The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park , home to the deepest and most cerulean lake in the US!
Sculpted by nature, a gleaming lake in a volcanic basin surrounded by mountain ranges, Crater Lake is ethereal!
Located in southern Oregon, close to the Oregon-California state border, Crater Lake National Park lies atop the Cascade Mountains. The Park, surrounding an extinct volcanic crater filled with snow and rainwater, is home to the deepest lake in the US. Measuring about 1943 feet deep, Crater Lake’s depth is almost two times the height of the Eiffel Tower of Paris, which is about 985 feet tall. Even the One World Trade Center in New York, one of the tallest structures in the Western Hemisphere at 1776 feet, can be completely immersed in Crater Lake.
The deep blue color of Crater Lake is due to the depth and crystal clear unpolluted water fed by snow and rain. The sunrays can travel deeper through the clear water into this bottomless lake, where all but blue wavelengths of light are absorbed by the water, reflecting back blue color giving Crater Lake a blue aura!
Crater Lake’s basin is a crater formed several thousand years ago following a massive volcanic eruption of Mount Mazama in the Cascade Mountains that caused Mount Mazama to collapse into its own space, creating a deep caldera. The crater was eventually filled with rain and snowmelt, cooling the basin and forming a fascinatingly beautiful landscape.
Crater Lake unquestionably is the star at Crater Lake National Park, but there’s a lot more to do and see in the Park!
Though Crater Lake takes center stage in Crater Lake National Park, there’re other notable features in the Park, including a few rock formations, a waterfall, and an island. The Park features a scenic drive with several overlooks, many hiking trails, and boat tours of Crater Lake operated by a concessioner of the Park.
Here is my ultimate guide to Crater Lake National Park, featuring essential trip-planning information, attractions map, hiking trails, suggested itinerary, and recommendations on hotels and restaurants in Crater Lake National Park!
Planning Your Trip To Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, summer being the peak season for sightseeing, hiking, and camping, and in winter, it’s a popular skiing and snowshoeing destination!
Best Time To Visit Crater Lake National Park: Crater Lake receives heavy snowfall and has an extended winter, with summer starting around July and lasting through September. Summer with pleasant daytime temperatures and access to all roads and trails is the best time for sightseeing, hiking, and camping in Crater Lake National Park. July through September are the busiest months in Crater Lake National Park. Come winter, Crater Lake turns into a winter wonderland and a popular skiing and snowshoeing destination. However, winter has its limitations as due to heavy snowfall, most of the roads, hiking trails, and facilities are closed in Crater Lake National Park.
Crater Lake National Park Operating Hours & Seasons: The Park is open all year-round and 24 hours a day. However, some of the park facilities, including the visitor centers, park entrances, and lodges, are seasonal and are open from July through September.
- Crater Lake National Park Entrances: The West and the South entrances of Crater Lake National Park are open year-round, but the North entrance is seasonal open only during the summer months.
- Crater Lake National Park Visitor Centers: There’re two visitor centers in Crater Lake National Park, the Steel Visitor Center, open year-round, and the seasonal Rim Visitor Center, open outside the winter months.
- Crater Lake National Park Visitor Lodge: The only two lodging options in Crater Lake National Park, the Crater Lake Lodge and the Cabins at Mazama Village, are seasonal and are open only outside the winter months.
Getting To Crater Lake National Park: Crater Lake National Park is remotely located in southern Oregon, with the nearest international airport being the Portland International Airport, located about 240 miles from the Park. However, you could alternatively fly into one of the domestic airports or take a bus or a train to get to the closest city near Crater Lake National Park and then rent a car and drive to the Park.
Flight: Portland International Airport is the nearest international airport to Crater Lake National Park, located about 240 miles from the Park. You could also fly into or take a connecting flight to one of the domestic airports near Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport (LMT), Klamath Falls, Oregon, about 50 miles from Crater Lake, and Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR), Medford, Oregon, about 65 miles from Crater Lake. However, the services are limited in the regional airports and are serviced only by a few airlines.
