Mount St. Helens South: Forest Roads 83 & 81

Area Status: Open

Forest Road 83: This nine-mile, paved road passes through forests, over 2,000 year-old lava flows and across a mudflow created during the 1980 eruption.

From Forest Road 8303, a spur road, visit Trail of Two Forests Interpretive Site or Ape Cave. Continuing driving on 83 to access June Lake Trail, Lahar Viewpoint (the only clear view of the mountain’s south side from the road), Ape Canyon Trail and Lava Canyon Interpretive Site. See Mount St. Helens Map.

Forest Road 81: This mostly paved but several miles of gravel, rough road transports you through less traveled parts of the Monument. Spur Road 830 ends at Climber’s Bivouac Trailhead, the start of the summer climbing route. The road winds west to Red Rock Pass, Blue Lake Trailhead, and Kalama Horse Camp Campground, eventually connecting back with Highway 503.

View a Mount St. Helens Map. (.pdf)

Accessible Adventures Video:

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	06/26/2023 Forest Road 83 is open to Lava Canyon Forest Road 81 is open in its entirety Forest Road 81-830 to Climber's Bivouac is open
Fees:	$5/vehicle/day or valid Recreation Pass required at developed recreation sites. See Mount St. Helens Map for fee and payment sites. Dec. 1 through March 30: Washington State Sno-Park Permit required for Sno-Park use.
Permit Info:	December 1 to March 30: Washington State Sno-Park Permit required at Sno-Parks and not available on-site. Purchase permit online or from a vendor. Climbing Permits are required year-round above 4,800 ft. on the slopes of Mount St. Helens. See Mount St. Helens Summit information.
Usage:	Medium-Heavy
Best Season:	Summer - Fall
Busiest Season:	Summer
Restrictions:	Climbing Permits are by advance reservation only from April 1st thru October 31st. A climbing quota is in effect of 110 climbers per day May 15th thru October 31st. No parking allowed on Forest Road 83.
Closest Towns:	Cougar, WA
Water:	No
Restroom:	Ape Cave,Lava Canyon and Climbers Bivouac
Information Center:	Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative Headquarters (360) 449-7800 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Offices/Visitor Centers

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

Viewing Wildlife

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:

Viewing Plants

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:

Viewing Scenery

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:

Visitor Programs

Recreation areas with activity Visitor Programs:

Interpretive Areas

Recreation areas with activity Interpretive Areas:

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

Recreation areas with activity XC Skiing/Snowshoeing:

Snowmobiling

Recreation areas with activity Snowmobiling:

Go to our Winter Sports page to find Sno-Park information.

NOTE: The area north of Mount St. Helens (within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument) is a Restricted Area. It includes the crater, pumice plain to the north and the Spirit Lake basin. The area is closed to the public in order to provide for the recovery of the land and to avoid disturbance of scientific studies. For more information contact the Monument headquarters.

Violations of 36 CFR 261 may result in confiscation of equipment, fines up to $5,000.00, and/or six months in jail.