Crater Lake National Park — Everything You Need to Know
Crater Lake is a geological marvel. Not only is it the deepest lake in the United States, but it’s also the cleanest and clearest large body of water in the world. The vibrant color and clarity of the water are like nothing you’ll see anywhere else. Visit to learn about the lake’s mysterious natural phenomena and Native American legends about Mount Mazama forming Crater Lake.
While you’re in the area, you’ll also have the chance to see countless waterfalls, beautiful viewpoints, and rivers. Most people rush through the park in one day, but we recommend staying up to four days if you have the time.
Disclosure: We’ve included affiliate links with recommended hiking gear in this post. If you click through and buy something, we’ll receive a small portion of that sale. You won’t be charged more, and we haven’t been paid by any of these retailers to share their information. These are all our genuine preferences.
When to visit
Mid-July to September
Full park access
By mid-July, all roads and hiking trails in the park are open. If you’re hoping to circumnavigate the lake, with the added bonus of having great weather, this is the time to visit. Crowds peak on weekends in the summer months but are moderate overall.
*There are two vehicle-free days in the park that take place in September for bikers to ride the rim. Check here for dates.
Late June to early July
Fewer crowds
Late spring is a fantastic time to visit, although, the East Rim Drive doesn’t usually fully open until around mid-July. The Pinnacles Road is the last area to open for the summer season.
Expect some hiking trails to be closed with lingering winter snow as well. Regardless, if you visit during this time, you’ll experience most of the park with fewer crowds.
Getting to Crater Lake
The small airport in Medford (MFR) is the closest international airport to Crater Lake. From there, it’s a two-hour drive to the Rim Village from the West Entrance.
The nearest major international airport is in Portland (PDX). From Portland, it’s a five-hour drive down I-5 or heading east to navigate by Mt Hood and through Bend. If you fly in and out of Portland, plan on making this a loop, staying in Bend and near Eugene to stop at Silver Falls State Park.
However you choose to arrive in Oregon, you’ll need your own car to get to and around Crater Lake.
Park entrance fees
You’ll also need to pay an entrance fee to access Crater Lake. You can do this in advance, online, or at one of the entrances to the park. If you’ll be visiting more than one national park from the date of purchase, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass.
Where to stay
Crater Lake National Park
You can snag competitive camping or lodging reservations within the park if you’re lucky. From there, it’s a twenty-minute drive to the rim — as close as any lodging gets to the lake. Nearby grocery stores and restaurants are limited, so plan snacks and meals ahead of time if you’re staying here.
Prospect
Prospect is located one hour from the Rim, and we loved staying in this quaint town. We thought the added hour drive to and from lodging would be a bit of a hardship on top of driving and exploring all day, but we didn’t end up minding it at all. The town of Prospect completely made up for the distance.
First, you need to stay at the Historic Prospect Hotel. It was the first bed and breakfast we’d stayed in, and we’re huge fans now. When you check in, they’ll schedule you for breakfast the following day, and tell you about the sights in town. From the hotel you can walk to see waterfalls, check out a local swimming hole, and check out viewpoints along the Rogue River, which is an absolute must.
Road construction notice
Starting in 2023, the East Rim Drive is undergoing rolling road closures for much-needed maintenance. It’s estimated to last five years, and you can check here for updates.
How will this affect your trip?
Much like visiting in spring when the road is partially closed, the loop around the lake will be partially closed in the summer months as well. It’s still well worth the visit, and you’ll still be able to see most of the park!
Is Crater Lake Pet friendly?
Crater Lake is somewhat pet friendly. Pets are allowed on a leash along established roads and within 50 feet of paved surfaces. This means you could enjoy a scenic drive along the rim with your pet.
Pets are also allowed on designated trails near the campgrounds (not on trails along the rim). For a list of pet-friendly trails and more park rules, check here.
Best hikes
Watchman Peak
This is one of the few trails that is not accessible until July. It’s only 1.7 miles with 400 feet of elevation gain, so this is a great hike to check out at sunset. Just bring a headlamp with you for the walk back down in the dark!
