Swing from the Trees at These Aerial Adventure Courses

by Hannah JudgeMay 8, 2022

Why limit family fun to staying on the ground? Kids love to be in the air, whether they’re dangling from monkey bars or doing flips on trampolines. Spice up your kid’s warm-weather plans with a trip to an aerial park near you! There are tons of adventures to be had from high ropes courses to zip lines to scaling trees like our inner primate. Need suggestions on just where to go for these adrenaline-filled, exciting experiences? No worries, we’ve done the hard work for you – read on for our list of the top adventure parks near Portland, Oregon!

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Crater Lake Zip Line

Fly into summer with Crater Lake’s age-inclusive zip lines! Crater Lake Zip Line has engineered its adventures to fit kids of all ages (5+)! Begin with the Kid’s Zip, offering an hour and a half of ziplining, sasquatch spotting, and crawling around on the rope-spider web, or jump into the Skyak! Course (10+) that covers a slew of ziplines, including rappelling and kayaking, and more! If you plan to make a day out of it, Crater Lake Zip Line has kayak rentals so you and your family can spend the afternoon out on the lake.

Where: 29840 Hwy 140W., Klamath Falls, OR
Phone: (541) 892-9477
Online: craterlakezipline.com

HighLife Adventures

Take a weekend and hang out at HighLife Adventures in Warrenton, Oregon! Built for families, this action-packed adventure park has the best ziplining guides on the Oregon Coast. Looking for entertainment for the kiddos for more than just one day? Send the kids to HighLife’s Squatch Survival School where kids will be trained in skills like foraging, finding water, building fire and shelter, and learning first aid! HighLife also offers the trending sport axe throwing so you can bring out the barbarian in you!
Where: 92111 High Life Rd., Warrenton, OR
Online: highlife-adventures.com

Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour

Perhaps you can’t get out to the coast or make the drive to Crater Lake. Don’t fret, Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour is in North Plains, Oregon just 35 minutes northwest of Portland! They offer their zipline tours year-round, so if the summer slips away from you, you and the family can still zipline in the Fall! They have all you need to make sure you’re prepared for your feet to leave the ground! Head online for their rates and pre-zip checklist, and take a peek at their digital gallery to see what is in store for you and your kids!

Where: 22616 NW Pumpkin Ridge Rd., North Plains, OR
Online: pumpkinridgeziptour.com

Zipline X

Balance, zip, cross and climb your way through Zipline X’s impressive zip line course! Just 45 minutes away from the PDX airport, Zipline X sends you soaring across treetops and over ravines which is sure to get the adrenaline flowing. This course takes approximately two hours to complete, and all children under the age of 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Get ready to scale the ladder, fly through the tops of the forest, and cross bridges over steep drops by booking your tour today!

Where: 32016 NE Healy Rd., Amboy WA
Phone: (503) 520-0303
Online: ziplinex.com

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Skamania Lodge Adventures

At Skamania Lodge, they offer two different ways to have fun high-in-the-sky! You can pick between the zipline tour or the aerial park, or if you’re feeling spunky, you can do both! At Skamania’s Aerial Park, you can swing between trees and put your balance and agility to the test. Their course features over 15 platforms and more than twenty obstacle elements! The zipline tour makes you one with the tree canopy and takes you through seven different ziplining courses (the longest one is 900 feet!). Throw the kids in the car and head to Skamania Lodge today for a summer adventure they’re sure to remember.

Where: 1131 Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson WA
Phone: (509) 427-0202
Online: zipnskamania.com

Rogue Valley Zip Line Adventure

Take you and the family on a trip to Southern Oregon to experience the Rogue Valley from the air! Book a standard zipline tour that covers more than 2500 ft over five courses or book their Sunset Zipline Tour! An important thing to note is that they do have an age restriction, allowing only those 8 and older to participate in their courses. So, if your kids are a bit older, this is the place for your family! Head online to claim your spot today (especially for that sunset tour – wow!)

