Crater Lake National Park, a national park established in 1902, is a natural lake formed by rain and snow that accumulated after the eruption of the Mazama Volcano 7,700 years ago. The lake is about 590 meters deep, making it the deepest lake in the United States.
Because the lake has no major inlets and is protected by the national park, its water is famously clear. Visitors cannot launch personal kayaks or boats on the lake.
Crater Lake has a seasonal North Entrance and a year-round South Entrance, a paved driveway along the lake, and more than 30 viewing platforms, so you can drive along the lake for a scenic drive or park at several of the viewing platforms and hike to the rim for a closer look at Crater Lake.
Touring Crater Lake is relatively easy and can usually be done in a few hours or a day. What do you need to be aware of before you leave and during your visit? You will know in detail after reading this article.
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Table of Contents
Points of Interest of Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park has paved Rim Drive roads along the lake, divided into East Rim Drive and West Rim Drive, along which you can enjoy the lake from different angles.
Along Rim Drive, there are also several trails for hiking, where you can enjoy views of Crater Lake while hiking, or along the hiking trail for volcanic geologic views.
Meanwhile, you can also enjoy the scenery along the park’s roads by riding bicycles, but because of the high altitude of the crater park’s terrain, sightseeing by bicycle can be physically challenging for riders.
On the west side of Crater Lake is the small island of Wizard Island, which is accessible by boat from park concessionaire Crater Lake Hospitality, which also offers sightseeing boat tours of Crater Lake, which can be enjoyed from the boat. Crater Lake Hospitality also offers boat tours of Crater Lake, where you can take a boat ride to see this magical lake.
To enter Crater Lake National Park, you can purchase a one-time ticket that is valid for seven days.
- Fares for private cars are $30 in the summer and $20 in the winter.
- Motorcycle access to the park is $25 in the summer and $15 in the winter, with a maximum of 2 passengers allowed on the motorcycle.
- Tickets are $15 for both bicyclists and pedestrians walking into the park.
- Of course, you can also purchase an annual pass for Crater Lake National Park or an annual pass for U.S. National Parks.
The Best time to visit Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round; however, the most ideal time to visit Crater Lake National Park is from July through October.
Among them, July and August are the peak season for tourists, there are more tourists, and there may be situations such as not being able to find a parking space, and the number of tourists will be reduced in September and October, making the tour more relaxing.
During the winter months, portions of the road may be closed to all visitors. For example, West Rim Drive is closed to motorized vehicles during the winter months, if weather conditions are severe, or if there is excessive snow accumulation.
Temperature variations throughout the year in Crater Lake National Park are listed below:
Direct Flight to Crater Lake National Park
Major airports near Crater Lake National Park are:
- Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR): 1 hour 30 minutes from the airport to the park
- Portland International Airport (PDX): 5 hours from the airport to the park
- Klamath Regional Airport: there are no commercial flights to this airport [source].
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR)
It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to drive from Medford Airport to Crater Lake National Park in a rental car.
Current information on direct flights within the United States that offer direct flights to MRF Airport is:
| City (airport code) | flight time | direct airline |
|---|---|---|
Seattle (SEA) | 1 hour and 20 minutes | Alaska Delta |
Denver (DEN) | 2 hours and 58 minutes | United |
Salt Lake City (SLC) | 2 hours and 01 minutes | Delta |
Phoenix (AZA) | 2 hours and 29 minutes | Allegiant |
Phoenix (PHX) | 2 hours and 27 minutes | American |
Delta (Greek letter Δδ) | 1 hour 59 minutes | Allegiant |
Santa Ana (SNA) | 2 hours and 03 minutes | Allegiant |
Burbank (BUR) | 2 hours. | Avelo |
Los Angeles (LAX) | 1 hour 48 minutes | Allegiant Alaska United |
San Francisco (SFO) | 1 hour and 24 minutes | United |
Portland International Airport (PDX)
It takes about 5 hours to drive to Crater Lake National Park in a rental car from PDX Airport.
