Mount St. Helens area

Area Status: Open

Visit Mount St. Helens area from any direction!

MAP: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (.pdf)

Mount St. Helens West

From I-5, drive into the heart of the blast zone. Spectacular crater views, visitor centers, picnic areas and hikes await.

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Mount St. Helens East

This summer and fall route offers views of the crater and Spirit Lake, interpretive sites, and easy or rugged hiking.

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Mount St. Helens South

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

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Mount Margaret Backcountry

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

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At a Glance

Current Conditions:	06/07/2023 Both lanes of State Route 504 have been blocked by a significant landslide in the vicinity of Coldwater Lake near milepost 51. There is no estimated time of reopening for the road or for Johnston Ridge Observatory. Updates will be made as they are available. Forest Road 83: Forest Road 83 is open to Marble Mountain Sno-Park. Forest Road 81 is open to Kalama Horse Camp, expect snow and ice at higher elevations. Forest Road 81-830 to Climber's Bivouac is closed due to snow. Forest Road 25: Due to a significant landslide at milepost (MP) 26, Forest Road 25 will be closed as a through-route until further notice. The road is currently closed at the seasonal gates due to snow. The closure will shift as snow melts. Those wanting to access Forest Road 99 to Windy Ridge will be able to do so from Randle, once snow melts in July. Randle and Forest Road 99 will be inaccessible from Cougar this summer. Learn more. Forest Road 99 to Windy Ridge closed due to snow. Forest Road 26 is closed due to snow.
Operational Hours:	View current office hours
Reservations:	Teachers Corner: Field trips to Mount St. Helens start here
Fees:	$5/vehicle/day at developed recreation sites or valid pass. See Mount St. Helens Map for fee and payment sites. Johnston Ridge Observatory: $8 per person
Permit Info:	Washington State Sno-Park Permits required at Trail of Two Forests, Cougar and Marble Mountain Sno-Parks Dec. 1 through March 31. Permits are NOT available on-site. Purchase on-line or find a vendor. Climbing Mount St. Helens requires a climbing permit. Camping in the Mount Margaret Backcountry requires a backcountry permit.
Information Center:	Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative Headquarters (360) 449-7800 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Offices/Visitor Centers

General Information

Directions:

Johnston Ridge Observatory: From Castle Rock, WA take State Route 504 east for 52 miles to Johnston Ridge Observatory at the end of State Route 504.

Windy Ridge Interpretive Site: From Randle, WA travel south on State Route (SR) 131 until the road forks (1 mile). Stay to the right on State Route 131 which becomes Forest Road 25. Travel south on Forest Road 25 for 19 miles to Forest Road 99. Turn right on Forest Road 99 and drive 16 miles until it terminates at Windy Ridge.

Vicinity map showing key site locations: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (.pdf)

General Notes:

Mount St. Helens 1980 Eruption & Aftermath

On the morning of May 18, 1980, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered the collapse of the summit and north flank of Mount St. Helens and formed the largest landslide in recorded history. In 1982 Congress designated the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The following decades have offered insight into the biological recovery of ravaged landscapes.

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Activities

Mountain Biking

Areas for Mountain Biking at Mount St. Helens area

Campground Camping

Areas for Campground Camping at Mount St. Helens area

Mountain Climbing

Mount St Helens Rim Climb and explore one of the best lunch spots in the Northwest, but, you will have to work for it! A 4 to 6 hour climb up will reward you with spectacular panoramic views from the rim of Mount St. Helens. On a clear day you can see Spirit Lake, the crater, Mount Rainer, Mount Adams and Mount Hood.