- The Adventure
Explore the longest lava tube in the continuous US and the third longest in North America (2.5 miles(4,023m))
- Distance and Travel Time (from downtown Seattle): 181 miles (2h 58m)
- Trip Type: Overnight trip or Day trip
- Parking
Use the parking lot at the trailhead to Ape Cave
- When to Go
Late spring ~ early fall (Ape Cave is open year long but winter seasons may be difficult to travel with young children)
- Things to Do
Stroll through/explore the lower cave (0.75 miles one-way), look for the “meatball” and “railroad tracks” formed by lava flow, etc.
- Tips
1) It is a 3 hour + drive from Seattle, so if your family is not used to spending long hours in the car, make it an overnight trip (Kelso is a good place for lodging near Mt. Saint Helens). If everyone is okay with the drive, depart early in the morning, spend a couple hours there and come back all in a day.
2) The temperature of the cave is about 42 degrees year-long so prepare warm clothing for the one hour stroll.
3) There is no light inside the cave so bring headlamps for everyone. Kids enjoy carrying small lanterns or flashlights in addition to the headlamps. (2-3 sources of light per person is recommended)
4) Ape Cave is divided into two parts – the upper cave and lower cave. The upper cave is difficult as it is longer and requires climbing and not recommended for children. The lower cave, however, is easy and good for the whole family.
5) If the family is up for more adventure stroll along the Trail of Two Forests trail (0.5 miles round trip) which is very close to Ape Cave, or drive further along highway 83 to enjoy the view from Lahar viewpoint and stroll along the Lava Canyon trail (1.1 miles round trip) which has a suspension bridge.
Ape Cave Trailhead
Entrance to Ape Cave
Walking along the "Railroad Tracks" inside the Cave
