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This was our first time to visit this area to see Mt. St. Helens and I have to say we were awestruck the entire time there. We arrived just in time to get a history lesson from one of the Park Rangers. He was well versed on the events that took place in 1980. He described the eruption of Mount St. Helens and then he told us about the re-growth and recovery of the blast zone and area around Silver Lake. The exhibits inside the visitor center help you understand what took place during and after. Plan to spend enough time to see everything.
Large observatory for Mount St. Helens. Very cool. You pay inside and then go and walk around. There's a huge display of the mountain and where the lava flowed- very informative. Also little posters to read. Outside, there is a long trail that have great views of the mountain. We hiked for a good mile before we turned back. Great day to get out. The top of the mountain was of course covered, but still cool to learn the history and take pictures. Pretty busy but not like in your way. Just be mindful of others!
Johnston Ridge Observatory is the closest visitors center to Mt St Helens named after a guy who was monitoring the mountain in the days before the eruption and was subsequently killed in the blast. It's about 1 hour drive from the 5 Freeway. The drive is nice and scenic and you drive through much of the blast area and get to see how nature has come back since the eruption. The center is run by the US Forest Service and there is an admission with includes a number of exhibits and a movie. The movie itself does not focus so much on the eruption itself but more on how the eruption has changed the landscape and how it has effected it since. There is a visitors center near Silver Lake closer to the freeway that focuses more on the eruption itself. If you get there on a clear day, the view doesn't get any better. There are some outdoor exhibits and trails nearby. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.
I've been coming to Mount St Helens, at least yearly, for over 20 years. The Johnston Ridge Observatory takes you far closer to the volcano than did some of the national park service (NPS) outlooks "back in the day". There are spectacular vistas, trails every where, and very knowledgeable rangers to answer your every question (although I did stump them [pun] on a forestry question last summer). It is a 2 hour drive from Olympia, through spectacular scenery on excellent roadway. In addition to the scenery, there are filmed documentaries in the Observatory and open air lectures from the rangers. Near by is equally stunning Coldwater Lake This is a great place for a family day and to get into truly unique nature. I am not a fan of how tax payer dollars are too often spent by our government. But I will say the NPS did a super job here and continues to do so in the whole national volcano monument park.
I'm going to be honest, I was last in the area in 1986. As my mom asked, "Is it still godforsaken?" As we were driving up, I thought it would be. But once we arrived and saw all the new growth and wildflowers, I thought it was gorgeous! This is nature! While there are many trails here to hike, we only did the 1 mile eruption trail which offered great views of the crater. There are two 20 minute movies that you must stay until the end to see. Inside the center are stories of people and their experience with the eruption...fascinating. You can buy your National Park Pass here too.
My friend and I loved this place! It's a great base of operations, as it's at the center of a few different trails. We were trying to figure out the best option for our time available, and Andrew, the Park Ranger, was really helpful and knowledgeable. Definitely among my most awesome experiences with getting help with trail finding. We later heard him talk about the eruption, and he had the perfect balance between providing good information and being a solid storyteller. Highly recommend coming up here and taking some time to hike around!
08/28/11 (Last Visited) Nice view of the mountain and valley. Never been here so really glad we came. The walk from parking lot to the obsevatory was short. The view from outside is amazing and free. Excellent views of the crater. This visitor center has grand sweeping views, a movie and some other arifacts. The movies are about a half hour and worth seeing. There were several children watching the movies who appeared to be enjoying them. I highly recommend the movie, which told the story of the devastation and subsequent regeneration of the area. They are worth the entrance fee ($8). The visitors center had excellent information and the view of the crater is a photographers dream. There's a gift shop and bathroom facilities. There are also hiking trails, there is also a near by lake which has a picnic benches. Well worth the drive if you are in the Seattle or Portland areas. *Located at the end of State Highway 504 (52 miles east of Castle Rock), in the heart of the blast zone, the observatory hosts interpretive displays that tell the biological, geological, and human story of Mount St. Helens. Visitors to Johnston Ridge Observatory can enjoy multiple award-winning films, listen to ranger talks, observe the landscape, purchase souvenirs, set off on a hike, or get a light lunch from the food cart. Check out the annual summer Music on the Mountain series held throughout summer at the Johnston Ridge Observatory outdoor amphitheater (in partnership with the Cowlitz County Economic Development Council and the Mount St. Helens Institute).
