Overview
Travel to Mount Saint Helens and environs, from Portland, on this ALL-INCLUSIVE tour with a guide who will discuss the geology, ecology, climate, history, and legends of the area, as well as the history of US public lands. Your guide will lead you on hikes near waterfalls, through lava tubes, and within oldgrowth forests.
You will see some of the most unique geological features in North America, including North America's longest continuous lava tube and a lava tree mold forest. Weather permitting, you will be driven to the closest viewpoint into the crater of the volcano, where you will be provided a picnic lunch, overlooking Spirit Lake.
No matter how hot the weather, you'll enjoy natural air conditioning as you hike by dramatic waterfalls and through primeval forest. You'll have the option of a dinner/beer stop (own expense) on the way back to Portland. *THIS IS A 12-HOUR TOUR*
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Mobile ticket
What's included
If weather does not allow mountain visibility, a modified itinerary will take you to bonus stops.
Bottled water
Snacks
Lunch
Hotel pickup/drop-off in Portland area
In-vehicle air conditioning
Headlamps
Gratuities
PA system to hear guide while driving
Professional naturalist guide
Hotel pickup/drop-off in Seattle area
Meeting and pickup
Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the meeting point.
Good to know
This tour runs to and from Portland, Oregon.
What to expect
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Mount St. Helens
7 hours
Travel to Mt. St. Helens and environs with a naturalist guide who will discuss the geology, ecology, climate, history, and legends of the area, as well as the history of US public lands. Your guide will lead you on hikes near waterfalls, through lava tubes, and within oldgrowth forests. Stops both inside and outside of Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
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Ape Cave Lava Tubes
1 hour
Traverse North America's longest continuous lava tube! No matter how hot it is outside, the temperature in the cave is a constant 42F (5.5C), so bring layers. Also, be sure to bring shoes that are suitable for scrambling, and wipe those shoes before entering the bats' home so that they don't get white-nose syndrome!
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Trail of Two Forests Trail
20 min
A lava mold forest. Walk through a wonderland of wells and tunnels, that's hard to pull kids away from.
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WIndy Ridge Viewpoint
1 hour
Weather permitting, we'll take you to the closest viewpoint with a view into the crater that is accessible by vehicle. There you'll have a picnic lunch, and have the opportunity to burn off your lunch by ascending the 357 stairs to a 365-degree view overlooking Spirit Lake, with the mountain looming. If conditions are clear enough, you'll see four stratovolcanoes: St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, and Hood.
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Johnston Ridge Observatory
1 hour
The place where Dave Johnston got on the radio and yelled "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it!", the fateful morning of May 18, 1980.
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Mount St. Helens Visitor Center
1 hour
The visitor center with the most detailed history and geology of Mt. St. Helens.
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Lava Canyon
1 hour
A fairytale landscape of sapphire waterfalls and blue-grey andesite that were scoured and smoothed by the 1980 lahar resulting from the rapid melting of the Shoestring Glacier by pyroclastic flows.
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Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center
1 hour
The visitor center that provides a special retro experience, with a movie about Mt. St. Helens circa 1985, and a 1990s-era Disneyland Haunted Mansion-style park ranger statue, who will give you a lecture.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
Times are local to the experience (America/Los Angeles).
Additional Information
- Wear long pants, as there will be opportunities for crawling.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland
Can I cancel The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland for free?
Yes. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.
How long does it take?
It takes about 11–12 hours.
Is pickup offered?
Pickup is offered, or you can meet at the meeting point.
What's included?
- If weather does not allow mountain visibility, a modified itinerary will take you to bonus stops.
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup/drop-off in Portland area
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Headlamps
- Gratuities
What's not included?
- Hotel pickup/drop-off in Seattle area
Which places does it visit?
It visits Mount St. Helens, Ape Cave Lava Tubes, Trail of Two Forests Trail, WIndy Ridge Viewpoint, Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, Lava Canyon, Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Terran Travels
