Please make a special request if you would like to bring your group. Please note that all services may not be available –please come prepared for your visit.
Update March 2025:
West Side update: Johnston Ridge Observatory and State Route 504 past mile post 45 are not open to the public because of a debris flow that removed a portion of the road and a bridge in May 2023.
What that means for west side school programming at this time:
At this time the Forest Service has been operating out of the Mount St Helens Science and Learning Center at Coldwater as a visitor center since May 2023. The Forest Service is not offering any Ranger-led school programs at this site at this time. Schools can still visit the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater (SLC) but will not have Forest Service provided programming available to school groups for 2025. It would be a self guided experience. Please still register through the link below under “west side” for scheduling purposes.
The Science and Learning Center at Coldwater current operation schedule is:
Weekends only May 17th-June14th
7 Day a weekend operations begins June15th.
So until June 15th the Science and Learning Center is closed weekdays. Thank you for your patience as we work through this time.
Other Important Updates:
Bathrooms at Coldwater Lake Recreation Area are closed due to vandalism and maintenance repair. If you are choosing a self guided trip with your school on the Hummocks or Coldwater Lake trails be advised their are no bathrooms available.
Bathrooms are available on a intermittent basis at the Forest Learning Center located at mile marker 31 on State Route 504.
Other West Side Alternatives for a more Guided Field Trip Experience:
The Forest Service is working with Mount St Helens Institute and Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to provide opportunities for schools in the future.
South Side Update March 2025
Rangers aim to provide a brief introduction to ALL groups to talk about the cave, the rules, and white nose syndrome. Please still register through the link below under “south side” for scheduling purposes.
Teacher’s Corner
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was established to promote environmental and science education.
Each year, over 10,000 students travel to Mount St. Helens to see the dramatic effects of the 1980 volcanic eruption, and observe how plants and animals have responded.
Visit the Volcano!
Some groups travel to the Mount St Helens Visitor Center, the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater, the Hummocks Trail, and Coldwater Lake Recreation Area on Washington State Route 504 to the northwest side of the Monument.
Other schools visit attractions on the Monument’s south and east sides, including: Lahar Viewpoint, Ape Cave, Trail of Two Forests, and Windy Ridge (many are only accessible in the fall). All of these areas offer different educational opportunities and experiences.
School groups visit May through June and September through October, when field trip sites are accessible. For more information on school visit dates and available programs, please visit the School Visit Details page.
Follow the instructions below to register your school group.
Step 1: Select the area of the Volcano you wish to visit
Step 2: Check Registration Calendar For Availability
