Mt. St. Helens

The basics

The mountain is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington state. The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument preserves its forests, meadows, glaciers, and crater rim. The drive toward the crater is beautiful, and Mt. St. Helens visitor centers educate you about the blast and the area's recovery. Visitors can pick from among numerous hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging. You can also climb Mt. St. Helens via the Monitor Ridge Climbing Route from Climbers Bivouac. 

Most full-day Mt. St. Helens tours from Seattle visit the blast site and the Johnston Ridge Observatory and a walk along Eruption Trail. Some also include a gourmet picnic.

Things to know before you go

• Visiting Mt. St. Helens will enthrall a range of travelers, including families with young children, serious hikers, photographers, and geology buffs.

• Mt. St. Helens tickets are not required, and admission to the monument is free. However, you'll need to obtain a Mt. St. Helens climbing permit if you want to climb Mt. St. Helens.

• Wear layered clothing, as alpine weather can change quickly. The Pacific Northwest is often rainy, so a raincoat is advisable.

• Mt. St. Helens' visitor centers are easily accessible by car. Visitor centers have restrooms, helpful staff, and gift shops.

How to get there

Mt. St. Helens is located 96 miles (154 kilometers) south of Seattle and 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Portland. Take I-5 to the Castle Rock exit (Highway 504). This will take you to the Monument Visitor Centers and the Johnston Ridge Observatory.

When to get there

Mt. St. Helens and the surrounding area see significant snowfall in winter; summer is the best time to visit. The visitor centers close seasonally during winter and reopen during late spring. The area is busiest on weekends in July and August; to avoid crowds, visit on a weekday.

Best hikes around Mt. St. Helens

To view the blast zone, walk the Hummocks Trail, a flat 2.3-mile (3.7-kilometer) round-trip hike. For a longer stroll with crater views, trek the 8-mile (13-kilometer) Harry's Ridge trail near Johnston Ridge Observatory. 

Duck into Ape Caves, eerie lava tubes on the mountain's southern flank. A 10-mile (16-kilometer) adventure, requiring knowledge of alpine environments and snow travel, brings you to the peak. Obtain a permit through the Forest Learning Center located off Highway 504.

Do you need a reservation for Mt. St. Helens?

No, you don't need a reservation, but you do need a climbing permit to climb Mt. St. Helens. Some areas, like the Westside's Johnston Ridge Observatory and the visitor center at Silver Lake, require a fee. Washington state parks mandate that vehicles have a National Forest Recreation Pass.

How many days do you need at Mt. St. Helens?

One day allows visitors to drive the scenic Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, visit the blast zone, explore Johnston Ridge Observatory, and walk Eruption Trail. However, a few more days lets you experience other sides of the mountain, such as the southside Trail of Two Forests and Ape Cave (reservations required).

What should I wear to Mt. St. Helens?

Layers are a crucial component to any visit to Mt. St. Helens, even in summer, which can bring serious heat. There is little shade surrounding the blast zone and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Weather can change quickly and temperatures are cooler at high elevations. In winter, expect snow and freezing temps.

Can you drive around Mt. St. Helens?

No, you can't drive around Mt. St. Helens itself. Technically you can drive a circle around the area, although some National Forest roads are seasonal and other roads are very far from the mountain. The 52-mile (84-kilometer) in-and-out Spirit Lake Memorial Highway to the blast zone is the usual approach.

What is the best way to tour Mt. St. Helens?

The most popular way to experience Mt. St. Helens is to take the scenic 52-mile (84-kilometer) drive along Highway 504 to the blast zone. Here you can see the devastation of the 1980 eruption, explore Johnston Ridge Observatory, and walk Eruption Trail. Longer day hikes further showcase the area's scenery.

Is there parking at Mt. St. Helens?

The Johnston Ridge Observatory—at the heart of the Mt. St. Helens blast zone—has a large parking lot. With most of its large trees decimated in the 1980 eruption, there is little shade in the lot and surrounding area. For this reason, it is suggested that pets be left at home.

Ways to explore

Hiking trails and scenic drives loop around Mount St. Helens, affording magnificent views of the volcano and the surrounding Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Head to one of the visitor centers to learn more about the blast and the lasting effects on the area’s nature and wildlife, then enjoy crater views from the Johnston Ridge Observatory (temporarily closed until 2027 due to a landslide) or explore a natural lava tube at Ape Cave.

Full-day tours from Seattle or Portland often include guided walks, but for unbeatable views, take a small-plane flight over the crater or join a guided climb to the summit.

Accessibility

Some trails, campsites, and viewpoints at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument are accessible for wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Your National Forest Recreation Pass, backpack, water, lunch and snacks, camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat, paper maps

What to wear

Layered outdoor clothing, a warm fleece, hiking boots

Not allowed

Permits are required for climbing and mountaineering above 4,800 feet (1,460 meters); dogs must be leashed.

Amenities

Visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms, gift shops

Address 

Mt. St. Helens Science and Learning Center is 147 miles (237 kilometers) south of Seattle, while Lahar Viewpoint is 190 miles (306 kilometers) south. From Portland, it's 100 miles (160 kilometers) or 75 miles (120 kilometers) north, respectively. Access points include the north side's Science and Learning Center. Eastside access is via Spirit Lake and Windy Ridge. Ape Cave, Lava Canyon, and Lahar Viewpoint are to the south.

Driving

The most popular route is to the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and the Johnston Ridge Observatory (currently not accessible). From Seattle, head southbound on I-5 to the Castle Rock exit (Highway 504), about a 3-hour drive. From Portland, head northbound on I-5 to the same exit, about a 2-hour drive.

Public transportation

There’s no public transportation to Mt. St. Helens; take a tour with transportation, instead.

Best times to visit

Climbs up the crater typically set out in the early morning hours to reach the summit by sunrise. Even if you just want to look, arrive early to snag a parking spot at popular trailheads and viewpoints.

Best days to visit

Mt. St. Helens and the surrounding areas can get busy, especially in peak season (July and August) and over holiday weekends. Visit midweek, outside peak season, for the best chance of beating the crowds.

Best months to visit

The best time to visit the park is from May through October, when the weather is ideal for hiking and climbing, and seasonal attractions such as Ape Cave are open. The changing foliage renders the landscapes even more photogenic in fall.