The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is one of the oldest National Forests in the United States. Included as part of the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve in 1897, this area was set aside as the Columbia National Forest in 1908. It was renamed the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 1949.

Whether you seek solitude, social activity, creative inspiration, wildlife, forest products or scenic beauty, you can find it in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. We invite you to enjoy the many different aspects of your National Forest.

Located in southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest now encompasses 1,312,000 acres and includes the 110,000-acre Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument established by Congress in 1982.

Peterson Prairie Guard Station

This is a former Fire Guard Station, (an 18 x 24 foot structure built in 1926) with one bedroom, a small kitchen, a living room with a wood fireplace and propane furnace.

The cabin is located along Forest Road 24 and is easily accessed by snowmobile, snow shoes or skiing. The cabin is a 2 mile trip from the Sno*Park during the winter. You can drive to the cabin as soon as the snow is gone.

The cabin is heated with propane or wood and provides a comfortable setting for six people.

Use Fee: $50.00 per night.

There is a two-night minimum over the weekends (Fri-Sat). There is also a $9 fee per reservation. The cabin is rentable year round. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

There is no indoor plumbing. The rest room is a vault toilet unit about 150 feet from the cabin.

A Sno*Park permit required December 1 - April 1. This is a great place to pick huckleberries right outside the door. There is great fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, mushrooming within a short drive of the cabin. No pets are allowed.

Closed on Tuesdays for servicing.

Mt. Adams Ranger District2455 Hwy 141Trout Lake, WA 98650509-395-3400

Government Mineral Springs Guard Station:

This is a newly restored Forest Guard station built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was nestled in a grove of towering old-growth firs.

The cabin has two bedrooms, a kitchen, and living room with fireplace. The cabin is ideally situated near Trapper Creek Wilderness trailhead and is close to Sno*Parks for winter recreation access.

When roads are snow-free, you can reach the cabin by car. During the winter, a trip to the cabin on skis or snowshoes will take you about ten minutes from parking. Propane heat, lights, and cooking range (pots, pans and dishes) are provided along with wood for the fireplace.

Cabin Capacity : Nine people.

Use Fee: $65.00 per night. There is a two-night minimum over the weekends (Fri-Sat). There is also a $9 fee per reservation.

Availability : Available year-round, with a stay limit of seven consecutive days. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

Special Considerations: There is no indoor plumbing. The rest room is a vault toilet unit about 150 feet from the cabin.

Sno*Park permit required December 1 - April 1. No pets are allowed. There is good fishing, hunting, biking, mushroomong, berry picking, hiking and winter sports within a short drive. Trapper Creek Wilderness is within easy walking distance. The cabin is located between Mount St. Helens and the Columbia River

Mt. Adams Ranger District2455 Hwy 141Trout Lake, WA 98650509-395-3400

December 19 , 2005 - Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano.

The Monument Manager has closed Mount St. Helens to climbing. The crater rim and flanks of the volcano above the 4800-foot level have been closed due to an increased potential for steam explosions from the lava dome that could propel rocks and/or ash clouds above the crater rim. Existing climbing permits have been cancelled and Jacks Restaurant and Store has stopped issuing new permits.

Forest visitors near the volcano need to be prepared for a potential ash fall.

A number of trails in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument have also been closed, please check the Special Conditions Report for trail closure information.

Forest officials are in close contact with USGS and the University of Washington and will post updates as needed.

For the latest information, check our Special Conditions Report for updates.