Pe Ell is a small town located in west Lewis County, with a population of around 600 people. The town is situated in the Chehalis River Valley and surrounded by farmland, making it a quiet and peaceful place to live. Pe Ell is home to a trailhead for the Willapa Hills Trail, a former railroad that has been converted for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horseback riders. The community hosts a small yet vibrant Fourth of July parade and usually hosts its own fireworks at the Pe Ell School.
The town carries a significant Polish heritage, with many descendants of the earliest settlers to the region still calling Pe Ell home. The town was once the home to the only Polish National Catholic Church in Washington.
Stop in Pe Ell, say hello and take the opportunity to learn about the agricultural and natural resource-based history of the town. Also make sure to ask exactly how the town got its name…you might hear a variety of responses.
These two small unincorporated communities are located just miles east of Pe Ell and about 15 miles west of Chehalis, easily accessible from state Route 6. Doty is named after Chauncey A. Doty, who established a sawmill in the area in 1900.
Check out the Doty General Store, which evokes an atmosphere of years gone by and is also home to Doty’s post office. Just up the road in Dryad, check out the picturesque Dryad Community Church, a longtime place of worship for the people of the quiet community there.
Both Doty and Dryad serve as a gateway to Rainbow Falls State Park, which offers camping, horse trails and access to one of the Chehalis River’s most unique features, a serene waterfall with a rainbow crown, giving the falls its name. The Willapa Hills Trail also makes its way through Doty and Dryad, running closely to the state park on its way to Pacific County.
Winlock celebrates its egg-producing history with Egg Days, the World’s Largest Egg, and local museums.
Vader offers small-town charm with May Day festivities, scenic cycling routes, and a historic 1902 church.
Toledo, a town honoring its heritage, is revitalizing with a new library, Veterans Wall of Honor, and prime fishing spots.
Salkum offers serene lake life, outdoor recreation, and access to nearby parks and forests.
Randle offers outdoor recreation with lakes, campgrounds, and access to Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Packwood offers outdoor adventures, historic charm, and the Packwood Flea Market for visitors.
Onalaska features Carlisle Lake, a historic mill smokestack, and the annual Apple Harvest Festival.