Johnston Ridge was a great place to learn about the volcano that literally turned day into night in the state of Washington. It was such a beautiful drive. Once you get off of the interstate and onto to the drive that takes you up the mountain, you get some of the best views you will see in the US! You can also stop and pick some berries on the way! Once you get there, the views of Mount Saint Helens are incredible. It feels like it's only been a few years since the volcano erupted. It's almost an eerie feeling because there is no wildlife there and no plants where the ash and mudslide came down from the eruption. Not only do I think this is a good place to go for visitors but it's definitely a place for Washington state locals also. I highly recommend checking it out!
I love the outdoors. I also love history. This is the place for people who love either or both of those. The history behind the eruption is fascinating and sobering. I think about the people who died during the explosion and those who helped others survive. They all sacrificed for the betterment of humanity. The views on Mt. St Helens was spectacular. It was a clear day and in the 50's. The mountain was almost completely filled with snow but you could see the crater. It is also amazing to see how mankind helped build the area up after the explosion. Not to mention, it's incredible how the earth rebuilt itself after the explosion. All in all, you should make it a point to come here.
I wasn't quite to fond of this observetory. First it cost $8 per person to go inside the visitor center to look at pictures. 2nd it cost $25 or more to go up to the outlook for a 360 view. If you trespass it's a $500 fine! View didn't seem that exciting from the base. We skip this observetory and saved us a Benjamin.
First, some background. I am quite used to looking up National Parks or National Monuments under www.nps.gov. I initially assumed that Mount St. Helens would be listed in a standard way. I was profoundly wrong. I do not know if it is due to MSH having not been a federal site prior to the eruption, or whether the status is the result of some inter-agency squabble. But in the end, info about the park is...dispersed. Leave yourself a few extra minutes to wade through multiple sites to determine who has the info you are looking for (the National Park Service, the U.S. Geologic Survey, the Forest Service, the State of Washington, etc.). This facility is at the end of Hwy 504. I assume the highway used to go further but became a dead end due to the eruption. Hwy 504 runs from I-5 at Castle Rock, WA about 50 miles to Johnston Ridge Observatory. You cross a high bridge en route, which is worth a 2-minute pull off to see from an overlook. There is a huge parking lot at the site within a couple of hundred yards of the facility. Admission is $8 per adult. This was the site where one of the government geologists was stationed to monitor the mountain. He was killed in the blast and the site is now named for him. They have interesting displays about the blast, how it affected the ridge, how the ongoing monitoring of the mountain works, etc. There is a small amphitheater where they give periodic ranger talks throughout the day. We attended one and it was quite interesting. The views of the mountain from this site are spectacular; it drives home the level of destruction that happened 40+ years ago. There are several hikes you can do from the main building. The easiest / shortest is the eruption trail. It extends about 1/4 mile further up a ridge to a slightly higher vantage point. Other trails go a bit further out into the desolate surroundings. One thing to keep in mind about your visit is the timing of meals. When we visited, there was a small food truck in the parking lot out at the mountain. If you do not want to eat there (mostly burgers, hot dogs, chili, or a couple of wraps) you have 2 options: bring your own food or wait until you get back to Castle Rock. Your visit will be 2 hours of driving plus whatever time you spend at the site (figure at least an hour). So you may want to leave early to get there and back by some reasonable lunch time. Alternatively, you can go after lunch and have plenty of time until dinner, I guess. It is probably more crowded later in the day. Just be aware that food options on the 50-mile route between this site and Castle Rock are quite limited. read more
This is a great place to learn about the history of Mount St. Helen's and observe the sleeping volcano. Other than the clouds obscuring the mountain's top, it was quite the spectacle. In the middle of July, I was surprise how one still needs to wear a jacket to keep the wind chill off you back. It was quite windy outside, but inside the education center, it was quite cozy. The learning center offered a lot of great information. It offered interactive models, pictorial displays with captions, videos with narratives from survivors points of views,' and what impress me the most, a severely damaged tree with blast damage. The docents and rangers were all welcoming and friendly. They restrooms but no overnight accommodations The fee to enter is $8. Definitely worth the visit if you are an enthusiast. read more
4 years ago
A great experience on Mt. Saint Helens with quite the views. Would recommend the drive up when weather permits. read more
7 years ago
This was our first time to visit this area to see Mt. St. Helens and I have to say we were awestruck the entire time there. We arrived just in time to get a history lesson from one of the Park Rangers. He was well versed on the events that took place in 1980. He described the eruption of Mount St. Helens and then he told us about the re-growth and recovery of the blast zone and area around Silver Lake. The exhibits inside the visitor center help you understand what took place during and after. Plan to spend enough time to see everything. read more
