Do I need a permit to climb Mount St. Helens?
Yes. You need a permit to climb Mount St. Helens. It is the Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit, and it is issued first come, first served rather than by lottery.
Permit required
What the Mount St. Helens permit costs and covers
- Fee
- $22 per permit
- Group size limit
- 12 people
- Issued per day
- 110 people
- Season starts
- April 1 (quota season begins)
- Season ends
- October 31 (quota season ends)
What the rules require
- Maximum group size is 12
- Entry into the crater of the volcano is strictly prohibited; the crater is closed to all entry
- The permit is valid only from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the date of the climb
- All individuals listed on the permit must carry government-issued photo ID and a copy of the permit while climbing
- Landing drones or other aircraft on or along the climbing route or at the summit is prohibited
- Overnight use within the closure area requires permits for two consecutive days
- A Federal Recreation Pass is required at Climber's Bivouac; a Washington State Sno-park pass is required at Marble Mountain December 1 - March 30
- Camp only at established campsites; it is illegal to cut any standing tree, dead or alive
- Treat all water by boiling, purification tablets or filtering
Published rules for the Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit, quoted as written.
“During the limited use season, permits will be available for advance purchase only, online, first come, first served, until the daily use limit is reached.”
Read August 20, 2026 on the USDA Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot National Forest (Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument) permit page
Getting one
Dates for Mount St. Helens sell out and then come back as people cancel. PermitSnag watches Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit and sends you an alert the moment one reappears.
Common questions about the Mount St. Helens permit
Do I need a permit to climb Mount St. Helens?
Yes. You need a permit to climb Mount St. Helens. It is the Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit, and it is issued first come, first served rather than by lottery.
How much does a Mount St. Helens permit cost?
$22 per permit.
How many people can be on one Mount St. Helens permit?
12 people.
When is the Mount St. Helens permit season?
Season starts: April 1 (quota season begins). Season ends: October 31 (quota season ends).