Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Trail #239 Ape Cave

Area Status: Open

The above-ground Ape Cave Trail #239 provides an easy return route, except during the winter season, to the main entrance and Ape's Headquarters after hiking the upper cave route. The cave is a popular visitor attraction, with many thousands of visitors annually. Trail is 1.5 miles long.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	06/24/2024: Ape Cave is open for the season and timed reservations are required during the summer season, and must displayed on your vehicle dash. Timed Reservation tickets are available at recreation.gov. During the winter, it is illegal to enter Ape Cave without authorization, 36 CFR 261.53 (b).
Reservations:	Reservations must be made in advance at recreation.gov from May 18 to October 31. Timed Reservations are available starting April 15th
Fees:	$5/vehicle/day or valid Recreation Pass required at Ape Cave Interpretive Site. Fee tube for payment available on-site. See Mount St. Helens Map for fee and payment sites. Dec. 1 to April 30: Washington State Sno-Park Permit required (see Permit Information section)
Permit Info:	Dec 1 to April 30: A Washington State Sno-Park permit required at Trail of Two Forests Sno-Park, the winter parking for Ape Cave. Permits not available on-site. Purchase online or from a vendor. No other permit required during that time.
Usage:	Medium-Heavy
Best Season:	Summer
Busiest Season:	Summer
Restrictions:	In order to protect the fragile cave environment, the following are prohibited inside Ape Cave: Pets Food or Drinks (except water) Alcohol Fireworks Fires Camping Smoking If visiting the cave, please leave pets at home. Hot summer temperatures can be deadly for pets left in cars. No shade in parking lot.
Closest Towns:	Cougar, WA
Water:	No
Restroom:	Vault Toilets
Operated By:	Forest Service
Information Center:	Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative Headquarters (360) 449-7800 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Offices/Visitor Centers

General Information

Directions:

From Cougar, WA drive east on Forest Road 90. Then just 1 mile beyond the Swift Dam turn left (north) onto Forest Road 83. Drive 2 miles on Forest Road 83 and turn left onto Forest Road 8303. Continue for 1 mile on Forest Road 8303 to the trailhead on the right.

Note: To protect big game habitat, Forest Road 8303 is closed to motorized use during the winter months. Plan to park at the Trail of Two Forests Trailhead and hike or snowshoe the 1 mile to the cave in winter.

Activities

Day Hiking

General Info:

Seasonal Information

Year-round

Caving

The lower cave is the more popular route with its fairly level, mudflow-covered floor. Highlights include “railroad tracks” and the "meatball." Allow at least an hour to complete the 1.6-mile round trip.

The upper cave travels over large rock piles and requires scaling of an 8-foot lava fall. Two-thirds of the way up you will pass beneath The Skylight, an opening to the surface. Do not try to climb out; this is NOT an exit. The upper exit is only 0.25 mile ahead. The upper cave is not recommended for small children.

Allow 2.5 hours for travel through the upper cave to Ape Cave Trail #239. The above ground Ape Cave Trail #239 provides an easy return route to the main entrance and Apes’ Headquarters.