Rim Trail
The Rim Trail begins at where the Discovery Point Trail ends. From the parking lot, head north and walk as far as you like on the trail before turning back. If you’re wanting an easy spot to watch the sunrise, this is the spot. You’ll find a great viewpoint five minutes into the trail.
Garfield Peak Trail
We loved starting this trail at sunrise. In late spring, you’ll need microspikes to cross patches of snow. From the summit, you’ll see an expansive view of Crater Lake, Phantom Ship, Wizard Island, and, on a clear day, Mount Shasta, Mount Thielsen, and more peaks along the southern Cascades.
Cleetwood Cove
The bottom of this trail is the only place (aside from Wizard Island) where you can reach the lakeshore at Crater Lake. To get to the cove, you’ll walk down a mile-long trail with a very steep grade. We highly recommend hiking with trekking poles here. They’ll help keep the pressure off your knees going downhill.
Once you reach the shore, you’ll find a dock where boat tours take off, and you take a dip in the lake if you don’t mind the chilly water temperature. The water here was the clearest and most saturated in color we’ve ever seen.
Going back up this hike is very strenuous. Bring more water than you think you’d need, especially if you’re going on a boat tour.
Sun Notch Trail
We loved hiking through beautiful meadows to reach the viewpoint of Phantom Ship here. Walk clockwise on this loop for the best views, and please stay on the trail here — the main viewpoints have better views than the spur trails that trample the meadows (please don’t do this!).
Mount Scott Trail
This trail one of the few located on the east side of the lake. It would make for a great sunset hike if you’re game for a longer walk back in the dark.
Pinnacles Valley Trail
This trail is located off Pinnacles Road — the last road to open each season in the park. An easy 0.8-mile hike will take you to a great viewpoint of the pinnacles created by Mount Mazama’s eruption.
Plaikni Falls Trail
This hike is also off Pinnacles Road, so don’t expect to reach this trail until July. It is, however, one of the three primary waterfalls at Crater Lake. If you’d like to see more waterfalls, check out the Umpqua Highway tour below.
Best activities
Activities within Crater Lake National Park
Boat tour
Make reserving a boat tour on Crater Lake a priority if you’re up for the steep hike to the dock at Cleetwood Cove (more on this above). Half of the park’s boat reservations are made in advance online, and half are available for same-day bookings within the park. Tours run from July to mid-September.
You’ll have three tour options to choose from:
Standard Lake Cruise
This is a two-hour cruise around the lake, seeing close-up views of Wizard Island, Phantom Ship, and more.
Wizard Island Tour
Choose this option if you’d like to spend time on Wizard Island on top of the scenic tour around the lake. It’s a great option if you’d like to have a chance to swim and hike to the top of Wizard Island.
Wizard Island Shuttle
Book this tour to get directly to and from Wizard Island.
Biking
Biking the Rim Drive is something that only cyclists with experience riding in heavy traffic should consider. It’s a demanding ride with steep grades, high altitude, and narrow roads. Check here for cycling rules in the park, mileage, and more. Find bike rental options here.
If this ride intrigues you, but you’d rather not share the road with vehicles, consider cycling on one of the two vehicle-free days in September at Crater Lake. More info on that here.
Running from July through September, you can reserve a trolley ride through the park, guided by park rangers. The ride takes two hours and is a fantastic way to learn more about the park while seeing all the sights.
Fishing
There is no evidence that fish were ever native to Crater Lake, but between 1888 and 1941 the lake was stocked with seven different types of fish. Now only rainbow trout and kokanee salmon are left. Today there are no size restrictions or catch/possession limits on these fish.
However, there are many rules about fishing within the park, including what endangered species to avoid catching, so check here to read them all.
Nearby activities
Umpqua Highway tour
The Umpqua Highway is a scenic byway, and since it follows the Umpqua River, it’s gorgeous from start to finish. That’s not even the best part though! It’s full of easy-to-reach waterfalls along the drive.
