Kalama WA (Washington)

Kalama WA is a Columbia River cruise port and town in Cowlitz County (Washington USA), with population around 2,000. The town is part of Longview WA (metro area). On Columbia River cruises, from Kalama is visited (as shore excursion/bus tour) the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument. The volcano is alternatively visited from Rainier OR.

As cruise port, Kalama WA is included in the regular schedule of USA's largest river cruise company - ACL-American Cruise Lines. Next table shows ACL's 9-day itinerary from Portland OR to Clarkston WA.

This ACL cruisetour's prices start from ~USD 7200 per person (double-occupancy outside cabin rates).

The town can be accessed via highway I-5 highway (exits 27, 30 and 32). The Portland-Seattle cargo railway parallels the highway (to the west) all the way through Kalama. Among the most notable buildings is the 1908-opened Montgomery House Bed and Breakfast (2-story, single-family haunted house). In 2009, the house was featured in the "Montgomery House: The Perfect Haunting" documentary by the psychic / medium Danielle Egnew.

The settlement was founded in 1853 and in 1871 was unofficially incorporated and named by John Wilson Sprague (1817-93, US general and Northern Pacific railroad executive). In the period 1872-1922, Kalama was the Cowlitz County's seat and the northern terminus of a Northern Pacific Railway ferry line (3-track, across Columbia River) starting from Goble OR.

The freight train traffic hugely increased after the completion of several major rail bridges in Portland OR. Northern Pacific (transcontinental railroad, operational between 1864-1970) operated across the western USA, linking Minnesota to the Pacific Northwest. From Kalama WA, the railroad system was expanded to Commencement Bay (Tacoma WA) via Puget Sound. The railroad ferry service was operated for 25 years and had daily capacity 12 passenger wagons (or 27 cargo wagons).

On April 15, 2022, Port Kalama received its first cruise ship call after the pause due to the COVID crisis. On the same day was also officially inaugurated the new dock built via partnership with ACL.

• In the USD 3,5 million project, the company invested USD 1 million, in exchange for preferential berthing rights.
• Before 2022, ACL vessels anchored at Ahles Point's beach (approx 0,5 mi from the Marine Park). The new dock now allows the ships to stay overnight, allowing the tourists to enjoy longer shore excursions and in-town activities.
• The project also included improvements to the walkways (around the Marine Park), widening the areas for emergency vehicles, expanding the path between Louis Rasmussen Park and the Amphitheater, building a new path (around the Marine Park) accessing the new Mountain Timber Market.
• The Mountain Timber Market project (2022-2023) is budgeted USD 14 million. The building's first floor houses a courtyard, a distillery, 24 vendor stalls and 11 stores, while the second floor has accommodations/lodging, restaurant, conference room.