The major cities and airports within the United States that currently offer direct flights to Portland International Airport are:
| Direct Flight City (Airport code) | Flight Time | Airline |
|---|---|---|
Dallas, Texas (DFW) | 3 hours and 52 minutes | American Alaska |
Houston, Texas (IAH) | 4 hours and 48 minutes | United |
| 2 hours and 23 minutes | American Alaska Delta Southwest |
San Francisco, CA (SFO) | 1 hour and 40 minutes | Alaska United |
| 2 hours and 43 minutes | Alaska Southwest |
New York, NY (EWR) | 5 hours and 59 minutes | Alaska United |
| 6 hours and 05 minutes | Alaska Delta JetBlue |
| 6 hours and 16 minutes | Alaska JetBlue |
| 6 hours and 16 minutes. | Alaska JetBlue |
| 5 hours and 20 minutes | Alaska Delta |
| 2 hours and 17 minutes. | Alaska Frontier Southwest Spirit |
| 2 hours and 45 minutes |
|
St. Lous, MO (STL) | 4 hours and 20 minutes | Southwest |
| 2 hours and 38 minutes | Alaska Frontier Southwest United |
| 2 hours. | Alaska Delta |
Oakland (OAK) | 1 hour and 33 minutes | Alaska Southwest |
Santa Ana (SNA) | 2 hours and 20 minutes | Alaska |
Albuquerque (ABQ) | 2 hours and 57 minutes | Alaska |
Dallas (DAL) | 4 hours and 15 minutes | Alaska Southwest |
New Orleans (MSY) | 5 hours and 10 minutes. | Alaska |
Transportation of Crater Lake National Park
Rim Drive, a paved 33-mile road available in Crater Lake National Park, is divided into West Rim Drive and East Rim Drive depending on the area, and is closed to motorized vehicles during the winter months.
There is also a stretch of Pinnacles Road in the park, as well as Munson Valler Road in Rim Village.
You can access the park from the northern, western, and southern areas of the park.
A. Entrance to the park
There are two entrances to the park:
- North Entrance Station, located to the north and accessible from Route 138, is seasonal and often closed by snow outside the summer season.
- The Annie Spring Entrance Station, located to the south and accessible from Highway 62, is open year-round.
B. Road conditions in the park
The main road in the park is Rim Drive, enter the park from the North Entrance Station and drive to Rim Drive after.
- Westward for the section of West Rim Drive that extends to Rim Village
- To the east is the section of East Rim Drive that extends around the lake to Munson Valley Road at the south entrance
Rim Drive is also closed to motorized vehicles during winter periods, as is North Entrance Station but is accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.
An extended section of Pinnacles Road on East Rim Drive near the southeast corner of the park goes past the Lost Creek Campground and the Pinnacles hiking trail at the end of the road.
When traveling within the park, both Rim Drive and Pinnacles Road are narrow and winding and have multiple steeper ramps with a speed limit of 35 mph and 20 mph in congested areas.
In addition to seasonal closures, the park may also temporarily close sections due to other circumstances, such as sudden weather conditions or farming.
Before traveling, the park’s latest condition information page should be checked to determine current roadway information.
What are the lodging arrangements for Crater Lake National Park?
Within Crater Lake National Park, lodge and camping accommodations are primarily offered and are available during the summer months. Outside the park, on the other hand, there are several campgrounds, lodges, etc. spread out.
A. Accommodation in the park
There are two main lodges and two campgrounds in Crater Lake National Park.
#1. Crater Lake Lodge ⭐⭐ 4.3 / 5.0 (1,041 reviews)
Built on the shores of Crater Lake, the lodge is only open from May to October and supports reservations up to one year in advance.
#2. Mazama Village Cabins 4.1 / 5.0 (210 reviews)
Built in the forest, the lodge is only open from May to October and supports reservations up to one year in advance.
#3. Mazama Campground 4.0 / 5.0 (160 reviews)
Located next to Mazama Village Campground & Cabins, the campground offers tent camping and RV campsites, some with electric hookups, limited trash pickup, food storage, grills, etc., flush toilets, and coin-operated showers. Open from about June through September, stays can be booked up to a year in advance for July, August, and September each year, and the rest of the year on a first-come, first-served basis.
#4. Lost Creek Campground 4.4 / 5.0 (26 reviews)
A campground on Pinnacles Road offering only 16 tent camping spaces, limited trash pickup and food storage services and pit toilets. It is generally open between July and October and will be closed in 2022 for the entire year.
