The drive up is beautiful and the visitor's center has great views and explains all about the Mt St Helen's eruption and recovery of the land since then.

Long car trip in from I-5 via country type roads. However, this is to be expected if you are going into the wilderness area. The center is well staffed and ideally suited for children. There is a long hike available below the ridge but you really need to be in shape for hiking. Really interesting to see the old truck,... More

...especially if you are planning a climb up to the top of Mt. St. Helens. Great views, really interesting displays. If you look through the binoculars outside on the plaza on a clear day you can see the hikers standing on top of the rim. Go there the day before your climb to be really inspired!

This is the place to imagine how it felt that fateful morning when Mt. St. Helens destroyed herself. The surroundings demonstrate an amazing rebirth of green but it is still possible to grasp the enormity of the event. Spiri Lake is huntingly beautiful.

There are a number of visitor centers on the way to the Johnston Ridge Visitor Center. All are worth a stop but the Johnston is the shining star. The view is spectacular. A must-see stop for everyone.

The view into Mt St Helens crater is great, if not obscured by clouds or haze. When I visited recently for the third time haze from wildfires limited some of the visibility. The movie shown in the theatre is really good and informative. Nice displays also. It can be VERY windy on the outdoor viewing deck so be prepared.

This was a fantastic sight to visit. I stayed in Kelso and drove up there on a beautiful day. The trip up was wonderful. I was lucky that it was a clear day and the views were breathtaking. Go to both of the films. One is about the reclaiming of the area by animals and plants and the other is... More

Lots and Lots of People great Junior Ranger Program.

There are no words to describe standing across from a volcano that has exploded. Yes, we've all seen the pictures, but to see Mt. St. Helens with your own eyes is jaw-dropping and truly was the experience of a lifetime. Here's something important. The weather up there is not always terrific and frequently you can't see the volcano because of... More