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The Science and Learning Center at Coldwater (SLC) is a hands-on education center located seven miles from the crater of Mount St. Helens and operated by the Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI).
The Science and Learning Center at Coldwater (SLC) is a hands-on education center located seven miles from the crater of Mount St. Helens and operated by the Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI). The SLC offers spectacular views and immersion into the volcanic landscape and world just outside in the heart of the blast zone.
The U.S. Forest Service currently shares Science and Learning Center with the Mount St. Helens Institute. The building is open to the public:
- Weekends 10 am - 4 pm, May 17 - June 8 2025
- 7 days per week 10 am - 4 pm, June 13 - end of October 2025
The Science and Learning Center and Coldwater Campground is located at milepost 43 on State Highway 504, approximately 10 miles west of Johnston Ridge Observatory. Overnight rentals at the Science & Learning Center and Coldwater Campground are the closest place available to camp in the 1980 eruption blast zone. There is so much to explore and learn in the landscape around Mount St. Helens. Explore our interactive Google map of Attractions & Amenities around Mount St. Helens to plan your trip.
Are you an education or school group? Consider our Volcano Outdoor School program which may include lodging and meals at the Science & Learning Center.
The Center is ideal for retreat groups up to 80 participants. Come be inspired by the landscape with an unforgettable event at the Science and Learning Center for your corporate retreat, writer's or artist's retreat, board meeting, running camp, or family reunion.
Renting the SLC
The Science & Learning Center has multiple conference rooms available for day use, numerous educational opportunities and programs as well as overnight accommodations.
Overnight Rental
- Rental cost: $1900/night
- Hours: 3:00 PM check-in on arrival day and 11:00 AM checkout on departure day
- Meal add-on cost: $18/person/meal. Review a downloadable sample menu of meals provided.
- Multiple day rental: Add $450 / day for the day rental per day
- Coldwater campground rental NOT included in building rental. See below for information about Coldwater campground rental.
- Education programming add-on cost: $14/person/hour (1 teacher/group leader free)
- Education programming for rental groups is customized based on request and availability of staff. Inquire with staff for more information. Learn more about our Volcano Outdoor School package which includes lodging and meals at the Science & Learning Center.
- Day rental fee: Overnight rental groups are responsible for paying the day rental fee for times that they wish to use the facility outside of the overnight rental hours listed above.
- Availability: April - October
Day Rental
- Rental cost: $660/day
- Meal add-on cost: $18/person/meal. Review a sample menu of meals provided.
- Hours: 10:00 AM check-in and 4:00 PM checkout
- Education programming add-on cost: $13/person/hour (1 teacher/group leader free)
- Education programming for rental groups is customized based on request and availability of staff. Inquire with staff for more information. Learn more about our Volcano Outdoor School field trip package for day or overnight programs at the Science & Learning Center.
- Availability: April - October
Amenities
- An incredible view of Mount St. Helens from all main rooms of the building
- Access to the Science and Learning Center campus, including Winds of Change and Elk Bench trails
- Indoor gathering space for up to 80 people for lectures, music, or other events
- Indoor dining for 60 people
- Outdoor dining for 40 people
- Additional chairs and tables expand dining capacity by ~50
- Well-stocked commercial kitchen
- 26 beds and 15 cots in two separate sleeping areas
- Large conference room, seats up to 60
- Private theater seats up to 24
FAQs
Find FAQs here.
Program Policies
You can review our program policies here. All groups are responsible for cleaning up after themselves; cleaning supplies will be provided.
Rent the Coldwater Campground
Groups can reserve the private field camp near the Science and Learning Center.
There are no fires allowed in the campground. Rental includes:
- 33 walk-in tent sites. Loading zone is located 100 feet from the entrance to the campground. Parking is 500 feet from the campground entrance.
- Three picnic tables
- Seasonal (June - August) porta potties at the campground entrance
- Access to indoor restrooms in the Science & Learning Center based on availability
- There is no running water in the campground. Water is available at the Science and Learning Center, a 1/4 mile walk from the campground.
Campground cost, check-in/out, and season
- Coldwater Campground Cost: $700/night
- Check in & check out: 4:00 PM check-in on arrival day and 10:00 AM checkout on departure day
- Availability: May - October
- Rental host: A host will be either on the premises or nearby & on-call during your rental period to answer any questions you may have. Upon your arrival, your host will check you in and take you on a tour of the facility, which will include information about safety gear and protocols, instruction on how to use the equipment in the facility, cleaning protocols and more.
Amenities
- An incredible view of Mount St. Helens
- 33 campsites/tent pads (average size 10’ x 10’ flattened pad area). Campsites are simple, rustic (gravel/dirt) flat areas that are 10' x 10'.
