Peak · Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Mount Saint Helens
8.5 mi round trip4,689 ft gainHardDay hike: Climbing permitOvernight: Climbing permit
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeClimbing permit
Above 4,800 ft you need a climbing permit, per person per day. Below that, no permit.
OvernightClimbing permit
Same climbing permit. Camping above 4,800 ft is not allowed; Climbers Bivouac is the usual base.
Permit calendar
Free winter permitsNov 1 to Mar 31, self-register
Quota season, 350 a dayApr 1 to May 14
Peak season, 110 a dayMay 15 to Oct 31
Mount St. Helens climbing rules from the Forest Service. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance8.5 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain4,689 ftTotal climb, round trip
Summit8,363 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Mount Saint Helens is a peak reached by a 8.5-mile round trip from Climbers Bivouac Trailhead. The route follows Ptarmigan Trail, then Monitor Ridge Climbing Route to the summit.
Heads up: the last stretch to the top is off trail.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Climbers Bivouac Trailhead. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.