About Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site
Overview Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site is on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and is located at the Marble Mountain SnoPark on the south side of Mount St. Helens. A part of the WA State Sno-Park program in the winter months, Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site is offered as a day use group picnic area Saturdays only, May - September. (The site may be available for reservation as early as April or as late as June depending on conditions, i.e., whether there is snow on the ground or not). This site is a great location for a family reunion, birthday gathering or outdoors group meeting. The 1000 square foot shelter, built in 2018, contains three large picnic tables and a wood stove for heating. There is no potable water available at this site. The shelter is wired for electricity to power the lights, outlets and fans; you must provide your own generator and 110 V connector cord (see photos). This shelter is maintained by the US Forest Service in cooperation with a volunteer organization. Recreation During the summer, the Marble Mountain recreaiton site provides trailhead access to the Worm Flow climbing route, the Loowit trail, and several cross-country hiking and mountain biking loop trails such as the Pine Marten, Fir, Silver and Pika Trails. Nearby trailheads include June Lake, Ape Canyon and Lava Canyon. The site is also close to the Lahar Viewpoint along Forest Road 83. Ape Cave is also nearby and makes for a great family experience (tickets required, open May-October). Facilities Facilities available include a 1000 square foot accessible shelter with picnic tables and a wood stove. There is an accessible CXT vault toilet in the parking area. There is abundant parking for vehicles and trailers. The area is gated closed to the public in the summer; only your group will have access to the shelter. The facility is for day use only, 9 AM to 9 PM; no overnight use is allowed. Natural Features Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site is on the Gifford Pinchot National Fore
How to Get There
From I-5, travel east on state route 503 towards Cougar for 30 miles. At Skamania County line, continue straight on Forest Road 90. Turn left on Forest Road 83, Ape Cave/Lava Canyon. Continue straight for 6 miles. Turn left at signs for Marble Mountain Sno-park.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site
Heading to Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site?
No central reservation system listed for Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10277127) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site?
From I-5, travel east on state route 503 towards Cougar for 30 miles. At Skamania County line, continue straight on Forest Road 90. Turn left on Forest Road 83, Ape Cave/Lava Canyon. Continue straight for 6 miles. Turn left at signs for Marble Mountain Sno-park.
How do I contact Marble Mountain Group Picnic Site?
You can reach the park at phone: 360-449-7800.
References & Official Resources
