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Formerly called Coldwater Creek, this is one of the world's newest lakes.

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Tours & experiences

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Top ways to experience Coldwater Lake and nearby attractions

Mt. St. Helens National Monument from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour
46
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Bus Tours
from
$320.00
per adult
Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland, OR
385
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Bus Tours
from
$79.00
per adult
Private Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge Air Tour
31
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$509.00
per group (up to 3)
The Mt St Helens Adventure Tour from Portland
20
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$295.00
per adult
Hike and Bike Tour to Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
61
Recommended
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$95.00
per adult
Portland Sightseeing Tour Including Columbia Gorge Waterfalls
34
Recommended
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Full-day Tours
from
$150.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Private Portland Waterfall Air Tour for Three
31
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$399.00
per group (up to 3)
Essential Portland Oregon Bike and E-Bike Tour!
160
Recommended
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
E-Bike Tours
from
$54.00
per adult
All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour
14
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
from
$119.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Half-Day Columbia River Gorge and Waterfall Hiking Tour
404
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Bus Tours
from
$66.00
per adult
2-Hour Scenic River Boat Tour on the Willamette River
8
Boat Tours
from
$349.00
per group (up to 6)
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Private Air Tour of Mount Saint Helens from Troutdale
21
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$685.00
per group (up to 3)
Full-Day Guided Oregon Coast Tour from Portland
104
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Historical Tours
from
$129.00
per adult
Beautiful Columbia River Gorge Air Tour
41
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$99.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Portland Pizza Tour
29
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
from
$75.00
per adult

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

4.5

30 reviews

Excellent

19

Very good

10

Average

1

Poor

0

Terrible

0

Jubilee Jer

Springfield, OH1,837 contributions

One of our favorite things about Mt St Helens

Aug 2019 • Couples

We stopped at the lake on the way back from the Johnston Observatory to use the rest room and decided to walk on the trail around the lake. The board walks and deck overlooks has very beautiful Views of the lake. The lake is very peaceful and tranquil. There is also a view of Mt St Helens from the board walk around the lake. We saw several fish jumping out of the lake during our time there. It’s worth your time to stop at the lake while visiting Mt St Helens. It was one of our highlights of our time at Mt St Helens.

Written August 26, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

OLDGIT71

Horsham, UK1,026 contributions

It's hard to believe this lake was not there forty years ago

Jul 2015 • Friends

We visited Coldwater Lake (and newly formed in 1980 by the eruption) and walked the extensive wooden walkways over the water. The whole area is great for photography. It's hard to believe this lake was not there forty years ago - it looks eternal but is the product of the eruption of Mount St Helens

Written June 8, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jen Z

0 contributions

Great views

Aug 2015 • Family

Great place to stop on the way or back from Johnston Ridge visitor center. The kids loved playing in the water. It is so clear. Great family photos were taken here.

Written August 4, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chuck2010

Palmyra, PA2,636 contributions

Good Stop on the Spirit Highway

Aug 2021

Well worth the stop on your Spirit Highway adventure ... the trail around the lake as well as the convenient boardwalk and viewing sections add to the experience. It is a good experience with decent scenery. Since all the visitor centers are closed for indoor experiences, make sure you take advantage of this outdoor opportunity.

Written August 22, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mikef100

Hawthorne, NJ73 contributions

Nice stop if going up or coming down from the Observation point

Oct 2014 • Couples

We stopped by on our way down from Johnston Ridge Observation. Beautiful lake with a wonderful trail to walk. Nice walkways bring you right onto the lake.

Peaceful, quiet. It would be a great place to have lunch.

Written October 24, 2014

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bwanderer

Everett, WA2,906 contributions

Part of a Mt. St. Helens visit

May 2018 • Couples

While the road up to Johnston Ridge Observatory doesn't open until mid-May, this lake and its modest but picturesque trail very well may be. It features a large parking lot and a boardwalk trail that skirts parts of the southern edge of the lake. It's very relaxing, without a lot of elevation gain, and there are viewing platforms along the route.

Written November 12, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cherie P

Pahrump, NV3,337 contributions

Stunning views

Aug 2018 • Couples

This lake provides some stunning views....the perspective I liked was the lake in the fore ground and Mount Saint Helen’s in the background.. This lake was formed after the eruption and Cold Creek became jammed up with debris from the eruption. Enjoy taking some time here!

Written August 19, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kevin

Longview, WA554 contributions

Stunning views and GREAT Fishing

Jun 2018

Fathers Day found us on the lake early in the morning, we fished for 3 hours and caught 14 trout all from 10-14 inches. This is a quality lake so barbless hooks and you can only keep one trout over 16 inches. We didnt take home any fish but had a ball!

Written June 18, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wayne S

Amboy, WA28 contributions

History beyond the Volcano

Apr 2017 • Family

This is a very interesting area near Mount Saint Helens the volcano. It is inside the national Monument area and accessible normally about 10 months of the year, during the winter snow in row conditions close the area. The trails are very easy to hike paved in fact with bridges were needed their signage to explain some of the history of the area and freshwater available to people who want to refill the bottles of water or water supply.
Plan plenty of time for the drive to get there it is not a quick route plenty of quarters investors you want to stop and enjoy it the entire way. If possible choose a nice bright sunny day when conditions are the best.

Written March 3, 2018

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian B

Sunnyvale, CA12 contributions

We will be back!

Nov 2017 • Couples

My wife and I were at Coldwater Lake which is part of the Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument. These pictures are on the trail you can hike from the parking lot. It was raining and muddy, so we didn’t get too far. When we go in better weather, an appropriate review will be done. But the devastation that happened over 37 years ago is impossible to comprehend, and being there is amazing!

Written November 15, 2017

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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