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Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit permit area in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - backcountry hiking destination
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Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument · Washington

Daily quota permits for climbing Mount St. Helens. Permits release monthly on the 1st at 7:00 AM PT for the following month.

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70% of the openings our scanner caught on St. Helens were gone within 5 minutes.

St. Helens reservation dates

Season
April 1 (quota season begins) to October 31 (quota season ends)
daily quota
110people
max group size
12people

Planning St. Helens for 2027

Mount St. Helens needs a climbing permit every day of the year. How you get one depends on the date you climb, and the split does not move from season to season.

  • “April 1 to October 31 permits must be obtained online at recreation.gov.”
  • “November 1 to March 31 permits are free of charge and self-issued at the trailhead.”
  • “May 15 - October 31: Daily limit of 110 climbers.”
  • “November 1 - March 31: No limit on number of climbers.”

Source: USDA Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument). Read the official permit page.

“During the limited use season, permits will be available for advance purchase only, online, first come, first served, until the daily use limit is reached.”

Checked against the agency page on August 20, 2026.

How to get a St. Helens permit

As of September 2026, St. Helens in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington requires a permit issued via first-come, first-served. St. Helens is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled St. Helens permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for St. Helens runs April 1 (quota season begins) through October 31 (quota season ends).

Type
Mountaineering
Location
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington Cascades, WA

  1. Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account

    Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Recreation.gov
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

St. Helens pro tips

  1. Permits are released in one-month blocks on the first day of the preceding month at 7:00 a.m. Pacific: April on March 1, and so on
  2. The quota is 350 climbers a day until May 14 and 110 from May 15, so a two-week shift can be the difference between available and gone
  3. You can hold five permits at a time, but only one per day
  4. Group size changes have to be made at least seven days ahead, and once the permit is printed nothing can be changed
  5. Refunds need seven days' notice. The only full refund including the $6 fee is if USFS closes the route

More on St. Helens: Live availability activityWhen St. Helens permits open upChance of an openingDo I need a Mount St. Helens permit?

How much a St. Helens permit costs

St. Helens permit fee: $22 per permit.

The St. Helens climb

Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1 day
Difficulty
Strenuous
High Point
8,365 ft

St. Helens landmarks

  1. 1Climber's Bivouac Trailhead

    The summer route trailhead. A valid Federal Recreation Pass is required to park; a parking pass is provided as part of the permit.

  2. 2Marble Mountain Sno-Park

    The winter route trailhead. A Washington State Sno-park pass is required December 1 through March 30.

  3. 3Crater rim (southwest side)

    The summit you are permitted to reach. USFS: the highest part of the crater rim, on the southwestern side, at 8,365 feet.

You climb to the rim of the crater the 1980 eruption left behind, and stand on what is now the high point of a mountain that lost 1,300 feet of itself in a morning.

About this permit

A climbing permit is required year round to climb Mount St. Helens, but the quota only applies from April 1 to October 31. In that window USFS caps the mountain at 350 climbers per day from April 1 to May 14, and 110 climbers per day from May 15 onward. Group size is limited to 12 individuals.

Permits are released in one-month blocks on the first day of the preceding month at 7:00 a.m. Pacific: April permits go on sale March 1. The recreation fee is $20 per climber per day, raised from a lower figure for the 2024 season, plus a non-refundable $6 reservation fee per transaction. A permit holder can hold a maximum of five permits at a time and is restricted to one permit per day.

From December 1 to March 31 there is no cap on the number of climbers, and permits are free and self-issued at the trailheads. That is the same mountain, the same closure area and the same rules, just no reservation and no fee, in exchange for full winter conditions.

The route

USFS describes the climb as strenuous but non-technical, suitable for people in good physical condition who are comfortable scrambling on steep rugged terrain. There are two trailheads and they split by season: Climber's Bivouac is the summer route, and Marble Mountain Sno-Park is the winter route.

The permit is valid from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the date printed on it, and it does not authorize entry into the crater. The crater is closed to all entry. Within that constraint, individuals may choose their preferred route to the summit.

Overnight use inside the closure area requires two permits for two consecutive days. That is the only way to legally sleep up there.

Why it matters

Before May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens stood 9,677 feet and was the fifth-highest peak in Washington, the conical snow-covered mountain people called the Mount Fuji of America. The eruption removed an estimated 3.4 billion cubic yards of the cone, about 1,300 feet of height, and left a horseshoe-shaped crater open to the north. The southwestern rim, at 8,365 feet, is what you climb to now. USFS calls it the most active volcano in the Cascade Range, present tense.

The feeling

The route starts in forest, breaks out into boulder fields, and then turns into ash and pumice that gives back half of every step. And then it stops, abruptly, at an edge, with the crater and the dome below you and Rainier, Adams and Hood arranged around the horizon.