Where: 9450 Old Stage Rd., Central Point, OR
Phone: (541) 821-9476
Online: rvzipline.com

Tree to Tree Adventure Park

Accurately calling itself a playground in the trees, this park offers variety for families with varying levels of adventurers including one of the longest zip lines in the area, and some aerial adventures for your youngins who aren’t quite ready for the full-blown zipping experience. So if the 1,280-foot-long line is too much to handle, you can choose to try out their Aerial Adventure a set of 6 obstacle courses built into the trees (no need to worry, everyone is safely harnessed here, too). And if you have some really little tykes with you, they can check out the mini adventures instead: Adventure Village, Tree Top Plunge or Monkey Grove.

2975 SW Nelson Road Gaston, Or.
Online: tree2treeadventurepark.com/

6 Nearby National Parks Portland Kids Love

by Annette BenedettiApril 13, 2022

There are few better ways to create family memories than with road trips to National Parks. Portlanders don’t have to go far to find gorgeous parks featuring breathtaking hikes, adventures in nature, and hands-on educational opportunities. Pack up the family vehicle and fire up the GPS. Read on for a little help planning your next family adventure to a beloved National Park near Portland

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Explore the prehistoric past at these fossil beds 40 million years in the making. John Day Fossil Beds is also home to the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center which is a working lab. Don’t miss the Painted Hills area where you can grab gorgeous pics of your babes on a one-of-a-kind back drop. It makes for a dream family road trip this time of year.

Nearby Airbnb: This spacious modern two bedroom home, is located just a few miles from the stunning Painted Hills. The house is spacious and open with modern amenities and relaxing outdoor spaces where the kids can run and play. It's your home away from home.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the United States. The water-filled caldera is a stunning blue and the scenic Rim Drive is a "must do" activity for all visiting families. This 33-mile tour winds around Crater Lake and has plenty of pullouts along the way for photo ops and restless legs. There are plenty of trails to explore for those in the family who love to hike. And your kids will want to explore Wizard Island.

Nearby Airbnb: This spacious chalet in the woods is near hiking/biking trails and waterfalls There is a community pool and tennis courts nearby. The kiddos will enjoy playing amongst the trees on the wrap-around deck while taking in the sights and sounds of nature. In the evening, your crew can get cozy by the fireplace on cool evenings.

Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

It's hard to miss the massive fort the 366-acre park it sits on when zooming down Hwy14. Located on the North bank of the Columbia River the park is home to rich Pacific Northwest history. Great for multiple day trips full of fun you and your family can explore four different aspects of history: Fort Vancouver, Vancouver Barracks, Pearson Air Museum, and The McLoughlin House. Connected by trails and spacious grounds, this spot offers an abundance of opportunities for little adventurers to play, discover and learn.

Nearby Airbnb: This vintage two bedroom Mediterranean Townhouse was built in 1923 and features a Mission style interior. Your young book worms will enjoy reading in the cozy inglenook. Cook in the newly remodeled kitchen or have a BBQ in the back in our bamboo garden.

Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park on Washington's scenic west coast, is approximately 3.5 hours from Portland by car making it a reasonable trek for families with young ones. Unsurprisingly, with immediate access to both the coastline and the nearby Hoh Rainforest, it is packed with adventures for people both young and old. Weather you and your little explorers enjoy animal spotting, treks on trails through trees or playing in the sand and exploring sea life, there are plenty of activities to fill a weekend or week-long travel itinerary with. Here are some of our favorite things to do.

Airbnb Nearby: This rustic cabin come with all the amenities a family could need. It's private location give kiddos plenty of room to run and play. The full kitchenette is well appointed. It's a great basecamp for your National Parke adventures.

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

This gorgeous, educational and fun historical park encompasses sites along the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast and gives your family an opportunity to explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. You will also have the chance to step into the Fort Clatsop replica at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, and get a real sense of what the Corps of Discovery experienced more than 200 years ago and discover the rich heritage of the native people.

Airbnb Nearby: This giant 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house warmly decorated private retreat is surrounded by trees and has ample space around it for privacy. Your family will enjoy gorgeous views of the Columbia River and lighted freightliners that dock in the bay. When the kids get wiggly, the river walk trail is close by and meanders into town. You will love the wildlife and a the variety of birdsongs that can be heard around the property.

