20 Best Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park
From the beautiful turquoise–deep blue waters that make the deepest lake in the United States such a fun summer destination, to the 40+ ft. (12 m) of snow that blankets the park come winter, Crater Lake National Park is a place of both a place of unparalleled beauty and extremes!
There are stunning peaks that surround the caldera rim, day hikes and secluded swimming and fishing on the isolated Wizard Island, and breathtaking viewpoints along the scenic Rim Drive that circles Crater Lake.
For all these reasons, I truly believe there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Crater Lake National Park, as a visit can be just as relaxing or as adventurous as you’re looking to get into!
However, Crater Lake is just as beautiful as it is challenging to visit. By this, I mean that the summer window to visit Crater Lake National Park is extremely narrow—more so than most National Parks across the western U.S.
This is why I highly recommend reading my thoughts below in detail, as a visit to Crater Lake can look very different from one week to the next—even during the beautiful summer travel season!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Crater Lake National Park?
I’ve been fortunate to experience Crater Lake National Park multiples times in both the dead of winter and during the best and most beautiful summer travel months, and I can speak from experience that visiting both Crater Lake, as well as Lassen Volcanic National Park to the south, are two of the trickiest National Parks to visit because of both snow and wildfires.
What I mean is that it’s not uncommon across the U.S. to wait out the early summer for the winter snowpack to melt off in places like Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and even Yosemite. However, Crater Lake National Park is exceptional, with the extreme amount of snow the park receives often keeping roads and trails closed well into July.
This makes visiting Crater Lake National Park particularly difficult because the best snow-free months are typically mid-July through mid-October—right when wildfire season begins to pick up.
That said, the window to experience Crater Lake National Park during the most beautiful summer months is very limited, and believe me, trying to hike and enjoy any place across the Mountain West is a lot less fun if the area is blanketed in smoke.
All that to say, the best time of year to visit Crater Lake National Park is either mid-July - very early August, with the third week of July being the best time overall, or late fall—particularly late September into early October, just before Rim Drive closes for the season. This isn’t to say that August and September can’t be beautiful, but it’s important to understand how different and unenjoyable an experience can be at Crater Lake if the park is covered with thick wildfire smoke.
For all these reasons, I like to visit Crater Lake when I know it’s as good of a guarantee as it gets in terms of conditions, which is why being picky with the third to fourth week of July is my overall pick—understanding that the National Park Service will close Rim Drive with the first major snowstorm of the year, or on November 1, whichever comes first.
Hiking Checklist - Crater Lake
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Crater Lake National Park.
That said, there are Black Bears in Crater Lake National Park, and while carrying bear spray is allowed, encounters with hikers are considerably rare.
20 Best Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park
With the exception of the first few places below, the following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Cleetwood Cove Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
Elevation Change: ~625 ft. / 191 m
The Cleetwood Cove Trail is without a doubt the best thing to do in Crater Lake National Park, as it’s the only trail that descends the steep caldera rim to the shoreline along Crater Lake.
For this reason, the Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only access visitors have to swim, fish, hike on Wizard Island, and tour Crater Lake by boat, which is why I believe there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy by setting off on this one simple adventure!
To learn more about the trail, the cliff jumping, and everything there is to know about hiking down to Crater Lake, I highly recommend checking out all the details in my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Cleetwood Cove Trail
2. Wizard Island Summit Trail
Distance (+Summit Loop & Witches Cauldron): 2.6 miles / 4.2 km
Elevation Change: ~750 ft. / 229 m
The Wizard Island Summit Trail is one of two day hikes on Wizard Island, the other being the Fumarole Bay Trail, mentioned below.
As for the Summit Trail, the hike climbs a handful of switchbacks up the steep slopes of Wizard Island from the boat dock to the Witches Cauldron and loop trail at the top of the island.
For those wondering, I personally think it’s more than practical to hike to both the top of Wizard Island and Fumarole Bay in the time allotted from the boat company, but that sentiment will certainly vary from person to person.
