Walk through the aftermath of one of America's most violent volcanic eruptions: a 30-mile loop across lava flows, pumice plains, and the haunting blast zone of Mount St. Helens.
Other permits in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument we can check
“Circumnavigate the volcano that famously erupted in 1980, walking through a lunar landscape where life is slowly reclaiming the devastation.”
Plan your Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument trip here, then get your permit from the agency.
Walk-up permit
How to get Loowit Trail
Loowit Trail is issued by the agency rather than through a booking calendar. Their page has the current process and any dates.
More about Mount St. Helens National Volcanic MonumentPlanning another trip? See the permits we alert on.
Loowit Trail permit season
- route distance, loop
- 30mi
- max group size
- 12people
Where to camp on the Loowit Trail
The loop is 30 miles from June Lake Trailhead, and it climbs from 2,750 ft to 4,881 ft at Windy Pass. There are 1 place to camp on the loop.
Butte Camp
Between June Lake Trail #216B / Loowit Trail #216 junction and June Lake Trailhead.
Dispersed camping meadow reached via Trail #238A. USFS: "Please stay on the trail and protect the fragile meadow of Upper Butte Camp where important plant succession research is taking place." No definitive campsites are marked; camping is dispersed.
Loowit Trail, stop by stop from June Lake Trailhead
How to get a Loowit Trail permit
No permit needed.
No permit or fee for trail use. Some access points charge $5 per vehicle per day or take a valid Recreation Pass
Mt. St. Helens trailheads and fees
- June Lake
2,700 ft
- Climber's Bivouac
3,750 ft
$5per vehicle per day or a valid Recreation Pass
The two Mt. St. Helens trailheads in full
Primary2,700 ft elevation
June Lake TrailheadMost popular access point. June Lake Trail #216B is a 1.6-mile approach to the Loowit loop.
- Restrooms
- No water
- No signal
Parking
No fee at this trailhead. Day use only, so plan overnight parking elsewhere.
Getting there
From Cougar, take FR 83 approximately 7 miles to June Lake Trailhead.
Nearest services
Cougar has a small store and restaurant. Woodland (40 miles) has full services.
Alternate3,750 ft elevation
Climber's BivouacSouth side access via Ptarmigan Trail. Also used for summit climbs.
- Restrooms
- No water
- No signal
Parking
$5 per vehicle per day or a valid Recreation Pass. Very busy with summit climbers in summer.
Getting there
From Cougar, take FR 83 to FR 81 to FR 830.
Nearest services
Cougar has limited services.
As of September 2026, the managing agency does not require a permit for Loowit Trail in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington. Loowit Trail is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. The Loowit Trail route covers 30 miles, rated strenuous.
- Permit required
- No
- Type
- Thru-Hike
- Location
- Southern Washington Cascades, WA
How this permit is issued
Get this permit in person at the trailhead or ranger station, or by phone.
More on Loowit Trail: Live availability activityDo I need a Loowit Trail permit?
How much a Loowit Trail permit costs
Loowit Trail permit fee: No fee or permit for trail use. Some access points charge $5 per vehicle per day or take a valid Recreation Pass.
The Loowit Trail hike
- Distance
- 30 miles
- Route Type
- Loop
- Duration
- 2-3 days
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Elevation Range
- 2,750 - 4,900 ft
Circumnavigate the volcano that famously erupted in 1980, walking through a lunar landscape where life is slowly reclaiming the devastation.
About this permit
The Loowit Trail is a 30-mile loop circumnavigating Mount St. Helens at approximately 4,000-foot elevation. The trail crosses the 1980 eruption's blast zone, lava flows, and recovering ecosystems, offering one of the most unique backpacking experiences in North America.
Unlike most major trails in the Pacific Northwest, no permit or fee is needed to hike the trail. Some access points charge $5 per vehicle per day or take a valid Recreation Pass. However, the rugged terrain, limited water, and no-camping zones make this a challenging undertaking.
The route
From June Lake, the trail enters a world unlike any other in the Pacific Northwest. The first miles traverse thick forest before emerging onto the Plains of Abraham, vast pumice flats where purple lupine and red paintbrush now bloom.
The north side demands respect. The Blast Zone is a 10-mile stretch where camping is prohibited, where the 1980 eruption flattened everything in its path. Loowit Falls comes into view below the steaming crater. Spirit Lake shimmers below Windy Pass, still filled with the logs of forests destroyed decades ago.
The western traverse is the most challenging: rope-assisted scrambles down crumbling canyon walls, river crossings through unstable volcanic sediment. The south side offers respite: lava flows frozen in time, and finally the gentle return through recovering forest to June Lake.
Why it matters
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted with the force of 500 Hiroshima bombs, killing 57 people and flattening 230 square miles of forest. The Loowit Trail circles this still-active volcano, offering a front-row view of ecological recovery and geological violence. It's one of America's most unique hiking experiences, a journey through a landscape that looks like another planet.