Mt. Rainier National Park

Mt. Rainier National Park is only a two to three hour drive North of Portland and offers a multitude of awesome outdoor activities and adventures that the whole clan will love. From hiking to, viewing and feeding wildlife with NW Trek, to scenic gondola and tram rides through the wilderness, this mountain experience will bring your nature-loving crew back again and again.

Airbnb nearby: This cozy cabin is gorgeous and offers families and authentic mountain cabin experience. Your crew will love the wood burning stove and large sunny decks. It's located between the Cowlitz River and Coal Creek so you can fall asleep to the natural sounds of babbling water. Bonus: it's dog friendly!

Ft. Vancouver National Park

Unforgettable Zip Line Tours for Portland Families

by Annette BenedettiMay 9, 2021

While COVID has limited indoor activities for the time being, there’s still plenty of excitement for Portland families to experience in the great outdoors. Take in remarkable views and feel a rush of fresh air on your face as you and your little monkeys zip line through the trees. Whether it’s your first time tethered into a harness, or you’ve sped through the wilderness before, zip lining is a surefire way to inject some adrenaline into your kids’ summer. Read on for six spots with next-level zip line tours for Portland parents and their kids.

Pumpkin Ridge
Only 30 minutes from Portland, Pumpkin Ridge is one of the easiest getaways to fulfill your zipping desires. Flying high, you and your kiddos can feel as free as a bird while you all take in the sights. The zip lines in this course get progressively more intense. Starting off only 15 feet off the ground at the beginning and ending with a view from a 120-foot high suspension bridge, your crew will have time to build up a tolerance to the great heights achieved here. Pumpkin Ridge also goes the extra mile to easy your concerns about staying COVID safe. Some of the measures they are taking to make sure everyone stays healthy include: limiting tours to six people. Masks are worn for the duration of the tour. Gloves are also worn throughout the tour.

22616 NW Pumpkin Ridge Rd., North Plains, Or.
Online: pumpkinridgeziptour.com

Rogue Valley Zip Line Adventure
If you're ready for more of a road-trip, head on out to the Rogue river for another amazing zip line option. With 5 zip lines on the course, it's a perfect way to spend part of a weekend. With some of the best views of the lot, your little ones can sneak a peek at Crater Lake Rim while zipping high above the trees. If you want to make your time in Rogue Valley a little more fancy, consider the Zip, Dip & Sip package. With the upgrade, you'll get the chance to extend your stay in the enticing area with a river rafting trip on the Rogue River, plus lunch and a chance to relax at Del Rio Vineyards & Winery (and drink wine, obviously).

9450 Old Stage Rd. Central Point, OR.
online: rvzipline.com

Crater Lake ZipLine
Pack your kids and head to Crater Lake. If your kiddos are over 10, this zip line park is worth the stop. The views are unequaled by any other course, which is easy to do when you're only 30 minutes from Crater Lake itself. Beyond the usual zip lines, the excursion here also has two chances to try rappelling and two sky bridges to cross along the way. If you're looking to add to the fun and extend your day, they also offer their own unique "skyak" adventure package, which puts you in the sky with the zip lines and in the water with a kayak.

29840 OR-140, Klamath Falls, Or.
Online: craterlakezipline.com/

High Life Adventures
If you love the coast, then head to Warrenton, Oregon and prepare for a family adventure of a lifetime with High Life Adventures. At this zip park, kids weighing in at 60 pounds can zip alone along the eight-line course —but even your littler ones can get in on the fun by tandem zipping with their grown-up. With the highest point reaching 75 feet, it's a little less intense than some of the other lines around.

Traversing around and over a seven acre lake, the children will light up at the chance to dip into the water on the "Maple" line, but fear not, it's not a requirement if you didn't pack a change of clothes for you and yours. Bonus: there's ax throwing opportunities for those of you who want a little extra woodsy fun.

92111 High Life Rd., Warrenton, Or.
Online: highlife-adventures.com

Looking for other things to do around Astoria? Check out our previous feature on the area.