The way I see it is that less time is needed for the Wizard Island Summit Trail if you move at a fairly decent pace, while Fumarole Bay is better for taking it slow, laying out in the sun, and swimming in the beautiful turquoise-blue waters that surround the island.
Read My Separate Post: Wizard Island Summit Trail
3. Fumarole Bay Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles / 2.6 km
The Fumarole Bay Trail is the second, and much more popular, of the two day hikes on Wizard Island, as most who opt for the Wizard Island shuttle instead of a boat tour wish to swim, lay out in the beautiful summer sun, and fish along its uncrowded, undeveloped shorelines.
Furthermore, the Fumarole Bay Trail is also the easier of the two day hikes on Wizard Island, largely because there is less elevation to gain compared to the Summit Trail.
In my separate post, you can read about the whole trail, including the sections past the most popular swimming spot in Fumarole Bay, which will hopefully help to clear up any curiosity you may have, as even I once thought that hiking as far as the Skell Channel pools was more than practical—until I visited the island for the first time.
Read My Separate Post: Fumarole Bay Trail
4. Crater Lake Boat Tour
Finally, the last and best thing visitors can do by hiking the Cleetwood Cove Trail is to reserve a Crater Lake Boat Tour.
This is the best—and only—way to get out and spend some time on the water, as the Wizard Island shuttle is only a straight shot to and from Cleetwood Cove and the island.
That said, visitors who opt for the boat tour will get to learn about Crater Lake, see waterfalls, tour around Wizard Island and the Phantom Ship, and, if you’re lucky, see the Old Man of Crater Lake—the 450-year-old log that has been floating upright in the lake since it was first noticed in 1896!
Book Here: Crater Lake Boat Tours
5. Garfield Peak Trail
Distance: 3.2 miles / 5.1 km
Aside from everything there is to do in regards to the Cleetwood Cove Trail, the Garfield Peak Trail is the best day hike in Crater Lake National Park—especially at sunset!
I say this because the panoramic views of Crater Lake from the summit are second to none, and I personally believe Garfield Peak is the best sunset hike in Crater Lake, as the soft golden light along the east side of the caldera rim and Mt. Scott is unlike any other viewpoint in the park!
Read My Separate Post: Garfield Peak Trail
6. Crater Lake Lodge
Built in 1915, the historic Crater Lake Lodge is the best and most beautiful place to stay in Crater Lake National Park, largely due to the stunning panoramic views of Crater Lake that guests can enjoy out their very own bedroom window!
That said, lodging reservations are very competitive and often sell out months in advance, while dining reservations are usually bookable within a week’s notice.
For all these reasons, I recommend checking the prices and availability as soon as you know your travel dates, but if you’re interested in searching for more affordable options in the greater area, click the button below to do a wider search.
Book Here: Crater Lake Lodge
7. Sun Notch Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
The Sun Notch Trail is the best short, easy day hike, where visitors can see Crater Lake’s lesser-known island, the Phantom Ship.
On that note, I even believe the Sun Notch Trail is a better viewpoint than the drive-up Phantom Ship Overlook just up the road, because of the angle visitors get to see and appreciate the island from various spots along the trail.
Read My Separate Post: Sun Notch Trail
8. Watchman Peak Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
Elevation Gain: ~420 ft. / 128 m
The Watchman Peak Trail is the best sunrise hike in Crater Lake National Park!
I say this because Watchman Peak, and the historic fire lookout at the summit, is located right on the west side of the caldera rim, directly adjacent to Wizard Island.
This unique location allows for some of the most beautiful sunrises above both Wizard Island and the entire Crater Lake Caldera—not to mention, the switchbacks off the Rim Trail that lead to the summit are fairly easy, making Watchman Peak a great all-around adventure to enjoy at sunrise or throughout the day!
Read My Separate Post: Watchman Peak Trail
9. Castle Crest Wildflower Trail
Distance (Castle Crest via Steel Visitor Center): 1.3 miles / 2.1 km
Distance (Castle Crest via East Rim Drive): 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
The Castle Crest Wildflower Trail is one of the most beautiful and unique hidden gems in Crater Lake National Park, as this easy, kid-friendly day hike near the south entrance traverses through a meadow like no other, exploding with wildflowers when the snow melts away by mid- to late July!
