Mount St. Helens Climbing Permits
Everyone must have a climbing permit to be above the Loowit Trail on Mount St. Helens. Un-needed permits may be refunded up to 7 days before your climb and put back into the permit system for re-sale, so check Recreation.gov throughout the season for newly available permits. Read more below!
Purchasing Climbing Permits for Mount St. Helens
- Permits will go on sale March 1, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. PDT at: Recreation.gov. New in 2021: Starting at 7:00 am on March 1, 2021, all climbing permits for the month of April will be available for purchase through Recreation.gov. Additional permits will be made available on the first of each month for the subsequent month, throughout the permit quota season, ending October 31, 2021.
- Climbing permits cost $15 per person per day. A $6 reservation fee is charged per transaction.
- The purchaser of the climbing permit may make a reservation for up to 12 total climbing group members. The permit purchaser must be included in the climbing group.
- The permit purchaser must provide the names of all group members at the time of purchase. While climbing group members can be adjusted after the purchase, all members in a climbing group must carry their ID that matches the list of climbers on the purchased permit. The purchaser of the climbing permit becomes the permit holder and must be present on the climb.
- Permit purchasers are advised to visit Recreation.gov before March 1 to set up their account and expedite the permit purchasing process.
Managing your Permit Reservation
- The permit may be cancelled up to 7 days before the date of climb for a refund of $15 per climber, with the cancelled permit returning to the system within 24 hours for re-sale. The $6 reservation fee cannot be refunded. After 7 days, persons may cancel a permit but will not receive a refund; the permit will go back into the system for re-sale.
- Changes to the names on the permit may be made up to 7 calendar days before the date of climb OR before the permit is printed (whichever comes first). If a permit holder anticipates their group members changing, they should wait to print their permit until their group is finalized.
- The number of group members can be decreased up to 7 calendar days before the date of climb. The number of group members can be increased up to 7 days before date of climb, provided there is availability.
The permit holder cannot be changed at any point and must be present when climbing in order for the permit to be valid. Reservation fees may apply when making changes to the permit names or group size.
- The permit may be printed within 14 days of the date of climb. No changes to the permit or climbing group can be made once it is printed.
On the Mountain
- Every person named on the permit must carry government-issued ID with them while climbing, in order to validate that their name matches the name listed on the permit. If they do not present an ID, a violation notice may be issued.
- As climbing groups often split up, the permit holder should share a copy of the permit (physical or digital) with all group members before starting the climb.
- Children under 18 may be identified by a parent or group leader and do not require an ID.
- Groups should sign in and out at the trailhead register to help climbing rangers and facilitate Search and Rescue operations.
- The climbing permit does not cover trailhead parking fees. The summer route starts at Climber’s Bivouac Trailhead, which requires a valid Recreation Pass or $5 per car per day. The winter route starts at Marble Mountain Sno-Park, which requires a Washington State Sno-Park Pass November through March.
- Climber’s Bivouac is a developed site with parking, tent pads, fire grates and toilets, but no running water and no picnic tables. Please pack out all litter & waste.
Other Climbing Information
- The reason for a permit system is, and always has been, to protect natural and cultural resources and special biological communities on Mount St. Helens. Climbing permits reduce overcrowding and support climber safety and education.
- The Mount St. Helens Institute will continue to provide climbing information, climbing conditions, and volunteer support on the climbing route. Please visit Mount St. Helens Institute or call 360-449-7883 for information on climbing and current conditions.
- Questions about transactions, purchasing, or modifying of permits should be directed to Recreation.gov Contact Us.
- Between April and October, climbing is limited to reduce impact on the volcano. From April 1– May 14 climbing is limited to 300 persons per day. From May 15- October 31 climbing is limited to 110 persons per day. During the winter climbing season there is no permit limit and permits are self-issued at trailheads.
- Recreation.gov supports reservations for a variety of recreation sites and opportunities across the country. 16 campgrounds on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are already reservable through Recreation.gov.
- While the structure of the permit sale is similar to past years, we would like to encourage visitors to be flexible. We are listening to feedback, and may have additional changes next year.
Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit Seasons 2021
New in 2021: Starting at 7:00 am on March 1, 2021, all climbing permits for the month of April will be available for purchase through Recreation.gov. Additional permits will be made available on the first of each month for the subsequent month, throughout the permit quota season, ending October 31, 2021. Review Frequently Asked Questions about the new permit changes.
April 01- May 14 Climbing Season
- A permit is required.
- A permit fee is charged.
- Climbing use is limited to 300 persons a day.
- Advance purchase online is required.
- Snowmobile use is allowed above 4800 feet with a permit provided that it is outside the designated non-motorized corridor (see non-motorized corridor map).
May 15- October 31 Climbing Season
- A permit is required.
- A permit fee is charged.
- Climbing use is restricted to 110 daily permit holders.
- Advance purchase online is required.
- Snowmobile use is not allowed above 4800 feet.
November 01- March 31 Climbing Season
- A permit is required.
- A permit fee is not charged.
- Climbing use is unrestricted.
- Online registration is not required.
- You must self-register at Marble Mtn Sno-Park (open all winter) or at the Climber's Register at Climbers Bivouac (usually closed Dec- May for winter).
- Snowmobile use is allowed above 4800 feet with a permit provided that it is outside the designated non-motorized corridor (see non-motorized corridor map).
