Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

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Mount St. Helens on our high definition VolcanoCam from Johnston Ridge Observatory. (download 127 kb full-size image).

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Mount St. Helens

National Volcanic Monument

Celebrating 29 Years of Scientific Research,

Education and Recreation in one of Nature's Youngest and Most Dynamic Natural Landscapes

At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted.

Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown down or buried beneath volcanic deposits. At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond. The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments.

In 1982, the President and Congress created the 110,000-acre National Volcanic Monument for research, recreation, and education. Inside the Monument, the environment is left to respond naturally to the disturbance.

Mount St. Helens Climbing Update

[Last Updated: 24 November 2009]

Winter Climbing Access: Winter snowfall and wind forms large, unstable cornices (snow overhangs) on the crater rim (please see our climbing page and scroll down to cornice photo). The crater rim is unstable and can be hazardous at any time.

Attention Climbers:

Forest Road 830 to Climber's Bivouac is closed due to snow. Forest Road 81 is closed at the Cougar Sno-Park. Forest Road 83 is open to the Marble Mountain Sno-Park. Chains or 4x4 are currently recommended to access Marble Mountain Sno-Park.
We are currently recommending that climbers use the winter climbing route out of the Marble Mountain Sno-Park.
Climbing Permits are required above 4800 foot elevation on the volcano year round.
Climbers and Snowmobiles are required to have a permit if traveling above 4800 ft.
November 1 thru March 31- Permits are free of charge and self issue at the Climbing Registers. Permits for the 2010 climbing season, beginning April 1, 2010, go on sale February 2, 2010 and are sold online, in-advance on a first-come, first-served basis through the Mount St. Helens Institute.
The Climber's Registers are located at the Lone Fir Resort, 16806 Lewis River Road, Cougar, WA. (360) 238-5210 and at the Marble Mountain Sno-Park.

For further information contact us:

Monument Headquarters (360) 449-7800

Visitor Centers

Johnston Ridge Observatory

(360) 274-2140

Mount St. Helens Visitor Center

at Seaquest State Park

(360) 274-0962

Gifford Pinchot Nat'l Forest Headquarters

(360) 891-5000

Cowlitz Valley Ranger Station (Randle)

(360) 497-1100

Mt. Adams Ranger Station (Trout Lake)

(509) 395-3400

On the Monument Today

Johnston Ridge Observatory is open for the season.

Open Daily :

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,

7 days/week through October.

Lack of shade and summer heat can endanger pets left in cars. Pets are permitted only in designated pet areas and must be on a leash at all times.

Attention Pet Owners

Pets are prohibited at all recreation sites and trails within the restricted area north of the volcano, in Ape Cave and the Mount Margaret Backcountry (for locations see yellow shaded area on monument map and MM backcountry map). For the safety and comfort of your pet, please arrange to leave your pet at home.

Windy Ridge and

Forest Road 99 northeast of the volcano are open for the season.

Vince Patton, OPB

New: Take a 360 degree flight around Mount St. Helens.

Mount St. Helens Climbing Information

Join us for a Weekend Work Party

Help share the wonder and protect this special place. Become a Mount St. Helens Volunteer

Download our 2009 Visitor's Guide to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Latest information on Current Conditions of Roads and Trails.

Weather Information

Road Conditions

Teacher's Corner (Field trip and other information for students and teachers)

Mount St. Helens Update - The latest information including earthquakes, volcano advisories and visitor access information.

MSH Volcanic Activity Response Plan

General Visitor Information

Photo Image Link: USGS Photograph by Austin Post - Mount St. Helens erupting May 18, 1980.

May 18, 1980 eruption - USGS photograph by Austin Post.

About Mount St. Helens

Visit and Discover the Drama of an Active Volcano - A brief description of Mount St. Helens and the National Volcanic Monument.
25 Years of Change - Impacts of the 1980 eruption and landscape recovery revealed through repeat photographs
Life Returns FAQs: Information about plant and animal recovery following the 1980 eruption
Digital Library - Photographs and other information before and after the eruption.
Mount St. Helens Volcano Review - The Volcano Review is published annually during the summer and distributed throughout the Monument and surrounding local communities for folks visiting Mount St. Helens. We've reproduced the current issue on our web site, and have included downloads so you can read it offline as well.

Climb, Hike, Learn

Climbing Mount St. Helens - Mount St. Helens has reopened for climbing.
Mount Margaret Backcountry - Visitors to this rugged and spectacular portion of the Monument can see effects of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Mount St. Helens Teacher's Corner - Information and curriculum for teachers, educators and students planning field trips to Mount St. Helens. Registration is available online.
Mount St. Helens Institute 2008 Field Seminars and Guided Climbs
Hiking Trails - Explore hiking opportunities within the National Volcanic Monument.
Recreation Condition Reports - Current camping, hiking, roads and winter recreation information.
Purchase Mount St. Helen's books, videos, maps etc... -Educational and interpretive items available for sale from Discover Your Northwest (formerly the Northwest Interpretive Association).

Photo Image Link: Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center Sign - December 2002.

Snow-covered Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center Sign - December 2002

Planning Your Visit

Camping in the Shadow of a Volcano- Mount St. Helens camping information.
Vicinity Map /Drive Times - Online and downloadable maps and Drive Time Chart to aid in planning your visit.
Monument Fees - Pass sales help maintain recreation facilities. Not all locations charge a fee.
Tips for Planning your Trip

Visitor Centers

Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake - Operated by Washington State Parks.
Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center - CLOSED
Johnston Ridge Observatory - Located five miles from Mount St. Helens, it offers the best crater views (open mid-May thru October).

Exploring Mount St. Helens

Photo Gallery - View before and after images of the volcano.
Mount St. Helens Institute - a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving stewardship and appreciation of the dynamic natural environment surrounding the volcano.
Volunteering - Become a Volcano Volunteer at Mount St. Helens

Photo Image Link: May 1980 eruption.

May 1980 Eruption

Contact Us!

Phone Numbers - Important telephone numbers for Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
We Want To Hear From You! - Please tell us what you think about our web site, information, and/or services. Please include contact information, so we can reach you in case we have any questions.

Additional Information

Charles W. Bingham Forest Learning Center At Mount St. Helens - Open daily at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May through October. Closing times may vary in September and October. The Washington Department of Transportation, Weyerhaeuser Company and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are partners in this visitor center, rest area and viewpoint for elk herds in the valley below the center.
USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station Scientists arrived within weeks to assess disturbance effects and study initial and long-term ecological responses. Research has revealed how species and ecological processes respond to disturbance, and has contributed to planning for the recovery of other disturbed areas.
MtStHelens.net - Information about our area presented by local folks. Plus, access to a database of visitor resources and a variety of links to informative web sites.
MountStHelens.com - Mount St. Helens Information Resource Center, your one stop source for hiking, shopping, lodging, touring, dining, and viewing information. Follow the footprints to begin your Mount St. Helens adventure.
Pacific Seismograph Network - In addition to locating regional earthquakes, the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, in cooperation with the Cascades Volcano Observatory, is also responsible for monitoring seismic activity at volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest.
United States Geological Survey - Volcano information, especially Mount St. Helens.