Meta Lake Interpretive Site

This site provides access to the short, paved Meta Lake Trail #210 that leads to a clear blue lake teeming with life. During July you may see swarms of squirming tadpoles along the lakeshore on their journey to adulthood.

Please note: This site is inaccessible much of the year due to weather conditions.

Accessible Adventures Video: Mount St. Helens East Side Attractions

Vault toilets are available nearby Cascade Peaks Interpretive Site.

Current Conditions

6/20/2025: Due to a landslide of Forest Road 25, Randle and Forest Road 99 will be inaccessible via northbound travel from Cougar. See Active Alerts section below for additional information.

Meta Lake

Active Alerts

Road Closure: Huffaker Bridge Repair on Forest Road 25

Forest Road 25 Remains Closed as Through-Route Due to Significant Slide

General Information

Day use only; no overnight camping allowed

Recreation Passes honored: Digital Day Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, and Interagency Recreation Passes.

Off trail travel prohibited.
Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
No stock or bicycles.
Day-use only.
No camping or swimming is allowed at Meta Lake.

Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
$30 per annual

Day use fee payment options: Cash, Check, Scan & Pay or a valid Recreation Pass.

*Suggestion: Download the recreation.gov app before your trip to have the ability to scan & pay digitally on-site.

Contact Name: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Contact Phone: 360-449-7800

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.29597

Longitude: -122.077136

Elevation

3620

Directions

From Cougar WA take Lewis River Road east for 2.8 miles. The road then changes to Forest Road 90. Continue on Forest Road 90 for 16 miles and stay to the left on Forest Road 25, pass the Pine Creek Information Center. Drive Forest Road 25 for 25 miles to the junction of Forest Road 99. Turn left onto Forest Road 99 towards Windy Ridge. Drive approximately 9.4 miles to Meta Lake Interpretive Site.