Crater Lake National Park Guide 2025

Transportation and Accommodation in Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park, the English name is Crater Lake National Park, approved by President Roosevelt in 1902.
Crater Lake is 1943 feet/592 meters deep, the deepest lake in the United States , and is also considered the cleanest and clearest lake in the world
. However, the lake covers an area of only 20.6 square miles, which is about 1/9 of the area of Lake Tahoe .

Tickets : US$30/car in summer ( mid-May to the end of October ), US$20/car in winter ( early November to mid-May ). It is recommended to use the US National Park Annual Pass .
Travel season : Early July to early October is the best time to drive around the lake/play in the water; in winter, you can only enjoy the snow scenery in some areas.
How long to play : 3 hours to 1 day.
Useful website : Latest road conditions , official website

by Rich Martello
Crater Lake was formed by a volcanic eruption 7,700 years ago (Mount Mazama)
. The volcano handsomely sprayed off its own mountain top, forming a huge bowl-shaped structure, and then continued to accumulate rain and snow, eventually forming a lake.

Transportation in Crater Lake National Park

The park is located in Oregon, and the nearest airport is Rogue Valley-Medford Airport
in Medford . If you are driving from San Francisco, you can refer to the sample route written in the Redwood National Park Guide
. If you are driving from Seattle, you can refer to the sample route written in the Oregon Travel Guide.

Accommodation in Crater Lake National Park

If you start from California and take a loop route, visit Redwood National Park the day before , you can stay in Crescent City
and visit Crater Lake National Park on the same day. It is recommended to stay in the town of Medford :
Relax Inn of Medford ★★★ 8.7 points 388 reviews +
Quality Inn & Suites Medford Airport ★★★ 8.0 points 846 reviews +
My Place Hotel-Medford ★★★ 8.7 points 1332 reviews +

Crater lake national park map

Entrance : The park has two entrances. The south entrance, Annie Spring Entrance Station, is open all year round, and the north entrance is closed in winter.
How to play : The lake is surrounded by Rim Drive, and you can drive around the lake from early July to early October . The road is 33 miles/53 kilometers long with a speed limit of 35mph. There are about 30 viewing points and trails along the road. It is recommended to arrange at least half a day, go to 3. Watchman Overlook to overlook the panoramic view of the lake, and then go to 4. Cleetwood Cove Trail to touch the lake water .
Dining : Rim Village Café and Annie Creek Restaurant provide light meals, Crater Lake Lodge Dining provides full meals.
Note : There is no signal in the park, please download the offline map in advance

[recommended] 1. Garfield Peak Trail - Mountaineering and viewing trail, 2 hours can be arranged
[recommended] 2. Discovery Point Trail - Lakeside trail open all year round, 10 minutes-1.5 hours can be arranged
[must go] 3. Viewpoint/Trail Watchman Overlook - Viewpoint, also the starting point of the viewing trail, 10 minutes-1.5 hours can be arranged
[must go] 4. Cleetwood Cove Trail - The only trail where you can touch the lake water, 1.5 hours can be arranged
[recommended] 5. Cloudcap Overlook - The highest highway viewing point without hiking, 15 minutes can be arranged
[optional] 6. Pumice Viewpoint Castle Overlook - You can see it by parking on the roadside, you can arrange 5 minutes
[select to go] 7. Sun Notch Trail - Lakeside trail, you can arrange 30 minutes
[select to go] 8. Vidae Falls - You can see it by parking on the roadside, you can arrange 5 minutes

Winter in Crater Lake National Park

Transportation :
‣ Winter refers to November to May, during which the highway around the lake is closed ‣ The park can only be entered from the south entrance Annie Spring Entrance Station

on Highway 62 ‣ It is recommended to drive a 4WD or 2WD + snow chains ( depending on the weather/road conditions on the day, but it is better to be prepared ), and you need to check the Park Alerts on the park's official website - there may be temporary closures due to icy roads, etc. How to play : ‣ After arriving at Rim Village, take a look at the scenery nearby and then leave ‣ Participate in Ranger-Guided Snowshoe Walks ( 1pm on weekends/winter vacations/spring vacations, 1-2 miles of hiking/about 2 hours ) Recommended video : Snowshoeing Through Crater Lake's Winter Beauty Photography : There is fog on the lake in winter , and there is a 50% probability that you can't see anything by Porter Raab

Things to do in Crater Lake National Park

1. Garfield Peak Trail

3.5 miles/5.6 kilometers round trip, 328 meters of elevation gain, medium difficulty, the latest information can be found here
It is recommended to wear hiking shoes and use hiking poles. You can refer to the recommended hiking equipment for beginners .

