Heart of Cougar, a 12+ bed retreat in the heart of Cougar, WA. Enjoy year-round outdoor recreation within minutes and relax with family and friends at this cozy home's full basement REC room featuring pool table, poker table, foosball & more. Take a short walk to Yale Lake/Cougar Park or unwind by the unique Mt St Helens-shaped fire pit.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 20
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
YALE House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat
12+ Beds Heart of Cougar. Great location / Accommodations for large family/Group. In the heart of Cougar WA. Previously Monfort's BNB. Central to the best variety of year round recreation the PNW has to offer. From the comforts of this cozy retreat access all your favorite outdoor recreational activities within minutes. If you want to do it…. This is where to find it! Walking distance to Bar & Grill, stores and Yale Lake / Cougar Park. Full basement REC room. Pool table, poker table, foosball, darts, Hoops, Ring Toss, and more. Best Fire Pit you will find. shaped like Mt St Helens
Gifford Pinchot National Forest, there are almost 1,500 miles of trails on the forest open to hiking, biking, ect. Mount St. Helens Nation Volcanic Monument, open for climbing year round and offers some of the most popular snow-parks for snowmobiling/cc-skiing enthusiast. Be sure to visit Lava Canyon! Ape Cave lava tubes (10 miles), which formed about 2,000 years ago and is open year round. Marble Mountain Snopark (4.5 miles) The trip to June Lake is one of the most popular ski tours from the Marble Mountain Snopark. If the snow is good, the skiing is easy. Other skiing and snowshoeing options are available, and the snopark also serves as a base for hiking and climbing trips. Marble Mountain Snopark is the hub for snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers on the southern slopes of Mount St. Helens. Adequate snow cover for skiing can usually be found from December through March most years. The snow at the snopark is seldom very dry and often changeable, so it’s generally best to be riding on no-wax skis. Most days are skiable here if you’re prepared for the conditions. The Falls (34 miles) Lower Lewis River Falls, the Middle Falls, and the Upper Lewis River Falls.
Local Fish Variety of trout, Bull Trout, Dolly Varden, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Silver Salmon, Kokanee, Northern pike minnow, Sculpin & Tiger Muskie, Coastal Cutthroat, Steelhead.
Boat Ramps & Recreation YALE LAKE RESERVOIR Cougar Camp (1 mile), restrooms and showers, parking for 180 vehicles, 15 picnic tables, and a one-lane boat ramp. Beaver Bay (3.5 miles), restrooms and showers, parking for 40 vehicles, 6 picnic tables, and a one-lane boat ramp. Yale Park (2 miles), restrooms, 30 picnic sites, parking for 130 cars and 80 trailers, a four-lane boat ramp and a beach swim area. Saddle Dam (9 miles), restrooms, parking, picnic tables, swimming area and boat launch ramps. LAKE MERWIN Cresap Bay (8.5 miles), restrooms and shower, 20 picnic tables, a two-lane boat ramp and a beach swim area. Speelyai Bay (8.5 miles), restrooms, 25 picnic tables, parking for 250 vehicles, a two-lane boat ramp and a beach swim area. Merwin Park (20 miles), restrooms, 135 picnic tables, parking for 250 vehicles, and a beach swim area. SWIFT DAM RESERVOIR Power Canal (7 miles), parking to fish at canal and two developed recreation facilities at the east end of the reservoir. Swift Forest Camp has restrooms a two-lane boat ramp with parking spaces and a day use beach swim area. Eagle Cliff Park has restroom, parking and is a walk in park with picnic tables and is a cool place with secluded feeling. MERRILL LAKE Merrill Lake Camp (6.5 miles), restrooms, parking, boat launch, catch and release fly fishing.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach loungers
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transport
Car required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Video library
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
2 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
In-room accessibility
Designated smoking areas
Services and conveniences
Phone
Location highlights
In the city centre
In the mountains
On a lake
On a river
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Billiards/pool table
Foosball table
Golf
Kayak
Table tennis
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Hunting nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rafting nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Sledding nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
your pet must be house trained . Your pet must not
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: House trained, never unattended, clean up after
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Cougar, this holiday home is in the city centre and on a river. Ape Caves and Gifford Pinchot National Forest reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Johnston Ridge Observatory and Pomeroy Living History Farm. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and sledging. Visit our Cougar travel guide
Is YALE House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at YALE House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at YALE House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at YALE House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is YALE House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat located?
Located on a river, this family-friendly holiday home is within 12 mi (20 km) of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Ape Caves and Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Ape Cave Lava Tubes is 11.9 mi (19.2 km) away.
