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Windy Ridge, Mount St. Helens, Washington
Photo: Steven Pavlov · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Washington Mount Rainier and the South Cascades

Windy Ridge

WA 131, NF 25, NF 99 · Randle → Windy Ridge

Twisty36 mi1 hr 15 min5,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,400 ftOne way
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The drive

Windy Ridge is the north-side road into Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. It starts at the US 12 junction at Randle and heads south on Forest Roads 25 and 99 through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, 35.6 miles in all, climbing about 5,200 feet in total.

Past Bear Meadow the road runs along the edge of the 1980 blast zone. Forest Road 99 has ten interpretive sites, and Windy Ridge is the last, with a view of the crater, Spirit Lake and the blown-down forest. The end of the drive is on the road just short of the parking at Windy Ridge, about 4 miles from the crater.

This is a narrow forest road, not a highway. It's paved, but rough in places, with frost heaves and patched stretches.

Along the way

  1. Randle (US 12 junction)
  2. Bear Meadow
  3. Windy Ridge
Elevation
5,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,400 ft
RandleWindy Ridge
Curves
Twisty most of the way
RandleWindy Ridge
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Forest Road 99 is a summer road: the season of use is July 1 through November 30, and snow gates close it the rest of the year.
  • A $5 daily per-vehicle fee or a valid recreation pass is required at sites along the road; pay on site at Bear Meadow, Meta Lake or Windy Ridge.
  • The road is narrow and rough and is not appropriate for trailers; there's a trailer drop point at Wakepish Sno-Park.
  • No overnight camping on the road within the National Volcanic Monument. Bring fuel and food; there are no services along the way.

Forest Road 99 is open from about late June to November; snow gates close it the rest of the year. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Forest Service: Forest Road 99 status.

Questions about this drive

How long does the Windy Ridge drive take?

Randle to Windy Ridge is 35.6 miles and takes about 1 hr 15 min of driving, not counting stops at the viewpoints.

When is the road to Windy Ridge open?

Forest Road 99 is listed for use from July 1 through November 30; snow gates close it the rest of the year.

Can you take a trailer to Windy Ridge?

No. The Forest Service says Forest Road 99 is narrow and rough and not appropriate for trailers.

Is there a fee at Windy Ridge?

Yes: a $5 daily per-vehicle fee or a valid recreation pass, payable on site at Bear Meadow, Meta Lake or Windy Ridge.

What you get in the app

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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Windy Ridge, from Randle to Windy Ridge