Download the PDF Letter, landscape, two sides. Flip on the short edge. Live conditions for Mount St. Helens
SR 504I-5NF 90NF 99NF 83SR 503SR 502NF 25Battle GroundWoodlandLa CenterKalamaYacolt
SR 504
2 mi
Stops 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
5 mi
N
SR 504 · FR 83 · FR 90 · FR 99 · Washington

The roads around Mount St. Helens

MP 45.2SR 504 closure, checked September 28, 2026
  1. 1Kid Valley Campground
  2. 2ShellFuel
  3. 3Forest Learning Center Rest Area
  4. 4Castle Lake ViewpointRest area
  5. 5Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center at ColdwaterVisitor center
  6. 6Coldwater Lake Picnic And Boating Site
  7. 7South Coldwater Trailhead
  8. 8Loowit Viewpoint
  9. 9SkylightViewpoint
  10. 10Ape's HeadquartersVisitor center
  11. 11Windy Ridge Viewpoint
  12. 12Smith Creek Interpretive SitePicnic area
  13. 13Independence Pass Trailhead
  14. ASR 504 closed beyond MP 45.2
★Mount St. HelensFreewayHighwayLocal road
Visitor centerRest areaFuelCampgroundTrailheadPicnic areaViewpoint
Base map USGS The National Map. Roads, towns and stops © OpenStreetMap contributors. Built September 30, 2026. Printed maps go out of date. Live conditions at milecheckapp.com/mountains/sthelens/roads/
SR 504 · FR 83 · FR 90 · FR 99 · Washington

The roads around Mount St. Helens

SR 504 is the state highway from Castle Rock. The forest roads reach recreation areas on the south and east sides, and their seasonal status can differ from the state highway.

SR 504 closure at milepost 45.2

SR 504, the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, runs east from Castle Rock on I-5. As checked September 28, 2026, WSDOT closes it at the winter gate at milepost 45.2. A May 2023 slide destroyed the Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge farther east. WSDOT expects bridge work to finish in spring 2027, followed by Forest Service work at Johnston Ridge Observatory.

Ape Cave and Lava Canyon

On the south side, Forest Roads 90 and 83 lead toward Ape Cave and Lava Canyon. Ape Cave is on the 8303 spur. Road 83 above Marble Mountain Sno-Park has a winter gate. Check the Forest Service conditions page for road and recreation-site closures.

Windy Ridge

Forest Road 99 reaches Windy Ridge from Road 25 on the east side. Road 99 closes for winter. Check both roads before choosing an approach.

Can I drive to Johnston Ridge Observatory?

As checked September 28, 2026, no. WSDOT lists the closure at milepost 45.2. Bridge construction is expected to finish in spring 2027, followed by Forest Service work at the observatory.