Mount Margaret Backcountry
Permit · Washington ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (National Volcanic Monument) · Open Access
- 5,815 ft
- Elevation
Overview:
Sapphire lakes, pinnacle-studded ridges and flowered mountain slopes; this is the Mount Margaret Backcountry. Part of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, this rugged and spectacular area offers hikers an opportunity to explore and discover the dramatic effects of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The lateral blast, a hot stone-filled wind, shattered trees and swirled around peaks and basins as it toppled thousands of acres of pristine forest.Getting there
Visitors can access the Mount Margaret Backcountry from the north side of State Route 504 at the Coldwater Lake boat launch, South Coldwater Trail #230A or from Johnston Ridge Observatory at the end of State Route 504. Visitors also have access on the east side of the Mount Margaret Backcountry from the Norway Pass Trailhead, located on Forest Road 26.
46.32528, -122.13333 · 46°19'31.0"N 122°7'60.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 12.5 | 9.8 | 9.8 | 7.3 | 5.2 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 3.8 | 9.4 | 13.9 | 13.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Ways in
Showing 8 of 8.
- Bear Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Dome Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Margaret Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Obscurity Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Panhandle Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Ridge Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Shovel Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Snow Camp — Campsite · Mt St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Mount Margaret Backcountry
- Can you reserve a site at Mount Margaret Backcountry?
- Yes, Mount Margaret Backcountry is reservable through Recreation.gov.
Camping near Mount Margaret Backcountry
- Iron Creek Campground 10 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site 13.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Meta Lake Interpretive Site 3.4 mi · Facility
- Miners Car Interpretive Site 3.4 mi · Facility
- Harmony Falls Viewpoint 3.8 mi · Facility
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 5.2 mi · Facility
- Coldwater Lake Picnic and Boating Site 6.8 mi · Facility
- Site: Wakepish Picnic Area 7.6 mi · Facility
- Lava Canyon Interpretive Site 11.2 mi · Facility
- Lahar Viewpoint Interpretive Site 11.6 mi · Facility
- Climbers Bivouac Trailhead 12.6 mi · Facility
- Sno-Park: Cougar 14.8 mi · Facility
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
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.
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