I can confidently say that Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, with its deep cobalt alpine lake and rugged snow-capped peaks, is one of the most beautiful destinations in the USA. Featuring the deepest lake in the entire country, Crater Lake attracts worldwide attention – and it’s easy to see why.
On my epic journey to all of the Washington and Oregon National Parks, I found Crater Lake to be the most surprising of the bunch. I expected the three Washington National Parks – Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier – to blow me away. And they did! But Crater Lake exceeded my expectations.
So what is there to do at Crater Lake? In this guide, I’m going to share with you eight epic things to do at Crater Lake National Park. Whether you enjoy hiking, boating, or swimming, you’ll find some fun things to do at Crater Lake on this list!
When to Go to Crater Lake
Summer is the best time to visit Crater Lake. The Rim Drive is usually fully cleared from July to October, and most of the hiking trails are snow-free during these months.
Since summer is the most popular time to visit Crater Lake, you won’t be alone. Crowds tend to flock to this park during the summer because of its accessibility.
If you don’t like crowds, consider visiting off-peak (spring, fall, and winter). More info on those seasons below ⬇
Early fall is also a great time to visit Crater Lake because the roads and trails will usually still be open and crowds will be slowly dwindling. Nighttime temperatures might be pretty chilly though, so consider whether you can handle cold overnight camping before booking a campsite or getting a backcountry permit.
If you visit in the winter and spring, prepare for trail and road closures and bring a pair of snowshoes! White snow contrasted with the vibrant sapphire blue of the lake is a breathtaking sight, but visiting during these months will take extra preparation.
Where to Stay at Crater Lake
LODGING (INSIDE THE PARK)
Crater Lake Lodge, overlooking the Rim Village, has 71 rooms that are available to book between mid-May and mid-October. Check the dates as they may change each year.
The Cabins at Mazama Village has 40 rooms, which are also available to book seasonally.
LODGING (OUTSIDE THE PARK)
Running Y Ranch Resort – Luxury
Hilton Garden Inn Medford – Mid-Range
The Aspen Inn – Budget
CAMPING
Mazama Campground is located 7 miles south of Rim Village and has 214 sites that are available seasonally.
Lost Creek Campground is located on Pinnacles Road and has 16 tent-only sites that are available seasonally.
Read more about camping and backpacking later in the article!
8 Epic Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park
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1. Swim in Crater Lake / Hike Cleetwood Cove
Swimming is one of the best things to do at Crater Lake National Park. And there’s only one legal spot to swim in the entire lake: Cleetwood Cove.
To access the swimming area, you’ll need to hike a strenuous mile-long trail from the rim down to the water. The hiking trail is called Cleetwood Cove.
Cleetwood Cove is one of the most epic alpine lake trails because it has a mixture of heart-pumping elevation, iconic views, and an epic swimming hole gleaming at its finish line.
CLEETWOOD COVE TRAIL STATS
- Distance: 2.2 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 700 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
If you’re up to the challenge, hike down to the water, scramble through the boulder beach, and pick a spot to swim, sunbathe, and/or soak in the one-of-a-kind views.
If you’re feeling a little brave, dip your toes in. You’ll be able to say you were in an active volcano!
If you’re feeling extra brave, consider plunging beneath the surface either by diving or cliff jumping. Beware: the water is really cold!
2. Drive Around the Rim
Another great thing to do in Crater Lake is to take a drive!
There is a 33-mile road that circumnivates Crater Lake. This scenic route is littered with a plethora of hiking trails, jaw-dropping overlooks, picnic areas, and even a roadside waterfall!
If you plan on taking your time cruising around the caldera and stopping at all of the scenic pull-offs, plan on carving out at least 2-3 hours for this.
If you don’t have time to hike all of the trails along Rim Drive or pull off at all of the overlooks, here are the overlooks and short trails that I would recommend bringing to the top of your list.
MUST-SEE OVERLOOKS AND TRAILS ON RIM DRIVE
- Watchman Overlook
- Phantom Ship Overlook
- Palisade Point
- Discovery Point
- Vidae Falls – A roadside waterfall!
- Rim Trail – You can even do a small section. You’ll get the best views of the park!
- Cleetwood Cove – The only spot you can swim in Crater Lake!
3. Hike the Garfield Peak Trail
- Distance: 3.6 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 1,010 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
If hiking with epic views is your jam, and you don’t mind getting your heart rate up, you’re going to want to check out Garfield Peak. This is one of my favorite hikes in a National Park.
Along this iconic trail located behind the Crater Lake lodge, you will wind up and around steep, narrow switchbacks to the top of the nearly 8,000-foot crest, Garfield Peak.
