Take a Hike

Many hiking options are available, including those listed for mountain biking. West side trails offer close-up views of the crater, newly formed lakes and the barren pumice plains. Hike on landslide deposits from the eruption and discover the new habitats that have emerged. East, beyond the reach of the volcano’s destructive path, old-growth forests and lush vegetation offer a sharp contrast to the altered moonscape of the blast zone. The most popular area for hikers is the Mount Margaret back country north of St. Helens. The area features magnificent views of the crater and blast zone and access to a string of pristine alpine lakes.

On the south side of Mount St. Helens, the Cougar

and Marble Mountain Sno-Parks provide

snowmobilers with access to a total of 60 miles of

groomed trail. MarbleMountain has 130 vehicle

spaces while Cougar has 30 spaces. Trails are also

open to cross-country skiers and sno-shoers.

East of Woodland, the Kalama Horse Camp

features 53 miles of scenic horse trails, as well as a

picnic shelter, corral, loading ramp and 24 campsites.

Bring the horses along for a memorable riding

vacation. Follow S.R. 503 to the town of Cougar,

then north on Forest Road 81.

For day-rides into the monument, Eco-Park Resort

on S.R 504 offers horse rentals and guided tours.

Take a horseback adventure into the mudflow and

hummocks area and view nature’s resilience.

You can visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website for hiking maps and a complete listing of monument trails.

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