Permits for 2009 are available now!

Climbers Bivouac is open as of June 16!  Forest Road 81-830 is open but visitors are cautioned to slow down and watch for narrow spots and/or debris on the roadway.  Road maintenance has not yet been completed  so there are driving hazards.   

Mount St. Helens offers an exciting and challenging climb.  While it is not a technical climb and does not usually require special equipment or previous mountain climbing experience, it is a strenuous experience.  Be prepared for snow, ice and changing weather conditions.

Permits are required year round.  From November 1 through March 31, you can obtain permits at no charge from the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, WA.  From April 1 through October 31, you need to purchase a permit in advance from this site.  From April 1 through May 15, there is no limit on the number of permits available.  After May 15, permits are limited to 100 per day. 

For more information see the links below or call 360-449-7883 or e-mail at Climb@mshinstitute.org.   

• Guided Climbs

• Climbing Permit System

• Permit Availability

• Need Permits on Sold Out Days or Want to Exchange?

• Permit Fee Structure

• Climbing Season Information

• Registration Process

• Equipment Needed for the Climb

• Permit Pick up at Lone Fir Resort

• Need more information?  Email us climb@mshinstitute.org  or call us at 360-891-5107.

 ***** *Climbing Warning********

Limited Road Access Requires Multi-Day Winter/Spring Climb:   For more information visit the USDA Forest Service's climbing report page.

An Active Volcano!

The climbing program on Mount St. Helens was closed in October, 2004, because the mountain changed dramatically from a slumbering giant to an actively growing, dynamic volcano.

As the climbing permits are re-established in 2006, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Mount St. Helens Institute are partnering to emphasize the tremendous and inspiring learning opportunity that the climb provides. The mountain is viewed much differently by scientists, resource managers, and visitors during this era of active growth.

Reflecting the dramatic changes on the volcano, the newly re-opened climbing program is also viewed and shaped in new ways. Attention to safety issues on this continuously erupting volcano demands more thoughtful preparation and encourages an emphasis on education about the landscape and natural processes that are shaping it.

Incredible opportunities to learn and experience are the focus of the newly opening climbing program that allows access above 4,800 feet, up to the crater rim. The limit on the number of climber permits, 100 per day, reflects a continued emphasis on thoughtful stewardship on the mountain.

Climbing has returned to the volcano!    Please visit the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument's frequently asked questions page for more details about climbing the volcano. Also, please visit the climbing permit system page for more information.