The 1,010 feet of elevation won’t seem as strenuous as it appears on paper because your mind will stray from that brutal workout and instead focus on the broad views of the lake, valley, and peaks that materialize around every corner.
At the top of the peak – the end of the trail – you will be rewarded by all of that elevation gain with a panoramic perspective of the entire cerulean-blue lake and its surrounding peaks.
4. Take a Wizard Island Boat Tour
Another fun way to experience the park is from a boat! If cliff diving on the shore isn’t for you, or you want to immerse yourself a bit more in the lake, taking a boat tour is a great option.
As with swimming, the only way to access the boat tours is the Cleetwood Cove Trail. You’ll need to hike the strenuous trail from the rim to the water to go on one of these exciting boat cruises around Crater Lake.
Crater Lake Hospitality offers daily cruises, tours, and shuttles around the lake and to Wizard Island in the summer.
Choose from a leisurely 2-hour cruise around the lake, a cruise around the perimeter of the lake with a visit to Wizard Island to swim, hike, and sightsee, or a shuttle straight to the island to swim, fish, and hike without the leisurely cruise.
5. Hike to Plaikni Falls
- Distance: 2.0 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 100 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
When you think of Crater Lake National Park, you probably think of the big blue lake that’s smack-dab in the middle of the park. But what most people really don’t know about are the rocky pinnacles and the impressive falls sprinkled on the “quiet side” of the park.
When you’re ready to veer from the crowded Rim Drive, head into a quieter section at the southeastern end of the park – Pinnacles. Located off this road is a trailhead to a spectacular waterfall – Plaikni Falls.
Up until the trail construction in 2011, very few knew that this waterfall existed. And even to this day, it continues to be a fairly well-kept secret.
This mildly elevated, easy trail off Pinnacles Road winds through an old-growth forest, leading hikers to a snowmelt-fed, 20-foot waterfall.
There is a small section with flat rocks at the end of the trail, ideal for setting your pack down, soaking in the spray, munching on a snack, and relishing the wildflower-framed falls.
Plaikni Falls is a must-see on your trip to Crater Lake!
6. Explore the Pinnacles
- Distance: 0.8 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 10 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
The pinnacles are often overlooked; these rock formations easily fall behind Crater Lake’s enormous shadow.
Crater Lake, though known for its stunning sapphire caldera, also contains dramatic volcanic spires. Behind Crater Lake is a spectacular arrangement of sand-colored pumice spires, or pinnacles. These pinnacles rise up and fill a deep canyon carved by Wheeler Creek.
At the southeast boundary of the park and the end of Pinnacles Road is a very mild but breathtaking hiking trail, Pinnacles.
The trail meanders around the rim, granting you impressive views of the unique spires and deep forested canyon. Some compare these tall, sharp spires to Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos. Though there are much fewer of them in Crater Lake, and they aren’t that brilliant shade of orange, Pinnacles is still worth the stop!
7. Hike to Watchman Peak
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- Elevation Gain: 420 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Watchman Peak is another bucket list hike to check off on your visit to Crater Lake.
This trail is located right off the Rim Drive and is quite popular in the late summer and early fall months. Since it is one of the shortest and easiest trails to a summit and a fire lookout on the lake, you won’t be alone. But it’s worth it nonetheless!
The path snakes up to a summit with a two-story fire lookout and spectacular 360-degree views of the lake, Wizard Island, and surrounding peaks and valleys.
8. Go Camping
At Crater Lake, you have the option of frontcountry camping or backcountry camping.
For frontcountry campers, you can camp at Mazama or Lost Creek.
Mazama Campground is located 7 miles south of Rim Village and has 214 sites that are available seasonally.
Lost Creek Campground is located on Pinnacles Road and has 16 tent-only sites that are available seasonally.
For backcountry campers, obtain a free permit from the backcountry office.
There are lots of options for backcountry camping in the park, both in the summer and the winter.
What’s exciting about winter camping in Crater Lake is that you can camp along the Crater Lake rim. You cannot do so in the summer. But winter camping is not for the faint of heart; make sure you do your research and are heavily prepared for conquering such a feat.
Summer camping in Crater Lake will undoubtedly be a lot warmer than winter camping, but even in the summer, temperatures can nosedive at night due to the altitude. Be prepared for chilly nights in the backcountry!
You can read all about backcountry camping in Crater Lake on the NPS website here, but when you get to the backcountry office, the rangers will help you select a region to camp based on your personal skills and abilities.
We camped off Dutton Creek in late July.
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
Summary
I hope this article gave you some fun ideas to add to your list! If you need help planning your entire trip to Crater Lake, don’t forget to check out my complete park guide.
While you’re in the area, don’t forget to check out some of the other National Parks like Olympic, North Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Redwood.
Happy Travels!
