Make Memories that last a lifetime!
Visit Mt St Helens and Vicinity
Photo Credit: Ed Cooper
1975
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State Parks, in coordination with WDFW, will once again offer a free day on Sunday, June 13, as part of WDFW’s Free Fishing Weekend. This day, combined with the June 12 free day for National Get Outdoors Day, will give visitors an entire weekend to explore state parks for free.
The 2021 State Parks free days are:
• Saturday, Sept. 25 — National Public Lands Day
• Thursday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
• Friday, Nov. 26 — Autumn free day
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Since you can't visit the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center in person right now (due to COVID restrictions), we thought we'd show it to you virtually. Check out our YouTube channel for a guided tour, courtesy of Interpretive Specialist Alysa Adams and Eager Beaver, who came out of retirement just for this presentation!
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Mt St Helens - Sights to See
Things to do along the way on SR504
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Hoffstadt Creek Bridge
The largest and highest bridge along Washington State’s Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, Hoffstadt Creek is a deck truss bridge with a main span of 600 feet (183 mtrs). Opened in 1991, the new highway was built to replace the original highway that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980. By taking an elevation high above the North Fork of the Toutle River, the new route 504 is safer from potential debris run off and flood damage. The continuous truss was built by erecting the outside spans of 332 feet (101 mtrs) on falsework and then cantilevering the central span of 600 feet (183 mtrs) from each side. The approaches are steel plate girders with spans that vary from 148 feet (45 mtrs) to 232 feet (71 mtrs). The truss reaches a depth of 56 feet (17 mtrs) above the piers. The bridge cost 12.6 million dollars and uses 2,505 tons of steel. Shelby Bridge Co. was the contractor, Universal Structural was the fabricator and Western Pacific erected it. The bridge won the 1996 Merit Bridge Award for a Long Span bridge from the American Institute of Steel Construction Inc.
Hoffstadt Creek is not the only tall bridge on route 504. Nearby Cow Creek bridge is also high at 260 feet (79 mtrs).
Photo by Adrian
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Located at the landmark, The Buried A frame at the 19 mile marker on SR 504.
The Mount St. Helens Bigfoot statue is 28-feet tall, made of concrete, with intricately detailed fur.
A great photo opportunity for Bigfoot lovers!
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Mt St Helens - Sights along the way SR503 |
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This is a very accessible 4 mile out and back hike primarily following a gravel road. The final section takes you off the road and into lush forest to cross the Kalama River on a log bridge crossing to a fantastic view of a 40 foot waterfall with a beautiful green pool.
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Photo Credit: Andy Goodwin |
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September 14, 2021
Autumn climbing conditions and weather are highly variable from sunny to snowing and bitter cold, to wet and windy. Frequently check conditions and forecasts.
Sunrise: 6:48 am
Sunset: 7:22 pm
Climbing permits are required year-round. From April 1 - October 31, permits must be purchased online in advance through recreation.gov. Visitor our permits page for more information. From November 1 - March 31 permits are free, unlimited, and self-issued at the trailhead.
SUMMER ROUTE, MONITOR RIDGE FROM CLIMBERS BIVOUAC:
Road 83 to Climbers Bivouac is open with significant washboard. A parking pass is required.
Trailhead - Monitor Ridge: Route is currently snow free and dusty but conditions may change with approaching storms.
Route finding: Do not just follow the "fall-line" on your descent ("fall line" is if you were to roll a ball down the hill, it would travel with gravity and that would take you off-route). Route finding may be challenging, especially in dense cloud or fog; be sure to know the route and carry a map and compass or navigation equipment.
Glissading: Not applicable now
Forecast: Conditions are highly variable. See the forecast links below.
Gear: Please plan according to the forecast.
Leave No Trace: Climbers are required to utilize blue bags to pack out all human or pet waste, including toilet paper.
Camping: There is dispersed camping and pit toilets available at the trailheads, but no running water, and bathroom services may be limited so please bring your own toilet paper, soap, water, or hand sanitizer. Please plan accordingly.
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Guided adventures to the top of Mount St. Helens are on sale now. This trip offers a fantastic opportunity to reach the top of the Pacific Northwest’s most spectacular volcano and learn about the area’s natural and cultural history in the comfort of a guided group.
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The 2021 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Motor Vehicle Use Map is hot off the presses! The free Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) shows the roads, trails, and areas where you can legally drive your wheeled motor vehicles on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
These roads, trails and areas are designated by type of motor vehicle allowed and the allowable season of use. All motor vehicle operators are required to know and follow the regulations displayed on the MVUM when driving a motor vehicle on the forest.
Download a free, GPS-enabled Motor Vehicle Use Map using the Avenza Maps App
Download a PDF version from our website: Map
Paper copies will also be available outside of ranger district offices. Please call the district office in advance to verify copies are still available. Not all offices are open to walk-up services at this time. Contact Us Learn more about the map. Maps & Publications
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What's happening in Castle Rock |
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Gateway to Mt St Helens
Spirit Lake Memorial Hwy.
SR 504
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Castle Rock Festival of Lights - December 11th, 2021 |
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Castle Rock Bike Skills Park |
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Where to Stay in Castle Rock |
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What's happening in Cougar |
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Gateway to Mt St Helens
SR 503
Photo Credit: Nathan Takko
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Offering picnicking opportunities on the shores of June Lake, this 1.6 mile trail is a good choice for families and beginning hikers. June Lake was formed by a 2,000-year-old lava flow blocking a tributary of Swift Creek. The lake is located along the base of a basalt cliff over which a waterfall pours, replenishing the lake’s cold, clear water. |
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Trail of Two Forests Interpretive Site |
This trail loops through two forests that stand side by side, but are separated in age by 2000 years. One forest is old-growth Douglas-fir and western red-cedar and the other is a young forest that was originally engulfed by lava flows from an eruption of Mount St. Helens over two millennia ago. This forest encompasses three-dimensional imprints of trees in the old lava beds called lava casts. The boardwalk trail loops through the two forests, and is kid friendly.
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Ape Cave Interpretive Site |
Explore a chilly, pitch-black lava tube over two miles long. A short, paved, accessible trail beneath towering trees leads to a stairwell into the cave. The ¾ mile, one-way lower cave route is relatively easy and family friendly. For the more adventurous, the 1.5 mile upper cave route leads to a climb up an eight foot rock wall and scramble over rock piles, then an exit and a 1.5 mile above ground hike back to the parking lot. In summer, Ape Headquarters, a small visitor center, offers lantern rentals, information and sales items.
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Views of a rushing ribbon of pools and waterfalls await you on the Lava Canyon Trail. Three sections of the trail, one section which is accessible, provide opportunities for all. Due to closure of the Lava Canyon Suspension Bridge, the 1.4 mile upper loop is not possible. The first small bridge remains open for crossing the river. You may still walk down both sides of the river to the suspension bridge, you just can't cross it. Lower section past the suspension bridge is open. |
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Windy Ridge Interpretive Site |
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Located just five miles from Mount St. Helens, Windy Ridge Interpretive Site provides a close-up view of the volcano's crater and a breathtaking panorama of a landscape radically changed during the 1980 eruption and landslide. Below you lies Spirit Lake, with its floating log mat of huge trees swept into it during the eruption. Beyond, view a plain of pumice and ash and denuded hills, still fairly barren but greening with vegetation. Climb a 368 step sand ladder for a higher view. Read interpretive signs to learn about the events and people of the eruption. During summer, join an interpretive program presented at the site's amphitheater. The site is accessible and memorable for all.
Forest Road 99 is gated for the winter just past Wakepish Sno-Park. The road normally opens in late June or early July, depending on how quickly the snow melts out.
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What's happening in Longview |
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This beautiful artwork of the Stageworks marquee was
drawn by Julia Sanchez Styles and is used by permission.