Tree to Tree Adventure Park
Accurately calling itself a playground in the trees, this park offers variety for families with varying levels of adventurers including one of the longest zip lines in the area, and some aerial adventures for your youngins who aren't quite ready for the full-blown zipping experience. So if the 1,280-foot-long line is too much to handle, you can choose to try out their Aerial Adventure a set of 6 obstacle courses built into the trees (no need to worry, everyone is safely harnessed here, too). And if you have some really little tykes with you, they can check out the mini adventures instead: Adventure Village, Tree Top Plunge or Monkey Grove.

2975 SW Nelson Road Gaston, Or.
Online: tree2treeadventurepark.com/

Skamania Lodge Zip Line Tour
The only zip course in southwestern Washington, the tour at Skamania Lodge is an easy 45 minutes from Portland. Tucked into the Columbia River Gorge, you'll be hard-pressed to find a prettier place to spend some time in the sky. There's no age limit on this zippy trip, so all of your children can take part (although those under 10 will need an adult with them). Their lines range from 100-feet long to 900-feet long, and are interspersed with short hikes, ramps and tree decks to take in the view around you. With tours available all year, you can even plan a day trip after summer ends.

1131 SW Skamania Lodge Way, Stevenson, Wa.
Online: zipnskamania.com/

—Annette Benedetti

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10 Amazing National Parks for Your Family to Visit this Summer

By Lorrin Sell

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

June 2, 2017

Photo: lorrin sell | embrace the perfect mess

National Parks are some of the most amazing places in the United States. We have only been to a few in Pennsylvania. There are some really amazing national parks to visit with kids all around the United States. There are so many neat things to experience at these parks, and after a little bit of research, I have decided we will be adding these to our bucket list.

The best part of all of these parks is they are all part of the Junior Ranger program, which is super cool. You just hit up the visitor center when you get to the park. You can check out a backpack with all kinds of cool stuff in it to help you complete the tasks required to earn a badge. The cool thing is these parks are all over the place, and the kids learn so much about the parks, and then they get a keepsake. We really do love being outside, and exploring so this has our family’s name written all over it!

1. Great Sand Dunes | Colorado

This is the only way I want to go sled riding again. There are so many things to do here. You can hike, slide, sled, play in the creek, or build sand castles. (Note: it gets too hot to climb the sand dunes in the summer. The best time to visit is late spring)

2. Grand Canyon National Park | Arizona

This has always been on our bucket list just because it’s the Grand Canyon. After researching it, I am even more excited about getting to see it one day. One of the big things recommended for families is that you walk the inside of the canyon. So much to explore and learn.

3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | Hawaii

I can only imagine the “Oooos” and “Aaaahs” that would come out of my kids’ mouths checking out the volcanoes of Hawaii. You can even participate in ranger led hikes.

4. Crater Lake National Park | Oregon

Lots of cool hikes, and things to explore, and I am dying to see the water in Crater Lake. There are steep drops, and the weather can be interesting so this is probably something to do when the kids are a bit older. I think we will wait until they are all at least 7.

5. Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Ohio

So much to see and explore here. One really cool thing I found here was “questing”. It’s sort of like geocaching but there is no GPS involved. You get clues, and you have to collect stamps for each of the quests. My kids are totally into scavenger hunts, this would be a blast!

6. Florida Everglades National Park | Florida

Can you believe in all the years I lived in Florida as a child, I have never been to the Everglades? This national park is full of wildlife, and has a long list of cool things to do including: slogging (off trail hiking with a ranger), kayaking, hiking, exploring wildlife, geocaching and more!

7. Yellowstone National Park | Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

Did you know that Yellowstone National Park was the first national park?? I mean, that’s reason enough alone to visit. But- You can watch Old Faithful erupt, go on bike rides, hike, watch for wildlife, and even stargaze.

8. Joshua Tree National Park | California

Someday, we will make it to Joshua Tree National Park. There is a lot offered in their Junior Ranger program, but what our kids would look forward to most is rock climbing, and exploring tunnels.

9. Biscayne National Park | Florida

Biscayne National Park is a combination of islands, mangroves, and underwater preserves. This park is unique from other parks because of it’s underwater preserves. You can snorkel, kayak, picnic, spend time on that beach, the list goes on… Really though, just take a look at that picture. I’m sold!

