Mt St Helens Visitor Center

Category: Visitor center

Address: 3029 Spirit Lake Hwy, Castle Rock, WA 98611, USA

Phone: +13602740962

Opening hours

Sunday: 9AM–5PM

Monday: 9AM–5PM

Tuesday: 9AM–5PM

Wednesday: 9AM–5PM

Thursday: 9AM–5PM

Friday: 9AM–5PM

Saturday: 9AM–5PM

Reviews

Dustin Weber

Jul 16, 2022

The visitor center is a great stop on your way to Mt St Helen’s. We were very impressed with the ranger who was very engaging in her presentations and spent significant time with our young children after her presentation teaching them about the volcano and it’s history. My children remembered and repeated often throughout our day what they learned from her. The staff at the desk were very accommodating and helpful in planning the rest of our trip. Highly recommend this place.

Jennifer Nolen

Jun 17, 2022

Great visitor's center! Very informative, but interesting, too. Several hands-on things for kids and teens. Our whole family enjoyed out stop and really learned a lot. You'll find restrooms and hiking trails, but the actual observation deck is a good drive away. Check in to make sure it's open and what the weather is like so that you don't make the drive for nothing The visitor's center and observatory are pretty rural so plan on getting gas and food in Castle Rock proper.

El S

Jun 9, 2022

Very informative dioramas about the timeline of the eruptions and laid out in a thoughtful manner. There is a charge to get up close to the exhibit but you can also see a lot just looking over the railing.

Beano Trombino

Nov 14, 2021

Very beautiful place! Very people friendly wildlife. Trails were spacious & clearly marked. Sturdy boardwalk over the water was beautiful! Informational boards along the way. Versatile impact trail if taken at your own pace.

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Questions & Answers

when is reopening of the johnson ridge visitor center expected

mark lucianna | Aug 14, 2022
kelso4001 | Aug 15, 2022

Went last week, fully open

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Is the center open all year long? If not when does it close for the winter?

Elaine Drader | Aug 14, 2022
Mindy Zuckerman | Aug 15, 2022

Yes. However, from November 1st through the last day of February the center is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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Can one see eruptions of Mount St. Helens from this Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center?

Saili Bakare | Aug 14, 2022
Lonnie Danger | Aug 15, 2022

Yes, on film at the visitor center. Hopefully, the actual volcano wouldn't erupt while you're there.

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Where is the best place to see Mt. St. Helen from?

Diana Hummel | Aug 14, 2022
Matt Sexsmith | Aug 15, 2022

About 30 miles past the visitor center.

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hello does anyone know if the visitiors center is open now or will be opening soon? is there anything open now? thanks

martin kane | Aug 14, 2022
Matt Sexsmith | Aug 15, 2022

It should be open on the weekends. It will be open during the week soon.

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Where can u pull off and sleep for the night is this a option ?

Josh Niemi | Aug 14, 2022
Linda Lindberg | Aug 15, 2022

Cant stay at center over night there are pull off points along your way, use one of those.

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Can see my st Helen from st helen.

Dorreen YellowBird | Aug 14, 2022
Rebecca Walp | Aug 15, 2022

On a clear day, yes!

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When will the center reopen?

Joe Heidal | Aug 14, 2022
kelso4001 | Aug 15, 2022

Fully open right now, went there 2 weeks ago

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I want to return some lava stones ( 2 small ones). May I send it to this address of the visitors center??

Carol Schoenecker | Aug 13, 2022
James Zaworski | Aug 14, 2022

I suppose so but I don't know what they would with them. If they were collected in a protected area such as within a national monument or park, those activities are prohibited so returning them anonymously and if you recall the location that would suffice but I'm sure they have more than enough small lava stones lying around on the ground.

Going there next week. What is there to do since it seems like some things we planned on are closed.........?

Chelsea Donahoo | Aug 14, 2022
Eugene Allen | Aug 15, 2022

You can look around but there is a better place about 20 miles up the road although it is closed also. Much better view.

Is Mt. St. Helen visitor center open? What do they have there?

Diana Hummel | Aug 14, 2022
Miguel | Aug 15, 2022

It's still closed. Park rangers have set up a canopy in front of the building to answer questions and pass out leaflets of information about Mt St Helens. There is also booth selling souvenirs. Restroom facilities are open here.

It's crazy to me knowing this major even happend as I was being brought into this world n yet I always wonder how many others have been born during a historic event

AaronBryce Osterback | Aug 14, 2022
Livein Oregon | Aug 15, 2022

Isn't being born historic in itself?

Can you still hike the trails there and do you need a discover pass?

Chad Gentry | Aug 14, 2022
kyle keck | Aug 15, 2022

I do not know about the south side. But the crater side trails were all open except one. You did not need a discover pass.

Does anyone know if it is open today? With the county being in phase 2

K PERRAULT | Aug 14, 2022
Kortnie Pena | Aug 15, 2022

Yep. The trail and gift shop have been open for several weeks

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Is there an entry fee or parking fee?

EVENTHOR | Aug 14, 2022
Pamela Knox | Aug 15, 2022

Entry fee, yes but no fee for parking. (Cost is $6-$8.) Be sure to see the movie offered.

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What are the memorial day hours for the visitors center?

Tracy Hanks | Aug 14, 2022
Michael Sigler | Aug 15, 2022

Just call, we are visitors not employees.

does sound trainsite or grayhound buses travile near hear

ari russell | Aug 14, 2022
Kristin Chappell | Aug 15, 2022

I don't think so. It's pretty out of the way.

where can we see the original imax film of the eruption?

Dann Carver | Aug 14, 2022
Michael Sigler | Aug 15, 2022

Cinedom in Castle Rock

Was a cayon created at silver lake following the1980 eruption?

Rick Schaeffer | Aug 14, 2022
Gregor Hinckley | Aug 15, 2022

Partially true. The valley leading to Silver Lake was filled in. There has been a lot of erosion and plant life move in since the eruption. There is now a canyon, much deeper than expected.

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Can you leave a travel trailer at the silver lake visitors center to drive up the mountain?

Steven George | Aug 14, 2022
Gang Shu (Rick) | Aug 15, 2022

If you can find a spot for trailor and return within the same day or before they close, i don't see why not. Though, it may not be good for other visitors if the parking is full.

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Can you bring a dog on a leash

Ted Pitz | Aug 14, 2022
Mindy Zuckerman | Aug 15, 2022

Dogs are allowed on the trail, but not inside the building unless they are a service animal.

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Do you have to buy a day pass to go through the park?

K F | Aug 14, 2022
Tessy D (Tessy-Boop) | Aug 15, 2022

No you do not need to purchase a pass of any type to enjoy any of the park or lava tubes.

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is there snow at the north visitors center?

MJ Donaldson | Aug 14, 2022
Ken Clark | Aug 15, 2022

I don't believe so at this point.

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is the learning center open on MLK 2018

Jon Baldridge | Aug 14, 2022
valerie parker | Aug 15, 2022

No but would be a fun outing

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What do you see at the visitor"s center?

Rick Sanborn | Aug 14, 2022
David Wilson | Aug 15, 2022

Not much. They need to cut back some limbs.

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Is this a national park or monument?

Brian Every | Aug 14, 2022
David Wilson | Aug 15, 2022

Park

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