Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping
Danielle S.
Reviewed Aug. 24, 2018

Dispersed Camping Near Great Hikes - Mount St. Helens

Found this campsite when driving up to the south side of Mount St. Helens Hikes - it is situated between Ape Caves (farther away) and pretty close to Lava Canyon and Ape Canyon.

It is pretty close to the road, so we could hear road noise. However, there's nothing past the campsite really besides a couple more campsite spots and the hikes, so there really wasn't any road traffic at night.

It's easy enough for a car to pull in to - my honda fit had no problem. This spot on a circle pull-out that has a couple more sites, but this is the only one you drive right up to. The circle pull out looks like a spot for RVs. My hiking buddy said the middle of the pull-out had a fire ring, but I didn't go investigate.

Our spot had a fire ring, a nice flat spot for the tent and trees close enough together that we set up the hammock.

There is a little trail that I didn't use too much, except to find a place to use the bathroom. If you do this method, remember to bring a trowel and dig. Please practice this method and keep it nice for the next people. I did see a fair bit of TP on the trail :( There is also a toilet up the road at Lava Canyon, but despite a sign in the bathroom proclaiming it a smell-free toilet, it was frankly the worst smelling toilet I have ever experienced, so I preferred the outdoors.

The site is sheltered by large trees which gave it a nice feel of privacy.

SiteThe first site to your right when you pull in
  • Review photo of Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping by Danielle S., August 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping by Danielle S., August 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping by Danielle S., August 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping by Danielle S., August 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping by Danielle S., August 24, 2018
  • Review photo of Mount St. Helens Dispersed Camping by Danielle S., August 24, 2018