Hiking and Camping

For a spectacular hike with commanding views into Spirit Lake, begin at the Johnston Ridge Observatory and follow Boundary Trail four miles to Harry’s Ridge. For an overnight hike, continue along this path to the summit of Mount Margaret and down before returning via the 5.5-mile Lakes Trail. You can camp at several small high-country lakes here (permit required). This is a research area, and scientists are attempting to keep human impacts to a minimum, so hikers need to stick within 10 feet of the trails.

There are no developed campsites within Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument [1]. Camping is prohibited along the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway [2] inside the monument boundaries.