Mount St. Helens area

Area Status: Open
This area is Open
 

Visit Mount St. Helens from any direction!

Mount St. Helens from Hwy 504

Mount St. Helens West Side

From I-5, drive into the heart of the blast zone. Spectacular crater views, visitor centers, picnic areas and hikes await. Most of the road is plowed in winter.

Mount St. Helens from Forest Road 99

Mount St. Helens East Side

This summer and fall route offers views of the crater and Spirit Lake, interpretive sites, and easy or rugged hiking. Join an interpretive talk at Windy Ridge Viewpoint in summer.

Mount St. Helens South Side

Mount St. Helens South Side

Lava flows, waterfalls, caves, and lush forest abound. Plenty of year-round recreation options.

 Mt. Margaret Backcountry

Mt. Margaret Backcountry

Rugged, steep trails and amazing landscapes typify the Mt. Margaret Backcountry. Permits required for overnight camping.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: 11/13/2020: Snow has arrived at higher elevations. Be prepared for winter weather, snow and ice on the roads.
  • State Route 504 open to Johnston Ridge, although the Observatory is closed.
  • Forest Road 83 open.
  • Forest Road 830 to Climber's Bivouac closed for the winter.
  • Forest Road 81 impassable due to snow.
  • Forest Road 99 to Windy Ridge gated for the winter just past Wakepish Sno-Park.
  • Forest Roads 26 gated for the winter at the 2612 junction.
Operational Hours:
  • Johnston Ridge Observatory is closed for the winter season. Will reopen in May, 2021.
  • Coldwater Science & Learning Center open weekends only, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are required to enter the building.
  • Ape Headquarters closed. Ape Cave temporarily closed.
  • Pine Creek Info Station closed for the 2020 season. Should reopen in summer, 2021.
  • Cascade Peaks Information Station (Forest Road 99) closed.
  • Mount St. Helens Monument Administrative Headquarters remains closed to the public. For information, call 360 690-5231.
Fees
Permit Info:
  • Washington State Sno-Park Permits required at Trail of Two Forests, Cougar and Marble Mountain Sno-Park  Dec. 1 through March 31. Permits are NOT available on-site. Purchase on-line or find a vendor.
  • Climbing Mount St. Helens requires a permit.
  • Camping in the Mount Margaret Backcountry requires a permit.
Passes:
  • America the Beautiful or Northwest Forest Passes accepted.
  • Johnston Ridge Observatory currently requires no passes or entry fee.
Information Center:

Activities


Bicycling

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Camping & Cabins

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Climbing

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Hiking

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Hunting

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Other Activities

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Areas & Activities

Highlights

Location

 
  Latitude : 
45.9132

  Longitude : 
-122.4470

 



https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=34143