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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
