Crater Lake National Park

Cleetwood Cove (2.1 miles, 610 feet elev. gain): The only trail down to Crater Lake’s shore is rightfully popular. It’s important to get to this trail early in the day to beat the crowds and nab a parking spot. While you’re there, consider going for a dip or leaping off the 20-foot-tall jump rock near the restrooms. Remember you have to climb up on your way back, so don’t take this trail lightly.
The Watchman Peak (1.7 miles, 400 feet elev. gain): This short, relatively easy climb takes you to a fire tower atop an overlook of Wizard Island and the surrounding park. Of all the high points around Crater Lake, this is the most impressive.
Garfield Peak (3.5 miles, 1,076 feet elev. gain): Those looking for a longer, more strenuous alternative to The Watchman Peak will enjoy this hike to an overlook of the lake.
Mount Scott (4.3 miles, 1,276 feet elev. gain): Mount Scott – the highest point in the park – can be climbed using this moderate trail. The summit offers a great view of Crater Lake from a distance and a vantage point of the surrounding peaks. Climbing Mount Scott is a great way to avoid the crowds in other areas of the park.
Sun Notch Trail (0.8 miles, 127 feet elev. gain): This short trail is known for its great overlook of the Phantom Ship rock formation.
Plaikni Falls (2 miles, 137 feet elev. gain): The hike to this waterfall – away from the rim of Crater Lake – is a nice diversion from the park’s main attraction.
Pinnacles Valley (0.8 miles, 42 feet elev. gain): Unique volcanic spires abound in this short & sweet hike.
Wizard Island (2.4 miles, 761 feet elev. gain): Summiting Wizard Island is a unique and sought-after experience in Crater Lake that offers a fascinating vantage point of the caldera from within. To get here, you have to book a boat tour that leaves from Cleetwood Cove.

Boat Tours: During the summer, boats leave the dock at Cleetwood Cove several times a day to shuttle people around the lake. Three tours are offered: the Standard Lake Tour, which tours the lake and gets up close to Phantom Ship; the Wizard Island Shuttle, which shuttles visitors directly to and from Wizard Island; and the Wizard Island Tour, which combines the previous two tours.
 Swim at Cleetwood Cove: The hike down to Cleetwood Cove is the only way to access the surface of Crater Lake. While there, join your fellow hikers for a swim in Crater Lake’s refreshingly cool water! If you’re daring enough, you can leap off a cliff into the lake’s deep waters. Bring a towel and a swimsuit.
Scenic Rim Drive: The 33-mile road that circles Crater Lake provides access to most of the park’s hikes & activities, so it’s likely that you’ll be driving on this road at some point. Taking the time to drive the entire road early or late in the day – when the low sun creates dramatic views of the lake – is a worthwhile way to spend your time.
Visit in Winter: Though Crater Lake sees most of its visitors during the snow-free peak season from July through September, winter provides a unique experience in the park. While the park is covered in snow, you can join a ranger-led snowshoe walk, play in the snow, and see the lake in its wintery glory.
Cycling: Navigating Rim Drive by bike is an exciting & challenging way to experience Crater Lake. Don’t embark on this 33-mile journey without the proper preparation & fitness and be wary of traffic.
Fishing: Crater Lake is one of the few national parks where fishing is encouraged. Since the fish in the lake are non-native, the NPS is happy to let people fish and keep the fish they catch. No fishing license required!

Diamond Lake: Sitting immediately north of Crater Lake, Diamond Lake is actually the place I’d recommend camping for a visit to the park. The campground here is quiet, spacious, and filled with amenities. The lake is gorgeous, and Mt. Bailey and Mt. Thielsen on either side of the lake provide exciting hikes & climbing opportunities.
Bend, OR: This outdoor resort town on the eastern edge of the Cascade mountains is a hotbed for recreation activities. Within town limits, attractions like breweries, mountain biking trails, disc golf courses, hikes, and campgrounds are draws for nature enthusiasts. Outside the town, Smith Rock State Park offers some of the best sport climbing in the region and the Three Sisters peaks present challenging opportunities to summit peaks.
Mount McLoughlin: Residing to the south of Crater Lake and usually visible from the park, Mount McLoughlin is a towering stratovolcano that offers a nontechnical but challenging route to attain its summit. Peak-baggers, look no further!
Mount Shasta: If you’re looking for a greater challenge than McLoughlin and are interested in bagging a 14er, Mount Shasta in northern California is an enticing challenge. This humongous stratovolcano can be hiked in the summer months, not requiring technical experience. Some summit the peak as an overnight trip, others do it in a day. Come prepared and be sure you’re in good shape before attempting to climb Shasta.

When to Visit: Peak season in Crater Lake depends on when the snow melts in the summer and returns in the fall. Typically, this peak season runs from July through September, and this is when most of the park’s activities are accessible. Winter can be a fun time to visit, too… though less of the park will be accessible, Crater Lake will look positively stunning and crowds will likely be thinner.
How Long to Visit: 1 day is enough to see the highlights in Crater Lake and complete a hike or two, but plan for 2 days if you want a fuller experience in the park. If you’re looking to hit some of the hikes around the outskirts of the park – like Mount Scott or Plaikni Falls – in addition to the popular hikes, plan for 2 days.
How to Get There: Portland & Bend are the closest cities to Crater Lake with major airports. Fly into one of these cities and rent a car for the easiest access to the park.
Where to Stay: Crater Lake features one campground (Mazama Village) and two lodging options inside the park. If you’re looking to camp, consider staying at Diamond Lake Campground – north of the park – instead of Mazama Village. Diamond Lake offers a quieter camping experience with spacious campsites and plenty of amenities.
What to Bring: Bring your usual hiking & camping gear when visiting Crater Lake. Don’t forget to grab a towel and swimsuit if you plan to swim, and fishing gear if you’re interested in fishing. If visiting in winter, bring layers, snowshoes, trekking poles, and plenty of sun protection since snow intensifies the sun’s UV rays.

DO consider staying at Diamond Lake Campground when visiting the park for a more pleasant, quiet camping experience.
DO plan to hang onto any fish that you catch at Crater Lake – they’re yours to keep!
 DON’T feed or pet the ground squirrels.
DON’T bring anything into the lake other than your swimsuit. The NPS prohibits bringing items like swim goggles with you into the lake, for fear of introducing bacteria into the isolated body of water.
 DON’T attempt to descend down to Crater Lake anywhere other than the Cleetwood Cove Trail. The caldera walls are way taller and way steeper than you might think.