Description
Ape Cave Interpretive Site
Explore a chilly, pitch-black lava tube over two miles long. A short, paved, accessible trail beneath towering trees leads to a stairwell into the cave. The ¾ mile, one-way lower cave route is relatively easy and family friendly. For the more adventurous, the 1.5 mile upper cave route leads to a climb up an eight foot rock wall and scramble over rock piles, then an exit and a 1.5 mile above ground hike back to the parking lot.
Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube (2.5 miles long) in North America and cave temperature is 42 degrees F/5.6 degrees C year-round. Make sure to bring two sources of light per person (a cell phone light is not bright enough), sturdy shoes, warm clothing, even in warm weather. In summer, Ape Headquarters, a small information station, offers lantern rentals, information and sales items to ticket holders.
Help protect Ape Cave. Please do not touch cave walls or ceiling. Touching kills cave slime, a basis for the food chain of tiny creatures that live there. Help protect our bats and caves from White Nose Syndrome. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all that you bring with you.
Reservation System: Timed reservations are required to visit Ape Cave during the open season: May 18 Cave through October 31. Choose a two-hour time slot for your desired day on recreation.gov ($2 admin fee).
Reservation System, Frequently Asked Questions: English, Spanish, Russian.
Accessible Adventures Video (Ape Cave description at 1:58)
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 03/19/2024: Ape Cave is closed for the season until May 18th. It is illegal to enter Ape Cave during the winter without authorization, 36 CFR 261.53 (b). Timed reservations are required during the summer season, and must displayed on your vehicle dash. Timed Reservation tickets are available at recreation.gov starting April 15th. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | Timed reservations are required to visit Ape Cave during the open season from May 18th to October 31. |
| Fees: | $5/vehicle/day or valid Recreation Pass. Fee tube available for payment on-site. See Mount St. Helens Map for fee and payment sites. A timed reservation is also necessary and may be booked through recreation.gov starting April 15. |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Restrictions: | In order to protect the fragile cave environment, the following are prohibited inside Ape Cave:
Please be advised the inside of cars get very hot during summer months. Please leave your pets safely at home. |
| Closest Towns: | Cougar, WA |
| Water: | No |
| Restroom: | Vault Toilets (2) |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: |
|
General Information
Directions:From Woodland, WA take State Route 503 to Cougar WA then take Lewis River Road east for 2.8 miles. The road then changes to Forest Road 90. Continue on Forest Road 90 to Forest Road 83, approximately 4 miles and turn left. Drive Forest Road 83 for 3 miles then turn left onto Forest Road 8303. Drive approximately 1.5 miles, past Trail of Two Forest, Apes' Headquarters is located at Ape Cave on Forest Road 8303 on the left.
Accessibility:The parking lot and visitor area facilities are flat and paved. A paved trail leads to the lower cave entrance, but gets rougher to reach the upper entrance.
Activities
Day Hiking
Location
-
Cougar, WA, USA
Add a review