10. Acadia National Park | Maine

I visited Maine once as a child, and although we were right on the beach it was a completely different beach experience than I am used to. The activities offered at Acadia National Park range from hiking and rock climbing to exploring wildlife in tide pools and buiding sand castles. It’s definitely a road trip to add to the bucket list!

Have you visited another one of the National Parks with kids? Let us hear about it!

Lorrin Sell

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Lorrin is a mom with a camera, embracing the perfect mess of life with four kids. Lorrin's blog offers busy moms- quick and easy DIYs, family recipes, tips for traveling and camping with kids, photo tips for moms, home decor for families, and so much more mom-life.

Celestial Oohs and Ahhs Worth Staying Up Late For

by Ayren Jackson-CannadyAugust 14, 2014

You may not know your eclipse from your penumbra but you still thrill at the sight of a falling star. Share that sky-high feeling with your own starry-eyed wonders by trying these stellar picks for celestial-inducing oohs and ahhs that make it worth keeping them up past bedtime.

Go to Paris. Paris, Va, that is.
Cruise an hour west of NoVa near Paris Va. to escape the bright city’s lights and find the perfect stargazing site at Sky Meadows State Park. Each month, the park opens at night for a Saturday night star party, that includes a half-hour program for kids ages 7-12 presented by Air and Space Museum Albert Einstein Planetarium staff, a night sky orientation and (cross your fingers for clear night skies) an opportunity to see the stars and planets up close and personal through a telescope. With a little night luck, you and the kids will share the real deal of the Milky Way. Cue the star soundtrack for the ride home. We are stardust. We are golden. Insider Tip: Bring flashlights but cover them with a brown paper bag. Stargazing etiquette is to keep things dark. A brown paper bag lets you see but it is not a bright light.

Sky Meadows State Park
1012 Edmonds Ln. (Delaplane, Va)
Cost: $5/car
540-592-3556
Online: dcr.virginia.gov

We Don’t Need No Stinking Telescope
You can watch the International Space Station travel across the sky without a telescope. NASA’s Spot the Station website delivers all the deets on when and where in the night sky to look for the coolest flyby in your corner of the universe. Wait for the longer flight durations (5-6 minutes) and pass on the 3:34 am flyby; this craft will orbit around again. Pro tip: Sneak a test run so you’ll be ready to help your space explorers spot the astronauts wave as they pass by in the space station. Oh, when it says 9:52 pm, they mean it. You snooze, you lose. Jaw-dropper fact you can casually mention to the kiddos: Space Station is moving 5 miles per second or somewhere around 17,500 miles per hour. Whooosh!

Online: spotthestation.nasa.gov

Fantabulous night for a Moondance
Come Sept. 9 head outside with the kids in PJs and gawk at the superdooperest super moon you’ll see all year (there are three of them, and this is the last one). Read them their bedtime story by moonlight. If Goodnight Moon is an old cliché (do they ever tire of that book?) try Kitten’s First Full Moon. Some North American Indian tribes call the full moon the Green Corn Moon or Sturgeon Moon. What would your family name this moonzilla? Weather permitting, howling and dancing are recommended.

Icarus Couldn’t, But You Can
Go ahead get close to the sun and stare. No worries—you and your mini sunbeams can gawk safely at sunspots through the really big telescope at the Public Observatory, just outside of the east terrace of the Air and Space Museum. If you are lucky you will also see a moon crater and Venus, too. Umbrella warning: If it is cloudy or rainy the Observatory is closed.

Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory
National Air and Space Museum
Independence Ave. at 6^thSt., SW (National Mall)
Open: Wed.-Sun., 12 pm-3 pm
Online: airandspace.si.edu

Monthly Stargazing Fix
Satisfy your stardust jonesing with a fix at these local planetariums, observatories and sky watching events online.

Rock Creek Planetarium and Nature Center
5200 Glover Rd., NW
202-895-6070
Online: nps.gov

Arlington Public Schools
David M. Bowen Planetarium
426 N. Quincy St. (Arlington, Va)
703-228-6070
Online: aspsva.us

University of Maryland Observatory
3200 Metzerott Rd. (Adelphi, Md)
Online: astro.umd.edu

Where do you go to stargaze? Give us the scoop in the comments section below.

