Loowit Trail is the signature long-distance route around Mount St. Helens, circling the volcano for about 30 miles through lava flows, pumice flats, timberline meadows, old-growth edges, and the raw terrain left behind by the 1980 eruption. It is one of the most dramatic hikes in the monument, but it is also one of the most demanding. The Forest Service describes it as a challenging route for experienced hikers and backpackers, with steep washes, lava boulder fields, occasional route-finding, and stream crossings along the way.
What makes Loowit so memorable is how much of Mount St. Helens’ story you experience in a single route. On the east side, the trail passes Windy Pass and the Pumice Plain with wide-open views of eruption-shaped terrain. On the north side, hikers enter the heart of the blast zone, where the landscape remains stark, exposed, and ever-changing. Farther west and south, the route moves through glacial canyons, flower-filled meadows, lava gardens, and subalpine forest with sweeping views toward Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Yale Reservoir, and the Lewis River Valley.
Because the Loowit Trail is not crossed by a road, there is no single main trailhead. Hikers reach it by feeder trails, and for south-side visitors the Forest Service recommends starting from either Ptarmigan Trail at Climbers Bivouac or June Lake Trailhead for the most straightforward access. Ptarmigan reaches the Loowit Trail in about 2 miles from Climbers Bivouac, while June Lake Trail provides the shortest connection on the south side.
This is a trail that rewards strong planning. The north 10-mile segment, from Windy Pass to the South Fork Toutle River, is a restricted area where camping and off-trail travel are not allowed and hikers are expected to complete that stretch in one day. In that same zone, pets, bikes, and fires are also prohibited. Outside that section, dispersed camping is allowed, but there are no formal designated campsites, so backpackers need to be prepared and practice Leave No Trace.
Trail details: Loowit Trail #216, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. There is no single trailhead for the full route. Popular south-side access points include Climbers Bivouac at 46.146695, -122.181703 and June Lake Trailhead at 46.137433, -122.155801. June Lake is day use only and does not allow overnight parking, while Climbers Bivouac offers direct access via Ptarmigan Trail.
Getting there: From Cougar, south-side access typically begins by heading east on Lewis River Road / Forest Road 90. For Climbers Bivouac, turn left onto Forest Road 83, continue to Forest Road 81, then follow Forest Spur Road 830 to the trailhead. For June Lake, continue east from Cougar and turn onto Forest Road 83, then follow the spur road to the June Lake parking area.
Call to action: Add Loowit Trail to your Visit Mt. St. Helens itinerary for a full-circle look at the mountain’s power, recovery, and unforgettable volcanic landscape. It is the hike for visitors who want to experience Mount St. Helens at its wildest and most complete.
Current seasonal note: The most recent official road update says Forest Road 83 was still gated at Marble Mountain Sno-Park on March 20, 2026, which blocks normal wheeled access to south-side trailheads such as June Lake and Climbers Bivouac. The Loowit Trail page also warns that some Forest Road 99 access areas and trails are closed Monday through Friday through October 31 because of the Spirit Lake Tunnel Outlet project, so east-side access should be checked carefully before a trip.