Mt. St. Helens, Portland: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Mt. St. Helens stands at 2,549 meters in southwest Washington State, famous for the May 18, 1980 eruption that reduced its elevation by over 400 meters and killed 57 people. The volcano is managed as the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, with the Johnston Ridge Observatory on the north side providing direct views into the horseshoe-shaped crater and the actively rebuilding lava dome. The observatory is typically open from mid-May through October, with admission around $8. Ape Cave on the south side, a 4-kilometer lava tube, is a common secondary stop. is just one of many options in Portland. Major attractions worth considering include Mt. Hood, Multnomah Falls, and Powell’s City of Books.