- Three picnic tables at a central location in the campground
- Seasonal (June - August) porta potties are located at the campground entrance
- Access to indoor restrooms in the Science & Learning Center based on availability
- There is NO running water at the campground. Water jugs for group use may be provided by staff
- Area for temporary parking at campground entrance for unloading gear and ample parking <¼ mile from the campground
- Limited camping gear is available for groups to use upon request (tents, sleeping bags, headlamps, sleeping pads)
- Camp stoves and other cookware are NOT provided. Propane and white gas stoves are acceptable to use on the campground picnic tables or in the parking lot.
- Campfires are NOT permitted. A designated campfire area with 2 propane fire pits is located on the opposite side of the parking lot from the campground for groups to use.
FAQs
Find FAQs here.
Program Policies
You can review our program policies here. All groups are responsible for cleaning up after themselves; cleaning supplies will be provided.
Science and Learning Center and Coldwater Campground Tour
Reservations open now!
Registration for renting the Science & Learning Center and/or Coldwater Campground is open! Interested parties need to complete our non-binding INQUIRY FORM. After you complete the form, Mount St. Helens Institute staff will reach out to you with more information and to answer questions.
All of the spaces pictured below are available to groups renting the Science and Learning Center, including access to kitchen appliances and other reusable foodservice supplies.
Building Exterior and Mountain
The Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center is located on a ridge less than 10 miles from the crater of the volcano with fantastic views and access to a network of hiking trails in the area. The facility is behind a locked gate and is not open to the public.
Main Entry and Atrium
The main entry and atrium space contains floor to ceiling glass walls and on clear days offers spectacular views of Mount St. Helens. This provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for gathering and special events.
Main Atrium
Atrium space with floor to ceiling glass windows in view of Mount St. Helens provides a one-of-a-king backdrop for gatherings and special events. Indoor gathering space for up to 100 people for lectures, music, and other events.
Indoor Dining Area
Indoor dining area with fantastic full length floor to ceiling window view of Mount St. Helens. Seating capacity for up to 60 people indoors. Additional tables and chairs are available (~8 folding tables, ~ 50 chairs).
Buffet Line
Buffet line for meal service including warming trays, warming oven, sneeze guards, and buffet cooler. Full commercial kitchen with service utensils, plates, bowls and cups for service of up to 100 people available.
Outdoor Dining Area
Southeast facing deck seating offers fantastic views of Mount St. Helens and Coldwater Lake. Seating capacity for up to 40 people indoors. Additional tables and chairs are available (~8 folding tables, ~ 50 chairs).
Kitchen: Cooking
Full commercial kitchen including: 6 burner stove top, 4 ovens including two Combi ovens, a walk in refrigerator, large coffee maker, commercial dishwasher, stainless steel counters, 3 basin sinks, griddle, and food warmer. Kitchen rentals include full access to appliances and kitchen tools.
Kitchen: Prep and Cleanup
Stainless steel counters, prep sink and 3 basin sink are located in the rear of the kitchen. Full commercial dishwasher including dish racks for plates, tools, cups and more. Kitchen rentals include access to all appliances and kitchen tools.
Bunk Room
Indoor overnight accommodations include a total 26 beds + 15 cots in two separate sleeping areas. 16 of these beds are bunk beds in the bunk room. Sleeping gear may be set up in other areas in the building and on the deck upon request.
Large sleeping room
Large conference room with 75% window walls offering fantastic views of Mount St. Helens. Windows have curtains for privacy. During the outdoor school season, this room is converted to a sleeping area with 11 beds and up to 15 modular cots and/or air mattresses that can be arranged based on group needs.
Conference Room
View 1: Vacant room
Conference room with 75% window lined walls offering fantastic views of Mount St. Helens. MSHI staff can provide a projector and associated cables (including USBC>HDMI) upon request.
Foldable chairs and tables of different sizes makes a versatile space used for trainings, meetings and other gatherings. Tables and folding chairs for seating of up to 60 people are available for groups to use.
Conference Room
View 2: Workshop setup
Conference room with 75% window lined walls offering fantastic views of Mount St. Helens. MSHI staff can provide a projector and associated cables (including USBC>HDMI) upon request.
Foldable chairs and tables of different sizes makes a versatile space used for trainings, meetings and other gatherings. Tables and folding chairs for seating of up to 60 people are available for groups to use.
Theater
Theater contains 24 seats, a built-in projector and hookup to DVD player and is ideal for lectures or for showing films. The 20 minute long visitors center film “This Place in Time” about the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens is available for groups as well as a collection of DVDs including Planet Earth.
Deck and View
Large south facing wrap-around deck around the entire building provides amazing views of Coldwater Lake, Mount St. Helens, and the Toutle Valley. Deck includes tables and chairs that seat ~ 40 people and interpretive panels that speak about how the eruption shaped the landscape.
Trail Access
A 1/4 mile paved loop ADA accessible trail leads from the parking lot with views of Mount St. Helens and the Toutle Valley. From the Coldwater campground area, the Elk Bench trail leads to Coldwater Lake and connects with trails to Coldwater Peak and Johnston Ridge.
