Gardner Cave
Metaline Falls, WA, 39–42°F inside
A lava tube near Mount St. Helens with two self-guided routes: an easy lower section and a rougher upper one with an 8-foot rock wall to climb. Bring two light sources each.
Tickets and timing
- How long it takes
- Lower route 0.75 mile one way; upper route 1.5 miles plus a 1.5-mile hike back above ground
- Hours
- May 18 to October 31, 9 am–5 pm. Closed the rest of the year.
- Booking
- Timed reservations required on Recreation.gov. A $5 day-use fee per vehicle also applies.
Getting around underground
- The walk
- The lower route is fairly easy. The upper route crosses rock piles and an 8-foot rock wall.
- Wheelchairs
- A short paved trail leads to the entrance; the cave itself isn't accessible.
Dogs, weather and what to wear
- Temperature
- 42°F / 6°C year-round
Good to know
- Food and drink
- Only water inside the cave. Light snacks at Ape Headquarters.
- On site
- vault toilets, lantern rental, bookstore
Getting there
Forest Road 8303, Amboy, WA 98601
Parking: Lot at the site; $5 per vehicle per day.
Directions in Google MapsDistances are straight-line from each city center.
Questions people ask
How long does a visit to Ape Cave take?
Lower route 0.75 mile one way; upper route 1.5 miles plus a 1.5-mile hike back above ground
How cold is it inside Ape Cave?
42°F / 6°C year-round.
Can you visit Ape Cave in a wheelchair?
A short paved trail leads to the entrance; the cave itself isn't accessible.
Do you need to book Ape Cave in advance?
Timed reservations required on Recreation.gov. A $5 day-use fee per vehicle also applies.
Where is Ape Cave?
Forest Road 8303, Amboy, WA 98601
Listed in: self-guided caves, lava tubes
Checked on 2026-10-23 against fs.usda.gov (Ape Cave Interpretive Site). Prices and hours change, so confirm on the official site before you drive out.