Volunteer on the Volcano!

So much of what visitors to Mount St. Helens enjoy is made possible through the outstanding work of dedicated volunteers.  Volunteers are actively engaged in a wide range of activities that benefit the visiting public and further stewardship of our national public lands. No matter your age, ability, interest, or availability, there's an opportunity for you!  Visit the links below for more information on the different volunteer opportunities on Mount St. Helens.

Become a Volunteer at Mount St Helens!

U.S. Forest Service

• Campground or Recreation Site Host: Spend all or part of a summer living at a recreation site or campground to assist in taking care of the site and providing information to the public.
• Adopt-A-Trail: Make a long term commitment to maintain a trail.
• Clean Forest Friends: Help with trash pickup along trails, scenic viewpoints, and high-use areas. 
• Special Events: Help with the annual Fish Derby to introduce kids to fishing, National Trails Day, National Public Lands Day, & other special events.

Mount St. Helens Institute

Learn more about the following volunteer opportunities on the MSHI website

• Mountain Stewards: Hike, climb, and help make the outdoors a safe and enjoyable experience for all who adventure. 
• Volcano Volunteers: Help visitors from around the world learn about the history, geology, and ecology of Mount St. Helens. 
• Conservation Corps: Become a steward and maintain the trails and visitor spaces of Mount St. Helens. This volunteer program is made possible through a partnership with the Washington Trails Association.
• Education Volunteer: Teach both students and teachers in an outdoor environment where the volcano is the classroom, or bring the outdoors inside and present lessons on volcanology in Washington and Oregon. 
• Event Volunteers: Lead activities and volunteer for one-day events on and off the mountain, including our Summer on the Mountain series at the Science & Learning Center. 

Washington Trails Association (WTA)

Learn more about the following volunteer opportunities on the WTA website.

• Day Trail Work Parties: Volunteer with WTA for a fun and rewarding way to give back to the places you love to hike. Trails across Washington need our help more than ever. 

• Back Country Response Teams: Experienced backpacker? Consider joining us on a 3-5 day trail maintenance trip for a more remote trail in need of some repair. 
• Volunteer Vacations: Come spend a week camping and getting important work done on backcountry trails. We'll bring the food and fun. 
• Youth Volunteer Vacations: High school students ages 14-18 join WTA for a week on the trail during a Youth Vacation. Learn about the world of building and maintaining hiking trails. 

Volcano Rescue Team (VRT)

Learn more about the following volunteer opportunities on the VRT website.

• Volunteer Search and Rescue team works in Gifford Pinchot National Forest under the guidance and support of North Country Emergency Medical Service.

Back Country Horsemen of Washington, Mount St. Helens Chapter

Learn more about the following volunteer opportunities on the Mount St Helens Chapter of BCH website.

• Trail construction and maintenance focused on horse accessible trails and Kalama campground maintenance. 

Get Involved!

Please download this document for a full listing of volunteer activities: Volunteer at Mount St. Helens Volcanic Monument (.pdf)