Spirit Lake Memorial Highway
Places to Visit

  • Ape Cave

    Ape Cave (WA)

    Follow the footsteps of adventurous Boy Scouts who ventured deep within the caverns of Ape Cave, reputed in local legend to be the dwelling place of Sasquatch.

    Distance from byway: 68 mi / 109.4 km
    Travel time: 1 hour 37 minutes
    Directions:

    From Castle Rock, head south on I-5. Exit left onto East WA 503. Stay left onto Road 90. Stay left onto forest road 83. Turn left onto forest road 8303. Ape Cave is a short distance up 8303.
  • Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center

    Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center (WA)

    Views of the volcano and interactive exhibits make this visitor center a great place to stop.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    43 miles up Spirit Lake Memorial Highway
  • Forest Learning Center

    Forest Learning Center (WA)

    A great place to view firsthand the forest recovery and reforestation.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    33.5 miles up the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.
  • Gifford Pinchot National Forest

    Gifford Pinchot National Forest (WA)

    This national forest offers great recreational opportunities.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Surrounding the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

  • Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center (WA)

    Hoffstadt Visitor Center focuses on the human aspects of the Mt. St. Helens eruption of 1980 and those who perished in the blast.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    27 miles up Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.
  • Johnston Ridge Observatory

    Johnston Ridge Observatory (WA)

    The observatory offers the only unobstructed view of Mount St. Helens crater accessible by road.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    53.8 miles up Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.
  • Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

    Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (WA)

    Mount St. Helens is an internationally known destination. The national monument provides opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, and wildlife watching. The monument is one of the world’s best opportunities to experience a recent volcanic eruption site, whether on foot or from roadside viewpoints. Hiking trails provide closeup experiences of volcanic features and the recovering ecosystem.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Ending point of the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway
  • Mount St. Helens Visitor Center

    Mount St. Helens Visitor Center (WA)

    This visitor center offers the most information about geology, history, and, of course, volcanology.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    Five miles up Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.
  • Sediment Retention Structure

    Sediment Retention Structure (WA)

    This structure removes sediment from situations that could cause flooding and impede navigation.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    21 miles up Spirit Lake Memorial Highway
  • Windy Ridge

    Windy Ridge (WA)

    This ridge offers a great view of Spirit Lake.

    Distance from byway: On the byway
    Directions:

    In Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument