Photo by Steven Baltakatei Sandoval, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
About Chelatchie Prairie Railroad
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad runs a heritage excursion through north Clark County, Washington, departing Yacolt and traveling west to Lucia Falls before returning. The route threads historic logging country, crosses a trestle over the East Fork Lewis River, and pauses for a half‑hour at Moulton Falls Regional Park.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- WA
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ 323 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Chelatchie Prairie Railroad. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Parking
- Free lot
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: ClosedFriday: ClosedSaturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PMSunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad runs heritage excursions from Yacolt, Washington, to Lucia Falls, pausing for about thirty minutes at Moulton Falls Regional Park before crossing the East Fork Lewis River on a trestle and returning to Yacolt. The trains are pulled by an Alco S‑2 diesel that previously belonged to the Los Angeles Junction Railway, and they include a former Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway Pullman car, an open‑air car, and one or two Burlington Northern‑heritage cupola cabooses that give passengers a forward‑facing view when the train runs in reverse. The railroad also owns a 2‑8‑2T steam locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company for the Hammond Lumber Company, currently displayed as Crossett Western #10 and awaiting overhaul, along with several stored Alco S‑1, S‑2 and S‑4 diesel units.
History
See full history
Construction of the line begins in 1888 as the Vancouver, Klickitat & Yakima Railroad, a venture led by L. M. Hidden, but the company declares bankruptcy in 1897 after reaching only Brush Prairie, Washington. By 1903 the track extends to Yacolt and the railroad is sold to the Northern Pacific Railway, which initiates daily passenger service and supports the region’s timber freight. Harbor Plywood pushes the line northeast to Chelatchie in 1948, and the International Paper Company builds a mill there in 1960 that the railroad serves until the mill closes in 1979. Investors acquire the line in 1981 with plans to abandon and dismantle it, but Clark County, Washington purchases the right‑of‑way and leases it to the Lewis and Clark Railway shortly thereafter. Since 2004 Clark County has leased the remaining trackage to the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad, which operates it today under the Portland Vancouver Junction Railway for freight and heritage excursions.
Around the Depot
Washington's Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is within reach of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation about 23 mi off and the Willamette Shore Trolley roughly 33 mi away.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities Nearby
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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