7 Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Awe-inspiring, unique, bedazzling and perfect. These are just a few words that have been used to describe Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon.

By all accounts and standards, it’s one of the most enticing national parks in America. And unsurprisingly, there are plenty of things to do in Crater Lake National Park.

Created 7,700 years ago by the cataclysmic eruption and subsequent collapse of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake is now the epitome of tranquility. The volcano’s violent explosion scattered ash across hundreds of thousands of square miles, leaving behind a deep, steep-walled caldera.

Snow and rain eventually filled up the crater, forming what is now appropriately known as Crater Lake.

With a depth of 1,943 feet (592 meters)—this varies a bit throughout the seasons—Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the USA. Its near-perfect circular shape combined with some of the cleanest and clearest water in the world make it a unique natural feature.

No springs or rivers feed the lake, all water comes from snowmelt and rainfall, which explains its clarity and purity. On top of that, the lake is also perfectly still.

Ripple-less water reflects a blue sky, making it “the bluest lake on earth”, while at night it twinkles with the lights of a thousand stars.

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7 Top Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park

There are plenty of volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest, from Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens to Mount Hood and Mount Adams, but none of them are so downright extraordinary as Crater Lake.

The caldera and surrounding area became a national park in 1902, one of several volcanic national parks in the West—Yellowstone, Mount Rainier and Lassen Volcanic are other beauties.

If you’re looking for what to do at Crater Lake, you’ll find enough options to keep you busy for days. From scenic drives to boat tours and hikes, there’s plenty of variety in Crater Lake attractions.

Below are the seven greatest things to do in Crater Lake National Park.

1. Drive the Rim Drive

The star attraction in Crater Lake National Park is the Rim Drive. Encircling the entire lake, this 33-mile (53-kilometer) road is one of the greatest national park roads in the USA.

This lovely drive offers you the chance to see the lake from every possible angle. More than 30 pullouts and numerous trailheads line the road, inviting visitors to leave their cars—provided they aren’t cycling the Rim Drive—and enjoy this extraordinary landscape and natural scenery.

Note that, because of heavy snowfall in winter, the Crater Lake Rim Drive closes on November 1 (or sooner in case of significant snowfall). Also depending on snow conditions, the West Rim Drive re-opens sometime between mid-May and late-June while the East Rim Drive opens again between mid- and late-June.

Updated information on road conditions and closures is always available on the park’s website.

Almost all major Crater Lake National Park attractions lie on or near the Rim Drive. Although there are other places of interest in other areas of the park, Crater Lake itself is the obvious star of the show. And the best way to see it is by driving the Crater Lake Rim Drive.

Don’t miss the following ten Rim Drive highlights along the way, clockwise from Rim Village:

• Sinnott Memorial Overlook
• Discovery Point
• Watchman Overlook
• Devils Backbone
• Llao Rock
• Cloudcap Overlook
• Pumice Castle Overlook
• Phantom Ship Overlook
• The Pinnacles and Plaikni Falls (via a 7-mile spur road)
• Vidae Falls

2. Visit the Crater Lake Lodge

Dating from 1915, the rustic Crater Lake Lodge is one of the main man-made Crater Lake National Park attractions. It’s the perfect place to grab a hearty breakfast in the morning, an afternoon glass of wine in the Great Hall, or a well-deserved dinner in the evening.

The lodge is one of several historic lodges in national parks in the western United States, a beautiful example of so-called “parkitecture”. It’s open from mid-May through mid-October.

3. Ride a Boat to Wizard Island

Crater Lake National Park is unique in the world because of its perfectly round, blue and tranquil lake. But it has yet another claim to fame: this is one of only a few places in the world where you can see a volcano within a volcano.

Rising 763 feet (233 meters) above Crater Lake, Wizard Island is a cinder cone, the tip of a submerged volcano that rises 2,500 feet (762 meters) from the bottom of the lake.

While kayaking or canoeing is not allowed in Crater Lake in order to avoid bringing in invasive species, you can go on boat tours to Wizard Island and/or around the lake, which is one of those super-fun things to do in Crater Lake for kids.

There are a few options available, but the most straightforward one is the Wizard Island Shuttle. Departing from Cleetwood Cove, the shuttle is reached via the steep Cleetwood Trail, on the northern side of the lake.

The trip includes three hours on Wizard Island for hiking, exploring and swimming.

4. Hike up Garfield Peak

In addition to driving or cycling the Rim Drive, hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Crater Lake National Park.

There are about 90 miles (145 kilometers) of trails around Crater Lake, most of which are day hikes.

Bring a good Crater Lake map, some day hike snacks and head out for an afternoon of volcano exploration.

One of the absolute best hikes in Crater Lake is Garfield Peak, a steep and strenuous 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometer) roundtrip to a commanding peak. Views of Crater Lake are breathtaking along the way and at the summit, taking in the lake and the surrounding landscape.

You can find the trailhead at the eastern end of Rim Village by following the paved walkway behind the Crater Lake Lodge. Allow 2 to 3 hours for this fantastic hike.

• Longer alternative: strenuous 4.4-mile (7.1-kilometer) roundtrip hike to Mount Scott, the highest peak in the park; beautiful lake views in the morning
• Shorter alternative: moderate 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) roundtrip hike to Watchman Peak, offering panoramic views; popular for sunset watching

5. Watch the Sunrise over Crater Lake

One of the absolute highlights of Crater Lake National Park is watching the sun climb over the rim, slowly illuminating the landscape with yellows and oranges. Pretty any pullout or overlook will do, but my personal favorite area is the Discovery Point Trail.