Train: You can ride an Amtrak train to Klamath Falls, the nearest Amtrak station and major town to Crater Lake National Park. You could then hire a taxi to get to a rental car company, rent a car and drive to Crater Lake, or use the seasonal Crater Lake Trolley departing from Klamath Falls.
Bus: Greyhound offers bus services connecting several cities in Oregon to other cities and states in the US. The nearest Greyhound stop to Crater Lake National Park is in Medford, Oregon, about 65 miles from the Park. From Medford Greyhound bus stop, you could hire a taxi to get to a rental car company, rent a car and drive to Crater Lake.
Crater Lake Trolley: The Crater Lake Trolley, departing from Klamath Falls, offers a two-hour guided tour of Crater Lake, which is an excellent choice if you don’t wish to drive yourself. However, the trolley tours are available only during the summer months. You can check the tour schedules and reserve your tickets online on the Crater Trolley Tours website.
Transportation & Parking Inside Crater Lake National Park: There’s ample parking space near all vista points and hiking trails in Crater Lake National Park, but there are no park offered shuttle services in Crater Lake. However, the Crater Lake Trolley Tour that starts from Klamath Falls can also be boarded at the Rim Village in Crater Lake National Park. The only other shuttle service inside the Park is the Wizard Island Boat Shuttle taking visitors to the Wizard Island from Cleetwood Cove Boat Dock.
Time Required At Crater Lake National Park: While a day is enough to see all major vista points along the Rim Drive, a scenic drive around Crater Lake with observation points and hiking trails, I, however, recommend spending at least a couple of days in Crater Lake National Park to ensure you have enough time to leisurely explore all vista points, hike a couple of trails, and enjoy a scenic boat tour.
Lodging & Dining In Crater Lake National Park: Lodging and dining inside the Park are limited to the two seasonal lodges and campgrounds and a few restaurants. There are a few other lodging and dining choices in the nearby town of Klamath Falls, which I have discussed in the later section of the post.
Things To Do In Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park Attractions Map
Crater Lake Brief Overview
Crater Lake National Park Entrances
There’re three entrances to Crater Lake National Park, the South and the West entrances that are open year-round, and a seasonal North entrance to the Park.
- South Entrance: The South Entrance is open year-round and best for people coming to the Park from the town of Klamath Falls. Crater Lake South Entrance Address: Annie Spring Entrance Station, Munson Valley Rd, Crater Lake, Oregon, 97604.
- West Entrance: The West Entrance is best suited for people coming from Medford, Oregon, and is open year-round. Crater Lake West Entrance Address: 56630 Crater Lake Hwy, Prospect, Oregon, 97536.
- North Entrance: The North Entrance is seasonal, open only during the summer months, is the best option for people coming from Portland, Oregon. North Entrance Address: North Entrance Station, Crescent, Oregon, 97733.
Crater Lake National Park Visitor Centers
There’re two visitor centers in Crater Lake National Park, the seasonal Rim Visitor Center and the Steel Visitor Center, which is open year-round.
- Steel Visitor Center: The Steel Visitor Center, located 4 miles from the South Entrance, is open year-round and features an information desk, a park store, and screens a short video about the Park. Steel Visitor Center Address: Steel Visitor Center, Rim Dr, Crater Lake, Oregon, 97604.
- Rim Visitor Center: The Rim Visitor Center, located in the Rim Village about 3 miles from the Steel Visitor Center and 7 miles from the South Entrance, is open only during the summer months. The Rim Village Visitor Center offers an information desk and host ranger talks and programs. Rim Visitor Center Address: Rim Visitor Center, Rim Dr, Oregon, 97604.
Crater Lake Scenic Drive
The Crater Lake Rim Drive, encircling Crater Lake, is one of the most scenic mountain drives in the US!
The Crater Lake Rim Drive, encircling the entire Crater Lake, is a 33 miles long scenic drive with many vista points and access to the several hiking trails in the Park. The two-way Rim Drive has pullouts and ample parking near vista points and requires about 2 – 3 hours to leisurely drive and visit all vista points along the Rim Drive.