B. Off-park accommodation
Lodging outside the park is concentrated in the Fort Klamath, Prospect, Union Creek, Diamond Lake, and Chiloquin areas, all about 20 to 30 minutes from Crater Lake National Park.
You can also find many types of accommodations in the small towns of Medford or Klamath Falls, which are about an hour’s drive away.
Fort Klamath
#5. Jo’s Motel & Campground 3.7 / 5.0 (125 reviews)
#6. Aspen Inn 4.7 / 5.0 (193 reviews)
#7. Crater Lake Country Suites ⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (10 reviews)
#8. Crater Lake Resort 4.4 / 5.0 (447 reviews)
Prospect
#9. Abbott Creek Campground 4.3 / 5.0 (14 reviews)
#10. Crater Lake RV Park 4.6 / 5.0 (290 reviews)
#11. River Bridge Campground 4.7/ 5.0 (26 reviews)
#12. Prospect Historic Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (257条评价)
#13. US Forestry Department 4.3 / 5.0 (11 reviews)
Union Creek
#14. Union Creek Resort ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2 / 5.0 (570 reviews)
#15. Natural Bridge Campground 4.9/ 5.0 (35 reviews)
#16. Union Creek Campground- Rogue River 4.4/ 5.0 (87 reviews)
#17. Union Rogue Baptist Camp 4.9/ 5.0 (12 reviews)
Diamond Lake
#18. Broken Arrow Campground 4.1 / 5.0 (72 reviews)
#19. Diamond Lake Campground 4.5/ 5.0 (164 reviews)
#20. Thielsen View Campground 4.4/ 5.0 (88 reviews)
#21. Diamond Lake Resort: Station 4.3 / 5.0 (23 reviews)
Chiloquin
#22. Agency Lake Resort 3.4/ 5.0 (30 reviews)
#23. Collier Memorial State Park Campground 4.5/ 5.0 (13 reviews)
#24. Melita’s Motel & RV Park 3.8/ 5.0 (243 reviews)
#25. Sleep Inn & Suites ⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (241 reviews)
#26. Sportsman’s River Retreat 4.4 / 5.0 (56 reviews)
#27. Waterwheel RV Park & Campground 4.5 / 5.0 (290 reviews)
#28. Heartline Ranch 4.2/ 5.0 (33 reviews)
Medford Township
#29. Comfort Inn Medford North ⭐⭐ 4.1 / 5.0 (382 reviews)
#30. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Medford-Central Point, an IHG Hotel ⭐⭐ 4.3 / 5.0 (587 reviews)
#31. Courtyard by Marriott Medford Airport ⭐⭐⭐ 4.3/ 5.0 (519条评价)
#32. Candlewood Suites Medford, an IHG Hotel ⭐⭐ 4.3/ 5.0 (308 reviews)
#33 .Rogue Regency Inn ⭐⭐⭐ 4.0/ 5.0 (1,416条评价)
#34. Hilton Garden Inn Medford ⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (812条评价)
#35. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Medford ⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (95 reviews)
Town of Klamath Falls
#37. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Klamath Falls ⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (202 reviews)
#38. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Klamath Falls Central, an IHG Hotel ⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (528 reviews)
#39. Best Western Plus Olympic Inn ⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 / 5.0 (463条评价)
#40. Comfort Inn & Suites ⭐⭐ 4.1/ 5.0 (378 reviews)
Restaurants near Crater Lake National Park
There are 3 restaurants and 1 grocery store that serve meals in Crater National Park.
Outside the park, the small towns of Medford and Klamath Falls to the south offer a large variety of dining options.
