Coldwater Lake & Ridge

Sitting on the northwest side of Mount St. Helens. The area offers scenic lakeside views, interpretive trails, and ridge hikes with sweeping vistas of the volcano, Spirit Lake basin, and recovering landscape.

Points of Interest

Coldwater Lake Viewpoints – Scenic overlooks of the lake created by the 1980 eruption, with reflections of the surrounding blast zone.

Coldwater Lake Trail – Easy 3-mile loop trail around the lake, offering views of volcanic debris, regrowing forest, and wildlife.

Picnic Areas & Access Points – Lakeside picnic spots ideal for family visits or short stops.

Coldwater Ridge Trailhead – Start for longer hikes that climb to panoramic ridges above the lake and blast zone.

Coldwater Ridge Overlook – Sweeping vistas of Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake, and the surrounding recovering forests.

Hiking & Photography Spots – Popular for sunrise/sunset photography and observing the scale of the 1980 eruption’s impact.

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