You could drive the Crater Lake Rim Drive or ride the Crater Lake Trolley departing from the Rim Village in Crater Lake National Park, offering narrated guided tours of the lake traversing the Rim Drive, stopping at major overlooks.
Here’re the most popular and must-see vista points along the Crater Lake Rim Drive!
Discovery Point
Discovery Point
Discovery Point, located near the Rim Village, is where John Hillman first spotted the blue lake, on his quest for gold, and discovered Crater Lake. Discovery Point, atop a small hill accessible via an easy hike, offers excellent views of Crater Lake.
Watchman Overlook
Watchman Overlook
Watchman Overlook is the most popular vista point along the Crater Lake Rim Drive, offering the best views of Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone midst the gleaming blue Crater Lake. The Watchman Overlook is also the starting point of the popular Watchman Peak Trail.
Cloudcap Overlook
Cloudcap Overlook
The Cloudcap Overlook is the highest point in Crater Lake National Park and offers sweeping views of Crater Lake. Located on the East Rim of Crater Lake, the Cloudcap Overlook is accessible via a one-mile spur road off the Rim Drive.
Pumice Castle
Pumice Castle
Pumice Castle is a castle-shaped rock formation located on the East Rim of Crater Lake. The greyish-orange Pumice Castle, sculpted by erosion, is a unique feature that you shouldn’t miss in Crater Lake National Park.
Phantom Ship Overlook
Phantom Ship Overlook
Located on the Southeast Rim of the Crater Lake, the Phantom Ship Overlook offers an up-close view of the Phantom Ship Rock, a rock formation rising from the lake bed resembling a ship sailing off the shores of the Crater Lake.
Pinnacles Overlook
Pinnacles Overlook
Pinnacles Overlook, reachable via a spur road off the main Crater Lake Rim Drive, is located on the southeast part of the Crater Lake National Park. The Pinnacles Overlook offers views of unique rock formations that look like rock spires with pointed heads jutting out of the canyon wall.
Vidae Falls
Vidae Falls
Vidae Falls, located right off the Crater Lake Rim Drive, is the most accessible waterfall in Crater Lake National Park. Vade Falls is a small but beautiful waterfall cascading down a lush valley blooming with wildflowers.
Hiking in Crater Lake National Park
Hiking is a popular activity in Crater Lake National Park and the only way to access some of the vista points and features in the Park!
There’re several hiking options in Crater Lake National Park, including nature trails, waterfall hikes, summit hikes, and many overlooks offering great views of Crater Lake. Except for a couple, all hiking trails are located along the Crater Lake Rim Drive and have ample parking near the trailheads.
I have organized all the popular hiking trails in Crater Lake National Park by their difficulty levels – Easy, Moderately Strenuous & Highly Strenuous. You will also find my recommendations on hiking trails based on the time you’re planning to spend in the Park in my suggested itinerary for Crater Lake National Park.
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail: The Castle Crest is a nature trail along a lush valley, located across the Steel Visitor Center, blooming with wildflower.
- Trailhead: Opposite Steel Visitor Center
- Distance: 0.4 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 30 Minutes
Sun Notch Trail: This is a short and easy hike offering magnificent lake vistas and close-up views of the Phantom Ship rock formation.
- Trailhead: Sun Notch Trailhead
- Distance: 0.5 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 30 Minutes
Pinnacles Trail: The Pinnacles Trail, located 6 miles off the Rim Drive on the southeast corner of Crater Lake National Park, leads to unique jagged spires jutting out the canyon walls.
- Trailhead: Pinnacles Trailhead
- Distance: 1 Mile Roundtrip
- Time: 40 Minutes – 1 Hour
Plaikni Falls Trail: The Plaikni Falls Trail leads to the Plaikni Falls, a small waterfall midst a lush valley floor, located at the base of Mount Scott.
- Trailhead: Plaikni Falls Trailhead
- Distance: 2 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 1 – 2 Hours
Discovery Point Trail: The Discovery Point Trail is a moderately strenuous hike along the southwest rim of Crater Lake offering stunning views of Crater Lake and Wizard Island.