Large observatory for Mount St. Helens. Very cool. You pay inside and then go and walk around. There's a huge display of the mountain and where the lava flowed- very informative. Also little posters to read. Outside, there is a long trail that have great views of the mountain. We hiked for a good mile before we turned back. Great day to get out. The top of the mountain was of course covered, but still cool to learn the history and take pictures. Pretty busy but not like in your way. Just be mindful of others! read more
Johnston Ridge Observatory is the closest visitors center to Mt St Helens named after a guy who was monitoring the mountain in the days before the eruption and was subsequently killed in the blast. It's about 1 hour drive from the 5 Freeway. The drive is nice and scenic and you drive through much of the blast area and get to see how nature has come back since the eruption. The center is run by the US Forest Service and there is an admission with includes a number of exhibits and a movie. The movie itself does not focus so much on the eruption itself but more on how the eruption has changed the landscape and how it has effected it since. There is a visitors center near Silver Lake closer to the freeway that focuses more on the eruption itself. If you get there on a clear day, the view doesn't get any better. There are some outdoor exhibits and trails nearby. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area. read more
I've been coming to Mount St Helens, at least yearly, for over 20 years. The Johnston Ridge Observatory takes you far closer to the volcano than did some of the national park service (NPS) outlooks "back in the day". There are spectacular vistas, trails every where, and very knowledgeable rangers to answer your every question (although I did stump them [pun] on a forestry question last summer). It is a 2 hour drive from Olympia, through spectacular scenery on excellent roadway. In addition to the scenery, there are filmed documentaries in the Observatory and open air lectures from the rangers. Near by is equally stunning Coldwater Lake This is a great place for a family day and to get into truly unique nature. I am not a fan of how tax payer dollars are too often spent by our government. But I will say the NPS did a super job here and continues to do so in the whole national volcano monument park. read more
9 years ago
I'm going to be honest, I was last in the area in 1986. As my mom asked, "Is it still godforsaken?" As we were driving up, I thought it would be. But once we arrived and saw all the new growth and wildflowers, I thought it was gorgeous! This is nature! While there are many trails here to hike, we only did the 1 mile eruption trail which offered great views of the crater. There are two 20 minute movies that you must stay until the end to see. Inside the center are stories of people and their experience with the eruption...fascinating. You can buy your National Park Pass here too. read more
6 years ago
I grew up in this area. Always beautiful, fun and a nice drive. Unfortunately it was closed and very cloudy! But I got to take my son to a child hood memory so that is all that matters! read more
My friend and I loved this place! It's a great base of operations, as it's at the center of a few different trails. We were trying to figure out the best option for our time available, and Andrew, the Park Ranger, was really helpful and knowledgeable. Definitely among my most awesome experiences with getting help with trail finding. We later heard him talk about the eruption, and he had the perfect balance between providing good information and being a solid storyteller. Highly recommend coming up here and taking some time to hike around! read more
10 years ago
08/28/11 (Last Visited) Nice view of the mountain and valley. Never been here so really glad we came. The walk from parking lot to the obsevatory was short. The view from outside is amazing and free. Excellent views of the crater. This visitor center has grand sweeping views, a movie and some other arifacts. The movies are about a half hour and worth seeing. There were several children watching the movies who appeared to be enjoying them. I highly recommend the movie, which told the story of the devastation and subsequent regeneration of the area. They are worth the entrance fee ($8). The visitors center had excellent information and the view of the crater is a photographers dream. There's a gift shop and bathroom facilities. There are also hiking trails, there is also a near by lake which has a picnic benches. Well worth the drive if you are in the Seattle or Portland areas. *Located at the end of State Highway 504 (52 miles east of Castle Rock), in the heart of the blast zone, the observatory hosts interpretive displays that tell the biological, geological, and human story of Mount St. Helens. Visitors to Johnston Ridge Observatory can enjoy multiple award-winning films, listen to ranger talks, observe the landscape, purchase souvenirs, set off on a hike, or get a light lunch from the food cart. Check out the annual summer Music on the Mountain series held throughout summer at the Johnston Ridge Observatory outdoor amphitheater (in partnership with the Cowlitz County Economic Development Council and the Mount St. Helens Institute). read more
Awesome! It's worth the drive up there and you get the closest views of Mount St. Helens - and it's worth the inexpensive fee to go in and look at all the interesting displays and watch the video. We hiked along some of the trails right there as well and the views are just breathtaking! read more
11 years ago