From Prospect, it’s a 45-minute drive to the start of the highway, just ten minutes north of the Northern entrance to Crater Lake.
From Crater Lake, you’ll reach the following waterfalls in this order:
Whitehorse Falls
Some require short hikes, while others are just a short drive off the highway. If you’re traveling this highway with limited time, stop at Clearwater Falls and Whitehorse Falls. Both are less than 0.2 miles away from parking and are so beautiful. If you’re up for a slightly longer hike, check out Toketee Falls.
If you’re looking to split this drive up, we highly recommend staying at Umpqua’s Last Resort. They offer RV sites, glamping tents, and cabins.
Toketee Falls
Umpqua Hot Springs
Visiting the Umpqua Hot Springs is a great addition to touring waterfalls along the highway. Since they are so popular, we recommend starting your tour along the highway with a dip in the hot springs on a weekday at sunrise. Expect heavy crowds and limited parking on weekends.
Parking requires a Northwest Forest Pass or the America the Beautiful Pass, however they do have payment envelopes for exact cash payments on-site.
The hike starts when you cross this rainbow bridge
The hot springs are a 0.25-mile hike from the parking area. Once there, you’ll see tiered pools. The pools closest to the hillside are the hottest, around 108 degrees Fahrenheit, and cool off farther downhill you go. Note that the clay surrounding these hot springs can stain clothing and swimsuits.
Rafting
Orange Torpedo Trips is in Merlin, just over an hour southeast of Prospect. They offer all kinds of rafting trips on the Umpqua and Rogue Rivers. We opted to do their Rogue Sunset Tour, but they have plenty of more adventurous options to choose from as well.
Crater Lake Itinerary
Although it’s possible to see most of the park in one long day, there is so much to see in the surrounding area. If you have the time, stay in the area for four days. This itinerary will keep you busy, with everything from lounging in hot springs and swimming holes to checking out some of Oregon’s beautiful waterfalls, along with seeing everything Crater Lake has to offer.
Day one
Arriving at Crater Lake
Mileage: 30 miles
Drive time: 4 hours
Start: Prospect
End: Prospect
Since Crater Lake is inconvenient to reach no matter where you’re coming from, you’ll likely spend half a day or more getting there.
Rogue River Viewpoints
Whether you managed to get lodging within the park or in Prospect, you’ll likely be passing by viewpoints along the Rogue River on your way. We thought the sights here were just as beautiful as those in the National Park, so make stopping a priority.
Park at the Rogue River Viewpoint to take a small walk to see the Rogue River Gorge Falls. From there, drive to the Natural Bridge parking area where you’ll walk across a bridge to see more incredible views of the river. Here you’ll find a natural land bridge, blow holes, and a portion of the river that travels underground.
Lunch
Stop at Beckie’s Café next if you’re hungry. It’s one of a handful of restaurants nearby, and they are famous for their pie.
Evening walk
If you’re staying in Prospect, end your evening with a walk to Pearsony, Mill Creek, and Barr Creek Falls. If you have lodging within the park, head to anywhere on the rim to watch golden hour descend on the lake. Hike to Watchman Peak Trail for sunset if you have the time.
Pearsony Falls
Day two
Circumnavigate Crater Lake via car and boat
Mileage: 125 miles
Drive time: 4-5 hours
Start: Prospect
End: Prospect
Driving around the entire lake and taking a boat tour is a lot to do in one day. If that’s all the time you have in the park, start early, bring a picnic lunch with you, and fit in as much as you can. If you have more than one day in the park, see as much as you can, but don’t stress if you don’t get to everything. Day three of this itinerary is more relaxed, so it’s possible to fit anything you miss into the following day.
If you’re visiting between mid-July and September, the Rim Drive is usually fully accessible. However, during construction, the East Rim Road will be impassable to vehicles, bikers, and hikers. This means you’ll have to turn back to see the entire lake.
If you’re visiting in late spring, the road will close roughly between Sun Notch on the south side and Skell Head on the west. Again, you’ll have to double back and return the way you came to instead of driving the full loop.