The feeling
The north side is pure desolation: grey ash, bleached logs, and gullies carved by lahars still visible after four decades. The crater yawns open above you, steam rising from the lava dome. Then the trail rounds to the south, and life returns: wildflowers pushing through pumice, marmots whistling from boulder fields, waterfalls cascading over fresh lava. You're walking through a lesson in both destruction and renewal, witnessing the Earth remaking itself in real time.
Loowit Trail hike highlights
- 30 miles over 2-3 days with approximately 6,500 feet of elevation gain
- 10-mile Blast Zone section where camping is PROHIBITED
- Rope-assisted scrambles and unstable canyon crossings
- Limited water sources: carry capacity for long dry stretches
- No shade: exposed terrain with volcanic ash and pumice
- Dogs are NOT allowed on the trail
How hard the Loowit Trail hike is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
- Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential4/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced backpackers seeking a unique, challenging volcanic landscape.
Recommended experience: Should have multi-day backpacking experience and be comfortable with off-trail travel and rope-assisted scrambles.
Not recommended for: Those uncomfortable with route-finding, exposure, or limited water.
When to hike Loowit Trail
Best time to visit
Late July through September. Earlier snow can block access; later in season water sources dry up. August offers the best balance of accessibility and water availability.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (3,200 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- Tomorrow: Rain below, snow at elevation. Microspikes may be needed.
Today
39°
26°
Tue
36°
30°
48%
Wed
39°
28°
26%
Thu
43°
30°
Fri
38°
28°
Sat
50°
28°
Sun
53°
31°
Loowit Trail photography guide
Golden Hour
Sunrise from Windy Pass shows the crater and Spirit Lake in dramatic light. The Plains of Abraham glow golden in late afternoon.
Best Light
The north side crater views are best in morning light. Loowit Falls needs midday light to illuminate the cascade.
Beat the Crowds
The Loowit sees far fewer hikers than the Timberline Trail. Weekdays in September offer the most solitude.
Classic Shots
- Mount St. Helens crater from the north side
- Spirit Lake with floating logs from the eruption
- Loowit Falls dropping from the crater edge
- Wildflowers on the Plains of Abraham
- The Blast Zone's devastation with regenerating forest
- Sunset over the lava dome from Butte Camp
Loowit Trail rules, gear and safety
Gear checklist
Required- A Recreation Pass or the $5 day fee, for parking at the access points that charge one
- High-capacity water storage (3-4+ liters: water is scarce)
- High-quality sun protection (no shade for miles)
- Sturdy, high-traction boots (volcanic terrain is rough)
- Gaiters (volcanic ash penetrates everything)
Recommended gear
- GPS device: trail is poorly marked in places
- Bandana or pre-filter for silty water sources
- 50 feet of cord for rope-assisted gully crossings
- Backup water treatment (plan for worst case)
- Lightweight shelter rated for wind exposure
Rules & regulations
- 01No permit or fee for trail use. Some access points charge $5 per vehicle per day or take a valid Recreation Pass
- 02Leaving the trail upslope needs a Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit: the Forest Service requires one year-round for anyone travelling above 4,800 ft on the slopes of the mountain
- 03Camping PROHIBITED in the Research Area (Blast Zone) spanning ~10 miles on north side
- 04Maximum group size of 12 people
- 05Dogs strictly prohibited throughout the National Volcanic Monument
- 06No bikes
- 07No campfires: stoves only
Hazards & considerations
- Extreme water scarcity: carry minimum 3 liters; plan water carefully
- Exposure: virtually no tree cover; heat, wind, and ash exposure constant
- Unstable terrain: canyon walls and gullies collapse regularly
- Route-finding: trail washes out annually; be prepared for diversions
- No camping in Blast Zone: must complete 10-mile stretch in one push
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Loowit Trail.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Loowit Trail · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Loowit Trail FAQ
How do I get a Loowit Trail permit?
Loowit Trail is issued directly by the agency. It is issued in person or by phone, so there is no reservation to book and no cancellation to catch. Bring backup dates and check their page for the current process.
When is the best time to visit Loowit Trail?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Loowit Trail permit?
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and reading the official permit page for how this one is issued.
What if I can't get a Loowit Trail permit?
The agency awards this permit directly. Bring backup dates and check the official page for the current process and any closures.
Loowit Trail trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
No questions yet
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Loowit Trail permit
- Same AreaNo permit needed
Ape Cave
Explore the longest lava tube in the continental US, a 2-mile underground passage through frozen lava.
Tradeoffs
Different experience but demonstrates the volcano's power. Good option if Loowit conditions are poor.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Timberline Trail (Mt. Hood)
41-mile circumnavigation of Mount Hood with more water, shade, and developed trail.
Tradeoffs
Easier logistics but less dramatic volcanic scenery.
- Same AreaPermit required
Mount St. Helens Summit
Climb to the crater rim for up-close views of the lava dome.
Tradeoffs
Permit required April-October. Different experience but more intimate volcano views.
Where to stay near Loowit Trail
- Marble Mountain Group Picnic SiteGifford Pinchot National Forest
- Kalama Horse CampGifford Pinchot National Forest
- Lower Falls CampgroundGifford Pinchot National Forest
- All Washington campgrounds
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