Mt. St. Helens Tours and Activities
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Mount St. Helens’ infamous eruption on the morning of May 18, 1980, punched a 1,300-foot (396-meter) hole in the volcano and sent fire and ash raining down the mountainside. Visitors today can view the mountain’s crater, spot wildlife, see the country’s youngest glacier, and witness the surrounding forest’s recovery.
The Basics
Mount St. Helens is protected as a National Monument, preserving its forests, meadows, glacier, and crater. Visitors can pick from among numerous hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging, including an option to climb the mountain and peer into its crater. The drive toward the crater is breathtaking, and visitor centers along the way educate you about the blast and the area’s recovery.
Visit independently or join a group or private tour from Seattle that includes round-trip transportation. Most full-day excursions include a visit to the blast site, the Johnston Ridge Observatory, a walk along Eruption Trail, and a gourmet picnic.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visiting Mount St. Helens will enthrall a range of travelers, including families with young children, serious hikers, photographers, and geology buffs.
- Wear layered clothing, as alpine weather can change quickly. The Pacific Northwest is often rainy, so a raincoat is advisable.
- Mount St. Helens’ visitor centers are easily accessible by car. Visitor centers have restrooms, helpful staff, and gift shops.
How to Get There
Mount St. Helens is located 96 miles (154 kilometers) south of Seattle and 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Portland. To access the Monument Visitor Centers and Johnston Ridge, take I-5 to Castle Rock, exiting onto Highway 504, which dead-ends at the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
When to Get There
Mount 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 Mount 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.
Address: Washington, USA
4 Tours and Activities to Experience Mt. St. Helens
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Mt. St. Helens National Monument from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour
67
Visit the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument on this guided, full-day, small-group tour from Seattle. Travel just a few miles from the crater to see the steaming volcano. Walk through the park with a naturalist guide and discover how volcanoes are monitored. Learn more about the geological events that transpired during the 1980 eruption. Transportation plus a picnic lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the day are provided. Seattle hotel pickup and drop-off included.
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From
$263.14
From
$263.14
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Mount St Helens Seaplane Tour from Lake Washington
1
Experience the sensation of taking off and landing on the water on a seaplane. Get an unsurpassed aerial orientation of the Emerald City, the Pacific Northwest, and the Puget Sound from a unique vantage point. Learn the fascinating history of this area and the eruption of Mount Saint Helens from your trained pilot, while riding in comfort with noise canceling headphones.
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From
$570.52
From
$570.52
Private Mount Saint Helens Monument Day Trip
4
Get a look at the devastation caused by the 1980 eruption of Mount St Helens, an active stratovolcano located south of Seattle. This private day trip with a personal guide brings you up close to the blast site of the national monument, brought to the world's attention when it exploded hot lava 15 miles (24 km) into the atmosphere. You’ll visit two interpretive centers to learn about geological features and the slow return of its native flora. View the mountainside from Johnston Ride Observatory and have lunch at a riverside restaurant.
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From
$335.81
From
$335.81
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Mount St Helens Ape Cave Tour
You'll feel the temperature change as you walk inside a dark cavern with flashlights and headlamps. It takes about 1.5 hours to walk down and back the mile long tunnel. You'll also stroll above ground on a boardwalk and see cement tree stumps! (from the lava flow).
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From
$370.74
From
$370.74
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
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