Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center at Coldwater

Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center at Coldwater The MSH Science and Learning Center is owned by the United States Forest Service and operated in partnership with the Mount St. Helens Institute. The Mount St.
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Helens Science and Learning Center is open as a visitor portal during the winter while Johnston Ridge Observatory is closed due to snow. The building is available for rent for meetings, events, conferences, ceremonies, and education programs. Mount St. Helens Institute, a non-profit partner of the United States Forest Service utilizes the building for education programs and a month event series from May through October.

We had some special guests for the 46th anniversary of the May 18th eruption.
05/27/2026

We had some special guests for the 46th anniversary of the May 18th eruption.

05/24/2026

We are now open 7 days a week until autumn. Come say hi! (Special thanks to the folks from the College of the Environment at Western Washington University for standing in!)

46 years later…
05/18/2026

46 years later…

The mountain is out today with a brand new coat.
05/17/2026

The mountain is out today with a brand new coat.

Winter driving conditions up here today. Expect things to stay as snow for the Elk Rock area. Meanwhile, the Science and...
05/16/2026

Winter driving conditions up here today. Expect things to stay as snow for the Elk Rock area.

Meanwhile, the Science and Learning Center, Coldwater Lake, and the Hummocks trail are snow free, but it’s in the air at times.

On top, snow cover on the mountain as of 5/12 with a high temp of 79°.On bottom, snow cover as briefly seen via our we**...
05/16/2026

On top, snow cover on the mountain as of 5/12 with a high temp of 79°.

On bottom, snow cover as briefly seen via our we**am from this morning (5/15) with a temp of 34°.

Snow levels stay low through the weekend. Currently (Friday evening) snow is falling around 3500’ and above. Roads are fine, but plan for snow covered trails in the high country. On the bright side, things look to start calming down Sunday, and there should be a nice bright white coat to reveal on Monday for the anniversary.

Keep your eyes on the snow level (and for a sneak peak of that fresh coat) at this link:

www.mshinstitute.org/volcano-cam

PS: again a big thank you to the sponsors of this camera GB Manchester and Hanwha Vision for making this possible and letting me sleep in a little. 😂)

Nice little lightning show tonight around sunset.
05/13/2026

Nice little lightning show tonight around sunset.

*New We**am Alert*If you’re ever curious about current conditions, or just need a break and want to enjoy some beautiful...
05/12/2026

*New We**am Alert*

If you’re ever curious about current conditions, or just need a break and want to enjoy some beautiful scenery… our new we**am is now online!

Thank you to the sponsors of the camera, GB Manchester and Hanwha Vision. As well as the Mt St Helens Institute and the US Forest Service.

Now you can enjoy our view from anywhere in the world.

Science. Education. Exploration. The Mount St. Helens Institute connects people of all ages to Mount St. Helens and our natural world through educational programing designed to enrich visitors’ appreciation and understanding of the Pacific Northwest’s youngest and most active volcano.

Address

19000 Spirit Lake Highway
Toutle, WA
98649

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(360) 274-2131

Website

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