Dining in the park
#1. Rim Village Café 4.0/5.0 196 reviews Maps
#2. Annie Creek Restaurant 3.6/5.0 163 reviews Map
#3. Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room 3.2/5.0 59 reviews Maps
#4. Mazama Village Store, located within Mazama Village Campground 4.1/5.0 210 reviews Maps
Dining outside the park
Medford Township
#5. Texas Roadhouse 4.4 /5.0 3,001 reviews Map
#6 The Regency Grill 4.1/5.0 200 reviews Map
#7. Jaspers Café 4.6 /5.0 1,590 reviews Map
#8. Chick-fil-A 4.4/5.0 1,163 reviews Ma
#9. Ricos 4.5/5.0 93 reviews Map
#10. La Torta Loca 4.7/5.0 301 reviews Map
#11. 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery 4.5/5.0 108 reviews Map
#12. Clyde’s Corner 4.8/5.0 265 reviews Map
#13. New China Restaurant 4.0/5.0 611 reviews Map
#14. Soo Rah 4.4/5.0 419 reviews Map
Town of Klamath Falls
#15. Brevada 4.7/5.0 277 reviews Map
#16. Dagwood’s Burgers 4.6/5.0 556 reviews Map
#17. Thai Orchid Cafe – Main Street 4.7/5.0 749 reviews Map
#18. Wong’s Cafe 4.5/5.0 527 reviews Maps
#19. Vicky’s Kitchen 4.8/5.0 46 reviews Map
#20. Waffle Hut & Eatery 4.4/5.0 1,761 reviews Map
#21. 9 Thai Restaurant 4.4/5.0 319 reviews Map
#22. Mazatlan Grill 4.5/5.0 956 reviews Map
#23. Italianna’s Ristorante and Gelateria 4.4/5.0 552 reviews Map
#24. North Shore Hawaiian Kitchen 4.6/5.0 818 reviews Map
What to bring to visit Crater Lake National Park?
- WATER BOTTLE: Because there are limited locations in Crater National Park that provide drinking water, you should carry a water bottle and fill it up before you leave, especially if you are planning to do a biking or hiking tour in the park.
- Hiking Shoes: If you are planning a walking tour in the park, please wear a comfortable pair of hiking shoes.
- Sunscreen: Crater National Park is at a higher elevation, so the sun is more intense, so please apply sunscreen before traveling.
- All-in-one Jacket: If you will be staying late in the parks, the temperature will be lower at night due to the difference in temperature between day and night, so bring an all-in-one jacket to keep you warm in time if needed.
Itinerary and Attractions
There is a great deal of flexibility in visiting Crater Lake National Park, as you can choose to drive along Rim Drive, drop off at a few lookouts to enjoy the lake views and choose a few trails to hike, which is usually done in a half day to a day. Alternatively, you can schedule a two-day, one-night tour to more fully explore the natural beauty of Crater Lake National Park.
Day 1
Enter the park from the southern Annie Spring Entrance Station and head east on East Rim Drive, starting at the Phantom Ship Overlook for views of the lake and the small island, Phantom Ship, which is only 48 meters high.
Continue on East Rim Drive, turn onto Pinnacles Road, and follow the Plaikni Falls Trail to Plaikni Falls.
Afterward, return to East Rim Drive to Pumice Castle.
Afterward, head to Cleetwood Cove, where you can access the lake when the trail, marina, and boat tours are operating.
After finishing drive along Rim Drive and continue counterclockwise to Watchman Overlook from where you can enjoy the sunset.
Choose your accommodation for a one-night stay.
Day 2
The next morning you can head to Watchman Overlook to watch the sunrise, and then choose between the difficult Garfield Peak Trail or the easier Discovery Point Trail, depending on your preference.
After you finish, head to the Sinnott Memorial Overlook to learn about the history of the area before returning to Rim Village for a meal, souvenir shopping, and more.
End this Crater Lake National Park tour by leaving the park at the southern entrance for your next destination.
Phantom Ship Overlook
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (160 reviews)
This viewpoint is the best viewpoint of the island Phantom Ship, which is only 48 meters high and is a small island formed in the past when lava cooled after a volcanic eruption.
Plaikni Falls
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (54 reviews)
To get to Plaikni Falls, you have to walk a forested section of the Plaikni Falls Trailhead, and after enjoying the forested scenery along the way, you’ll come across a waterfall cascading down a green-fringed hillside, with its silvery-white water, gray rocks, and green vegetation, making for a very scenic view.
Pumice Castle
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (3 reviews)
Here, you can get off the bus and go to the edge of the observation deck, from where you will see a unique attraction, an orange rock block shaped like a castle, which is the natural shape formed after the eruption of the volcano, carved by the rain and wind, fully demonstrating the power of nature’s ingenious workmanship.
