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Welcome to the home of LMTravel Executive. We have a range of executive vehicles, to cater for your every transport need. Providing the best customer service and the most competitive rates in the area, LMTravel Executive is the clear choice for your next car, minibus, and wheelchair access or coach trip. Get in touch through our online form and we will provide you with a bespoke quote. Matching with our luxury executive vehicles we boast experienced drivers, with many years’ experience in providing friendly and professional service.

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Mt. st. helens scenic daytrip itinerary in washington state.

The volcanic eruption of Mt St Helens in 1980 became the most devastating in U.S. history.   A Mt St Helens daytrip inspires, with the power and renewal of nature.  Getting the most out of a daytrip requires planning, as Mt St Helens Volcanic National Monument is massive with 3 main sections: West, South and East.  For most visitors the west section is the best for first timers.  Here, I explain why and what to do if you only have one day at Mt St Helens National Monument. 

Mt St Helens is located in southwest Washington and part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a section of the Pacific Ring of Fire.  It lies just 50 miles south of Mount Rainier and 33 miles west of Mount Adams.  Its eruption on May 18, 1980 is one of the largest volcanic explosions in the history of North America.  The active stratovolcano stands at 8,366 feet high, with its crater blown out of the north face.

Mount St Helens Daytrip at West Side

Directions:   Take State Route 504 eastward 52 miles from Castle Rock on Interstate 5.   The main highlights of the west side are along Highway 504.  The Johnston Ridge Observatory is at the end of the 504 about an hour’s drive from Castle Rock.

Overall, the west side is the heart of the blast zone with these main sites: Mt St Helens Visitors Center, Johnston Ridge Observatory, Eruption Trail, Harry’s Ridge Trail, Coldwater Lake and Trail and Hummocks Trail.

Mt St Helens Visitors Center

Mt St Helens Visitors Center is about 30 miles from the volcano and an introduction to its history and significance.  Located on the Spirit Lake Highway it offers learning opportunities, such as, theatre showing the eruption, chronological timeline on events leading up to the eruption, displays and current seismographs of the mountain.   Also, the visitors center is located near Silver Lake with a .6-mile walking trail to learn about the flora and fauna of this ecosystem. 

Johnston Ridge Observatory, Eruption Trail and Harry’s Ridge Trail

If you haven’t seen Mount St. Helen’s before, the Johnston Ridge Observatory is the ideal place to start exploring.  Perched on the Johnston Ridge in the heart of the blast zone, it looks southward at the crater, lava dome, pumice plain and landslide across the valley.  Named after the volcanologist, David A. Johnston, who lost his life in the eruption, the Observatory offers ways to experience and learn about this amazing volcano with stunning views.  Also, there’s an outdoor theatre for presentations facing the volcano. 

Near the Observatory is the .8 mile Eruption Trail on a hill, overlooking the volcano.  It offers explicit displays and placard explaining the timeline and events leading up to the eruption.  This is a great opportunity to let it all sink in and learn all while looking at the smoldering volcano. 

Eruption Trail leads to the longer Harry’s Ridge Trail as the best way to observe the volcano.  It’s named after the curmudgeon, Harry Truman, who wouldn’t leave his home and died in the eruption.  Harry’s Ridge is a 9-mile up and back moderate trail that continuously views Mt St Helens’ crater.  Additionally, this trail displays the colorful wildflowers of the area in summer months.   It goes to the beautiful spot overlooking Spirit Lake with breathtaking views of this cobalt blue body of water below the ridge.   This trail is reasonably wide and well-maintained, however, there are times it gets very close to the steep edge.  So, if you have a fear of heights this trail may be a challenge. 

Coldwater Lake

This pristine blue-green lake is a wonderful place to swim and cool off on a hot day.  The eruption created this lake from its landslide damning the Coldwater Creek.  Furthermore, its Birth of a Lake Trail has interpretive signs, that describe how the lake became created.  There are also picnic tables and restrooms.  Visitors enjoy this lake by swimming, fishing, hiking and paddle boarding. 

Hummocks Trail

Across the road from the Coldwater Lake is the Hummocks Trail.  This 2.3-mile loop takes you through hummocks (small hills) that were pieces of the mountain carried down by the landslide during the eruption.  Walking through the labyrinth of these small hills overgrown with shrubs and small trees is another opportunity to experience parts of the mountain.  Additionally, this welcomes some shade on a hot day.

