ZACH AND EMILY MCCARTY are the new owners of Eagle Cliff Store and Campground near Mount St. Helens, which opened April 15. They've made several renovations to the store and cabins.
FOUR RENTAL CABINS each sleep up to four adults. Cabin rental begins in mid-May.
Woodland native Zach McCarty grew up in true Northwest style by fishing area rivers, bow hunting and hiking all over Southwest Washington. His wife, Emily, lived in a teepee in Montana one summer while learning about animal tracking, plants, and how to make fires.
Given their love of the outdoors, it’s only fitting that their first venture into business ownership celebrates the lifestyle they’ve long practiced. The McCartys purchased the Eagle Cliff Store and Campground last November and were busy improving the property prior to its April 15 opening.
“We were looking for land up here and noticed this was for sale,” Zach said. “We’d been looking for business opportunities for several years.”
Eagle Cliff Store and Campground is located about 20 miles past Cougar on National Forest Road 90. It’s about one-tenth mile from a bridge over the Lewis River, which offers campers a good view of the water and surrounding countryside.
Those who’ve stayed at Eagle Cliff in the past will notice big changes to exteriors of the four rental cabins. The couple put in new windows, doors, siding and metal roofs. The cabins also will have hot water, something not available in past years.
The campground has been changed, too. It used to have 30 spaces for RVs and tents, but the new owners have redesigned things so there are 15 much larger campsites. They’re making improvements to the store as well, and plan to carry such items as canned goods, produce, ice cream, beer, wine, ice and more.
“We’ll have all the essentials, plus goodies,” Zach said.
“We don’t want to change it too much,” Emily said. “We don’t want people to think they’re in 7-Eleven."
She’s 34 and he’s 39. Emily explained that they feel it’s the right time in their lives to become business owners. She hopes visitors will be attracted by the chance to “hang out here and enjoy nature.”
Emily explained that she’s always been drawn to the outdoors and the peacefulness it provides.
“I feel I’m close to God when I’m in nature,” she said. “It’s spiritual.”
She emphasized that Eagle Cliff is close to such attractions as waterfalls, an old growth cedar forest, and the Ape Caves. “It’s like a big playground,” Emily said.
Although the campground and store opened this week, the four cabins won’t be ready to rent until mid-May. The McCartys plan to keep everything open through hunting season and possibly a little later if the weather stays good. They’ll have a caretaker on the premises during the winter and will likely offer the rental cabins to snowmobilers or other winter recreationists.
The McCarty family includes sons Cedar, 7, and Chase, 4. Everyone will live on-site during the summer, giving the boys a chance to acquire the same love of the outdoors that their parents have.
More information is available on Eagle Cliff’s website at www.eaglecliffcamp.com. Reservations may be made online.
