Portland to Mount St. Helens Day Tour — Johnston Ridge, Coldwater Lake & Silver Lake
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8–10 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for anyone with basic mobility—this is mostly driving with short, accessible walks; some standing and short boardwalk routes required.
Overview
A full-day small-group drive from Portland to the still-scoured slopes of Mount St. Helens. Visit Johnston Ridge Observatory, Coldwater Lake and Silver Lake for close-up geology, accessible walks and interpretive exhibits about the 1980 eruption.
Portland to Mount St. Helens Day Tour — Johnston Ridge, Coldwater Lake & Silver Lake
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You step onto the tour van before dawn in Portland, coffee in hand, watching the city shrink into a patchwork of farmland as the Cascades grow taller on the horizon. By midmorning the road narrows and the firs tilt toward the highway; the air tastes cleaner, cooler. Then the mountain appears—not the perfect cone that once dominated the skyline, but a raw, bowl-shaped scar that still commands attention. Mount St. Helens announces itself with a skyline of jagged ridges and a wide crater that reads like geological punctuation.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer up for variable weather
Temperatures at Johnston Ridge can be 10–20°F cooler than Portland and windy year-round—bring a windproof outer layer and insulating mid-layer.
Keep your wristband handy
Parking and trail access inside the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument require a paid wristband—store it where you’ll remember it for re-entry.
Wear sturdy shoes
Boardwalks and short trails are easy but can be uneven or muddy after rain; trail shoes with grip are advisable.
Bring snacks and water
The tour includes bottled water but bring extra hydration and high-energy snacks for the long drives and interpretive stops.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- waterfowl (ducks, geese)
- black-tailed deer
History
Mount St. Helens’ 1980 lateral blast radically lowered the summit and created a new crater; the event spurred major advances in volcanology and landscape recovery studies.
Conservation
The area is actively managed for research and recovery—stay on designated trails, carry out trash, and respect seasonal closures to protect regrowth and wildlife.
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Adventure Hotspots in Portland, OR
Recommended Gear
Windproof jacket
Keeps you comfortable on exposed ridgelines where wind and cool temperatures are common.
Sturdy trail shoes
Supportive, grippy shoes handle boardwalks, gravel turnout areas and slick surfaces.
Refillable water bottle
Hydration for an all-day trip—refill at visitor centers where available.
Telephoto or zoom camera lens
Helps capture distant crater detail, wildlife on Coldwater Lake and compressed landscape shots.