Visit her at jgoeswandering on Instagram for more of her beautiful artwork!
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Go 4th Celebration - July 2022 |
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Where to Stay in Longview |
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The Longview Public Library building now open on a limited basis!
The Longview Library is building is open to the public as follows:
Monday through Thursday: 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday: Noon to 4 pm
Drive-Thru hours remain the same as they have been, offering the same great services
pick up your holds, print jobs, seed library orders, get questions answered and more!
Things to keep in mind for entering the library:
+Starting Monday, August 23, everyone must wear a mask inside the library,
vaccinated or not. We have masks, child and adult sizes, if you need one.
If you can't wear a mask, we can help you via Library Drive-Thru.
Internet computers are available (60 minute per day limit)
Holds should still be picked up in Library Drive-Thru
Cash, check, and credit card payments now accepted at the main desk for library fees
The Friends Book Shelves are OPEN. Cash or check payable to Friends,
+Free magazine and 'Grab & Go' free book shelves are now located
upstairs in the Magazine Room.
Library Drive-Thru info: http://longviewlibrary.org/techtipholds.php
Ask a Librarian: http://longviewlibrary.org/askalibrarian.php
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What's happening in Kelso |
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Cowlitz County Historical Museum |
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Highlander Festival - September 11 & 12, 2021 |
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What's happening in Kalama |
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McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge |
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Festival of Lighted Boats - December 11 |
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DOWNTOWN KALAMA THIS SATURDAY 9/18/21 for the
Small Animal Market and Kalama Pub Crawl!
Sponsored by Double D's, the Small Animal Market has 50 vendors and includes music, JJ's food truck, caramel corn and elephant ears, pony rides, lots of homestead artisans and small animal enthusiasts with hard to find breeds of ducks, chickens, rabbits, goats, etc.
The annual Kalama Pub Crawl is also happening this weekend! For more details on this event, visit the Kalama Pub Crawl Society's Facebook page and learn how you can support our local businesses while having a great time. Don't miss these two awesome events in downtown Kalama!
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Port of Kalama Interpretive Center |
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What's happening in Woodland |
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Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens
Photo by Vivian Mosby
April 24, 2021 Tour
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Holland America Tulip Gardens
Photo by Vivian Mosby
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Cedar Creek Grist Mill
Photo by Vivian Mosby
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Where to Stay in Woodland |
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What's Happening in Toutle & Silverlake |
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Rapid Rides Adventure
360.463.3830
Toutle WA
River Tubing
Kayak Rental
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Mount St Helens &
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
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Castle Rock Visitor Center
890 Huntington Ave N, Castle Rock, WA
360.274.6603
Visitor/Information Center Hours:
Temporarily Closed
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Mount St Helens Visitor Center
3029 Spirit Lake Hwy.
Castle Rock, WA 98611
360.274.0962
Exhibits Temporarily Closed
Outside Gift Shop Open
9 am to 4 pm
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Forest Learning Center
17000 Spirit Lake Hwy.
Toutle, WA 98649
Gift Shop - 360.274.7750
Gift Shop Open Daily 10 am to 4 pm
Exhibits Temporarily Closed
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Johnston Ridge Observatory
24000 Spirit Lake Hwy,
Toutle, WA 98649
360.274.2140
Gift Shop open 10 am to 5 pm
Exhibits are Temporaritly Closed
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Science & Learning Center at Coldwater
19000 Spirit Lake Hwy.
Toutle, WA 98649
360.274.2114
Visitor/Information Center Hours:
Temporarily Closed
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Kelso Visitor Center
105 N Minor Road
Kelso, WA 98626
360.423.8400
Visitor/Information Center Hours:
9 am to 3 pm
Monday - Friday
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Woodland Information Center
900 Goerig Street,
Woodland, WA 98674
360.225.9552
Visitor/Information Center Hours:
Open: 9 am to 4 pm
Open 7 days a week
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Cowlitz County Tourism
360.577.3137
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