Lava Canyon Interpretive Site

Facility · Washington ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (National Volcanic Monument) · Open Access

2,842 ft
Elevation

Discover more about Mount St. Helens eruptive past in this much more stark, higher-elevation setting. Access Lava Canyon Trail #184 at this site. Travel along the trail and explore a mudflow-scoured canyon with views of a waterfall plunging over an ancient lava flow. Continue on the Lava Canyon Trail for more challenging hiking experiences with rewarding views.

 

Accessible Adventures Video featuring Lava Canyon Trail:

Getting there

From Woodland, WA take State Route 503/Forest Road 90 east to the well-signed Forest Road 83 junction. Turn left on Forest Road 83 for 11 miles and follow to the end of Forest Road 83 at Lava Canyon Trailhead and Intepretive Site.

46.16585, -122.08832 · 46°9'57.1"N 122°5'18.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in26.318.319.012.87.25.31.42.56.315.825.526.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Lava Canyon Interpretive Site

Can you reserve a site at Lava Canyon Interpretive Site?
No. Lava Canyon Interpretive Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Lava Canyon Interpretive Site

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.