Hiking the Godfrey Glen Trail in Crater Lake National Park
Distance: 1.1 miles / 1.8 km
The Godfrey Glen Trail, also called the Godfrey Glen Nature Trail, in Crater Lake National Park is an easy loop trail along the rim of Munson Creek Canyon, where hikers can enjoy beautiful views down the narrow gorge along the south side of the loop.
On that note, the Godfrey Glen Loop is also a very flat, kid-friendly adventure in Crater Lake, which is why, if you’re looking for a beautiful, easy, but not too crowded hike, I recommend considering the Godfrey Glen Trail either on your way to or from Rim Drive, as it’s located a few miles from the caldera rim near the south entrance of the park.
Godfrey Glen Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Godfrey Glen Trail is located in a small parking lot just off Munson Valley Road, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) up the road from the turn into Mazama Village.
That said, parking for the Godfrey Glen Trail is fairly limited. However, since it is not nearly the most popular hike in Crater Lake National Park—like the Cleetwood Cove Trail—parking is usually not too difficult to find.
Google Maps Directions: Godfrey Glen Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Crater Lake
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.
Hiking the Godfrey Glen Trail
The Godfrey Glen Nature Trail begins in the middle of the parking area, where the trail will split into a loop just a short distance ahead.
Godfrey Glen Loop Trail
After walking just a few steps from the trailhead, the Godfrey Glen Trail splits into a 1.1-mile (1.8 km) loop, with the route to the left being more popular because it parallels Munson Creek Canyon.
I chose to go left in the clockwise direction toward Munson Creek.
Who is the Godfrey Glen Trail Named After?
The name Godfrey Glen is in reference to a man named William C. Godfrey, a park ranger in Crater Lake National Park, who tragically passed away in a severe snowstorm near the park’s south entrance in 1930.
That said, the name Glen isn’t in reference to William Godfrey; rather, it’s in reference to the narrow Munson Creek Canyon, which the southern part of the loop parallels.
Along the southern half of the loop, there are a number of splits at different viewpoints along Munson Creek Canyon.
Now, I think it’s important to mention that the views of Duwee Falls are extremely limited, even if you decide to step off the trail for a better view.
However, if you are interested in trying to catch a glimpse of Duwee Falls down the narrow gorge, it’s best to look around the third or fourth pullout, similar to the one shown here.
This is the view looking down Munson Creek Canyon above Duwee Falls.
This is the third little pullout, and it’s where I recommend looking for one of the very limited views of Duwee Falls at the bottom of the canyon.
The farther down Munson Creek you hike, the easier it can be to try and see Duwee Falls.
At just over 0.4 miles (0.6 km) into the hike, the Godfrey Glen Trail reaches the final viewpoint along Munson Creek Canyon, near the western end of the loop.
This is where the Godfrey Glen Trail begins to turn back toward the beginning of the loop.
This is the view toward Annie Creek Canyon and Mazama Village beyond.
Once the Godfrey Glen Trail reaches the north side of the loop, there is only 0.4 miles (0.6 km) left to return to the beginning.
This final stretch is typically hiked the fastest, as there are essentially no views through the 'Green Tunnel.'
Godfrey Glen Loop Junction
This is the original loop junction from the beginning of the hike.
Once here, go left to return to the Godfrey Glen Trailhead, just around the corner.