- Trailhead: Discovery Point Trailhead / West End of Rim Village
- Distance: 2.2 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Watchman Peak Trail: The Watchman Peak Trail is the most popular hikes in Crater Lake National Park, offering expansive vistas of Crater Lake and close-up views of Wizard Island. It’s also home to the historic Watchman Observation tower, a historic landmark of Crater Lake National Park.
- Trailhead: Watchman Observation Point
- Distance: 1.6 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 1 – 2 Hours
Cleetwood Cove Trail: The Cleetwood Cove Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Crater Lake National Park, as it’s the only trail that descends down into the Lake offering access to the water and Crater Lake boat rides.
- Trailhead: Cleetwood Cove Trailhead
- Distance: 2.2 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 2 – 3 Hours
Wizard Summit Trail: The Wizard Summit Trail, accessible via a boat ride from the Cleetwood Cove, leads to the summit of the Wizard Iland and offers stunning views atop a cinder cone surrounded by a gleaming blue lake.
- Trailhead: Wizard Summit Trailhead / Cleetwood Cove Trailhead
- Distance: 2.5 Miles Roundtrip
- Time: 3 – 4 Hours
Though the Crater Lake Boat Tours are accessible only via a strenuous hike, it’s one of the best things to do in Crater Lake National Park!
The Crater Lake Boat Tours depart from the Cleetwood Cove boat dock, accessible via the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a 2.2 miles roundtrip steep hike. The descent down the trail isn’t that difficult, but the hike up is pretty strenuous, but viewing the Lake and Wizard Island from the boat is a lifetime experience! I highly recommend making that extra effort to hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail and taking the boat tour during your trip to Crater Lake! There’re two variants of the boat tours offered at Crater Lake, both departing from the Cleetwood Cove boat dock.
- Standard Lake Cruise: Two-hour cruise of Crater Lake along the shoreline, offering close-up views of Wizard Island and Phantom Ship rock formation.
- Wizard Island Tours: Five-hour cruise of Crater Lake plus additional time at the Wizard Island, a great choice if you’re planning to hike the Wizard Island Summit Trail.
The Crater Lake Boat Tours are offered by a concessionaire of the Park, and the tickets can be reserved online on travelcraterlake.com or purchased in person at the Cleetwood Cove kiosk. I highly recommend planning ahead and making your boat tour reservations in advance and timing your hike down the Cleetwood Cove Trail to the dock to ensure you reach before the departure, which takes about an hour.
Crater Lake Suggested Itineraries, Hotels & Restaurants
The Crater Lake Rim Drive and the Boat Tours are a must-do on a trip to Crater Lake National Park!
Crater Lake National Park, with several vista points and hiking trails, is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts! Though Crater Lake takes center stage in the Park, there’re several other features and exciting ways to explore the Park, including unique rock formations, waterfalls, nature trails, a scenic drive, and boat tours.
While you could drive the Crater Lake Scenic Drive and see all major vista points in a day, I highly recommend spending at least a couple of days in Crater Lake National Park and exploring Crater Lake by land and from the Lake atop a scenic boat tour. I have organized my Crater Lake trip itinerary and recommendations based on the number of days you plan to spend in the Park.
1 Day Crater Lake National Park Trip Itinerary: If you’re visiting Crater Lake just for a day, your best option is to stick to the Crater Lake Scenic Drive, making brief stops at popular vista points along the Rim Drive.
- Drive the Crater Lake Scenic Rim Drive / Crater Lake Trolley Tour
- Stop at popular and easily accessible vista points along the drive. I won’t recommend attempting longer hikes or boat tours if you’re in Crater Lake just for a day.
2 Day Crater Lake National Park Trip Itinerary: If you have two days in Crater Lake National Park, which is the minimum I recommend, you could spend a day leisurely exploring all vista points along the Crater Lake Rim Drive and a day exploring the Crater Lake atop a boat tour departing from Cleetwood Cove boat dock, which is accessible only via a strenuous hike.
- Day 1 – Drive Crater Lake Rim Drive, leisurely exploring all vista points along the drive.
