Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

PLEASE NOTE: We are in the process of updating the links to the forest web pages. Please check with the local forest for the most up-to-date status of each recreational area. Your national forests and grasslands are 193 million acres of vast, scenic beauty waiting for you to discover. Over 3 million acres of land located in 22 National Recreation Areas managed by the Forest Service is preserved for recreational activities like hiking, boating, fishing and swimming, while highlighting natural, cultural and scenic resources. Visitors who choose to recreate on these public lands find 164,000 miles of trails, over 30,000 recreation sites, over 5,000 miles of streams and 3 million acres of lakes, 127 alpine ski areas, 338,000 heritage sites, and specially designated sites that include 37 million acres of designated wilderness areas, 130 wild and scenic rivers, 15 monuments, and one preserve. And remember, “It’s All Yours.” Displaying 1 - 25 of 274

Trailhead: Soda Peaks

Provides access to: Soda Peak Lakes Trail #133 and Trapper Creek Wilderness. Parking for approximately 4 vehicles.

Trailhead: Killen Creek

Provides access to: Killen Creek Trail #113 which enters Mt. Adams Wilderness from the north. Parking area has a gravel surface and capacity of eight vehicles.

Trailhead: Little Huckleberry

Provides access to: Little Huckleberry Trail #49 which climbs Little Huckleberry Mountain. Parking for 8 vehicles.

Site: Lower Falls Day Use

Located on the Lewis River in the Lower Falls Campground this day use area is near the Lower Lewis Falls and within the within the Lewis River Recreation Area. A flat, paved parking area accesses rolling paved and dirt trails leading to falls…

Trailhead: Muddy Meadows

Provides access to: Muddy Meadows Trail #13 which enters Mt. Adams Wilderness from the north.Panoramic views of Mt. Adams and sub-alpine meadows along trail. Parking for 6 vehicles. Alert: Access to this trailhead is down a narrow…

Campground: North Fork Group Campsites

Three separate group sites offer secluded camping with gated access within North Fork Campground.   The Bear site has room for 8 cars or 6 RV’s and a maximum of 35 people. The…

Trailhead: Observation Peak

Provides  access to: Observation Trail #132 which enters Trapper Creek Wilderness and links up with several trails such as Observation Peak Trail #132A.  Parking…

Trailhead: Packwood Lake

Provides access to: Packwood Lake Trail #78 Trailhead is on Forest Road 1260 where Packwood Lake Trail No. 78 heads off for the Goat Rocks Wilderness. DO NOT follow alternate routes provided by your phone or navigation device. 

Campground: Peterson Prairie Group Camp

Peterson Prairie Group Camp is located within Peterson Prairie Campground.  The Group Camp can accommodate large or small groups in a large informal space. It is popular during the fall huckleberry season.

Trailhead: Pine-Way

Provides access to: Pineway Trail #71. Parking for 2 vehicles.

Trailhead: Salt Creek

Provides access to: Salt Creek Trail #75 which enters Mt. Adams Wilderness from the southwest. Parking for 4 vehicles.

Trailhead: Siouxon

Alert: This trailhead accesses trails within the Big Hollow Fire (2020) burned area. Hikers travel at their own risk. Please review…

Trailhead: Sleeping Beauty

Provides access to: Sleeping Beauty Peak Trail #37 Parking for 3 vehicles.  Limited turn-around space.

Trailhead: Snipes Mountain

Provides access to: Snipes Mountain Trail #11. Parking for 4 vehicles.  

Bear Meadow Interpretive Site

On May 18, 1980, Gary Rosenquist was camped at this site and took a series of photos capturing the first few moments of the landslide and eruption, barely escaping with his life. The site offers a volcano view, interpretive information and accessible picnic area and restroom. Boundary Trail #1 may be accessed from here. Accessible Adventures Video

Trailhead: Trapper Creek

Provides access to: Trapper Creek Trail #192.1 and the south end of Dry Creek Trail #194. Both trails enter Trapper Creek Wilderness from the southeast…

Castle Lake Viewpoint Observation Site

Views of Mount St. Helens, Castle Lake, and the landslide debris deposit from the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. There are benches, interpretive signs, ample parking, and a short trail available.  

Miners Car Interpretive Site

View the sobering remains of a Pontiac Grand Prix pummeled and thrown by the 1980 lateral blast. The owners parked it and walked about a mile to a cabin near Black Rock Mine, and did not survive the blast. For information about accessible recreation opportunities in Pacific Northwest National Forests, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r6/…

Site: Smith Creek Picnic and Viewpoint Area

The Smith Creek Viewpoint offers a lovely view of Smith Creek and is overall a very pleasant place to have a picnic. Picnic tables available.

Ape Cave Interpretive Site

During the winter from November 1 to May 17, the area is closed to the public, and there is no access allowed without prior authorization, as per 36 CFR 261.53 (b). Access to Ape Cave and Ape Cave Trail #239 is only possible during the open season from May 18 to October 31.  Explore a chilly, pitch-black lava tube over two miles long. A short, paved, accessible trail beneath towering trees leads to a…

Site: Coldwater Lake Picnic and Boating Area

Coldwater Lake Recreation Area is located 45 miles east of Castle Rock in the heart of the blast zone near the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Experience the effect the May 18, 1980 eruption had on the Coldwater Valley…