Overall, Mt St Helens Daytrip

There is nothing like a day here to observe the powers of Mother Nature.  The renewal of the region is awe-inspiring, reminding us that everything in life has its cycles and seasons for birth, death and renewal. 

Read More! Ultimate Guide to Mt Rainier National Park: All You to Need to Know 20 Amazing Must-Do Hiking Trails in Washington State

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Home » Mount St. Helens Guide: Things to do & More

Mount St. Helens Guide: Things to do & More

Climb a volcano, take a hike, explore a cave system, and so much more.

Known for its eruption in 1980, which spewed massive clouds of ash, today Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument beckons visitors with a combination of history and stellar outdoor recreation.

Climb to the crater rim, hike subterranean lava tubes, kayak in clear mountain lakes, shred blast-zone mountain bike trails or take a guided hike with a geologist. Best of all, Mount St. Helens offers all-season recreation. While summer draws the most crowds, the other three seasons offer plentiful opportunities for hiking, paddling, fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Read on for how to make the most of your visit.

Getting to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens is located in southwest Washington east of Interstate 5. The main entrance on the west side of the mountain is on State Route 504, which leads to the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater (open daily in the summer and weekends in the winter) and the Johnston Ridge Observatory (currently closed).

Important Closure Notice: State Route 504 is currently closed past the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater (milepost 45.2) due to a landslide. The Johnston Ridge Observatory, a popular visitor center at the end of highway, will remain closed through 2026. Check the Forest Service page for updates.

Although the end of the highway is closed, the drive along State Route 504 offers scenic viewpoints like Castle Lake and Loowit, as well as access to Coldwater Lake .

Other access points can be found in the south and east. Driving to Cougar, the southern gateway, takes about 3.5-4.5 hours from Seattle and an hour from Portland. On the east and south sides of the monument, a National Forest Recreation Pass ($5 day per vehicle, $30 annual) is required. You can pick one up at self-service pay stations and Forest Service offices.

When to Visit Mount St. Helens

Summer is the busiest season, often drawing significant crowds. Amanda Bonney, a Mount St. Helens visitor services assistant, recommends visiting mid-week and arriving early in the morning to secure parking.

“Crowds are thinner the first and last week of summer break,” Bonney notes. In the fall, crowds thin out, leaving visitors to enjoy autumn colors, milder weather, and fewer insects. There are also stellar, low-crowd days in spring, but be prepared to run into snow.

Travel Tip: Be sure to secure reservations for popular areas. Both the Lewis River Recreation Area and the Ape Caves trail have implemented reservation systems with a fee of $2 per vehicle. Timed reservations are always required to visit Ape Cave during the open season, from May through October. For Lewis River , reservations are required June through September.

Things to Do at Mount St. Helens

Take a hike.

For hikers, the Mount St. Helens area has a little of everything, from lava tubes to waterfalls. Far above ground is Coldwater Peak. The trail to the summit (12 miles roundtrip, 3,100 feet elevation gain) provides scenic mountain views. A landslide currently prevents hikers from starting at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, but the trail can still be accessed from South Coldwater Trailhead (adding a couple of miles).

Choose from a number of short, accessible trails such as the Birth of a Lake Interpretive Trail and the Johnston Ridge Eruption Trail (currently closed due to a landslide), or head hit the Lewis River Falls trail , an 8.8-mile relatively flat tour de force of waterfalls. To circumnavigate Mount St. Helens and tour much of its varied terrain, advanced backpackers can take on the 32-mile Loowit Trail .

Visit Ape Caves

Due south of the mountain, the Ape Caves trail (2.8 miles, 350 feet of elevation gain) navigates the third-largest lava tube in North America. Hiking through the Upper Cave requires some dexterity, fitness, and willingness to scramble and duck among the fascinating features of the cavern. After 1.4 miles, hikers exit the cave and loop back on a trail. Alternatively, an easier shorter option (1.5 miles round trip) is the Lower Cave, which is more spacious and less technical.

Travel Tip: Open May through October, the Ape Caves trail requires a reservation to limit foot traffic and protect the delicate subterranean environment.