Duration : 2 hours
Address : Rim Village - Crater Lake Lodge


Recommended video : Crater Lake National Park, Garfield Peak Trail




2. Discovery Point Trail 

The trail is average, but very flat and can be visited in winter. 2.2 miles/3.4 kilometers round trip, 92 meters elevation gain, latest information here

Duration : 10 minutes ( viewing near the starting point ) - 1 hour
Address : Rim Village Cafe & Gift Shop


Photographs :

by Rich Martello

Recommended Video : Crater Lake - Oregon USA - Scenic Walking Tour



3. Viewpoint/trail Watchman Overlook 

Facing Wizard Island, it is the most popular viewpoint in the park.

Duration : 10 minutes ( viewing ) - 1.5 hours ( hiking )
How to play :
‣ You can watch the view from the parking lot‣
Or walk to the nearby Observation Station ( formerly used as a fire lookout ), 1.6 miles/2.7 kilometers round trip, 122 meters in elevation, medium difficulty, the latest information can be found here
Address : Watchman Peak Trailhead, CRATER LAKE, OR 97604


Photo : View from the parking lot

by Rich Martello

Recommended video : Crater Lake National Park, Summer Snow Trail (BiliBili)




4. Cleetwood Cove Trail, a water-playing trail 

The only trail in the park that can touch the lake, very popular

. Duration : 1.5 hours.
How to play :
‣ Hike to the lake, the trail is 2.1 miles/3.4 kilometers round trip, with an elevation gain of 186 meters, and the difficulty is medium. The latest information can be found here
. ‣ In the summer, you can also take a boat tour of the lake. Tickets are in high demand, starting at US$40. Reservations are recommended
. ‣ Fishing is allowed here without a fishing license, but live bait cannot be used. For details, see here .
Note : This trail will be renovated starting in the summer of 2026 and is expected to be completed in 3 years. Everyone hurry up to play.
Address : Cleetwood Cove Trailhead


Recommended video : Hiking Trail Crater Lake's Cleetwood Cove Trail in Stunning 4K

5. Cloudcap Overlook 

This viewpoint is about 600 meters above the lake and is the highest viewpoint in the park without hiking

. Duration : 15 minutes
Address : Cloudcap Overlook, CRATER LAKE, OR 97604


Photography :

by DarleneGirl


6. Pumice Castle Overlook View  

You can see orange volcanic rocks that look like a castle

. Duration : 5 minutes.
Address : Pumice Castle, CRATER LAKE, OR 97604.


Recommended video : Pumice Castle - Crater Lake National Park (Youtube)



7. Sun Notch Trail 

Sun Notch Trail is the best trail to see Phantom Ship ( Phantom Ship is a small island in the lake, formed by the cooling of lava 400,000 years ago ). The trail is circular, 0.8 miles/1.3 kilometers long, with an elevation gain of 39 meters. It is easy to climb . The latest information can be found here . Duration : 30 minutes Address : Sun Notch Trailhead, Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, Chiloquin, OR Recommended video : Sun Notch Phantom Ship Overlook

8. Vidae Falls 

A small waterfall that can be viewed by parking on the roadside, about 30 meters high, with the highest water volume in spring and will not dry up in summer

. Duration : 5 minutes
Address : Vidae Falls, CRATER LAKE, OR 97604


Recommended video : Vidae Falls, Crater Lake Relax and chill to the falls

◉ Appendix :
There are many more attractions in Oregon!
If you are interested, please refer to " Oregon Travel Guide " ~ End ~ Thank you for reading, I wish you all a happy trip! *⸜( •ᴗ• )⸝*