johnston ridge visitor center

My understanding the Johnston Ridge visitor center and Johnston Ridge Observatory are the same place. So here is my review again;Johnston Ridge Observatory is very nice. There are a few exhibits and a 3D light up map board and all are free. The theater costs $8 but it is well worth it. You can hang around and view all 3 movies which are about 12 -15 minutes each and they play back to back so no waiting an hour or 30 minutes until the next show.They also have a very small gift shop (of course) but I am into walking medallions and they had the very best ones here! I also liked the postcards best here as well.You can get great up close pictures of the crater blast site from here. There is also a trail leading all the way to Spirit Lake but it is a long hike so make sure you have sun screen and plenty of water. I suggest driving the east entrance to get great views of the lake strewn with logs not to mention 360 views of the area!They had a lunch wagon in the parking lot and offered a large burger with chips for $8.50. They do have hot dogs. That price did not include drinks (but you can buy them here - I just brought my own). BTW, it is a good idea to bring your own drinks as you won’t find drinks at the visitor centers or at least I never saw any. There are a couple of gas stations around the beginning of the west entrance. It gets HOT here - water up.

Nice staff. Lots of things to see. Wonderful hiking trails around the facility. Worth the trip. be prepared for changing weather in the area. Wonderful view.

There is a wonderful model of the volcano and a presentation of how the eruption happened, along with a really good time lapse video showing the recovery of the area since the eruption. Staff very informative and helpful.

The visitor center is not worth the $8 a person fee. The videos were terrible. The free view point below is better site. Also the visitor center run by the paper company down the road closer to the beginning was better and had a more interesting video and better information.

Great interpretive center with lots of knowledgeable folks available to answer questions. Watch the movies for a better understanding of what happened there on May 18, 1980. No food in the center but there is a food cart in the parking lot.

This NPS looks right into the crater of M.S.H. We happened to go on a clear day in June and did a little hiking as well as listened to the Ranger Talk and Theater Presentation. There's NO CAMPING anywhere near the crater. A great picnicking area is a few miles down from here at Coldwater Lake.

this is our 1st time in the area & we knew we had to see Mt St Helens. we stopped at the gift store/visitor center on the way. the staff were very friendly & helpful. then the drive, although it felt a long way....was worth the time. we were impressed by the regrowth as well as what was left behind. when we saw the toutle river it amazed us that it's still running grey.Johnston ridge has a terrific view. the movie had good footage from the blast & once they raise the curtain....WOW. do make the drivethis is a national park, bring your senior card

Mount St. Helens is a testament to the power of nature and the resilience of flora and fauna. Johnston Ridge provides a great view of the mountain and is a great place to learn about volcanoes and nature.

No better place to view Mount St. Helens, the destruction and history of the May 1980 event. The weather wasn't great the day we visited but still worth the drive.

This is a surefire winner for younguns and oldsters alike. Hands on learning activities, ranger talks, theater shows to learn the process and history of Mt. St. Helen's 1980 explosion, hikes if you want or resting areas just to stare at the blown out side of the volcano. No way NOT to be impressed here.

The $8.00 admission fee is so worth the visit. Please go and support the Center. The drive is mysterious because for the entire drive you can't see the end! The movie shown was a little too loud for our tastes but worth watching. The walk up to the observation deck and other trails are easily managed by people of many abilities. Volunteers along the routes were kind and generous with information. A must see.

Be sure to stop and see the regrowth of the area. Each time it changes so you can never visit too many times.

Even after 30+ years, you can still very much see where the volcano's eruption occurred and the damage done. This visitor center sits only 5 miles from the crater and has a lot to show and teach. The views are awe-inspiring and the history, stories shown, movies and the topographic table add to the whole experience. It takes a good hour to drive in from I-5 but there are a lot of views along the way, historical markers, stops etc. Go here first and take your time coming back out.

Having watched the eruption and the amazing recovery of the blast zone over the years, the politically correct presentations leave you with less knowledge than you likely went in with. Otherwise it is a great place to view the blast zone from, and have some shelter from the variable weather you may encounter. If you can, stop at the high bridge a couple miles below and look down in the canyon to see if the elk herd is there! Just don't let the base jumpers give you heart attack like they nearly did to me!

haven't been to Johnston Ridge for awhile. It is one of the best views of Mt. St. Helens you can get. It looks rlight into the crater. Does a good job of explaining what happened. Good place to take out of state visitors