​​​​​​​​Ryderwood, Washington has been a "Planned Community for Retired Persons in the Foothills of Western Washington" since 1953 - likely the country's oldest retirement community. Located about halfway between Portland and Seattle in the northwest corner of Cowlitz County, the  I-5 Exit #59 is marked "SR 506 / Vader / Ryderwood". SR 506 meanders west for 9 miles through Vader and Lewis County before arriving at the "Village in the Woods".  (See TRAVEL NOTE.) ​


The Ryderwood Improvement & Service Association, Inc. (RISA) is the association of homeowners that manages and maintains the retirement community. Community properties include the Community Hall, Library, and 2 parks. The community also boasts a Coffee Shop/Cafe and a beautiful non-denominational church. 


Zillow, Redfin and Trulia are sources for properties currently for sale. Maruta Hiegel is a Windermere Realtor who lives in Ryderwood.


Learn more about life in the retirement community of Ryderwood on these pages:​​

Unless otherwise noted, all photos on this page are in the RHP Private Collection.

Ryderwood Street Scenes

Ryderwood Improvement & Service Association

305 Morse Street; P. O. Box 143; Ryderwood, WA 98581
T: 360-295-3651​; F: 360-295-3690; RISARyderwood@outlook.com 

The Town With Two Histories

But Ryderwood's history dates back 30 more years to another historic era and life. The majority of the homes and buildings in the town were built in 1923-26 by the Long-Bell Lumber Co. It was the "World's Largest Logging Town" and the first time a town for loggers and their families had been built from the ground up.


Learn more about Ryderwood's logging history on these pages:

TRAVEL NOTE: Exit #59 is closed. Follow detour on I-5 or come through Winlock if coming from north and up Westside Hwy. if driving from the south.​

Welcome to Ryderwood, WA 98581​

The Village in the Woods

​​​​​​​​COVID-19 NOTICE: Ryderwood is practicing social distancing and recommends the same for all. Until further notice, Community buildings are closed, group activities are curtailed  and Cafe meals are all take out. (Call 360-295-4005)