Visitor Centers
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake.
Located at the 5 mile marker on State Route 504, it is the first
visitor center you will reach once leaving Interstate 5. It’s
theme is geologic, and the history of the Mount St. Helens area
in geologic terms. This center is operated by the Washington
State Parks Department. 360/274-2131
Hours are: Winter 9 a.m. til 4 p.m. 7 days a week.
Fee: $3 for adults, 15 and under are free
Located at the 5 mile marker on State Route 504, it is the first
visitor center you will reach once leaving Interstate 5. It’s
theme is geologic, and the history of the Mount St. Helens area
in geologic terms. This center is operated by the Washington
State Parks Department. 360/274-2131
Hours are: Winter 9 a.m. til 4 p.m. 7 days a week.
Fee: $3 for adults, 15 and under are free
Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center
FREE ADMISSION: Located at milepost 27 this is the
only visitor center offering food service ( hamburgers,
fish & chips, deli sandwiches ). It features Mt. St.
Helens Helicopter tours and an Ash Glass Blowing
Exhibit at the Visitor Center which are two of the most
popular attractions in the Mt. St. Helens area. They
also have a large gift shop featuring Mt. St. Helens
Emerald Jewelry, Mt. St. Helens books, Mount St.
Helens Video, art glass, and of course Mt. St. Helens
ash! For info call 360.274.7750.
FREE ADMISSION: Located at milepost 27 this is the
only visitor center offering food service ( hamburgers,
fish & chips, deli sandwiches ). It features Mt. St.
Helens Helicopter tours and an Ash Glass Blowing
Exhibit at the Visitor Center which are two of the most
popular attractions in the Mt. St. Helens area. They
also have a large gift shop featuring Mt. St. Helens
Emerald Jewelry, Mt. St. Helens books, Mount St.
Helens Video, art glass, and of course Mt. St. Helens
ash! For info call 360.274.7750.
Mount St. Helens
Forest Learning Center
FREE ADMISSION: Mile marker 33 on SR 504, this is
undoubtedly the best exhibit on the mountain. Children
will joyfully play in the playground, as well as climb into
the helicopter and pretend to be flying around the
mountain. The eruption chamber is an awesome
experience. It is open mid-May through mid-October, 9
a.m. until 6 p.m. 360/414-3439
They also feature the best gift shop on the highway
360/274-9312. Here is a sampling of the FREE exhibits.
Forest Learning Center
FREE ADMISSION: Mile marker 33 on SR 504, this is
undoubtedly the best exhibit on the mountain. Children
will joyfully play in the playground, as well as climb into
the helicopter and pretend to be flying around the
mountain. The eruption chamber is an awesome
experience. It is open mid-May through mid-October, 9
a.m. until 6 p.m. 360/414-3439
They also feature the best gift shop on the highway
360/274-9312. Here is a sampling of the FREE exhibits.
Johnston Ridge Visitor Center, at the 52 mile
marker on SR 504, is named after the volcanologist
David Johnston, who was camped out on this ridge
observing the volcano when it blew. His final words were
“Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it.” He was never found.
This site has an awesome view, as well as great
exhibits. It is open May through October, or thereabouts,
depending upon snow. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
seven days a week. It is a US Forest Service fee site and
costs $8/adult. 360/274-2140
marker on SR 504, is named after the volcanologist
David Johnston, who was camped out on this ridge
observing the volcano when it blew. His final words were
“Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it.” He was never found.
This site has an awesome view, as well as great
exhibits. It is open May through October, or thereabouts,
depending upon snow. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
seven days a week. It is a US Forest Service fee site and
costs $8/adult. 360/274-2140
| FEES: Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center and the Forest Learning Center are FREE ! The fees for Johnston Ridge Visitor Center are: $8 per adult ages 16 and up, children 15 and under are free. The Northwest Forest Pass is required to visit the Ape Cave, Lava Canyon, Lahar Viewpoint, and Windy Ridge, available for $5 a day or $30 per year and is good in both Oregon and Washington National Forests. This is a "vehicle pass". It is valid in the North Cascades National Park, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Terwilliger Hot Springs in the Willamette National Forest, Lava River Caves in Deschutes National Forest, and Echo Ridge Nordic skiing in Wenatchee National Forest. The following sites require a monument pass: Johnston Ridge Observatory Loowit viewpoint on Johnston Ridge Ape Cave Lava Canyon Lahar Viewpoint Windy Ridge, Smith Creek, Donneybrook, Cedar Creek, Harmony Falls, Meta Lake, miners car, and Bear Meadows (Hwy 99 sites) The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake is now a part of the Washington State Park & Recreation Commission Service. They have separate fees from the US Forest Service sites - $3 per adult. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. |
Please note: All fees and
hours are subject to
change. Check with each
site for updates.
hours are subject to
change. Check with each
site for updates.
Hoffstadt Bluffs
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
| MountStHelens.com Information Resource Center |
Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, in the city of Castle Rock, off I-5, Exit 49, west into town. 147
Front Ave NW. This visitor center is a great first-stop on your Mount St. Helens adventure, as it
features exhibits put together by survivors and residents of the area. Their friendly, first hand
experience with the entire region is readily shared. There is no fee, however, donations are
accepted. 360/274-6603
Front Ave NW. This visitor center is a great first-stop on your Mount St. Helens adventure, as it
features exhibits put together by survivors and residents of the area. Their friendly, first hand
experience with the entire region is readily shared. There is no fee, however, donations are
accepted. 360/274-6603
