Destinations

Located at the end of State Highway 504 and 52 miles east of Castle Rock, Washington, the Johnston Ridge Observatory lies in the heart of the blast zone. The Observatory's state-of-the-art interpretive displays magically portray the sequence of geologic events that transformed the landscape and opened up a new era in the the science of monitoring an active volcano and forecasting eruptions. Read amazing eyewitness accounts from eruption survivors.

Take a one-half mile walk on the Eruption Trail and learn how the eruption shaped the surrounding landscape. Visitors can expect to see views of the lava dome, crater, pumice plain, and the landslide deposit.

• Current Hours
  
• Monument Passes / Fee Waiver

Education Programs Available

• The sequence of geologic events that transformed the landscape
• The science of monitoring an active volcano
• Amazing eyewitness accounts from eruption survivors

A 265-seat wide-screen theater with a 16 minute presentation

The Johnston Ridge movie is shown beginning at 15 minutes after the hour and 15 minutes before each hour (every 30 minutes). The first show begins at 10:15 am and the last show is at 5:15 pm.

• The one-half mile Eruption Trail unfolds an explosive story (wheel chair accessible)
• Access to Boundary Trail #1

Services Available

*** There are NO picnic or restaurant facilities at Johnston Ridge ***