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| Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument | |
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 Mount St. Helens from the Johnston Ridge Observatory (July 2018) | |
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| Location | Skamania / Cowlitz / Lewis counties, Washington, United States |
| Nearest city | Castle Rock, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°13′59″N 122°11′04″W / 46.2331657°N 122.1845412°W[1] |
| Area | 110,000 acres (450 km2) |
| Created | August 26, 1982 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument |
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a U.S. National Monument that includes the area around Mount St. Helens in Cowlitz and Skamania Counties, Washington. It was established on August 27, 1982, by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, following the 1980 eruption.[2] The 110,000 acre (445 km2) National Volcanic Monument was set aside for research, recreation, and education. Inside the monument, the environment is left to respond naturally to the disturbance.[3] It was the third national monument to be managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
At dedication ceremonies on May 18, 1983, Max Peterson, head of the USFS, said, "we can take pride in having preserved the unique episode of natural history for future generations." Since then, many trails, viewpoints, information stations, campgrounds, and picnic areas have been established to accommodate the increasing number of visitors each year.[2] Due to the eruption, the state recognizes the month of May as "Volcano Awareness Month" and events are held at Mount St. Helens, or within the region, to discuss the eruption, safety concerns, and to commemorate lives lost during the natural disaster.[4]
Beginning in 1983, visitors have been able to drive to Windy Ridge, only 4 miles (6.4 km) northeast of the crater.
Mountain climbing to the summit of the volcano has been allowed since 1986 and requires a permit.[2]
- ^ "Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
- ^ a b c Tilling; Topinka, and Swanson (1990). Eruptions of Mount St. Helens: Past, Present, and Future.
- ^ "Welcome". Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. United States Forest Service. Retrieved 2007-09-15.
- ^ Barker, Cade (May 13, 2024). "Volcano Awareness Month: Numerous activities available in person, social media". The Reflector (Battle Ground, Washington). Retrieved May 21, 2024.