Outdoor Science and Learning
There are many Oppurtunites for learning on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Viewing Wildlife
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is 1.3 million acres of spectacular and scenic wildlife habitat. From deer, elk mountain lions and black bear, to salmon, waterfowl, coyotes and raptors there is a menagerie of wildlife for your viewing pleasure.
Be safe and help keep wildlife wild by picking up all of your trash and food scraps and throwing them away. If no trash can is available, take your garbage home to dispose of there.
Learn more about visiting and recreating in bear country and cougar country from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Viewing Plants
Use the Search section below to look for Viewing Plants Areas.
Viewing Scenery
Use the Search section below to look for Viewing Scenery Areas.
Visitor Centers
Mount St. Helens Visitor Centers
Johnston Ridge Observatory (Closed in 2023 due to landslide on State Route 504)
*Interpretive displays tell the biological, geological, and human story of Mount St. Helens.
24000 Spirit Lake Highway
P.O. Box 326
Toutle, WA 98649
(360) 274-2140
Science and Learning Center at Coldwater
*Bookstore, Maps, Passes, Interpretive displays
42 miles east of Castle Rock on State Route 504
Visitor Information: (360) 274-2131
Summer program info: Mount St. Helens Institute (360) 449-7883
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake (WA State Parks. Open year-round; hours vary by season.)
*Interpretive displays include info. on local history, geology, and re-growth/recovery of the land post eruption.
3029 Spirit Lake Highway
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-0962
Forest Learning Center (Weyerhaeuser. Open May 18-Oct 1, 2023)\
*Amenities and exhibits that tell the story of Mount St. Helens.
17000 Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, WA 98649
Pine Creek Information Center
15311 Forest Road 90
Cougar, WA 98616
Visitor Programs
S.T.E.M. Resources for Teachers & Students
Looking for real-world curriculum? Check out Mount St Helens Institute's new, free, online curriculum designed for 4th grade students: "Sediment on the Move." Students role-play as city council members to explore hazards of volcanic sediment and help solve management issues.
This unit is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core ELA Standards, Common Core Math Standards, and Social Studies Learning Standards. This unit supports the Next Generation Science Standard Performance Expectation 4-ESS3-2. Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans. View the storyline map for more details on how each activity supports these standards.
Translations for student materials are available in Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Please contact [email protected] if you need student materials translated into a different language or access to curriculum resources.
Check out this video: Let's Go Outside!
Mount St Helens: Teacher's Corner
Field trips to Mount St. Helens start here.
More information about Mount St Helens Eruption and Research:
- Science and Learning Center Website
- 1980 Eruption Geological Events
- 1980 Eruption Images
- Post-1980 Eruptive Activity
- 2004-2008 Dome Building Eruption
- 2004 to 2008 Eruption Images
- Visitor Guide to Mount St. Helens (Volcano Review)
- Guided Climbs & Field Classes offered by Mount St. Helens Institute
- Bibliography of Published Biological Research
Search for Outdoor Science and Learning Opportunities
Ape Cave Interpretive Site
Bear Meadow Interpretive Site
Blast Edge Viewpoint; Monument Entry
Campground: Atkisson Group Camp
Campground: Beaver
Campground: Cultus Creek
Campground: Forlorn Lakes
Campground: Goose Lake
Campground: Government Mineral Springs
Campground: La Wis Wis and Coho Group Site