Johnston Ridge was a great place to learn about the volcano that literally turned day into night in the state of Washington. It was such a beautiful drive. Once you get off of the interstate and onto to the drive that takes you up the mountain, you get some of the best views you will see in the US! You can also stop and pick some berries on the way! Once you get there, the views of Mount Saint Helens are incredible. It feels like it's only been a few years since the volcano erupted. It's almost an eerie feeling because there is no wildlife there and no plants where the ash and mudslide came down from the eruption. Not only do I think this is a good place to go for visitors but it's definitely a place for Washington state locals also. I highly recommend checking it out! read more
I love the outdoors. I also love history. This is the place for people who love either or both of those. The history behind the eruption is fascinating and sobering. I think about the people who died during the explosion and those who helped others survive. They all sacrificed for the betterment of humanity. The views on Mt. St Helens was spectacular. It was a clear day and in the 50's. The mountain was almost completely filled with snow but you could see the crater. It is also amazing to see how mankind helped build the area up after the explosion. Not to mention, it's incredible how the earth rebuilt itself after the explosion. All in all, you should make it a point to come here. read more
I wasn't quite to fond of this observetory. First it cost $8 per person to go inside the visitor center to look at pictures. 2nd it cost $25 or more to go up to the outlook for a 360 view. If you trespass it's a $500 fine! View didn't seem that exciting from the base. We skip this observetory and saved us a Benjamin. read more
7 years ago
Unfortunately Mother Nature decided it wanted to cover up most of our view but we didn't let that get us down. Beautiful views and hiking. Informational movie and nice shop. read more
This was a first for us & something that was on my husband's bucket list. He remembered when it erupted & was fascinated by it. Johnston Ridge Observatory had the best view point of Mount St. Helen's devastation. We listened to the park ranger's presentation of the story of Mount St. Helens. He was a fast talking & funny guy. Very informative. After that we watched a 17 minute movie of what happened on the morning of May 18, 1980 @ 8:32 am. Pretty scary. There are a lot of informative displays & interactive stations. I really didn't realize until this day how many active volcanos there are in this area. Luckily, before a volcano erupts, you usually have at least a two week warning. read more
half the fun of the destination is the journey. Highway 504 is a perfect road for any motorcycle or sports car enthusiast. Long sweeping turns with a few hairpin turns, plenty of turn offs at viewpoints to snap photos of the beautiful scenery we have here in WA. Sitting at the peak is the Johnston Ridge Observatory. A relatively outdated building but filled with history and a picture perfect view of the world famous Mt. St. Helens. There is ample parking a top with a nice little food truck to feed your hunger. Plenty of hiking trails (must pay a park fee) to take part in and plenty of park benches to sit back and breath in fresh mountain air. Inside the observatory you will learn all about Mt. St. Helens and the eruption. You can see lava rocks, learn how the explosion created crevices and pretty much reshaped the land around it. There is a short movie that explains what happened and how and why the mountain erupted, but be warned as it is a "Blair Witch Project" kind of cinematography so if you get headaches or motion sickness easily - it wouldn't be the best thing to watch. Overall a cool place to visit if you've never been and a better place to ride to if you enjoy scenic views and a fun run. read more
13 years ago
I would highly suggest listening to the park rangers explanation on the history. They seem to present about once an hour. Very informative! Other points to note: -The movie was pretty cheesy. -There is a hiking trail that will take you 35 miles to Mt. Saint Adams. -You can see Spirit Lake from the ridge. -They have a small selection of snacks and many trinkets for purchase inside the visitor center. read more
12 years ago
Excellent place to learn about, not only the eruption, but also the effect the eruption had on scientific knowledge of volcano eruptions. It is beautiful to see even after all that destruction, the earth, with no help from humans, can rebound and flourish again. This visitor center is placed in a way so you can get a real understanding what happened that fateful day. The rangers are all very knowledgable and their presentations should not be missed. The movies also, greatly contribute to understanding what happened and how the area is recovering. Glad this will be protected into the future as we have much to learn from how nature heals itself. read more
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Spend the day hiking to enjoy the vast volcano. Observatory is loud with the families taking in the breathtaking view but it's fun to hear all the inquisitive questions. read more
4 years ago
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13 years ago
Excellent views of Mt St Helen's from here. Good museum about the eruptions. The Observatory is about 45 minutes from the Hwy 5. It's a nice drive on a curvy road with multiple view points of the mountain along the way. Don't bring your dog because they must stay in the parking lot. read more
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More info about Johnston Ridge Observatory
24000 Spirit Lake Hwy
Toutle, WA 98649
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(360) 274-2140
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Ask the Community - Johnston Ridge Observatory
What time do videos get played?
There are two films, one plays ten after the hour (10:10, 11;10, etc) and the other plays forty after the hour (10:40, 11:40, etc). The :10 one is about the plants and animals returning after the eruption and the :40 film is about the 1980 eruption
Review Highlights - Johnston Ridge Observatory
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