Mount Saint Helens, Washington
Top Spots in and near Mount Saint Helens
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Cougar, Washington
Mount St. Helens Summit via Monitor Ridge
4.48.64 mi / 4652 ft gainMonitor Ridge is the "easiest" of the routes one can take in order to claim that they have stood on top of the sleeping giant better known as Mount St. Helens. This route is heavily favored over Worm Flows as the starting elevation is not only an additional 1,000 feet higher but the overall asce...Read more -
Cougar, Washington
June Lake
2.47 mi / 0 ft gainJune Lake, is a beautiful mountain lake located in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington. The out-and-back trail starts at the June Lake Trailhead and parking area. This hike is family-friendly at just under 2.5 miles to June Lake. Dogs are permitted on the trail on their leash. This park...Read more -
Cougar, Washington
Loowit Trail Loop
4.032.46 mi / 7014 ft gainThis is a very difficult hike. Camp sites are scarce and access to water is very limited. Overexposure is a concern so be sure to pack a hat and apply sunscreen frequently. There are sketchy sections of the trail where you will be forced to navigate steep washed out gullies that are unstable due ...Read more -
Cougar, Washington
Mount St. Helens Summit via Worm Flows
4.810.53 mi / 5725 ft gainThe Worm Flow Route, starting at Marble Mountain Sno Park, is the most direct winter route up to the summit. You'll start at around 2,700 feet and begin a steady walk along the trail for 2 miles. Although the trail is fairly well marked well above the snow, you'll want to pay attention to the arr...Read more -
Cougar, Washington
June Lake Loop via Pine Martin Trail
5.05.93 mi / 1079 ft gainIn the winter you will need to start at Marble Mt. Snowpark and purchase a snow park permit. The hike starts here on the eastern side. Follow the Pine Ski Trail for about 1 mile along NF-83 Road. Then follow the June Lake Trailhead up to June Lake for about 1.5 miles. You will come to June Lake a...Read more -
Cougar, Washington
Hike to Ape Canyon
9.6 mi / 1650 ft gainNot to be confused with the ever so popular Ape Caves, the Ape Canyon is a moderately challenging hike that remains above ground, climbing a total of 1650 feet in elevation parallel to the Muddy River. Although originally designed as a hiking trail, this route has become increasingly popular wit...Read more -
Cougar, Washington
Hike the Lava Canyon
3.06.5 miStarting at the Lava Canyon Trailhead, you will walk on a paved trail down a few switchbacks until you reach the river, where you can go right or left. Either way takes you to the suspension bridge, but I recommend going right if you are following this guide. It will make more sense in a moment.A...Read more -
Cougar, Washington
Explore the Ape Caves
4.0As if erupting volcanoes weren't awesome enough, ancient lava flows also left behind these giant, hollow tubes as they cooled. Spend all day exploring deep underground in this 2.5 mile cave.To get there, head to the SOUTH side of Mount Saint Helens. You must pass through the town of Cougar to get...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Hike to the Summit of Coldwater Peak
12.2 mi / 2000 ft gainWhile thousands of visitors come to witness the raw power and devastation left behind from Mount St Helens' famous 1980 eruption, few wander past the groomed paths surrounding the Johnston Ridge Observatory. It is beyond these paths where you come across the more commonly designed backcountry tra...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Hike to Coldwater Peak via Boundary Trail
5.014.8 mi / 2700 ft gainThe Boundary trail is amazing. It's 54 miles long and runs for the most part along a ridge in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. You can climb various peaks and viewpoints right off the trail, but this trip report is for climbing Coldwater Peak and hiking up to Harry's Ridge Viewpoint on the way. H...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Loowit Viewpoint
5.0From roughly May to September, both star gazers and photographers alike travel to the darkest locations in order to capture something truly magnificent- the galactic core of the milky way. The Loowit Viewpoint is unlike any around due to the perfect combination of it's remote location, higher ele...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Mount Margaret's Ridge Camp via Coldwater Trailhead
3.57.12 mi / 1634 ft gainThe hike is relatively easy. I'd say intermediate due to the incline at the beginning. Also intermediate due to it being an backpacking camp adventure. A friend of mine and I backpacked in to shoot the sunset and sunrise. We went a little early in the season so it was also to scout for future ad...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Hike the Hummocks Trail
2.4 mi / 0 ft gainThe trail has a number of ups and downs as you pass the many ponds and ash/rock/mud hills (hummocks) on your way towards the North Fork Toutle River. There is abundant wildlife in the area including birds, beaver and elk.This is also a great place to park and extend your day of hiking on the Boun...Read more -
Toutle, Washington
Backpack to Snow Lake by Mt. Whittier
5.016 mi / 2700 ft gainThe Coldwater Lake Recreation Area has restrooms, telephones, and a picnic area. Make sure you have already acquired your permits for camping in the Mt. Margaret back country.Follow trail #211, which runs along the entire 4.5 mile length of Coldwater Lake. It is a beautiful and fairly flat hike w...Read more -
Ariel, Washington
Fly Fish Merrill Lake
1 mi / 100 ft gainSurrounded by old growth forest, Merrill Lake near Cougar, Washington is the perfect little gem to get in some late summer, mid-elevation mountain lake fishing. The morning and evening hatches are known state wide for the size of fish they attract. There are stories of Eagles even stealing trout ...Read more -
Skamania County, Washington
Hike to Norway Pass
4.4 mi / 860 ft gainJust 96 miles south of Seattle, and 50 miles northeast of Portland, Mt. St. Helens and its wild, rugged beauty awaits you.Starting at the Norway Pass Trailhead parking lot, walk a dusty and sometimes ashy trail through recovering forest, low brush, wildflowers and blown down, sun bleached logs. T...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Mount Saint Helens
Skamania County, Washington
Lower Falls Campground
Overview
Lower Falls Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Visitors enjoy several waterfalls in the area and acce...
Randle, Washington
Iron Creek Campground
Overview
Iron Creek Campground sits near the confluence of Iron Creek and the Cispus River. This large campground winds through a forest ...
Carson, Washington
Paradise Creek Campground
Overview
Paradise Creek sits at the confluence of Paradise Creek and the Wind River, nestled under an old-growth forest of cedars, firs, ...
Carson, Washington
Govt Mineral Springs Guard Sta
Overview
Nestled in a grove of towering old-growth conifer trees, the Government Mineral Springs Guard Station is a delightful setting fo...
Carson, Washington
Beaver Campground
Overview
Beaver Campground is nestled among large, old maple and sycamore trees, offering a quiet and private family camping experience. ...
Yacolt, Washington
Sunset Camp
Overview
Sunset Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Visitors enjoy scenic views of the river and a waterfall wi...