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Plan Your Trip to Crater Lake National Park Travel Guide
Crater Lake National Park is known for its intense deep blue water. The park’s scenic 33-mile Rim Drive attracts 5 million visitors each year. During a day in the park, it is possible to hike, take a boat cruise, fish, explore waterfalls and volcanic spires. Crater Lake National Park day trip highlights include Rim Drive, Rim Village, Wizard Island, Discovery Point, Watchman Overlook, Cloudcap Overlook, Pumice Castle Overlook, Phantom Ship Overlook, and Videa Falls.
You are excited to visit Crater Lake National Park and want to know the best time of year to visit, where to stay, what not to miss, and where to eat while there. Researching the best things to do while visiting Crater Lake National Park while working full time is overwhelming and you don’t have hours to spend on the internet. Save time and plan an unforgettable trip full of top activities with this Crater Lake National Park travel blog.
READ Two-Week Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary: Northern California and Oregon
Where is Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is located in Southern Oregon. It is 4 hours south of Portland, 4 hours north of Redding, and 2.5 hours east of Eugene.
Facts About Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake is Oregon’s only national park. It became a park in 1902 and is the 6th US park.
The eruption of Mt Mazama is the largest US eruption in the last half million years.
Crater Lake formed from a collapsed volcano 7,700 years ago.
The Mount Mazama volcano is dormant, but it is not extinct.
The last eruption occurred underwater 4,800 years ago.
Wizard Island is a cinder cone volcano that grew after the collapse of Mt Mazama.
At 1,949 feet Crater Lake is the deepest US lake and the deepest volcanic lake in the world.
The lake is fed only by snow and rain, as a result, there is no sediment and the average clarity depth is 90 feet.
In 1997 Crater Lake earned a world record for lake clarity at a depth of 144 feet.
The lake holds 5 trillion gallons of water.
The water temperature is approximately 50 degrees.
The cliffs surrounding the lake are up to 2,000 feet tall.
Crater Lake averages 44 feet of snow in the winter, it is the 5th snowiest place in America.
The last time Crater Lake froze was in 1949.
Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon were stocked in the lake from 1888-1941.
Best Time of Year to Visit Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round. The park averages 44 feet of snow yearly. The north entrance and Rim Drive close for the winter in mid-October. Rim Drive reopens to visitors in June but winter snow does not melt off trails until late July. The summer season is July-September. Temperatures average 70 degrees during the day and 40 degrees at night. It is possible to swim in the lake but expect very cold water. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding are popular winter activities.
How Much Time Should I Plan at Crater Lake National Park
Plan to spend 2 hours driving the rim plus stops. Highlights include:
Rim Village Promenade to the Sinnott Memorial Overlook.
Sun Notch hike to the Phantom Ship Overlook.
Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park
Drive or bike the 33-mile Rim Drive and stop at the 30 overlooks to enjoy the view.
Stop for photos at Discovery Point, Watchman Overlook, Cloudcap Overlook, Pumice Castle Overlook, Phantom Ship Overlook, and Videa Falls.
Have lunch at the Rim Village Cafe and walk the Promenade beginning at Kiser Studio.
Learn about the geology of Crater Lake at the Sinnott Memorial Observation Station.
Ride the narrated Crater Lake trolley.
Relax and enjoy the view on the terrace of Crater Lake Lodge.
Take a boat tour to Wizard Island.
Photograph the volcanic spires at Pinnacles Overlook.
Hike 1.6 miles RT to the Watchman Overlook for sunset.
See the Lady of the Woods carving on a boulder, a .5 mile walk.
Hike the 2.2-mile RT Cleetwood Cove Trail for access, cliff jump, swim, or fish while there.
View the Phantom Ship on the short Sun Notch Trail, .8 miles.
Hike 2.2 miles RT to Plaikni Falls.
Take the 2-mile RT Discovery Trail for lake views.
Hike the 4.4-mile RT Mount Scott Trail to the highest point.
Where to Stay at Crater Lake National Park
There are 2 lodges and 2 campsites within Crater Lake National Park.
Crater Lake Lodge overlooks the lake and the Cabin at Mazama are located in the pine trees.
Lost Creek Campsite has 16 tent-only spaces, it is first-come, first-served.
The Mazama Campground has 213 spaces with amenities and a store, reservations are recommended.
Backcountry camping is available by permit.
Tips for Visiting Crater Lake National Park
Pack a picnic lunch, food options are limited.
Food is available at Rim Village and Mazama Village
Bring a jacket, higher elevations are chilly.
Cell service is limited to nonexistent, download a map before you arrive.
Gasoline is available at Mazama Village
WiFi is available outside the Rim Village Cafe and Mazama Village General Store
Pets on a leash are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and paved surfaces.
Stop at Beckie’s for a slice of pie after leaving the park.
Practice Leave No Trace Principles.
Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass and keep exploring National Parks.
Be sure to check the Crater Lake National Park Service website for current events
Bookmark and Pin Crater Lake National Park Day Trip
Plan Your Crater Lake National Park Day Trip Itinerary
Oregon Travel Guide
Pick up an Oregon Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Book Your Accommodation Near Crater Lake National Park Now
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Oregon Attractions and Day Tours
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Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!