The route from Longview doesn’t offer big vistas or mountain passes. There are no roadside attractions in the traditional sense. What it has is a gentle rise through farms, fields, and pockets of old-growth forest along quiet backroads.

Starting Your Adventure in Cowlitz County

Longview itself is a small town centered around its historic downtown. The buildings are mostly brick and wood, with storefronts that have been there for decades. There’s a coffee shop on Allen Street that serves decent pastries—a good place to fuel up before you head out.

A Scenic Journey on Willow Grove Road

Willow Grove Road itself is a narrow two-lane road, mostly paved but with some gravel sections. There are a few houses along the way, often set back from the road with mature trees in front. The speed limit is around 35 mph, which gives you time to take it all in.

Reaching Willow Grove Park

Willow Grove Park sits on a gentle rise overlooking the surrounding farmland. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park, as well as a couple of shelters that can be reserved for groups. The trails themselves wind through second-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock, with glimpses of water in some sections.

Notes on Filming

The light window here is narrow, especially later in the morning. The best time to film is probably between 8 and 10 am when there’s still some diffused light coming through the canopy.

I used an Insta360 X5 for the moving shots along the roads, and a Fujifilm X-T2 for stills of the park itself. The X5’s FlowState stabilization handled the bumpy gravel sections without issue, and the X-T2’s dynamic range was great for capturing the contrast between the shaded trails and the brighter open areas.

Getting There

From downtown Longview: head east on Allen Street, then south onto Willow Grove Road. The parking area is about 3 miles in on your left. No fee.