Mt St Helens
 

Is Mt St Helens a worthwile daytrip from Seattle if I only have one day to take a day trip? If not, any other suggestions?

Thanks!

It makes more sense as a day trip from Portland, since it's only an hour from here, but two+ from Seattle. How about Rainier? Victoria? Olympic National Park?

I thought it was very very interesting even though we didn't get to see the actual crater because it was fogged in. We were there about 10 years ago and the area was still pretty bleak looking, though there were signs of new life coming back. I'm sure it looks much different now.

I vote with beachbum.

You can do a long day trip that includes Rainier and St. Helens. That would make it more worthwhile. Both mtns are near each other and are fairly easily accessible from I-5 exits.

For Mt. Rainier, go through the Nisqually entrance and head up to Paradise. You can head back down, continue south, then go up to Coldwater/Johnston Ridge near St. Helens.

I think doing both in a day would not do justice to either one - Mt Ranier is quite spectacular and makes for a better day trip from Seattle -
The area around Paradise has wonderful paved hiking trails and you would need a day just to enjoy that

I find that Mt. Rainier is a full day trip from Seattle. When I take visitors there, we go to Paradise and Sunrise and stop for the waterfalls, gorge, big trees, etc.

If visitors have a lot of stamina, I include a visit to Northwest Trek (Eatonville) in the Mt. Rainier outing.

Another great Mt. Rainier trip is to drive to Sunrise via Chinook Pass during the first few days after that pass reopens for the season.