Ape Cave Trail - Mt. St. Helens, Washington

Address:Trailhead off Forest Road 8303 ( 10 miles east of Cougar via Forest Road 83)
Mt. St. Helens National Monument, Washington

Go bananas at Ape Cave! Ape Cave is one of the longest lava flow tubes in the Unites States. This cave, which is 13,000 feet long, is located on the southern slopes on Mount Saint Helens, in Washington State. It was created about 2,000 years ago, when the outer portion of a basalt lava flow formed a hardened crust. When the inner part of this flow drained, an open tunnel was created. Ape Cave is named after a group of local scouts called Brush Apes that sponsored the first expedition of the cave.

While the upper section of this cave is rough and not recommended for small kids, hiking the lower section is easy and great for families with children of all ages. The length of this trail is 1.5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 100 feet. The length of the more strenuous trail along the upper section is three miles roundtrip. Both hikes are highly recommended and offer a unique experience, especially for those traveling for curious kids. Don't forget to bring plenty of flashlights along and be sure to turn them off for a few minutes while underground in order to experience the thrill of total darkness.

To reach the Ape Cave from I-5, take exit 21 and head east toward the small town of Cougar. At seven miles past Cougar turn left on Forest Road 83, drive two miles to Forest Road 8303, turn left again and then drive another mile to the cave. If you have spare time, don't miss another great hike for kids – the Trail of Two Forests, located nearby.