This short trail starts at the Crater Lake Lodge, but you can access it at various points along the first section of the West Rim Drive. What I like so much about this particular trail is the many rocks, tree roots and outcrops, offering excellent vantage points and foregrounds for photos.

6. See Plaikni Falls

Besides Crater Lake itself, the national park has plenty of other natural features to enjoy. From towering forests to pumice plains to beautiful waterfalls, there’s plenty of variety in the Crater Lake National Park attractions.

One of my favorite spots in the entire park is Plaikni Falls, an underrated hike along Pinnacles Road off the Rim Drive.

This easy 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) roundtrip hike leads through a wonderful old-growth forest to a lush waterfall characterized by colorful wildflowers, grassy areas and countless cascades.

7. Camp at Mazama Campground

Located 7 miles (11 kilometers) south of Rim Village just off Highway 62, the Mazama Campground is the best place to pitch your tent for the night. It’s a pretty large campground, with 214 sites, but it never feels huge.

All sites are arranged with privacy and quietness in mind, making you feel as if you’re camping in the wild. Yet, a bunch of services are readily available in Mazama Village, including a gas station, café, laundry facilities, grocery store, drinking water, showers and flush toilets.

It’s the ideal spot to kick back with a cold beer around a campfire after a fun day outdoors. Additionally, it’s also the best place to gear and fuel up before heading further into the park.

Mazama Campground is open from June through September. In June, all sites are first-come first-served. During the rest of summer, 75% can be reserved in advance while the other 25% remain first-come first-served.

The campground usually fills up by mid-afternoon in July and August, so make sure to arrive early if you don’t have a reservation. To play it safe, you can reserve your campsite here.

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Accommodation in Crater Lake National Park

As far as Crater Lake National Park accommodations go, you have four different options.

• Mazama Campground: the best, and by far the largest, campground in the park, which takes reservations in July, August and September for the majority of its sites.
• Lost Creek Campground: an alternative to Mazama Campground is the basic and much smaller Lost Creek Campground, which has 16 tent sites. Open from early-July to mid-October, sites are always first-come first-served.
• The Cabins at Mazama Village: for a bit more luxury, you can book one of the Mazama Village Cabins. Located near the Mazama Campground, these accommodations offer a roof over your head, hot showers and a bed. Open from late-May to late-September.
• Crater Lake Lodge: the most luxurious place to stay in Crater Lake National Park, featuring 71 comfy rooms, an impressive Great Hall and an enchanting 1920s atmosphere. Open from late-May to mid-October.

Except for the Lost Creek Campground, all Crater Lake accommodations are managed by Crater Lake Hospitality. Check their website for opening times, rates, reservations and other information.

How Many Days in Crater Lake National Park

To fully experience the magic of Crater Lake, you will need at least one day and one night, as well as a (rental) car.

It makes, for example, for a fantastic, albeit long, drive from Portland. But most of all, it’s a key destination on any road trip to the national parks in the Pacific Northwest.

You now know what to do in Crater Lake National Park and it’s obvious that it’ll be a well-filled day. Drive the Rim Drive, go for a Crater Lake boat ride and visit the Crater Lake Lodge, all of which is possible in one busy day.

However, I strongly recommend that you allow yourself another day for some serious hiking. Spend the night in the park, enjoying its sensational night sky, and explore some of the trails the next day.

Suggested hikes are Garfield Peak, Mount Scott, Plaikni Falls, and the Rim Trail to Watchman Peak.

If you’re trying to figure out how long to spend in Crater Lake National Park, I would encourage you to spend at least two days and one or two nights in this gorgeous park.

Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park

There are things to do in Crater Lake National Park throughout the entire year. Summer is the best (and only) time to drive the scenic Rim Drive and go for hikes to mountain peaks.

Access to the heart of the park is only possible in summer, when all roads are snow-free and open. Note that July and August is fire season in these parts, though, and that wildfire smoke may reduce visibility.

From October to May, most visitor facilities, including gas stations, accommodations and the Rim Visitor Center, are closed. The main visitor center, however, remains open all year.

Winter has the added feature of a blanket of snow, which adds undeniable beauty to the landscape. The downside is that access is limited outside the summer season.

Highway 62 and the road to Rim Village are basically the only roads that are plowed in winter. Winter is, however, much quieter and more serene than summer, attracting snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snow campers.

So, both summer and winter have their own benefits, depending on which of these Crater Lake National Park attractions you want to see or do.

I would personally recommend visiting Crater Lake in early July, just because it allows you to do the entire Rim Drive, go camping and hit some of the trails. Snow will mostly have melted by then, while wildfire smoke is not an issue yet.

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Other Pacific Northwest Destinations

• Best Waterfall Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
• Awesome National Parks Near Portland, Oregon
• Best State Parks on the Northern Oregon Coast
• Top Things to Do in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Top Things to Do in Olympic National Park, Washington
• Must-Do Activities in North Cascades National Park Service Complex, Washington
• All National Parks in Washington State
• Top Things to Do in Redwood National and State Parks, California
• Essential Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

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