Where is Mount St. Helens,Castle Rock, Washington?

Written by | Last Updated: November 19, 2025, 12:28 PM ET

Mount St. Helens is located in Washington, USA. It lies between Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington and is situated in the Cascade Range. It is famous for its 1980 volcanic eruption and dramatic landscapes created by lava and ash.

Mount St. Helens Location Map,Castle Rock, Washington

Top Attractions Inside Mount St. Helens

  • Johnston Ridge Observatory – Offers views of the volcano, eruption zone, and educational exhibits.
  • Harry’s Ridge Trail – Popular hiking trail with panoramic views of the crater and Spirit Lake.
  • Spirit Lake – Scenic lake affected by the 1980 eruption, with floating logs and wildlife.
  • Volcano Science Center – Exhibits on volcanic geology, eruption history, and recovery of the ecosystem.
  • Loowit Viewpoint – Observation area providing sweeping views of Mount St. Helens and surrounding landscape.
  • Hiking & Nature Trails – Trails ranging from easy walks to challenging treks through volcanic terrain.
  • Wildlife Observation – Spot elk, bears, and diverse bird species thriving in the post-eruption environment.

Mount St. Helens Facts

Official NameMount St. Helens
LocationCastle Rock Area, Skamania & Cowlitz Counties, Washington, USA
Latitude & Longitude46.1912° N, 122.1944° W (approx.)
Total Elevation8,366 ft (2,550 m)
EstablishedMount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established in 1982
FounderU.S. Forest Service (Monument Designation)
Managed ByU.S. Forest Service
RegionCascade Range / Pacific Northwest
AddressMount St. Helens, Castle Rock Visitor Access via Spirit Lake Memorial Highway (SR 504), Castle Rock, WA
Zip Code98611 (Castle Rock region)
Area Code360 / 564
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZonePacific Time (PT) – UTC−8 Standard / UTC−7 Daylight Saving
Theme / ConceptVolcano, Geology, Nature, Conservation, Hiking, Natural Disaster History
Sections (Areas)Johnston Ridge Observatory - Windy Ridge - Spirit Lake Corridor - Ape Cave - Lava Canyon - Forest Learning Center
Famous AttractionsCrater View - Johnston Ridge - Ape Cave Lava Tube - Spirit Lake - Loowit Trail - Visitor Centers
Annual VisitorsApprox. 500,000+
Entry Fee TypePaid Entry (Certain visitor centers & climbing permits)
Ticket Price Range$5–$15 for select visitor centers; Climbing Permit ~$15–$20 (seasonal)
Ticket OptionsVisitor Center Access - Climbing Permits - Guided Tours - Educational Programs
Best Time to VisitJune–October for hiking & crater views; Year-round for lower-elevation viewpoints
Nearby AirportPortland International Airport (PDX) – ~75 miles (120 km)
TransportationCar Access via SR 504 - Park & Visitor Center Parking - Limited Tours - No public transit directly to the mountain
Official Websitehttps://www.fs.usda.gov/mountsthelens

Distances from Mount St. Helens to Nearby Landmarks

  • Mount St. Helens Visitor Center – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Johnston Ridge Observatory – 12 km (7.5 mi)
  • Harry’s Ridge Trail – 15 km (9.3 mi)
  • Mount St. Helens Summit – 18 km (11.2 mi)
  • Spirit Lake – 20 km (12.4 mi)
  • Coldwater Lake – 25 km (15.5 mi)
  • Silver Lake – 22 km (13.7 mi)
  • Windy Ridge Viewpoint – 30 km (18.6 mi)
  • Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Entrance – 8 km (5 mi)
  • Elk Rock – 10 km (6.2 mi)
  • Toutle River – 28 km (17.4 mi)
  • Castle Lake – 35 km (21.7 mi)
  • Cougar, WA – 40 km (24.9 mi)
  • Ridgefield, WA – 75 km (46.6 mi)
  • Vancouver, WA Downtown – 90 km (55.9 mi)
  • Mount St. Helens Trailhead – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Coldwater Trail – 26 km (16.2 mi)
  • Silver Lake Campground – 23 km (14.3 mi)
  • Windy Ridge Trailhead – 30 km (18.6 mi)
  • Mount St. Helens Lava Canyon – 12 km (7.5 mi)