Regardless of the time of year, we suggest navigating the lake clockwise for the easiest access to the lake’s viewpoints and pullouts. Start by arriving at the Crater Lake Lodge. Unless you get a very early start, parking here is very crowded. Come back to visit at sunset or sunrise another day. From the lodge, head northeast.
Although there are a few main sights that you should stop and check out, we were happily surprised that there were so many pullouts you could stop and take in the views nearly anywhere you like along the drive.
West Rim Drive
Discovery Point will be the first pullout you see along this route. You’ll have great views of Wizard Island from there. Be sure to stop at the Watchman Peak Trailhead for more views next whether you plan hike to the peak or not.
View from Watchman Peak Trailhead
North Rim Drive
If you’re up for a longer drive, take the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway and head to the north Entrance. Stop at the Pumice Desert before turning around. The landscape here is unlike anything else in the park, and it was a great spot to birdwatch. We weren’t too impressed with this desert, but we thought the view driving back into the park from here was beautiful.
Boat tour
If you can hike to Cleetwood Cove, we highly recommend making reservations for a boat tour. The boat tours are 2+ hours, plus additional time hiking to and from the cove.
East Rim Drive
After your boat tour, you’ll continue your loop around the lake want to stop at Skell Head and Cloudcap Overlook. Again, if you have time, head down Pinnacle Road to see more unique sights.
South Rim Drive
Stop at the Phantom Ship Overlook, Sun Notch Trailhead (a short hike, described above), and Vidae Falls on the south side.
Starting and ending at the Crater Lake Lodge, including driving to the Pumice Desert and Pinnacles Road takes about two hours, not including stops or road closures. With seasonal closures and construction, doubling back will add another hour of travel time.
Day three
Sunrise and sunset
Mileage: 82-228 miles
Drive time: 2.5-5 hours
Start: Prospect
End: Prospect
If it’s a clear night, head out early and go star gazing – Crater Lake is in the top 10 dark sky locations in the National Park System! Marriam Point is a great place to stargaze. It has a wide view of the sky, and the parking area is a larger pullout, off the main road so headlights are less disruptive than other pullouts.
Our trip took place when Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune aligned over the Crater Lake. Check out this astronomy calendar to see what celestial events will be happening during your trip. Regardless, if you visit between March and September you’ll have a great view of the Milky Way.
Sunrise
When the sky begins to lighten, about 60 to 90 minutes before sunrise, head to where the Discovery Point Trail ends to view the sunrise. You can view the sunrise from the Discovery Point parking area, but if you walk about five minutes north on the Rim Trail, you’ll find a great viewpoint along the trail. We brought our emergency blankets from the car with us on this excursion — it was chilly!
Crater Lake Lodge
After you’ve had your fill of the sunrise, head back to the Crater Lake Lodge. Wander down the Sinnott Memorial Observation Station Trail for this view.
Head to the lodge to warm up next. Then start your hike to Garfield Peak. If you’re hiking in late June, bring microspikes, and expect some snow crossings.
Once you return to the lodge, check out the Rim Village Visitor Center and the Rim Village Café and Gift Shop.
Inside the Crater Lake Lodge
Garfield Peak trail in late June
Garfield Peak trail
Rest
If you didn’t see all the sights you wished to on your first day circumnavigating the park, get back to these areas today. Otherwise, return to your lodging for a rest and have lunch at Beckie’s Café or the Gorge Restaurant & Lounge in Prospect.
Evening plans
Swimming
If you’re up for more lounging, head to the Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint or the Mill and Barr Creek Falls Trailhead. Follow the signs to the Avenue of Boulders from either parking lot to find great swimming holes. Water levels vary by the time of year and the river is powerful, so use caution.
Rafting
If more adventure is what you seek, book a tour with Orange Torpedo Trips in advance and go on a rafting tour. They have full and half-day trips. Go for the calm sunset tour if you’re squeezing your rafting trip in the evening. It has class 1-2 rapids and includes an allergy-friendly picnic. It’s beautiful, and we especially loved the ride through Hellgate Canyon and seeing osprey, eagles, hawks, and deer along the way.
