Mt St Helens Fumaroles

Lewis County, Washington · Near Morton
46.1980°N, 122.1970°W · 6,906 ft
190°F 47°F air · Good soaking weather 6,906 ft Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (15.5 mi)
Fumarole: Not a Soaking Spring

Mt St Helens Fumaroles is a fumarole, not a traditional hot spring. These geothermal features can be extremely dangerous. Boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground are common hazards. Do not attempt to soak.

Fumaroles on Mount St. Helens, Lewis County, Washington, on Gifford Pinchot National Forest ground. The temperature given is near boiling, well into scalding territory. Morton is the town listed, about twenty-five miles. Public access is open on file, and the approach is a hike of three and a half miles from Climber's Bivouac Road, a name that tells you the character of the trip.

Location

Just under seven thousand feet. The climate data shows precipitation past the hundred-inch mark and a deep snowpack, with an average temperature near freezing. Forest Service land in a national forest. The walk from the road is three and a half miles on the record, and the road name points to a climbers' staging area.

Lower Falls Campground, fifteen-odd miles distant, is the one campground on record. Winter months appear on record, but with this much snow the practical window is when the route is clear, and that is something to verify with the Forest Service. Near-boiling steam scalds on contact. Keep back from the vents.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Mt St Helens Fumaroles.

Aerial view of the ground around Mt St Helens Fumaroles LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Mt St Helens Fumaroles
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
905 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
67 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 3% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
18°
Jan
18°
Feb
21°
Mar
25°
Apr
35°
May
40°
Jun
47°
Jul
50°
Aug
43°
Sep
33°
Oct
23°
Nov
17°
Dec
Annual Precip: 103.0 in Annual Snow: 278.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 17°F · Water 190°F · +173° contrast
January Air 18°F · Water 190°F · +172° contrast
February Air 18°F · Water 190°F · +172° contrast
December offers 32°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
47°F
NNE 0.0 mph 96% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 43° Low 37° Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog 11% precip
Spring is +147° warmer
Wednesday 56° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +134° warmer
Thursday 57° Low 46° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +133° warmer
Friday 54° Low 44° Sunny
Spring is +136° warmer
Saturday 58° Low 45° Sunny
Spring is +132° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Lower Falls Campground 15.5 mi away

Overview Lower Falls Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Visitors enjoy several waterfalls in the area and access to the Lewis River Trail. The campground is open from mid-May through October.Recreation Near the campground are several trailheads that provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities. There are hiking trails, mountain bike trails, horse trails, and motorcycle trails within 10 miles of the campground. The Lewis River contains rainbow, cutth...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,906 ft

Mt St Helens Fumaroles sits at 6,906 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 28% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
190°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 190°F (88°C)
Avg Air Temp 31°F
Above Ambient +159°F
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road Climber's Bivouac Road
Distance to Road 3.5 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Mt St Helens Fumaroles?
Mt St Helens Fumaroles has a water temperature of 190°F (88°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Mt St Helens Fumaroles located?
Mt St Helens Fumaroles is located in Lewis County, Washington at 6,906 feet elevation, near Morton. Coordinates: 46.1980°N, 122.1970°W.
How do I get to Mt St Helens Fumaroles?
Mt St Helens Fumaroles has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Climber's Bivouac Road (3.5 mi from the road).
Is Mt St Helens Fumaroles free to visit?
Mt St Helens Fumaroles has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Mt St Helens Fumaroles?
Yes, Lower Falls Campground is located nearby (15.5 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Mt St Helens Fumaroles?
No, not at the source. The water at Mt St Helens Fumaroles reaches 190°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.