For anyone interested in volcanoes, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a must-see. The 110,000-acre area was set aside for research, recreation, and education after the volcano erupted in 1980. A wide variety of hiking trails are in the area, and there are several excellent viewpoints accessible by car.

The closest viewpoint available to the public is known as Windy Ridge, and it overlooks the beautiful Spirit Lake as well as the areas destroyed when the volcano erupted. Visitors can climb the volcano itself, but a permit is required, as there is a limit on the number of people allowed per day.

Address: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, 3029 Spirit Lake Hwy, Castle Rock, WA 98611, Phone: 360-449-7800

Bellingham - 2 hour Day Trip from Seattle Bainbridge Island - 1 hour from Seattle Mount Rainier National Park - 1 hour 45 min from Seattle Snoqualmie Falls - 1 hour from Seattle Boeing Factory Tour - 30 min from Seattle Lakewold Gardens - 50 min from Seattle Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - 3 hours 15 min Lake Cle Elum - 1 hour 40 min Olympic National Forest - 2 hours 40 min The Bloedel Reserve - 70 minutes Darrington - 1 hour 20 min Flaming Geyser State Park - 50 min Maury Island - 1 hour 30 min LeMay Collections at Marymount - 50 min Hoh Rain Forest - 4 hours Little Kachess Lake - 1 hour 35 min Reptile Zoo - 45 min Tenino - 1 hour 20 min from Seattle Fort Nisqually Living History Museum - 1 hour Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility - 1 hour Hibulb Cultural Center - 45 min from Seattle Port Gamble - 1 hour 30 min Fort Ward Park - 1 hour 15 minutes

Explore more: Day Trips in Washington State > Day Trips from Seattle, WA

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.