Climb the Mountain

Mount St. Helensis one of the easiest volcano climbs in Washington thanks to limited avalanche danger and crevasse exposure and attracts both beginning and experienced mountaineers. Although it’s climbable year-round, late spring through early fall is the most popular time. Most climbers use the Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac. The non-technical nature of this route, which takes between seven and 13 hours, lends itself to beginners. However, climbers need to scramble up steep sections and be fit enough to climb 4,500 feet in five miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation.

Travel Tip: Climbing permits are always required. For climbers who want support, the Mount St. Helens Institute guides trips to the summit. 

Go Mountain Biking

Intermediate and advanced riders can enjoy a number of iconic and popular mountain bike trails in the area. Mostly singletrack, the Ape Canyon to Plains of Abraham out-and-back ride (21 miles, 2,700 feet of elevation gain) entails a long, steady climb out of the heavily forested Ape Canyon to the moonscape of the blast zone, which becomes rife with wildflowers in the spring.

Southeast of Mount St. Helens, the forested Lewis River Trail (28 miles, 2,700 feet of elevation gain) skirts a river over rolling banks and chunky technical sections. For a guided trip, Trans Cascadia Excursions leads one-day rides on Strawberry Mountain through the blast zone.

Also See: Explore Washington’s Epic Mountain Biking Trails

Visit a Viewpoint

Within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, there are a number of spectacular viewpoints that don’t require hiking. Although currently closed due to a landslide, the Johnston Ridge Observatory is situated in the heart of the blast zone and enjoys expansive views of the volcano and crater. A mile from the observatory, Loowit Viewpoint has vistas across plains of pumice to the lava dome inside the crater.

Five miles north of Mount St. Helens, climb a 368-step sand ladder for magnificent views at the Windy Ridge Interpretive Site , which not only has close-up crater views, but also a panorama of Spirit Lake and now-greening pumice fields left in the wake of the eruption.

Learn Something New

In 1996, the Mount St. Helens Institute (hosted at the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater ) opened its doors with the goal of deepening the public’s understanding of the Pacific Northwest’s most active volcano. The institute hosts ecology programs for kids, family camps, and guided daylong or multi-day adventures , from mushroom hunting and photography hikes to snowshoeing and eruption walks with geologists. Drop into other learning centers along the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway – including the Mount St. Helens Visitors Center , the Forest Learning Center , and Johnston Ridge Observatory (currently closed due to a landslide).

The lakes and rivers around Mount St. Helens are hallowed destinations for anglers. Just south of Mount St. Helens, Merrill Lake is a haven for fly fishing; this catch-and-release-only lake is heralded for its abundant trout. Spring through fall, the Lewis River is known for its robust salmon and steelhead runs. The river is dammed at three different points –  Yale Lake, Swift Reservoir, and Lake Merwin – where anglers can catch kokanee, tiger muskies, and rainbow trout. Columbia River Fishing Guides lead salmon and steelhead expeditions on the Lewis River.

Enjoy Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Mountain lakes with easy launching options make for lovely kayaking and paddleboarding. With no motorized boats allowed, clear Coldwater Lake provides a serene paddle surrounded by forest and mountains. For those who want to hit the water but don’t have the gear, head to Silver Lake Resort where they rent canoes and kayaks as well as pedal boats and pontoons.

Enjoy Winter Recreation

When snow blankets the slopes of Mount St. Helens, the party is just getting started. At the Marble Mountain SnoPark , cross-country skiers and snowshoers will find around 36 miles of trails (some groomed) and snowmobilers have access to 25 groomed miles. The June Lake trail provides a mellow and incredibly scenic out-and-back snowshoe option (5 miles, 500 feet of elevation gain). Cougar SnoPark caters primarily to snowmobilers and features 25 miles of trail.

Travel Tip: SnoPark permits are required, and it’s advised to check the avalanche report before heading out. Call Mount St. Helens at 360-499-7800 for grooming status updates.

Where to Stay near Mount St. Helens                              

While there is no camping within the monument boundaries, there are several camping options surrounding the monument. Seaquest State Park near Silver Lake boasts a pedestrian tunnel that connects to the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center and the shoreline interpretive trail. In Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Lower Falls Campground on the Lewis River operates May through October, while northeast of the mountain you’ll find Tower Rock Campground .

Hotels and Resorts

Along the Interstate 5 corridor to the west, visitors can find a slew of traditional hotel options. About midway between the northern and southern Mount St. Helens access roads off Interstate 5, the Kalama Harbor Lodge , a river-view McMenamins property, has uniquely decorated guest rooms showcasing the local history and characters of Kalama.

In Cougar on Yale Lake, the Lone Fir Resort caters to the outdoor set, renting mountaineering gear and offering cozy cabin accommodations along with tent sites. Along the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway to the north, Eco Park Resort is an 80-acre forested property that has 12 miles of private trails. Mostly powered by solar and propane, the resort has a cafe on site, and visitors can stay in cabins or camp out. Further west, Silver Lake Resort is open year-round and is all about fishing and lake life.

Mount St. Helens FAQ

What are the entrance fees and operating hours?

On the east and south sides of the monument, a National Forest Recreation Pass ($5 day per vehicle, $30 annual) is required. Self-service pay stations and Forest Service offices sell the passes. On the west side, a Monument Pass ($8 per adult, 15 and younger free) is required at the Johnston Ridge Observatory and adjacent trailheads; purchase them at the observatory. America the Beautiful passes also work. The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). 

When did Mount St. Helens erupt?

On May 18, 1980, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered one of the world’s largest recorded landslides leading to the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The eruption was one of the most powerful volcanic blasts in American history. In its wake, scientists and visitors alike have been given the opportunity to witness biodiversity slowly reclaim an area of catastrophic devastation. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan set aside 110,000 acres around the volcano, creating the Mount St. Helens National Monument.

Is Mount St. Helens pet-friendly?

Because of the delicate nature of the ecology within Mount St. Helens National Monument, pets are prohibited in certain areas (see the Forest Service map ). Pets are allowed on paved roads, campgrounds, and picnic areas, and are required to be on leash at all times.

Can you climb to the top of Mount St. Helens? Do you need a permit?

Yes and yes. Most climbers use the Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac, a non-technical route that requires less gear. A permit is always required.

About the Author

Ellee Thalheimer is a freelance writer and guidebook author based in the Pacific Northwest who has contributed to publications like Lonely Planet Guidebooks,  Alaska Airlines Magazine , and  Adventure Cyclist Magazine . When she can’t get outside, she writes fiction, drinks local IPAs, and perfects her handstands.

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How to Visit Mount St. Helens While the Visitor Center Is Closed

By Allison Williams May 17, 2024

Image: Michal Balada/shutterstock.com

Even 44 years after the big boom, the eruption of Mount St. Helens stands as one of Washington's most dramatic moments. But when this year's May 18 anniversary comes along, there will be little staring thoughtfully into the kilometers-wide crater. After a road washout in 2023, the volcano is more isolated than ever.

Johnston Ridge Observatory , located at the end of State Route 504—better known as Spirit Lake Highway—was named for the scientist who died there during the 1980 eruption. The visitor center includes exhibits, trailheads, and a dramatic window overlooking the blown-out mountain. But this year it has no actual visitors.

On May 14, 2023, a landslide three miles from the end-of-the-road observatory dumped 300,000 cubic yards of mud, rocks, and other natural material on State Route 504. The 85-foot bridge that spanned the outlet flow from Spirit Lake was damaged. Washington State Department of Transportation closed the road another few miles away, stranding the observatory.

A dozen visitors trapped up-road of the washout were helicoptered out, and their cars—two of them rental vehicles way past their return date— were retrieved via a temporary reroute two months later. WSDOT calls the incident "catastrophic" and currently estimates that access to Johnston Ridge will not be restored until 2026—the latter half of 2026.

Image: Courtesy WSDOT

But you can't keep a good volcano down. Appreciation is still available at the Forest Service's Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake and Weyerhaeuser's Forest Learning Center. Both are on the same highway but before the closure.

And nonprofit Mount St. Helens Institute runs a rentable Science and Learning Center, open to the public and available for group rentals, on the same route.  The group also does guided trips around the dramatic landscape, including summit climbs, a skywatching overnight, and a trek into the crater itself. (What's that like? Well, we jumped on  a trip with emeritus board member Bill Nye the Science Guy in 2020.)