—Linda Bennett

Photo courtesy of Lotzman Katzman via Flickr, Sage Ross via Flickr, Anthony Crider via Flickr

Family Adventures Abound at Mount Rainier & Mount St. Helens

by Rinat KNovember 7, 2012

Ever dream of exploring our country’s drop-dead gorgeous national parks with your kids? While we all endeavor to get our family exposed to the great outdoors, between our daily routine of school drop-offs and pick-ups, play dates, and oh, that little chore of making dinner every night, sometimes it’s not so easy to do. Well, busy parents meet Meet Craig Obey of the National Parks Conservation Association who has taken it upon himself to explore the country’s many national parks with his kiddos. Whether you’re looking for ideas to go forth into the wilderness or just want to live vicariously through Craig, read on to hear all about his family’s adventures at Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument:

The final two destinations of our summer adventure in the national parks, though neighbors, are a study in contrast. One, Mount Rainier, is a national park. The other, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, is not part of the National Park System, but easily could be. Today, it is operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Both places captivated our kids, but Rainier’s accessibility made for a much richer experience. Unlike Rainier, Mount St. Helens has no overnight accommodations–no lodge or campgrounds–making it a challenge to explore deeply with young kids, unless you want to backpack in a location remote from the park’s center–the gaping crater created by the volcano’s 1980 eruption. We were fortunate to stay at the nearby, family-run Eco Park Resort, a lodge with delightful cabins, yurts, campsites, and great food.

The premier destination at Mount St. Helens is Johnston Ridge Observatory, with its birds-eye view of the crater, its fancy theater and film, and several exhibits the kids enjoyed–particularly one that enabled them to create their own earthquake and see its intensity on a seismometer. The shortcoming is the lack of interpretive options beyond the observatory. A Forest Service ranger delivered an engaging Junior Ranger talk to the kids, which was held outdoors overlooking the mountain. But, when we all got hungry, there was no place to eat. No restaurant. No picnic tables. So, we pulled out our cooler from the car and ate sandwiches on a concrete median strip in the parking lot. It wasn’t until we visited Coldwater Lake at the end of our day that we saw there were actually picnic tables; they were simply 10 miles away from where all the visitors were!

Once you venture away from the observatory building, the hiking options for kids in this part of Mount St. Helens are limited. The hike to the valley floor is a fascinating journey, but too much for young kids–long, strenuous, and exposed. So, we hiked a ways down the trail and turned around. There are nice trails in other parts of the monument, but getting there is an hours-long, challenging journey.

Fortunately, Mount Rainier, our final park, offers a bounty of hiking options that the kids truly enjoyed. At Paradise on the south side of the mountain, we hiked the Skyline trail through glorious fields of lupine until we reached a delightful snowfield that provided us with a slippery playground, much to the viewing pleasure of two nearby marmots. We couldn’t tell what the Marmots thought of Isabelle’s wolf puppet, Logan Lightning Bolt, who accompanied us.

To read Craig Obey’s full story about visiting Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens with his family, click here for the full story.

This story originally appeared in the National Parks Conservation Association blog, the Park Advocate, at www.parkadvocate.org. Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhancing our National Park System. NPCA and its 750,000 members and supporters work together to protect our National Park System and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for our children and grandchildren. www.npca.org.

Have you visited these outdoor gems with your family? Let us know all about your experiences in the comment section below.

Family Adventures Abound at Mount Rainier & Mount St. Helens

by writerredtriNovember 7, 2012

To read Craig Obey’s full story about visiting Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens with his family, click here for the full story.

Have you visited these outdoor gems with your family? Let us know all about your experiences in the comment section below.

Take the Kids to Historic Mt. St. Helens

by Katie KavullaSeptember 4, 2011

Obviously your kids weren’t born yet when Mt. St. Helens blew her top in 1980, but if you lived in the Northwest 30 years ago, you certainly remember when it happened! A trip to Mt. St. Helens is a perfect day or overnight trip for your family from either Seattle or Portland. Here is our guide to exploring this historic Northwest mountain!

