Everything you should know about Crater Lake National Park

Oregon’s only national park has the country’s deepest lake, a massive bowl of sapphire-colored water that’s deep enough to cover the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, and the Eiffel Tower. 

This crown jewel of the Cascades draws roughly half a million visitors a year. Most come during the summer, when they can hike nearly 100 miles (161 km) of trails and drive or bike the 33-mile (53-km) road that circles the park’s cobalt-colored pièce de resistance, Crater Lake.

Footpaths and scenic overlooks dot the rugged rim of the lake’s caldera, a pristine oasis whose tranquil vibes belie a violent origin story. Around 7,700 years ago, the 12,000-foot-tall Mount Mazama volcano had a cataclysmic eruption. The top of the mountain collapsed, caving in like a botched soufflé. Rain and snowmelt eventually filled the rocky cavity with pure, crystal-clear water, creating a 21-square-mile (54-square-km) canvas that radiates unforgettable hues of blue. 

Boat tours, fishing, and taking a dip in the chilly water have long been popular things to do in the park—until now. The only legal and safe way to enter the caldera and access the shoreline is on Cleetwood Cove Trail, which will be closed in 2026 for repair work and improvements. It’s not expected to reopen until 2029.  

While the water itself is off limits for the near future, the park’s 286 square miles (741 square km) of evergreen forests, meadows, canyons, and peaks still beckon. So do majestic vistas of one of the prettiest lakes on the planet. 

Best times to visit Crater Lake National Park

The park is open every day, 24/7. But many of the roads, trails, and facilities shut down during the long winter. Crater Lake gets pummeled with snow, averaging more than 40 feet between November and April. The vast majority of visitors flock here in the warmer, drier months of July, August, and September—that brief window when most likely everything will be fully open. The weather is less predictable, and services could be more limited in May, June, and October, so it’s especially important to check current conditions during the shoulder and winter seasons. 

Where to find the best views in the park

Rim Drive loops around the lake like a charm bracelet, dangling with overlooks and pullouts that deliver postcard-worthy scenery. The loftiest of the bunch is Cloudcap Overlook, perched on the east end of the caldera nearly 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) above sea level. Reach it via East Rim Drive off a mile-long (1.6-km) spur road.

On the opposite side of the lake, Watchman Overlook on West Rim Drive makes a sweet vantage point for peering down on Wizard Island, a volcano within a volcano. The tree-studded top of this mostly submerged cinder cone pokes 760 feet (253 meters) above the water’s surface. Get an even better look at this “island” by continuing on to Watchman Peak. Visitors can access the trailhead from the overlook. A 0.8-mile (1.3-km) climb leads to an old fire lookout with expansive lake views made more dramatic at sunrise and sunset.  

Where to find the best hiking trails 

The park’s extensive trail network includes everything from gentle nature walks to heart-pumping ascents—and 33 miles (53 km) of the legendary Pacific Crest Trail stretching from Canada to Mexico. 

A paved promenade conveniently located behind Crater Lake Lodge leads to a moderately challenging 1.7-mile (2.7-km) trek to the top of Garfield Peak, whose lofty 8,054-foot (2,455-meter) summit rewards hikers with stellar views of the lake and California’s Mount Shasta to the south. The peak’s eponymous trail wends through wildflower meadows and stands of hemlock and fragrant firs before zigzagging up the volcanic terrain. 

For a mellow stroll through a forest of old-growth conifers, head 2.4 miles (3.9 km) south of park headquarters to Godfrey Glen. This 1.1-mile (1.8-km) loop offers canyon views along a flat, hard-packed path well suited to wheelchairs and strollers. It’s also one of the park’s few pet-friendly trails, a short list that includes the lengthy Pacific Crest Trail and the little Lady of the Woods loop. 

Near the southeast side of the lake, Plaikni Falls Trail (2 miles/3.2 km) is a mostly easy, out-and-back route to a snowmelt-fed cascade. For more of a quad-burning trek, hit up the nearby Mount Scott trailhead off East Rim Drive. The steady ascent takes you to the highest peak in the park: an 8,929-foot (2,722-meter) summit with sweeping views of the lake and its surrounding crown of cliffs. The 4.4-mile (7.1-km) round-trip journey typically takes about three hours. Tackle it early in the day, when the lake looks best bathed in morning light.

The best spots to see wildlife

Roosevelt elk, mountain lions, and black bears—close to 50 of them—live in the park, but they tend to stay in more remote areas. Sightings aren’t common. When it comes to large mammals, visitors have a better chance of spotting mule deer. They like to roam around the southwestern edge of the caldera at Rim Village, where Crater Lake Lodge and most of the park services are concentrated. 

Gregarious golden-mantled ground squirrels are plentiful near campgrounds, picnic sites, and overlooks along Rim Drive. Yellow-bellied marmots and squeaky pikas—rabbit relatives that resemble rodents—dwell in the park’s rocky slopes and forage in the meadows. 