St. Helens climb highlights

  1. A non-technical but strenuous climb on steep, rugged, loose ground
  2. A permit valid only from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on its printed date
  3. A climbing register at the trailhead that USFS asks you to sign before and after
  4. A parking pass supplied with the permit for use in lieu of a Federal Recreation Pass at Climber's Bivouac
  5. Photo ID checks: every individual listed on the permit has to carry government-issued ID
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Summit information

St. Helens

8,366
Summit (ft)

Climbing RoutesClick for details

Technical Gear Required

Gaiters (volcanic ash)Crampons/ice axe (early season only)Trekking poles

How hard the St. Helens climb is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills2/5
  • Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential3/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5

Best for: Fit hikers comfortable scrambling on steep, rugged, loose terrain. USFS calls this a popular climb for beginner and experienced mountaineers alike.

Recommended experience: None technical. In April and early May, comfort on steep snow with an axe is the real prerequisite.

Not recommended for: Anyone counting on a cell phone as a safety plan, or bringing a dog. USFS strongly discourages pets because volcanic rock, ash and snow shred paws.

Trailhead information

Climber's Bivouac

Primary

The summer route trailhead, reached from state route 503 via Forest Roads 90, 83 and 81.

  • No restrooms
  • No water
  • No Service

Parking

A valid Federal Recreation Pass is required. A parking pass is provided as part of the permit to use in lieu of one.

Getting There

From I-5, east on SR 503 towards Cougar for 30 miles; continue straight on FR 90 at the Skamania County line; left on FR 83; left on FR 81; right onto the Climber's Bivouac road for 2 miles.

Nearest Services

Cougar, Washington.

Trailhead information

Marble Mountain Sno-Park

Alternate

The winter route trailhead.

  • No restrooms
  • No water
  • No Service

Parking

A Washington State Sno-park pass is required December 1 through March 30, available online or from local vendors.

Getting There

From I-5, east on SR 503 towards Cougar for 30 miles; continue straight on FR 90; left on FR 83; continue straight 6 miles; left at signs for Marble Mountain Sno-park.

Nearest Services

Cougar, Washington.

When to climb St. Helens

Best time to visit

The quota splits the year for you. April 1 to May 14 allows 350 climbers a day and is usually a snow climb, with more permits and more equipment. From May 15 the cap drops to 110 a day and demand concentrates into summer weekends. Late spring gives you snow to descend instead of ash, which many climbers prefer. December through March needs no permit at all and is a serious winter objective.

Peak
May 15 through September
Shoulder
April to mid-May, and October

  • Spring

    Snow route. The quota is 350 climbers per day from April 1 to May 14, dropping to 110 on May 15.

    Crowd level · moderate

    • Advantage: The highest daily quota of the year
    • Advantage: Snow to descend instead of ash
    • Advantage: Cooler climbing
    • Challenge: Steep snow slopes USFS warns about explicitly
    • Challenge: Ice axe and traction needed
    • Challenge: Weather swings

  • Summer

    Ash and pumice above the boulder fields. Quota is 110 climbers per day.

    Crowd level · extreme

    • Advantage: No snow skills needed
    • Advantage: Long daylight
    • Advantage: Best summit visibility
    • Challenge: Weekend permits go fast at 110 a day
    • Challenge: The descent in loose ash is brutal on knees
    • Challenge: No water and no shade

  • Fall

    Quota season runs to October 31, then the daily limit lifts on December 1.

    Crowd level · moderate

    • Advantage: Easier permits than summer
    • Advantage: Cool, clear air
    • Advantage: Fewer people on the route
    • Challenge: Early snow without spring snowpack underneath
    • Challenge: Short days
    • Challenge: Storms move in fast

  • Winter

    December 1 to March 31 there is no cap on climbers, and permits are free and self-issued at the trailheads.

    Crowd level · low

    • Advantage: No reservation, no fee
    • Advantage: No quota at all
    • Advantage: Marble Mountain route in full winter condition
    • Challenge: Full winter mountaineering
    • Challenge: Washington Sno-park pass required at Marble Mountain
    • Challenge: Avalanche judgement required

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,000 ft)

Today

🌫️

43°

34°

Thu

☁️

45°

36°

Fri

☁️

49°

32°

Sat

☀️

55°

31°

Sun

☁️

58°

32°

Mon

☁️

52°

33°

Tue

☁️

55°

31°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

St. Helens photography guide

Golden Hour

Sunrise from the rim. Most parties start in the dark for exactly this reason.

Best Light

Clear mornings before the valley haze builds. Rainier, Adams and Hood all read from the rim.

Beat the Crowds

The quota drops to 110 a day on May 15 and midweek dates are dramatically easier to get than Saturdays. Starting before dawn also puts you on the rim before the bulk of the day's 110.

