North
Johnston Ridge Observatory: 52 miles east of Castle Rock. Wide-screen theater presentation, interpretive exhibits, book sales, ranger programs and limited food service. An $8 per person per day monument pass is required, children up to 15 are free.
Coldwater Lake: Four and a half-mile-long, 800-acre lake created in 1980 when the Toutle mudflow dammed Coldwater Creek. Picnic tables, boat ramp, fish-cleaning station, and restrooms. Trailhead is here for Lakes trail No. 211 along shore of lake.
South
Ape Cave: A short walk from the parking lot leads to the 2.25-mile cave, which is an underground lava tube and one of North America’s longest. Bring two reliable sources of light and a jacket for each person because it’s 42 degrees down there even in summer. A Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day, $30/year) is required.
June Lake trail No. 216B: An easy 1.2-mile climb from road No. 83 to June Lake, a small lake with a sandy shore and a scenic waterfall cascading in on the back side. Great place to go with young children. A Northwest Forest Pass ($5/day, $30/year) is required.
