals refer to it as Hog Island. Coming from either direction on Westside Hwy.(411), there is a turnout right at Casey Rd. This will lead you to a quiet little spot where you can either launch your boat, or there is also plenty of bank access. You can even get out on the island.

Castle Rock has a new boat launch that is off of Westside Hwy. also known as 411. Its nice, but the current is really swift at this point in the river. Located right behind the high school, it allows for great access up or down river.

Another very popular place to launch a boat is off of Westside Hwy at Camelot. There isn’t really a boat launch, but the sandy beach area makes it easy to get a boat in and out of the water. This is also a popular place for fishing from the shore. You can see that there are numerous access points at this location, and even when the fish is on, and there are boats-a-plenty, there is a lot of room for everyone.

The last place to launch a boat on the Cowlitz is located at Gerhart Gardens. Although this used to be a nice ramp. sediment has made lauching here rather difficult, and the powers that be, can’t seem to properly dredge the area.

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