Bald eagles and peregrine falcons have been known to nest along the caldera’s cliffs. Gray-bodied, black-winged Clark’s nutcrackers usually can be found among whitebark pines along the crater’s rim. 

Even though you can’t access the lake’s water for a few years, rest assured it’s home to rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and dwindling numbers of the Mazama newt, a type of salamander endemic to Crater Lake.   

Expert recommendations and tips

Head to the Watchman Overlook during sunrise or sunset to get a 360-degree view of the landscape. Visitors will likely be alone at the top, but they can join a ranger-led sunset tour if they prefer the company and guidance. 

When boat tours resume, hopefully, in 2029, visitors will once again have the chance to explore the waters of Crater Lake via a ranger-guided boat tour with the park’s official concessionaire. Get to the bottom of the challenging Cleetwood Cove Trail to hop on board. Do yourself a favor and use the bathroom before getting on the two-hour ride.

Things to do in Crater Lake 

Give yourself at least half a day to explore the caldera via Rim Drive, allowing ample time to pull over for photos, a picnic, a hike—or all three. The full 33-mile (53-km) road is open seasonally, usually from mid-July through late October, depending on weather. For the past few years, sections of East Rim Drive have been closed for construction. The road from Phantom Ship Overlook to park headquarters will shutter this summer. The plan is to have the entire route open in 2027.  

Crater Lake’s high elevation and lack of light pollution make for great stargazing, especially from July to September when clear skies are more likely. Watch the Milky Way put on its celestial show from Watchman Overlook or at Sinnott Memorial Overlook, easily accessible from Rim Village. Park rangers often host night sky programs in the summer. 

In winter and spring, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on ungroomed trails are the most common ways to explore the park. Free, ranger-led snowshoeing excursions run from late November through April. The two-hour treks start at Rim Village. (If the road to Rim Village is closed, the outing takes place near park headquarters.) Snowshoes are provided free of charge. Participants must be at least 8 years old.  

Best things to do for families 

Narrated, two-hour trolley tours on Rim Drive leave from Rim Village and travel to and from Skell Head viewpoint, stopping at various overlooks along the way.

The Steel Information Center at park headquarters shows a 22-minute movie about Crater Lake throughout the day. Walk behind the visitor center to find the trailhead for Lady of the Woods (0.7/1.1 km), an easy loop that’s good for children. 

Ranger talks take place throughout the summer at Rim Village. See what’s on schedule at one of the park’s two visitor centers: Steel (open year-round) and Rim (open in summer). Kids can pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Book and complete at least seven pages to get a Crater Lake patch. 

Where to stay

Crater Lake Lodge commands prime real estate in Rim Village overlooking the water. Originally built in 1915, some 13 years after Crater Lake became a national park, the historic property underwent a major rehab before reopening in 1995. The imposing lodge made of native stone and wood shingles has 71 guestrooms, some with lake views. You don’t need to be an overnight guest to eat in the dining room or take a seat on the inviting back deck. The lodge is open mid-May to mid-October. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance and get snapped up fast.  

Also open seasonally, the 10 Cabins at Mazama Village and the adjacent campground are a few miles south of Rim Village. The campground’s 214 sites can accommodate tents and RVs. Campsites are open on a first-come, first-served basis in June. For stays in July, August, and September, you can reserve a spot at recreation.gov. 

A permit is required for backcountry camping. The free permits, which can’t be ordered online or over the phone, are available at the ranger station at park headquarters. The park’s website lists lodging and camping options outside of Crater Lake’s boundaries. 

What else do you need to know 

Access: The park has three main entrances: south, west, and north. Enter from the west (Medford) or south (Klamath Falls) on Oregon 62. The north entrance, reached via Oregon 138, is closed in the winter. The nearest commercial airportis Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Medford, about 75 miles away. 

Fees: Standard entrance passes to the park cost between $15 (for cyclists and pedestrians over 15) and $30 (for vehicles and their passengers). 

Pets: Leashed pets are allowed in parking and picnic areas, on paved walkways, and at Mazama Campground. They’re also permitted on a handful of designated hiking trails. Pets are forbidden in public buildings. Service dogs, however, can accompany their owners. 

How accessible is the park? 

The two visitor centers, as well as Crater Lake Lodge and other buildings at Rim Village, are mobility accessible, as are designated campsites and restrooms at Mazama Village. On East Rim Drive, Vidae Falls Picnic Area has wheelchair-accessible tables, parking, and restrooms. The best hiking trail from an accessibility standpoint is the Godfrey Glen loop. 

The park film shown at the Steel Information Center is closed-captioned. With at least two weeks’ advance notice, ASL interpretation may be available for ranger-led programs and events. Visitor centers have large-print and braille versions of the park’s official map and guide.