Classic Shots

  1. The crater and lava dome from the southwest rim
  2. Climbers strung out across the boulder field with the cone above
  3. Mount Adams over the shoulder on the way up
  4. The blast zone spreading north from the rim

St. Helens rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • The Ten Essentials: USFS explicitly cautions climbers not to substitute a cell phone for preparedness
  • Government-issued photo ID for every person on the permit, plus a copy of the permit
  • Boots that handle boulder fields and loose ash
  • Sun and wind protection; the upper mountain has no shelter of any kind
  • All your water, treated if you refill anywhere

Recommended gear

  • Trekking poles for the ash descent, which is where most of the knee damage happens
  • Gaiters: the pumice gets into everything
  • Ice axe and traction for spring climbs on the steep snow slopes USFS warns about
  • A blue bag; USFS encourages their use

Rules & regulations

  1. 01Maximum group size is 12
  2. 02Entry into the crater of the volcano is strictly prohibited; the crater is closed to all entry
  3. 03The permit is valid only from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the date of the climb
  4. 04All individuals listed on the permit must carry government-issued photo ID and a copy of the permit while climbing
  5. 05Landing drones or other aircraft on or along the climbing route or at the summit is prohibited
  6. 06Overnight use within the closure area requires permits for two consecutive days
  7. 07A Federal Recreation Pass is required at Climber's Bivouac; a Washington State Sno-park pass is required at Marble Mountain December 1 to March 30
  8. 08Camp only at established campsites; it is illegal to cut any standing tree, dead or alive
  9. 09Treat all water by boiling, purification tablets or filtering

Hazards & considerations

  • Volcanic hazards. USFS states that these cannot be forecast, cannot be controlled, and may occur at any time without warning
  • Steep snow slopes in spring: USFS says to use extreme caution climbing or descending them
  • Loose ash and pumice above the boulder fields, which is exhausting up and treacherous down
  • Weather that changes without much warning on a fully exposed cone
  • Mountain goats habituated to humans; USFS asks climbers not to urinate on vegetation or in campsite areas because it draws them in

Mountaineering resources

Guide Services

Find authorized guide services and mountaineering schools for this peak.

Authorized guide services:

  • The ranger station has the current list
  • Verify NPS/USFS authorization

Gear Rentals

Find rental shops near the trailhead.

Required gear you can rent:

  • Gaiters (volcanic ash)
  • Crampons/ice axe (early season only)
  • Trekking poles

Route Conditions

Real-time route status, snow levels, and climbing conditions.

Current conditions include:

  • Route status (open/closed/caution)
  • Snow level elevation
  • Crevasse and glacier conditions
  • Recent trip reports

Avalanche Forecast

Check avalanche conditions before winter and spring climbs.

Avalanche info includes:

  • Current danger level
  • Avalanche problems (wind slab, persistent slab)
  • Travel advice
  • Links to regional avalanche centers
0

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for St. Helens.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for St. Helens · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.

St. Helens FAQ

How many climbers per day are allowed on Mount St. Helens?

USFS caps the mountain at 350 climbers per day from April 1 to May 14, and 110 climbers per day from May 15 to November 30. Group size is limited to 12 individuals. From December 1 to March 31 there is no limit on the number of climbers per day.

How much does a Mount St. Helens climbing permit cost?

$20 per climber per day during the quota season, which runs April 1 to October 31, plus a non-refundable $6 reservation fee for every transaction. The fee rose to $20 starting with the 2024 climbing season. Outside the quota season permits are free of charge and self-issued at the trailhead.

When do Mount St. Helens climbing permits go on sale?

In one-month increments, on the first day of the preceding month, at 7:00 a.m. Pacific. April permits are released on March 1, May permits on April 1, and so on. A permit holder may reserve a maximum of five permits at one time and is restricted to one permit per day.

Do I need a permit to climb Mount St. Helens in winter?

Yes, a valid permit is required year round. But from December 1 to March 31 there is no quota, permits are free of charge, and they are self-issued at the trailheads. You still need a Washington State Sno-park pass at Marble Mountain Sno-Park from December 1 to March 30.

Can I go into the crater of Mount St. Helens?

No. Entry into the crater is strictly prohibited and the crater is closed to all entry. The permit authorizes you to be in the closure area and to reach the rim; USFS notes that within that, individuals may choose their preferred route to the summit.

How high is the summit of Mount St. Helens now?

8,365 feet. Before the May 18, 1980 eruption the summit stood at 9,677 feet and was the fifth-highest peak in Washington. USFS estimates the eruption removed 3.4 billion cubic yards of the cone, about 1,300 feet of height, leaving a horseshoe-shaped crater open to the north, with the highest part of the rim on the southwestern side.

St. Helens route conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

No active conditions reported

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Trip Reports

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Alternatives to a St. Helens permit

  • Easier AlternativePermit required

    A December to March climb

    From December 1 to March 31 USFS sets no limit on the number of climbers per day, and permits are free and self-issued at the trailheads.

    Tradeoffs

    You trade the reservation problem for real winter mountaineering out of Marble Mountain Sno-Park.

  • Same AreaPermit required

    An April 1 to May 14 date

    The quota is 350 climbers per day in that window, more than three times the rest of the season.

    Tradeoffs

    A snow climb rather than a hike. Ice axe and traction, and the steep snow slopes USFS singles out as the hazard.

  • Similar ExperienceNo permit needed

    Loowit Trail Permit

    The 30-mile loop all the way around the mountain, across the lava flows, pumice plains and blast zone rather than up the cone.

    Tradeoffs

    Multi-day rather than a single push, and no summit, but it sees the eruption's aftermath from every side.

Where to stay near St. Helens

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