Day Four
Umpqua Highway
Mileage: 271 miles
Drive time: 5 hours
Start: Prospect
End: Prospect
Umpqua Hot Springs
We hope you went to bed early again because we’ve got another early morning in store for you. Head to the Umpqua Hot Springs to soak in a natural hot spring. You’ll want to arrive on a weekday, at 7:00 am when the trail opens.
Waterfall tour
After you’ve enjoyed soaking, drive the highway, stopping along the way to view these waterfalls. Drive as far as you like on the highway before heading back to your lodging.
Leave no trace
Crater Lake National Park has a highly sensitive ecosystem. It’s important to follow the Leave No Trace Principles. One of the easiest ways to do this is by staying on trails, packing out your trash, and staying behind established fences and rock walls along the rim of the lake.
What to pack
Weather can change quickly at Crater Lake, so bring a bit of everything with you. You’ll want to be prepared for rain, sunshine, and colder weather, especially if you plan on doing any sunrise or sunset hikes. Layers are essential here!
If you’re hiking, plan on carrying the following with you:
Hiking day pack (men’s/women’s)
Base layer tops (men’s/women’s)
Base layer bottoms (men’s/women’s)
Packable puffy coat (men’s/women’s)
Hiking poles (great for bigger hikes and added stability)
Spikes are great for walking on hard-packed snow and ice. They work like miniature crampons and keep you from slipping and are necessary on some trails in spring. If you’re hiking in mid July or later, you shouldn’t need these.
The following ten essentials:
Water
We love using HydraPak’s water bladders
Snacks, such as:
Lara Bars (gluten-free)
Trail mix (gluten-free)
Archer’s Jerky (gluten-free)
Dried fruit, like mango, apricots, or apple chips (gluten free)
Firestarter (for emergencies only)
The trails here are very exposed — you’ll want good sun protection.
Other useful things:
This is essential if you plan on swimming at Crater Lake, the local swimming hole in Prospect, or the Umpqua Hot Springs
This is a game-changer for the women/trans/non-binary folk!! It allows you to go pee standing up. Since you only have to unzip and point the direction you want to let things flow, it’s so much more private than pulling down your pants and squatting.
Use this anywhere to prevent chafing.
Salt pills (caffeinated/non-caffeinated)
These are useful on hard hikes to help replenish electrolytes and salt.
Garfield Peak
Park tips
Cell service
Cell service is unreliable throughout the park. Load directions before leaving your lodging for the day and screenshot any reservations.
Gas stations
You’ll find gas stations in the towns surrounding Crater Lake but it’s best to head into the park with a full tank.
Limited options for food
There are limited options for food within the park. We highly recommend bringing an ice chest full of sandwich supplies and snacks so you can have lunch anywhere along your drive.
Otherwise, you have three options to eat within the park. The first is at the Crater Lake Lodge. Reservations open one week in advance and are highly recommended. The Rim Village Café is nearby, offering a selection of grab-and-go items. Lastly, the Mazama Village offers the Annie Creek Restaurant.
Where to go next
The Oregon Coast
Head to Brookings, OR to drive the Oregon Coast northwards, or skip to Reedsport to reach the central coast faster. Where you go should depend on your destination and the time you have, but it’s all worth seeing!
Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve
Located two and a half hours south of Crater Lake, the caves are open to guided tours between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day. Although a limited number of tickets are sold the day of, it’s best to make reservations in advance.
Redwoods National and State Parks
Drive three hours south to reach the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park near Crescent City, CA. You’ll find beautiful trails, drives, and rivers.
Silver Falls State Park
Located halfway between Crater Lake and Portland, Silver Falls State Park is not to be missed. Hike the Trail of Ten Falls to walk behind multiple waterfalls!
Bend
Bend is our favorite town in Oregon. There is something for everyone to do there, in every season. Check out caves, kayak, climb, ski, or hike!
Search the blog for more adventures! Try searching for topics such as “backpacking”, “waterfalls”, or “national parks”.
