Mount St. Helens south and east: Ape Cave to Windy Ridge
Walk a lava tube, cross a mudflow gorge and look into the crater from the east side of Mount St. Helens on quiet forest roads.
- Distance
- 158 km (98 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 45 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 6
- States
- OR, WA
- Updated
- July 12, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 158 km (98 mi) with 6 stops, from Portland to Randle. About 1 h 45 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Oregon, Washington · More road trips from Portland
Route description
From Portland, take I-5 north to Woodland and follow SR-503 east along the Lewis River reservoirs to Cougar, about 90 minutes. Cougar is the last place for supplies on this side of the mountain. From there, Forest Road 83 leads to Ape Cave, a lava tube over two miles long. In summer, you must book a timed entry online in advance.
Walk the lower cave, an easy three-quarters of a mile each way on a sandy floor; the upper cave requires scrambling over rock piles. Bring two lights and warm layers, as it is about 42°F inside. Further along Forest Road 83, Lava Canyon has waterfalls and a suspension bridge in a gorge scoured by mudflows in 1980.
From Forest Road 83, Forest Road 90 and Forest Road 25 lead north through Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Forest Road 99 then climbs to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint, about 16 miles long with viewpoints over the blast zone. From Windy Ridge you look straight into the crater and over Spirit Lake, still partly covered with logs. Forest Road 99 is usually open only from early summer to autumn.
These roads are narrow, patched and slow, with frost heaves and few pull-outs; they suit cars and small motorhomes better than large rigs, and they are closed by snow in winter. A Northwest Forest Pass or Monument Pass is required at some sites. Continue north on Forest Road 25 to Randle on US-12, where there is fuel and a road east to Mount Rainier.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Portland
OR - 280 km
Cougar
WA - 311 km
Ape Cave
NatureCougar, WAA lava tube over two miles long on the south side of Mount St. Helens. The lower cave is an easy walk in the dark; bring two lights and warm clothes, and book a timed entry in summer.
- 414 km
Lava Canyon
NatureCougar, WAA gorge scoured out by the 1980 mudflows, with waterfalls and a suspension bridge. The upper loop is short and partly accessible; the lower trail is steep and exposed. At the end of Forest Road 83.
- 512 km
Windy Ridge Viewpoint
ViewsRandle, WAA viewpoint on the east side of Mount St. Helens looking into the crater and over Spirit Lake, still covered with floating logs from 1980. Forest Road 99 is usually open only from early summer to autumn.
- 642 km
Randle
WA
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Portland → Cougar · 50 mi · 0 h 53 minOvernight nearby, for example: Beaver Bay Campground (2 mi); Cougar RV Park & Campground (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Cougar → Randle · 49 mi · 0 h 52 minOn the way: Ape Cave, Lava Canyon, Windy Ridge Viewpoint.Overnight nearby, for example: Cougar Rock Campground (18 mi); Big Creek Campground (14 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Mount St. Helens south and east: Ape Cave to Windy Ridge?
2-day road trip of about 158 km (98 mi) with 6 stops, from Portland to Randle. About 1 h 45 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Mount St. Helens south and east: Ape Cave to Windy Ridge?
We suggest 2 days: about 1 h 45 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Mount St. Helens south and east: Ape Cave to Windy Ridge start and end?
It starts in Portland and ends in Randle.
Which states does Mount St. Helens south and east: Ape Cave to Windy Ridge pass through?
Oregon and Washington.
Where can you camp along Mount St. Helens south and east: Ape Cave to Windy Ridge?
OpenStreetMap lists 60 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Cougar Rock Campground, Columbia River RV Park and Vancouver Mall RV Park.
When is the best time for Mount St. Helens south and east: Ape Cave to Windy Ridge?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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