Go: During the summer, once the weather has gotten warm and the snow has melted on the mountain. The roads typically open up in the middle of May and will shut back down in late fall.

Get there: From Seattle or Portland, take I-5 to exit 49 (in Washington) and head east on State Route 504. Driving from Seattle, it will take you just over two-hours and from Portland, just over an hour (minus potty breaks, of course!).

What to bring: If you’re planning a day-trip to explore Mt. St. Helens, you’ll want to pack extra clothes for the family, lots of snacks and bottled water to beat the heat. You’ll also want to bring any gear you need for hiking, if you’ll be doing any, a backpack to carry snacks and water at the very least. Don’t forget sunscreen and your camera, too!

How to dress: During the summer, the weather close to the mountain will be warm. Dress in those classic Northwest layers for keeping cool in the sun and bring an extra sweatshirt or fleece for when the wind gets chilly and the sun starts to set. Comfortable shoes made for exploring outside are a must for the entire family and hats to keep the sun off of little heads and faces would be a good idea too!

What to do: The Visitors Centers are a good place to get started! The Forest Mountain Center is the best for little ones, including a play area and cool helicopter that you can climb in for a virtual tour of the mountain. You’ll find it at milepost 33 on SR 504 and this center is free.

Continue along the highway toward the mountain to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, named after the volcanologist who stayed on the mountain as it erupted, transmitting the last words, “Vancouver. Vancouver. This is it.” This center has an awesome view of the mountain and fun exhibits to explore. Cost is $8 per adult.

If you’d like to do some explore closer to the mountain itself, pack up your gear and set off on a hike. There are multiple day hikes that are great for kids and that access the mountain in different ways, including stops at crystal clear lakes and fields of wildflowers that have flourished since the blast. Check out this list of kid-friendly hikes from The Washington Trail Association to find a hike that’s best for your family.

Feeling adventurous? You can book a helicopter tour of the crater for about $150 per person. The 30-minute ride will show you all the highlights of the mountain and explosion up close, including the crater itself and awesome views of animals that make their home on Mt. St. Helens. Only two-helicopters do this tour for the entire mountain – you can read more on their website for details.

Where to eat: For a bite before you head up to Mt. St. Helens, or on your way back down the mountain when going home, stop at family-friendly El Compadre Mexican Restaurant (1289 Mt. St. Helens Way NE at exit 49 on I-5).

Another popular place to have lunch is 19 Mile House (9440 Spirit Lake Hwy), at the 19 milepost on the way to the mountain on Highway 504. They are well known for their delicious berry pies and cobblers and yummy burgers – perfect for filling up little tummies after a morning of exploring!

Places to stay: Planning on making this a weekend trip? There are many options for staying overnight near Mt. St. Helens.

The most popular hotel in the area is the Guest House Inn & Suites – book a one-room suite so that you can put the little ones down in their own bedroom (they’ll be exhausted!).

Eco Park Resort is a super fun option for a family who is up for roughing it a bit. You can rent a cabin or yurt (a tent structure) that sleeps anywhere from 2-10 people. They don’t have electricity, in-cabin bathrooms or heat, but they are a cool adventure if you’re looking for a step up from tent-camping. Traditional tent camping is also available here.

Cost of the trip: To keep costs low, plan a day-trip and pack a cooler with lunch and snacks. There are fees to enter the National Parks – typically $5 per car so be sure to bring cash. Staying near Mt. St. Helens will cost you more, but the lodging options are reasonably priced.

Bonus: The Great Wolf Lodge is about an hour away from Mt. St. Helens (towards Seattle) if you’re looking for a family-friendly way to extend your trip!

Online: www.mountsthelens.com is an excellent resource for planning a trip to Mt. St. Helens or you can read more about the mountain and check out volcano cams on the National Forest Service website.

— Katie Kavulla

ML Interest Tag: crater

Swing from the Trees at These Aerial Adventure Courses

Crater Lake Zip Line

HighLife Adventures

Pumpkin Ridge Zip Tour

Zipline X

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