Cleetwood Cove
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 / 5.0 (5 reviews)
This is the only place in Crater Lake National Park where you can walk to the shore of the lake and follow the Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shore of the lake where you can enjoy a variety of recreational interactions such as swimming, boating, and fishing.
The trail is about 1.9 miles or so round trip and is full of gravel, with an elevation difference of about 213 meters, making it difficult for hiking, so wear good hiking shoes that have a good grip on the gravel and come through the Cleetwood Cove Trail to the lake for a visit.
Wizard Island
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (60 reviews)
The largest island in terms of area on Crater Lake, there are several hiking trails on the island, such as a more gentle hike that takes you to the top of Wizard Island, and another hike that takes you to a crater. You can also swim in the waters around Wizard Island. The only way to reach Wizard Island is to book a boat trip from Clydewood Bay.
Watchman Overlook
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (408 reviews)
The closest lookout point to Wizard Island offers a panoramic view of the entire island and is the best sunset and sunrise viewing point in the park, with a high volume of traffic, so it is recommended to arrive early to get the best view.
Garfield Peak Trail
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 / 5.0 (13 reviews)
This is one of the most popular hiking trails in Crater Lake National Park and one of the more difficult ones. It is about 3.4 miles long, with a 326 density height difference, and takes about 2 hours to complete, making it physically challenging.
Discovery Point Trail
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (80 reviews)
This is the least difficult hiking trail in Crater Lake Park. It is about 2.4 miles round trip, with a difference in elevation of about 103 meters, and you can usually complete a round trip hiking tour in about 1 hour, and the trail is gentle enough to allow even the elderly and children to walk easily.
Sinnott Memorial Overlook
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (40 reviews)
The Sinnott Memorial offers a wide range of historical and technology-related exhibits, and you can savor the historical figures and technological features of the area by taking in the views of the lake while touring these exhibits.
Boating
Only authorized dealer Crater Lake Hospitality is permitted to provide boat service in the park, offering eight boat tours per day, two of which stop at Wizard Island for approximately three hours for you to board the island.
The boarding gate is located at Cleetwood Cove, and to get to the dock you must follow the Cleetwood Cove Trail down to the dock, so please make sure you are physically able to walk on this challenging hike.
Bicycling
Riders can ride on all motorized roads in Crater Lake National Park and enjoy the park scenery around the lake, but due to the high elevation of the terrain and multiple high and low grades, it is physically demanding, so please make sure you have enough water and energy supplies with you to set out on the ride.
Before you leave, check the park for up-to-date information on conditions to determine if there are any section closures on the road that day.
If you don’t have your bike with you, you can rent one from a bike rental dealer in the southern town of Medford.
Takeaways
When visiting Crater National Park, the main things to keep in mind are driving safety, personal safety of individuals, and protection of the natural environment.
1. Driving Safety
Several of the roads in the park are narrow and have several sharp curves along the hillside. So the speed limit is 35 mph, and if there is a traffic jam, the speed limit will be 20 mph.
2. Personal Security
You need to bring warm clothes when visiting Crater Lake National Park, both the water and the temperature in the park are relatively low, especially at night, so be prepared to keep your body temperature up at all times.
Also, since there are limited locations in the park that provide drinking water, it is important to carry a water bottle and keep it hydrated at all times during your visit.
In the summer, there may be a market for thunder and lightning, check the weather conditions on the day before departure, and it is recommended that you adjust your tour plans if there is a high chance of thunder and lightning.
If you are going to swim in the lake, please check the buoys on the lake and swim in the regulated area, also there are no lifeguards on the shore so please make sure that you are physically fit to swim in the lake.
3. Protection of the natural environment
While visiting Crater Lake National Park, you may encounter a variety of wild animals, so remember not to approach, pet, or feed them to avoid accidentally harming them. If you encounter bears and other fierce animals, remember to stay calm and scare them off by talking loudly and banging on objects to make noise.
For Crater Lake, the park allows only licensed dealers to operate boat programs to protect the water quality of the lake, and you are not allowed to bring your kayaks, canoes, or other supplies to the lake.
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