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Washington

Skamania County

Ape Cave Trail – Mount Saint Helens National Monument

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Washington

Skamania County

Ape Cave Trail – Mount Saint Helens National Monument

Easy

4.7

(1415)

13,907

hikers

Ape Cave Trail – Mount Saint Helens National Monument

01:43

6.11km

130m

Hiking

If you're traveling around Mount Saint Helens, don't miss out on exploring Ape Cave. After all, it is the third longest lava tube in North America. Such gigantic caves are formed when lava cools and solidifies on the surface, while red-hot lava continues to flow through underneath.

There is a…

by VisitTheUSA

Last updated: December 3, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

197 m

Ape Cave Interpretive Site/Lower entrance

Highlight • Cave

The Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America. This is the main entrance for the impressive Ape Cave. The cave consists of a massive lava tube …

Tip by

2.77 km

Within the Ape Cave

Highlight • Cave

2.5 miles of underground adventure – this is the Ape Cave. The cave is actually a massive lava tube that you can explore on your own. There are lots of …

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3.84 km

Ape Cave - Upper Entrance

Highlight • Cave

This is where you emerge from the ground if you started your journey through the cave from the lower entrance at the parking lot. The trail back leads through a nicely forested area with some lava flow next to you.

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4.45 km

Ape Cave Trail

Highlight • Trail

Above the ground, the Ape Cave Trail leads you to or from the upper entrance of the cave system. On your way you will hike through pine-scented forest and pass several smaller lava flows.

Tip by

6.11 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.03 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.92 km

2.11 km

< 100 m

Elevation

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Weather

Thursday 28 May

23°C

11°C

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Comments

March 6, 2024

If you're traveling around Mount Saint Helens, don't miss out on exploring Ape Cave. After all, it is the third longest lava tube in North America. Such gigantic caves are formed when lava cools and solidifies on the surface, while red-hot lava continues to flow through underneath.
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There is a spacious

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