During these peak summer months, visitors can walk the short, easy trail from either the Steel Visitor Center or the much closer trailhead off Rim Drive, and experience hundreds of colorful wildflower species blooming in one centralized location at the base of Garfield Peak.
Read My Separate Post: Castle Crest Wildflower Trail
10. Mt. Scott Trail
Distance: 4.4 miles / 7.1 km
Mt. Scott is the tallest peak in Crater Lake National Park, and it’s often an overlooked adventure compared to both Garfield Peak and the Watchman Lookout Trail, since the summit is located a bit farther from the lake itself.
That said, this is exactly what makes Mt. Scott such a hidden gem, as hiking up the roughly 2.2-mile (3.5 km) trail is relatively easy for what the tallest peak in the park could be!
In fact, Union Peak—a much shorter summit—is more challenging and steep in comparison.
All that to say, the panoramic views, the historic fire lookout at the summit, and the uppermost ridgeline that leads to the top are what make the Mt. Scott Trail one of my favorite adventures in Crater Lake National Park—especially at sunset from the upper ridgeline, as shown in the photo below!
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Scott Trail
11. Mazama Village Campground & Cabins
Aside from the historic Crater Lake Lodge, the Mazama Campground and Cabins in Mazama Village, near the south entrance of Crater Lake National Park, is the best affordable place to stay within the park.
I believe this because Mazama Village has all the basics one might need for a multi-day visit, such as food, fuel, showers, and more, including nearby day hikes like the Annie Creek Canyon Trail and Godfrey Glen, which are often less crowded than those closer to Crater Lake.
Book Here: Mazama Village Campground / Mazama Village Cabins
No information is collected by this website when using the Recreation.gov booking widget, and all reservations made here are secure through the official website.
12. Annie Creek Canyon Trail
Distance: 2.4 - 2.6 miles / 3.7 - 4.2 km
Annie Creek Canyon is a lesser-known loop trail adjacent to Mazama Village that makes for a great, uncrowded day hike, where visitors can enjoy the canyon and beautiful wildflowers away from all the busyness that surrounds other areas of the park!
That said, there are a number of places to begin the Annie Creek Canyon Trail, with two options being the most practical if you aren’t staying in the Mazama Village Campground.
To learn more about these two trailheads, I recommend checking out my separate article to see which of the two access points seems more ideal for you.
Read My Separate Post: Annie Creek Canyon Trail
13. Union Peak Trail
Distance: 9.8 miles / 15.8 km
The Union Peak Trail is a bit of a deceiving recommendation in my opinion, because while there are no views of Crater Lake from the summit, I think the Union Peak Trail deserves a place on this list for a different reason—lightning!
Yes, the most remote summit in Crater Lake National Park is a bit of a lightning rod, which hopefully serves as both a warning and gives a sense of curiosity, as seeing where lightning actually struck and melted parts of the granite rock at the summit is unlike anywhere else in the park!
Read My Separate Post: Union Peak Trail
14. Discovery Point Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
The Discovery Point Trail is a relatively easy day hike along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Crater Lake Caldera Rim, where the views toward Wizard Island seem to only get better with every bend!
That said, the Discovery Point Trail is more about the views along the trail than Discovery Point itself. I say this because Discovery Point is really just a drive-up viewpoint, but along the trail, each opening is uniquely framed by the Douglas Fir and Hemlock trees that surround Crater Lake.
Furthermore, the Discovery Point Trail is really just an introduction to the much longer Crater Lake Rim Trail, which extends well beyond Discovery Point. This is why, if you want to learn more about combining both trails into one longer adventure, I recommend reading my thoughts at the end of my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Discovery Point Trail
15. Rim Trail
Distance (One Way): 8.6 miles / 13.8 km
I put the Rim Trail immediately after the Discovery Point Trail because, as previously mentioned, both are essentially one-day hike around the southwest side of Crater Lake.