Many hikes are still open, including the popular Hummocks Trail near the MSH Institute's building. Summit climbs still go from the south part of the mountain— find permit and other relevant information at the institute —and the less-visited east side is still reachable through unpaved roads. (Though construction on a forest road washout and infrastructure around Spirit Lake will close various parts of the east side on weekdays through 2027.) Views into the crater are available from above via a  Kenmore Air volcano sightseeing flight .

And this 44th birthday is also a chance to learn more about our flat-top mountain. If you've ever wondered why in the heck Mount St. Helens isn't a national park , we know. We also tracked the area's natural highlights (and what's making a comeback) in the region, and we traced the wild history of a volcano that will not stay quiet.

Related Content

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the North Side of Mount St. Helens: Crater Crash Course

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

Visiting the South Side of Mount St. Helens: On Top of Old Smokey

Visiting the East Side of Mount St. Helens: Otherworldly Escape

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Visiting Mount St. Helens With Kids

W ashington State has many amazing, beautiful places to visit, but none are quite as unique as Mount St. Helens. Before its eruption in 1980, Mount St. Helens stood tall and prominent in the western Washington sky. While not able to offer the same views today, Mount St. Helens still boasts extraordinary scenery and a landscape like none other. 

Since moving to Washington in 2016, our family has visited Mount St. Helens three times. Once in January, once in July, and once in October. Each season brings different views and things to experience! Our kids have been going since they were five and nine years old and it's still a place they love to explore. 

Mount St. Helens Visitor Center

Traveling from Olympia, we take I-5 down to Exit 49 toward Castle Rock. A great first stop is the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center . There is so much information! It's also a good place for a potty break if you are traveling with kids! In 2020, the Mount St. Helens Visitor's Center closed temporarily due to Covid-19. Check current hours at the Visitor Center website. 

After leaving the Visitor Center, continue along Spirit Lake Memorial Highway. This road is an experience in itself! As you get closer to the eruption site, you can start to see the evidence left behind. In Kid Valley, there's a place to take helicopter tours and see an A-Frame house that was partially buried in the eruption. Members of our family did the helicopter tour of the crater in 2018 and it was well worth it! At Milepost 33, there is the Forest Learning Center that has many exhibits and activities for kids. It's also free! 

One thing we always notice on Spirit Lake Memorial Highway is the trees. Planted after the eruption, these trees look almost pixelated! Our kids love this section of the road and we've even spotted elk wandering around! 

After passing the Forest Learning Center, the mountain quickly comes into view. What a sight! Not only can you see the mountain from top to bottom, you can clearly see the crater and the path of the debris flow. There are several viewpoints to stretch your legs and snap some pictures. 

Hike the Hummocks Trail

In the winter, Spirit Lake Memorial Highway closes right past Coldwater Lake. Luckily, access to the Hummocks Trail is right before the gate, on the right. A hummock is a knoll or mound. The Mount St. Helens hummocks were created by debris from its summit when it erupted. This is the perfect trail for kids! It's only 2.4 miles and has 100 feet of elevation gain. It boasts amazing views of the mountain. Our kids love it! We have hiked this trail in both the summer and the winter and it's a great trail no matter the season. 

Visit Johnston Ridge Observatory

When the road is open (spring, summer, and fall), it's also worth traveling on ahead to the Johnston Ridge Observatory . Adults and children alike can learn all about the eruption with interactive exhibits. There's also a video that we've watched twice on our visits. It keeps kids engaged and has a surprise finale! Outside the observatory, there are several different trails you can take. On a cloudless day, the mountain looks close enough to touch. In the summer, you will probably see wildflowers blooming. What you won't have, though, are shade trees. Make sure to bring hats and plenty of sunscreen! 

Although it's a bit of a drive, Mount St. Helens is well worth a visit with kids of any age. There are so many educational opportunities and places to stop and move around. Pair your trip with either the book Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens by Patricia Lauber or I Survived: The Eruption of Mount St. Helens by Lauren Tarshis to add an extra element of learning and fun! 

Since its eruption in 1980 , the landscape surrounding Mount St. Helens has been constantly changing. So don't just plan one trip. Take two or three! Each visit will bring something new and unique to see.

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