Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Climbing Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens Institute Offers Guided Climbs & Field Classes

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Explore the amazing viewpoints and trails around Mount St. Helens.  Download a full-color Visitor Guide to the Monument.

Mount St. Helens Permit System

(USFS Photo - Aerial view of the south side of Mount St. Helens and the Monitor Ridge Climbing Route-- June 2006.)

Everyone must have a climbing permit to be above 4,800 feet elevation on Mount St. Helens. The permit system has been in effect since 1987. The permit system helps to protect the volcano’s physical and biological features and processes, reduces crowding, and provides climbers with information on climbing conditions, Leave No Trace principles, and safety.

• Climbing permits are required year-round.
• Each climber must display their own hang-tag climbing permit.
• Permits are valid for 24 hours starting at midnight for the date of climb and are nontransferable.
• Maximum party size is 12 climbers.
• Access is limited to protect the volcano’s physical and biological features and processes, and to reduce crowding.

During the limited use season, permits will be available for advance purchase only, on-line, first come, first served, until the daily use limit is reached.  Weekends and summer dates fill up first but mid-week dates are often available.  Climbers can purchase available permits online up to 24-hours before the day of the climb.

Climbing & Permit Fees Table

Permit Fee Structure

• Mount St. Helens climbing permits, for April 1 - October 31, are sold by advance purchase by the Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI) through an on-line vendor. For additional clarification please see the climbing season information below. The Mount St. Helens Institute is a non-profit partner of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, providing educational and resource management programs. MSHI also raises funds to help support Monument programs.
• The MSHI on-line vendor is a secure website that accepts all major credit and debit cards. Climbers will be emailed a permit purchase confirmation receipt at the time of purchase.
• There is a $15.00 fee for each climbing permit, plus a service charge of $7.00. The total cost is $22.00 per complete climbing permit. If climbing is suspended by the Forest Service, permit sales will also be suspended. People who already purchased permits may receive a refund for only their ($15.00) permit fee. However, the service charge ($7.00) is not refundable. Please plan accordingly.
• Climbing permits are available online by advance purchase only. Do not wait until the day of your climb to purchase your permit.  Unsold permits may be purchased online until 24-hours before the date of the climb.
• Climbers must present their emailed confirmation receipt to obtain their actual permit at the Climbers Register, located at the Lone Fir Resort during store business hours. Trip leaders are asked to pick-up their entire groups permits. All climbers need to read and sign their permits and abide by all permit conditions. The business hours at the Lone Fir Resort are adjusted seasonally. It is very important climbers visit their website or call ahead to verify.
• Once you complete your permit purchase through the online vendor, all sales are final. Refunds are not possible. You cannot change climbing dates once your purchase is complete. Please plan accordingly before completing your purchase.
• The climbing permit fee is part of a national program which allows the Monument to retain funds collected from climbing permit sales to support services and facilities for climbers.

Climbers Bivouac Camping

Camping is allowed at Climber's Bivouac. It is a developed site with parking, tent pads, fire grates and toilets, but no running water and no picnic tables. Please pack out all litter. A permit is required for parking at the Climbers Bivouac. Climbers will be issued a permit for parking when they pickup their climbing permit at the Lone Fir Resort.

For visitors using the Bivouac parking area to access other trails around Mount St. Helens a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at Climbers Bivouac.

Climber's Registration & Permit Seasons

All climbers must sign-in and sign-out at the Climber's Register before and after their climb. The Climber's Register is located outside the Lone Fir Resort and is accessible 24 hours a day.

The Lone Fir Resort is located in the town of Cougar, Washington on State Route 503, 28-miles east of the town of Woodland and Interstate 5.

Climbing Season - November 01-March 31

• A permit is required.
• A permit fee is not charged.
• Climbing use is unrestricted.
• On-line registration is not required.
• You must self-register and pick up your permit at the Climber's Register at the Lone Fir Resort.

Climbing Season - April 01-May 14

• A permit is required.
• A permit fee is charged.
• Climbing use is unrestricted.
• Advance purchase on-line is required.
• You must pick up your hang tag climbing permit at the Lone Fir Resort. You must present your emailed online purchase confirmation when you pick up your permit.

Climbing Season - May 15-October 31

• A permit is required.
• A permit fee is charged.
• Climbing use is restricted to 100 daily permit holders.
• Advance purchase on-line is required.
• You must pick up your permit at the Lone Fir Resort.
• You must present your emailed online purchase confirmation when you pick up your permit.

US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18 March 2008 at 17:49:47 EDT