However, the Rim Trail is notably longer, but from my own experience hiking the full trail from end to end, I don’t feel that the entire trail has to be hiked to see the best and most beautiful parts.
In fact, some of the most beautiful parts of the Rim Trail begin at Discovery Point and lead all the way to the Watchman Peak Trail and Overlook, with beautiful views continuing beyond to Merriam Point.
On a different note, the Rim Trail becomes an even better experience if you have someone in your party who isn’t interested in the hike. This way, the Rim Trail can be treated as a one-way adventure, and since this is the side of Crater Lake with better cell service than other parts of the park, you can simply send a text to your ride when you’re getting close to your stopping point.
All this to say, I recommend checking out my separate article to learn more, because while it is a fairly long post, different sections of the hike can be found with ease by using the navigation bubble in the bottom right corner of the page.
Read My Separate Post: Rim Trail
16. Lady of the Woods Trail
Distance: 0.75 miles / 1.2 km
The Lady of the Woods Trail is a hidden day hike behind the Steel Visitor Center on the south side of Crater Lake that leads to a historic carving made by a former National Park Service employee more than 100 years ago!
That said, the carving itself is located very close to the actual visitor center, but the 0.75-mile (1.2 km) distance reflects the full interpretive loop trail that can be hiked beyond the famous rock.
Read My Separate Post: Lady of the Woods Trail
17. Vidae Falls
Vidae Falls is a beautiful drive-up roadside waterfall near the Sun Notch Trail on the south side of Crater Lake, where visitors can pull over and enjoy the roughly 100-ft. (30.5 m) cascade with almost no effort!
Google Maps Directions: Vidae Falls
18. Pumice Desert
The Pumice Desert can be nothing more than a quick roadside stop on the drive between Crater Lake and the north entrance, or for photographers, it can be a paradise when it comes to framing unique photos!
Either way, the Pumice Desert is a place where visitors can see and learn about the volcanic Cascade Range and why this barren desert exists in an area otherwise dominated by a sea of trees up and down Oregon.
If you care about taking photos, my best recommendation is either early morning or late evening, but if you’re a serious landscape photographer, I would try to plan photos in the Pumice Desert around afternoon/ evening thunderstorms.
I say this because, as long as the conditions are safe to be outside, the opportunities for photos across a contrasting, colorful sky are second to none in this otherworldly landscape!
Google Maps Directions: Pumice Desert
19. Merriam Point
Merriam Point is a panoramic viewpoint on the northwest side of Crater Lake that I believe is the best drive-up overlook to catch the sunrise in the park!
I say this knowing that there are others, like the Watchman Lookout just to the south, that often have more direct views of the sun coming up. However, I believe sunrise at Merriam Point is a better location because it has a better angle to capture the beautiful golden light hitting Wizard Island as the sun breaks over the caldera rim for the first time!
That said, Merriam Point often still has a direct view of the sun rising over the horizon, with some seasonal variability, making August, September, and October the best months to capture both the direct sunrise itself and the colors on Wizard Island!
Google Maps Directions: Merriam Point
20. Raven Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 2.0 miles / 3.2 km
Crater Lake National Park is obviously best enjoyed during the beautiful summer months, when all of Rim Drive is open and snow-free. However, do not overlook a winter trip to Crater Lake National Park, which I can speak from numerous winter experiences that visiting Crater Lake under a blanket of snow is absolutely stunning!
That being said, 40+ ft. (12 m) of average annual snowfall is nothing to take lightly, meaning that good weather, proper preparation, and tire chains may be necessary to visit Crater Lake National Park in the heart of winter safely.
It is because of these harsh conditions that the National Park Service only maintains Munson Valley Road as far as the Steel Visitor Center, as trying to keep any more of the road open is not only impractical but nearly impossible.
This is why the Raven Trail is the best winter activity in Crater Lake National Park, as the trail is really nothing more than an out-and-back snowshoe trail from the Steel Visitor Center to the rim of Crater Lake, just to the west of Garfield Peak.