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YALE House -Mt St Helens / Yale Lake Retreat Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Stayes there for my brothers bachlor parry with 15 others and had a wonderful time. The house and yard were cleaned and orginized when we showed up. Spent a lot of time in the game basment. Even didbthe ape caves hike
House was clean and well-stocked. The decor in every room was extremely interesting and fun. Small problem getting keypad to work but Troy responded immediately. Beautiful area! We want to come back!!
Fun property. Beds a bit tough for our generation but we worked it all out. Some of us not a big fan of the animals but they were in the pics. Troy made it easy to check in. Great weekend for our women’s group that has been together now for 48 years!
Susan B.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Makenna B.
9 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Check-in, communication
Birthday Weekend
A great house in a beautiful location. The game room was perfect for our group and we really enjoyed using the kitchen space as well. Unfortunately Cougar Park was closed while we were there but Yale Park was a nice place to go swim.
For the check in process we realized that we were not given the code in advance and when we tried to contact the owner about it he was unreachable through text, phone call, and VRBO messenger. Fortunately some of the neighbors were able to help us or otherwise we would not have been able to get in at all.
Unfortunately there was a burn ban preventing us from using the outdoor fire area so make sure to check the weather before planning to use that. Other than our check in difficulties we really enjoyed the house and our time there.
Wow! Such a gem of a spot! Couldn't ask for better communication and flexibility from Tony! Immediately upon arrival he was already lighting the fire for us, letting us know that we don't have to worry about the noise and to just communicate with him which was such an amazing welcome! The space was clean, but also had an immense amount of character that complemented our New Years vibes. The fire pit was amazing, the grill was a plus, the pool table and the basketball hoop kept us entertained and the cold plunge at the dock kept us sane. The highlight of the weekend were the New Years fireworks that left us all with our jaws on the floor. Yale house was truly special, do not hesitate to book. We all left the weekend hoping we could stay longer. We will be coming back! Thank you so much Tony! You da best:)
Stayed here with 12 people for a bachelor party. Incredibly vibey house with tons of beds and great location– we found the place very clean when we arrived! The firepit is awesome. The lake is beautiful. The hiking around the area is incredible. 10/10 would definitely recommend!
The property itself was beautiful with plenty of things to do and the host, Troy, was so responsive and helpful the entire time, even with some unexpected hiccups. Truly enjoyed ourselves, will definitely be back!
Lots of room for everyone & every amenity necessary. Close to the store, restaurant & many sightseeing destinations. Very clean and very comfortable. Thanks Guys!
Check in was super easy! We ended up having a leak in our roof and Troy was over there within the hour to fix it! The game room was a hit with the entire family! Kids and adults! Yale lake is my favorite place to be so being only a 4 minute drive made the vacation that much better! We are already talking about next summers vacation!
Erynn M.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Jan S.
15 Sept 2025
Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy
The house was very musty. We could not even go to the basement. Would not recommend.
Everything about this place was great! Everyone had a place to sleep and was comfortable. The decor upstairs and downstairs was perfect! Only thing that could be improved would be the BBQ.
One of the two air conditioners was inoperative, so the first evening and day, which were very hot, were somewhat uncomfortable in the house. Other than that, the facility is quite enjoyable, with a great basement and game room.
Thank you Troy and Cody! This layout and space of your home was perfect for the needs of our two families (9 children). We greatly appreciated the outdoor space for eating and the multiple bunkbeds.
We had all items we could need. Made a full Christmas dinner and had up to 8 adults and 4 kids. Everyone had something to do! The Buffalo was a big hit and the dogs couldn’t get passed the kitty cat!!
We had a really great time. The property is located within 2 blocks of the convenience store and walking distance to cougar park. We played at the lake and loved the fireplace and pool table. Thanks again Troy for the wonderful time.
The kids (and some adults) loved the game room. Found out my 13 year old grandson is a pool shark! The location was great for going to Ape Caves, and Yale Lake. We also took a day trip to the Johnston Ridge Observatory in the Mt. St. Helens National Monument. We all enjoyed our stay. The kids had lots of questions about the decor!
Everything from first questions to final good bye was so easy, informative and friendly. This place was an oasis of calm, peacefulness, games and things to do. I am so grateful I found this place and dealt with Troy through the whole experience. Would highly recommend for any type of getaway or get together.
It was unfortunate that weather did not cooperate: it was raining one of the days. But the house offers a lot of activities that made the day even in spite of the rain. Thanks a lot!
Me and my family came here for my 33rd birthday and it was perfect. With 7 kids and all us adults we were never bored. The neighborhood is so quiet and the neighbors are very friendly. The kids got creeped out by the mannequins but the kids had fun naming them. We will definitely be coming back for another family trip soon. Thank you for having us.