Ape Cave
Cougar, Washington
| GPS: |
46°6'29.0"N 122°12'43.0"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Washington |
Cave and Hike
Ape Cave Lava Tube is a popular attraction in the Mount St. Helens National Monument and the longest lava tube in the continental United States at over two miles in length. The Ape Caves are located on the south side of Mount St. Helens and accessed through Woodland - go up highway 503 past Cougar. Driving time from I-5 and highway 504 where all the Mount St. Helens Visitor Centers are to the Ape Cave is just over an hour. The Ape Caves are open year-round though the parking lot gets snowed in during the winter.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Cougar, Washington
- Head northeast on Lewis River Rd toward Cougar Camp Rd (3.4 mi)
- Continue onto Rd 90 (0.6 mi)
- Rd 90 turns slightly right and becomes Rd No 90 (2.6 mi)
- Turn left onto NF-83 (1.7 mi)
- Turn left onto NF-8303 (0.9 mi)
- Turn rightDestination will be on the right(0.1 mi)
From Cougar, drive east on Forest Road 90 just 1 mile beyond the Swift Dam, and turn left (north) onto FR 83. Drive 2 miles on FR 83 and turn left onto FR 8303. Continue for 1 mile on FR 8303 to the trailhead on the right. (Courtesy of WTA.org)
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