Before arriving, be sure to check the Crater Lake webcams, as the NPS reports that views of Crater Lake are only visible 50% of the time during the winter, which you can learn all about this in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Raven Trail
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, trails can be covered in snow well into July—especially trails in the shade.
For this reason, micro-spikes are a must on many trails throughout Crater Lake, as conditions can be particularly hazardous if the snow is melting during the day and freezing overnight.
Many hikers miss out on trails that they could have done simply for this reason alone, which is why I recommend coming prepared, should you expect conditions like this.
I personally use the Yaktrax below.
10 Best Things to Do Near Crater Lake National Park
1. Lassen Volcanic National Park
In this part of the country, both Crater Lake National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park are often paired together into one roadtrip.
In fact, it’s only a 4-hour drive from the Steel Visitor Center near the south entrance of Crater Lake to the Manzanita Lake entrance on the north side of Lassen Volcanic.
This is why, if you enjoyed reading everything I’ve written about Crater Lake, I recommend checking out my separate article about Lassen Volcanic National Park, where I share the same inside information about everything there is to see and do on all sides of the park.
Read My Separate Post: Lassen Volcanic National Park
2. Burney Falls
Distance: 1.1 miles / 1.8 km
Between Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic National Park is a unique waterfall and California State Park that, in my mind, can only be compared with the waterfalls at the end of the Havasupai Trail in Arizona.
Before visiting, know that Burney Falls is a very popular summer destination, which is why I highly recommend visiting first thing in the morning. This way, you can enjoy the best of Burney Falls without the crowds—not to mention, the early morning light, as shown below, is the best time to take beautiful photos at the waterfall!
Read My Separate Post: Burney Falls Loop Trail
3. Mount Saint Helens
Distance (One Way): 4.4 miles / 7.1 km
If you’re starting your Crater Lake trip in Portland, I think it’s important to mention that Mount Saint Helens is only an hour and 52-minute drive from the airport.
I mention this because Mount Saint Helens is often considered to be the easiest of the Washington Cascade summits to climb, which is why it can be a great and somewhat challenging adventure on either the front or back end of your trip.
To learn more about the full climb up the easiest and most straightforward route, including the best time of year to go and how to secure permits, I recommend reading all the details in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Mount Saint Helens (Ptarmigan Trail & Monitor Ridge)
4. Roosters Steak & Chop House
Roosters Steak & Chop House is the best steakhouse in Klamath Falls to sit down for a really nice dinner, and for us, this couldn’t have come at a better time after spending all day in the sun adventuring and swimming in Fumarole Bay and hiking to the top Wizard Island!
5. Drive the Oregon Coast
From stunning day hikes and endless beautiful beaches, the rugged Oregon Coast is truly a world-renowned roadtrip destination!
This is why I think it’s worth mentioning that combining a trip to Crater Lake with a multi-day trip up or down the Oregon Coast is more than practical if you’re looking to experience some of the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer!
That said, I used to live on the Oregon Coast, and in my separate post, I talk about many amazing adventures from my own experiences, including hidden gems you may never have heard of otherwise!
Read My Separate Post: Best Things to Do on the Oregon Coast
6. Redwood National & State Parks
The California Redwoods are easily the next best place to add to your list between Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic, and just like the article, I’ve also written a detailed post about the best things to do in the Redwoods, including both Redwood National Park and the various California State Parks that fall under the management of the National Park Service.
Read My Separate Post: Redwood National & State Parks
My Print - Redwood National & State Parks
7. Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is a beautiful and iconic hiking and climbing destination in central Oregon, less than 40 minutes north of Bend, where visitors can enjoy one of many short but stunning trails around the towering volcanic rock spires that make up the majority of the park.
Before arriving, be aware that there is a small entrance fee, but I can confidently say it’s well worth it! Smith Rock State Park is certainly worth spending a few hours exploring one or more trails, whether on your drive to or from Crater Lake National Park.
Google Maps Directions: Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park (Sunrise)
8. Toketee Falls
Toketee Falls is a stunning 120-ft. (37 m) waterfall in the Umpqua National Forest, just outside the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park.
