Do I need a permit to thru-hike Loowit Trail?
No. The agency that manages Loowit Trail in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument does not require a permit to thru-hike it. Its published rules still apply, and they are quoted below.
No permit required
What the Loowit Trail permit costs and covers
- Fee
- No fee or permit for trail use. Some access points charge $5 per vehicle per day or take a valid Recreation Pass
- Group size limit
- 12 people
What the rules require
- No permit or fee for trail use. Some access points charge $5 per vehicle per day or take a valid Recreation Pass
- Leaving the trail upslope needs a Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit: the Forest Service requires one year-round for anyone traveling above 4,800 ft on the slopes of the mountain
- Camping PROHIBITED in the Research Area (Blast Zone) spanning ~10 miles on north side
- Maximum group size of 12 people
- Dogs strictly prohibited throughout the National Volcanic Monument
- No bikes
- No campfires: stoves only
Published rules for the Loowit Trail Permit, quoted as written.
Getting one
The permit page shows how Loowit Trail Permit is issued, what it costs and when its season runs.
Common questions about the Loowit Trail permit
Do I need a permit to thru-hike Loowit Trail?
No. The agency that manages Loowit Trail in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument does not require a permit to thru-hike it. Its published rules still apply, and they are quoted below.
How much does a Loowit Trail permit cost?
No fee or permit for trail use. Some access points charge $5 per vehicle per day or take a valid Recreation Pass.
How many people can be on one Loowit Trail permit?
12 people.