General Information

Everyone must have a climbing permit to be above 4,800 feet elevation on Mount St. Helens. The permit system has been in effect since 1987. The permit system helps to protect the volcano’s physical and biological features and processes, reduces crowding, and provides climbers with information on climbing conditions, Leave No Trace principles, and safety.

• Climbing permits are required year-round.
• Each climber must display their own climbing permit.
• Permits are valid for 24 hours starting at midnight for the date of climb and are nontransferable.  All permits are sold online. For example, if you wish to climb on a Wednesday, you must purchase an available permit from the on-line vendor by Monday at midnight.  You will be able to pick up your permit(s) at Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, WA on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
• All permit sales and dates are final once sale has been completed.
• Maximum party size is 12 climbers.
• Access is limited to protect the volcano’s physical and biological features and processes, and to reduce crowding.

From April 1 through October 31 permits are available for advance purchase only, on-line, first come, first served, until the daily limit is reached.

Permit Fee Structure

• From April through October, Mount St. Helens climbing permits are sold as advance purchase through an on-line vendor.
• The MSHI on-line vendor is a secure website that accepts all major credit and debit cards. Climbers will be emailed a confirmation receipt at the time of purchase.
• There is a $15.00 fee for each climbing permit, plus a service charge of $7.00. The total cost is $22.00 per complete climbing permit.
• Climbing permit fees and service charges are non-refundable unless climbing is suspended by the Forest Service due to hazardous conditions.
• If climbing is suspended by the Forest Service, permit sales will also be suspended. People who already purchased permits may receive a refund for their ($15.00) permit fee. However, the service charge ($7.00) is not refundable. Please plan accordingly.
• On-line registration is advance purchase. Do not wait until the day of your climb to purchase your permit.
• Climbers will use their emailed confirmation receipt to obtain their actual permit at the Climbers Register, located at Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, WA during store business hours. Trip leaders are asked to pick-up their entire groups' permits. All climbers need to read and sign their permits and abide by all permit conditions. The business hours at Lone Fir are adjusted seasonally. It is very important climbers visit or call ahead to verify.

Climbing Season - November 01-March 31

• A permit is required.
• A permit fee is not charged.
• Climbing use is unrestricted.
• Permits are not sold on-line.
• You must register and pick up your permit at Jacks.

Climbing Season - April 01-May 14

• A permit is required.
• A permit fee is charged.
• Climbing use is unrestricted.
• Advance purchase on-line registration is required.
• All permit sales and dates are final once sale has been completed.
• You must pick up your permit at Lone Fir Resort. You must have your emailed confirmation with you.

Climbing Season - May 15-October 31

• A permit is required.
• A permit fee is charged.
• Climbing use is restricted to 100 daily permit holders.
• Advance purchase on-line registration is required.
• All permit sales and dates are final once sale has been completed.
• You must pick up your permit at Lone Fir Resort. You must have your emailed confirmation with you.