This is why I strongly believe Toketee Falls is worth driving out of the way for, because in reality it’s not all that inconvenient—between I-5 to the west, Bend to the north, and the National Park to the south.
Google Maps Directions: Toketee Falls
My Print - Toketee Falls
9. The Klamath Grill & Nibbley’s Café
Sometimes it’s hard to pick one place over another, and that’s exactly how I feel about both The Klamath Grill and Nibbley’s Café.
In my opinion, these are the two best places to sit down and get breakfast in Klamath Falls, which can be a great option if you’re planning a long day in Crater Lake or starting the long drive down to Lassen Volcanic.
Yelp: The Klamath Grill / Nibbley’s Café
10. Sahalie Falls
Sahalie Falls is a beautiful drive-up waterfall in the Willamette National Forest, just to the west of Bend.
That said, Sahalie Falls is typically not as convenient to get to as Toketee Falls, which is closer to the park, but the beautiful 100-ft. (30.5 m) waterfall is absolutely worth the drive if you have the time—especially when both Sahalie and Koosah Falls are hiked together!
Google Maps Directions: Sahalie Falls
5 Things to Know Before Visiting Crater Lake National Park
1. All boat tours on Crater Lake must be reserved 24 hours in advance.
To avoid no-shows and provide a fair experience for the very popular boat tours on Crater Lake, all tickets, including the Wizard Island shuttle, are released to the public exactly 24 hours in advance.
This means that if you are interested in a boat tour that starts at 9:00 a.m. the next day, you need to be online with your payment method ready to book by 8:59 a.m. the day prior, ready to hit refresh.
I can speak from experience that reserving Crater Lake boat tickets is not the most competitive reservation process in the country, like the Haleakalā Cabins on Maui, but if you wait even 1–5 minutes, all tickets may be sold out—especially if it’s a weekend.
Book Here: Crater Lake Boat Tours
2. There is good cell phone service at certain places off Rim Drive.
For most of the big providers, there is cell phone service in certain parts of Crater Lake National Park, particularly near Rim Village and on the western side of Rim Drive.
Obviously, the quality and locations will vary by carrier, but having cell phone service in the park may be more important than you initially think, especially if you’re trying to book a boat tour on Crater Lake, which must be reserved precisely 24 hours prior to the start of the tour in order to secure a seat.
3. Wear a hooded sun shirt when hiking in Crater Lake National Park.
While the winters in Crater Lake are very cloudy and snowy, the summers in Crater Lake are very sunny!
Many days are cloudless altogether, aside from the instability that often fires up afternoon- or evening-thunderstorms (hence wildfire season), which is why I highly recommend buying one or a few hooded sun shirts to stay safe—especially if you plan to hike one or a few of the trails outlined in this article.
4. Klamath Falls is the best place to stay near Crater Lake National Park.
Of all the places to stay the night near Crater Lake National Park, Klamath Falls is the best, because of the drive times alone.
Now, it almost hurts to say that, because Klamath Falls is certainly not the most visitor-friendly town compared to both Bend or White City on the east side of the park, but for a multi-day visit to Crater Lake, where you’ll be driving back and forth from the park a few times, Klamath Falls is really the most practical choice.
However, if you’re starting your trip in Portland and driving south from there, consider Bend for your first night. My only point with the statement above is that all the extra driving to and from Crater Lake isn’t worth the effort if you plan to visit the park for more than one day in a row.
On that note, always start your drive to Crater Lake with a full tank of gas, as it will be a 3–4 hour roundtrip drive depending on which town you choose to stay in.
5. If you want to catch sunset in the park, plan ahead for dinner.
Catching sunset from the summit of Garfield Peak, Mt. Scott, or even the Cloudcap Viewpoint is easily one of the best things to do in Crater Lake National Park. However, by doing so, almost everywhere to eat outside of the park will be closed after hiking down and making the long drive back to town.
This is why I highly recommend grabbing dinner either before driving into the park or getting something to eat in Rim Village, as late-summer sunsets will almost certainly mean everything will be closed in the surrounding towns.
