On my epic road trip through all of the Washington National Parks, the Columbia River Gorge, and Crater Lake, Crater Lake surprised me the most.
It wasn’t just the magazine-worthy cobalt-blue lake surrounded by jagged, frosted peaks. It was waterfalls, canyons filled with pinnacles, and miles of forested trails, too!
That’s why I created this list: to show you the best things to do in Crater Lake, from the iconic rim to the park’s quieter, lesser-trafficked nookies and crannies.
So if volcano swims, wooded waterfall hikes, and boat rides across a sapphire-blue lake sound like your kind of adventure, you’re in the right place.
This list will help you experience every side of Crater Lake – from the sparkling lake to its hidden forests, waterfalls, and canyons.
Let’s jump in!
8 Epic Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park
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1. Swim in Crater Lake + Hike Cleetwood Cove
If you want to say “I dipped my toes in an active volcano,” then you’re definitely going to want to swim at Crater Lake!
Choosing where to swim is easy because 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.
While the Cleetwood Cove Trail is the gateway to the swimming area, and why most visitors hike it, the trail itself is quite scenic. It’s the only trail that travels rim to lake and features iconic views from different vantage points.
Those who make the trek down to the water and scramble through the boulder field will be rewarded with views of the lake that not many get to see.
Once you’re at the bottom, veer to the left and keep going. Crowds will lessen as you get further from the trail.
Pick a spot to swim, sunbathe, read a book, dip your toes in, or simply soak in the breathtaking views!
Beware: The water rarely gets above 55 – 60 degrees F. Basically, it’s super cold!
2. Drive Around the Rim
Who doesn’t love a scenic drive?! Rim Drive is a 33-mile road that circumnavigates the entire Crater Lake. This scenic route, littered with a plethora of hiking trails, jaw-dropping overlooks, picnic areas, and even a roadside waterfall, is a perfect introduction to your Crater Lake visit!
Plan on spending at least 2-3 hours cruising the scenic drive. This will give you time to stop at the pull-offs and drive slowly around the lake.
While I’d recommend stopping at all of the scenic overlooks and hiking as many trails as your schedule allows, I understand that you may not have the time.
In that case, here are the overlooks and trails to prioritize:
- 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
If hiking with epic views is your jam, and you don’t mind getting your heart rate elevated, you’re going to want to check out Garfield Peak. In my opinion, this is the best hike in the park.
Along this 3.6-mile roundtrip 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 the map 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.
PRO TIP: If you are going to be visiting at least 3 National Parks this year – like Crater Lake and the Washington National Parks – make sure to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass. It’ll save you a lot of money on park entrance fees!
4. Take a Wizard Island Boat Tour
Boat tours are closed through 2028!
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.
Since there are no roads that get to the lake, you’ll need to hike the strenuous Cleetwood Cove Trail from the rim to the water to go on one of these exciting boat cruises around Crater Lake.
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
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 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
Once again, when you think of Crater Lake, your mind likely doesn’t wander to a wide canyon with spires. That’s part of the appeal; this area of the park is often overlooked, falling 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 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 0.8-mile roundtrip 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 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
Fire lookout and 360-views of the lake?! Yes, please!
I was so bummed when I arrived at the trailhead and saw it was closed due to snow and ice. It was mid-July, so I assumed the snow had to be melted by now. But nope!
Even though we didn’t get to hike this bucket list trail, it looks pretty spectacular, so I had to add it to the list. And also mention that it may be covered in snow even in mid-July!
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 I’ve heard that the views from the top are worth it!
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.
This is definitely on my list for our next trip to Crater Lake!
8. Go Camping
I’m a firm believer that to experience any national park to the fullest, you have to spend at least one night in it. Not everyone agrees, but nonetheless, I’m adding camping to this list of Crater Lake must-dos!
When it comes to camping in Crater Lake, you have a few options.
One, you can camp at a frontcountry campground. Mazama Campground is just a few short miles from the rim, making it a pretty prime location. Lost Creek Campground (tent only) is off the lesser-trafficked Pinnacles Road and offers quick access to Pinnacles and Plaikni Falls.
Two, you can camp in the backcountry. After obtaining a free permit from the backcountry office, you have the freedom to camp in the wilderness, away from crowds, away from people, and right off an epic trail.
Thanks to the helpful rangers at the backcountry office, they helped us pick a great campsite off Dutton Creek. It’s a great beginner’s route because you don’t have to go super far in.
NOTE: If you decide to backcountry camp at Crater Lake in the winter, you get to spend the night on the rim of the lake. Something summer campers won’t get to do. How epic is that?!
Finish Planning Your Trip to Crater Lake
Take the stress out of trip planning with the help of my guides!
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Columbia River Gorge
- Olympic National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
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