Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument adventure.
Explore the blast-zone, backcountry, and lava tubes of Mount St. Helens.
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens blasted off the conical summit of this Cascade volcano, leaving behind a two-mile-wide crater and a transformed landscape. At Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, visitors can peer into Mount St. Helens’ still active crater from the Johnston Ridge Observatory; hike across the eruption-scarred surrounds; spelunk through a lava tube at the Ape Caves; or attempt a permitted summit of Mount St. Helens’ rim via Monitor Ridge. Although the monument has no campgrounds, it is part of the larger Gifford Pinchot National Forest, which features a variety of camping, hiking, biking, fishing, and boating opportunities. Excellent camping can be found at Gifford Pinchot’s Iron Creek Campground and Kalama Horse Camp, as well as at nearby Seaquest State Park. For more camping options close to Mount St. Helens, including RV parks with full hookups and cabins, check out the nearby towns of St. Helens, Cougar, and Morton.
Most visitors come to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument between mid-May and October. This is when the seasonal John Ridge Observatory and most nearby campsites are open. Spring visitors may enjoy wildflower blooms, while even summer campers can expect low temperatures in the 50s. Rain gear is advised year-round, though winter visitors should prepare for the possibility of driving and hiking on snow and ice.