Mt. St. Helens Tours and Tickets

Q: Do you need a reservation for Mt. St. Helens?

No, you don't need a reservation, but you do need a climbing permit to climb Mt. St. Helens. Some areas, like the Westside's Johnston Ridge Observatory and the visitor center at Silver Lake, require a fee. Washington state parks mandate that vehicles have a National Forest Recreation Pass.

Q: How many days do you need at Mt. St. Helens?

One day allows visitors to drive the scenic Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, visit the blast zone, explore Johnston Ridge Observatory, and walk Eruption Trail. However, a few more days lets you experience other sides of the mountain, such as the southside Trail of Two Forests and Ape Cave (reservations required).

Q: What should I wear to Mt. St. Helens?

Layers are a crucial component to any visit to Mt. St. Helens, even in summer, which can bring serious heat. There is little shade surrounding the blast zone and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Weather can change quickly and temperatures are cooler at high elevations. In winter, expect snow and freezing temps.

Q: Can you drive around Mt. St. Helens?

No, you can't drive around Mt. St. Helens itself. Technically you can drive a circle around the area, although some National Forest roads are seasonal and other roads are very far from the mountain. The 52-mile (84-kilometer) in-and-out Spirit Lake Memorial Highway to the blast zone is the usual approach.

Q: What is the best way to tour Mt. St. Helens?

The most popular way to experience Mt. St. Helens is to take the scenic 52-mile (84-kilometer) drive along Highway 504 to the blast zone. Here you can see the devastation of the 1980 eruption, explore Johnston Ridge Observatory, and walk Eruption Trail. Longer day hikes further showcase the area's scenery.

Q: Is there parking at Mt. St. Helens?

The Johnston Ridge Observatory—at the heart of the Mt. St. Helens blast zone—has a large parking lot. With most of its large trees decimated in the 1980 eruption, there is little shade in the lot and surrounding area. For this reason, it is suggested that pets be left at home.

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Mt. St. Helens Air Tour by Envi Adventures

4.9

(39)

Mt. St. Helens Air Tour by Envi Adventures

1 hourFree Cancellation

from $355

Price varies by group size

Mt. St. Helens National Monument from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour

Admire one of the West's most dramatic natural sights—and make exploring beyond Seattle city limits seamless—on this small-group day trip to Mt. St. Helens National Monument. With your naturalist guide in the lead, walk through the park and discover its volcanic history, including the devastating 1980 eruption. Transportation—plus a picnic lunch, snacks, and beverages throughout the day—are all provided for your convenience.

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4.9

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Mt. St. Helens National Monument from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour

12 hoursFree Cancellation

from $344

The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland

4.7

(41)

The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland

11 to 12 hoursFree Cancellation

from $319

Small-group Mt. St. Helen National Park Tour from Seattle in SUV

3.9

(11)

Small-group Mt. St. Helen National Park Tour from Seattle in SUV

8 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

from $375

Price varies by group size

From Portland to Mt. Saint Helen Tour in a Small Group

It was once a premier camping destination, with a Mt. Fuji-like cone and pristine forest. The 8,365-foot-high mountain, formerly 9,665 feet high, is one of a string of volcanic Cascade Range peaks. Experience the history and stories of Mount Saint Helens eruption in 1980. With an up-close look at the volcano and its geology, you will learn interesting facts about the past and present in a scenic natural wonder. This trip will have a maximum of 14 people .

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From Portland to Mt. Saint Helen Tour in a Small Group

8 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

from $450

Likely to Sell Out

Volcano & Mountain Air Tour by Envi Adventures

If you’ve flown around one mountain, you know how incredible it is. Now imagine flying around three for the most up close aerial view you can have! Experience up close details of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams on this air tour that takes you around these three iconic Pacific Northwest mountain peaks. On this flight tour, you’ll see these mountains in incredible detail, including overflying vast forests filled with lakes, creeks, rivers, valleys, and trees. This will be an experience you’ll never forget.

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5.0

(5)

Volcano & Mountain Air Tour by Envi Adventures

2 hoursFree Cancellation

from $509

Price varies by group size

What are people saying about Mt. St. Helens

Small-group Mt. St. Helen National Park Tour from Seattle in SUV

Louisa_M, Jul 2024

Just great!

We thoroughly recommend this trip. Small group, car trips are the best. Paul was an excellent, local guide, with sound knowledge of Mount St Helen’s and the local areas. The hike was great, the views of the mountain stunning and the swim in Coldwater Lake the icing on the cake. Information from the learning centers was very good and the snack breaks just right. Thanks for a great day to Mt St Helen’s!

The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland

Lori_S, Jun 2025

Amazing!

Brittany was very chill and went out of her way to help and be patient with my sister. She was extremely helpful in the lava tube.

Small-group Mt. St. Helen National Park Tour from Seattle in SUV

Jason_F, Jun 2025

Mt. Saint Helens - What a Day!

It was a great to have a host/guide Gurmit my family & I, had a wonderful time with him, it was especially nice to have him work so, well with my Dad (who had mobility issues at the time). I highly recommend taking their tour, It’s perfect for a small group. Personal and built to work around your wants & needs from the experience. Gurmit Singh - was our tour guide for today’s Mt. Saint Helens visit while in Seattle.

The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland

Yen_L, Jun 2025

It was a great experience

The trip was so fun, informative and our guide Marcus was incredibly knowledgeable. We learned a lot from Marcus and he kept us informed and entertained

The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland

Danielle_Y, May 2024

Don't miss this tour!

First off, Marcus was an awesome tour guide. He was knowledgeable and friendly. We had a great tour with him. Mt. St. Helen's wasn't super visible, but the rest of the tour was definitely worth it. The lava tube hike was awesome as well as the other two hikes. Plus we stopped at Multnomah Falls on the way back. Also, it was awesome to have a gluten-free/dairy-free option for lunch. The day was fantastic! Thank you!

Mt. St. Helens National Monument from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour

Maria_S, Aug 2024

Awesome day at Mount st Helens guided by Brent

An awesome day spent at Mount St Helens. We had Brent Maphis as our guide, he was very knowledgeable and answered all our tricky questions. Brent is extremely nice and a funny person who made sure that the whole day was enjoyable to all of us in every way; from making a solo traveler like me feel so welcome to the tour to setting the table nice for our lunch. Recommend this tour with Brent to anyone wanting to visit Mount St Helens

Mt. St. Helens

5.0

(225)

Seattle

Know before you go

Mount St Helens National Park and Harry's Ridge Trail, Washington, USA

Visiting Mt. St. Helens will enthrall a range of travelers, including families with young children, serious hikers, photographers, and geology buffs.
Mt. St. Helens tickets are not required, and admission to the monument is free. However, you'll need to obtain a Mt. St. Helens climbing permit if you want to climb Mt. St. Helens.
Wear layered clothing, as alpine weather can change quickly. The Pacific Northwest is often rainy, so a raincoat is advisable.
Mt. St. Helens' visitor centers are easily accessible by car. Visitor centers have restrooms, helpful staff, and gift shops.

Mt. St. Helens Tours and Tickets

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What are people saying about Mt. St. Helens

Mt. St. Helens

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