Recreation area

Lava Canyon Interpretive Site

Gifford Pinchot National Forest · Washington — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Discover more about Mount St. Helens eruptive past in this much more stark, higher-elevation setting. Access Lava Canyon Trail #184 at this site. Travel along the trail and explore a mudflow-scoured canyon with views of a waterfall plunging over an ancient lava flow. Continue on the Lava Canyon Trail for more challenging hiking experiences with rewarding views.   Accessible Adventures Video featuring Lava Canyon Trail:

Getting there

From Woodland, WA take State Route 503/Forest Road 90 east to the well-signed Forest Road 83 junction. Turn left on Forest Road 83 for 11 miles and follow to the end of Forest Road 83 at Lava Canyon Trailhead and Intepretive Site.

Activities

  • HIKING
  • PICNICKING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Washington camping

Lava Canyon Interpretive Site doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Washington campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.