- Day 2 – Hike down the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a strenuous 2.2 miles roundtrip hike, to access the boat dock. Take a two-hour boat tour around the shoreline or a five-hour boat tour of the Lake with a stop at Wizard Island, and then hike back up the Cleetwood Cove Trail.
3 Day Crater Lake National Park Trip Itinerary: Same as the 2-day itinerary, plus a couple of longer hikes of your choice to explore the wilderness and pristine areas in Crater Lake National Park.
- Day 1 – Drive Crater Lake Rim Drive, leisurely exploring all vista points along the drive.
- Day 2 – Hike down the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a strenuous 2.2 miles roundtrip hike, to access the boat dock. Take a two-hour boat tour around the shoreline or a five-hour boat tour of the Lake with a stop at Wizard Island, and then hike back up the Cleetwood Cove Trail.
- Day 3 – Hike a couple of moderately strenuous trails or a highly strenuous summit hike in Crater Lake.
I recommend staying in one of the Crater Lake lodges or campgrounds for easy access to the Lake and an authentic Crater Lake experience!
Lodging and dining options inside Crater Lake National Park are limited to its couple of lodges and campgrounds and a few restaurants inside the Park. You will find a few lodging options in the nearby towns of Klamath Falls, Diamond Lake, and Prospect. However, with easy access to Crater Lake and several vista points, staying in one of the lodges within Crater Lake National Park is my first choice.
Crater Lake Lodges: There’re two lodges in Crater Lake National Park, the Crater Lake Lodge and the Cabins at Mazama Village, both managed and operated by Crater Lake Hospitality, a concessioner of the Park. The Crater Lake Lodges can be reserved a year in advance and can be booked online on travelcraterlake.com.
- Crater Lake Lodge: Located next to the Rim Village Visitor Center, overlooking Crater Lake, the Crater Lake Lodge is my favorite place to stay in Crater Lake National Park.
- The Cabins at Mazama Village: Located near the South Entrance station, the Cabins at Mazama Village offers rustic cabins conveniently located inside the Park.
Crater Lake Campgrounds: There’re two seasonal campgrounds in Crater Lake National Park that are open only in the summer months, June – September. Mazama Campground being the primary campground in Crater Lake with 214 campsites, and the smaller Lost Creek campground with 16 campsites.
- Mazama Campground: Located near the South Entrance, the Mazama Campground has 214 campsites. In the month of June, these campsites are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis but can be reserved for the months of July, August, and September online on travelcraterlake.com.
- Lost Creek Campground: The Lost Creek Campground has only 16 campsites and is located on the southeast part of the Park, accessible via a spur road off the Rim Drive, about 3 miles from the Phantom Ship Overlook. It’s open July through October, no online reservations, and only allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Hotels & Lodges Near Crater Lake: If you’re unable to get a room in one of the Park lodges, your only other option is to stay in one of the bread and breakfasts located in the nearby town of Klamath Falls, Diamond Lake, and Prospect.
- Union Creek Resort, Prospect, close to Crater Lake West Entrance
- Diamond Lake Resort, Diamond Lake, close to Crater Lake North Entrance
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Klamath Falls, about 50 miles from Crater Lake
Restaurants In Crater Lake: The dining options in Crater Lake are limited to its couple of restaurants and a cafeteria near the south rim of Crater Lake. If you’re staying outside the Park, you will find a few local restaurants in the town of Klamath Falls and Prospect. However, as you would spend most of the time inside Crater Lake National Park, I have listed the dining options offered in the Prak.
- Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room: The dining room in the Crater Lake Lodge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with great views of Crater Lake.
- Annie Creek Restaurant: Located near the South Entrance in the Mazama Village, Annie Creek Restaurant serves American cuisine in a rustic setting.
- Rim Village Cafe: The Rim Village Cafe, located near Crater Lake Lodge, is a great place to grab a quick bite inside Crater Lake National Park.
Other Oregon Attractions & Related Posts
I hope you enjoyed reading the post, The Ultimate Guide To Crater Lake National Park, and I hope this will help you plan your trip to the Crater Lake National Park. You can find other Oregon attractions in my Oregon Travel Guide.
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