When I was traveling through the continental 48 during the summer of 2019, Crater Lake was the last stop before I touched ground back in my home state of California. Now, I’ve mentioned Crater Lake in plenty of blog posts so far (here, here, and here), but I’ve also gotten a couple questions asking for more information about actually visiting the park.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links
Now, Crater Lake is the only National Park in Oregon, and it’s one of the smallest big parks in the country. I tend to categorize the parks into “small” and “big” parks, the big parks being the ones with an entry gate, possible campgrounds, and use the America the Beautiful Pass. Crater Lake, while it is smaller in acreage, contains about 30 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, a dormant volcano, and the deepest lake in the country.
These are my tips and tricks for getting the most out of your trip to Crater Lake. So, grab your 0 degree sleeping bag (it’s cold out there!), some yummy snacks, and a park map, and let’s explore one of the most unique locations in the country.
View of Wizard Island from Sun Notch
Getting there
Crater Lake is located about an hour and a half south of Bend, OR. You’ll drive through some of the most beautiful forests to get there, no matter which entrance you come in through. When you arrive, you will be met with that classic entrance gate. Without the America the Beautiful Pass, park entry costs $25 per car.
Phantom Ship, as seen from Sun Notch
About the park
Crater Lake is the ninth deepest lake in the world, and the deepest in the United States. Because of this, it has a beautiful deep blue color to it. Crater Lake is one of the many volcanic parks in the country, and is also home to an unexpected crop of pinnacles formed by lava flow.
While the park is open year-round, during the winter months, the road is closed to cars. Yearly, the park receives over 500 inches of snow, and the best months to go are July, August, and September. The park is never very warm though, the highest average temperature only reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and dropping into the 40s at night. Because of this, it’s incredibly crucial to have the right gear, and a 0 degree sleeping bag just in case, even if you’re camping in your vehicle or RV. (I highly recommend the sleeping bags available from Madera Outdoor—they’re warm, lightweight, vegan, and you’ll receive 20% off your order.)
There is a scenic loop road that will bring you all around the lake and park in the summer months. The 33 mile long road will bring you to all of the 30 overlooks, as well as the park’s hikes, except those located on the offshoot that is Pinnacles Road. Pinnacles Road is where you can find a small waterfall hike called Plakni Falls as well as the Pinnacles Trail, which has one of the most unique views in the park. Here, you’ll also find the park’s dry campground, Lost Creek.
The strange Pinnacles area of Crater Lake National Park
Staying in the park
There are two campgrounds in the park, and I actually highly recommend staying in Lost Creek campground, even for vanlifers. The campground is only $5, and you’ll get the extra security of being in the park (always a plus for solo female travelers), as well as the convenience of not having to leave. It does not take reservations, and did not have running water during summer of 2019.
The other campground is called Mazama, and is located near Rim Village, which give you close access to the visitor center, clean water, gift shop, and in-park gas station. It costs between $21 and $43 to camp here, so I’d recommend this for families and tourists, rather than overlanders. All campsites in the park, including those at Lost Creek come with a bear locker.
There is also lodging available in the park. As with all national parks, I’d recommend booking your lodging (or even camping) reservations a few months in advance through the park’s official website and whatever reservation system they have set up. There are two motels available in Crater Lake: Crater Lake Lodge ($202 per night), and The Cabins at Mazama Village ($164 per night).
You can also eat at the restaurant in the park, which is called the Rim Village Café, and buy groceries and snacks at the Mazama Village Store. The Crater Lake Lodge also offers a dining experience inside the park.
Plaikni Falls
Hiking in Crater Lake
I constantly heard that Crater Lake isn’t worth spending more than a day in because all the hikes are the same, which is simply not true! There are tons of little hikes to do, which are great for families and beginner level hikers that will take you to places like waterfalls (Plaikni Falls), the unique pinnacles (Pinnacles Trail), and views of the lake and it’s famous Wizard Island and Phantom Ship (Sun Notch).
There are longer hikes in the park perfect for moderate to advanced hikers. Fantastic moderate hikes are Watchman Peak and Discovery Point, which both offer amazing scenic panoramic views of the lake.
For my advanced hikers, the best hike you can do is Cleetwood Cove. This is the only legal access to the water in Crater Lake National Park. Here, you can swim, take boat tours, or just relax by the water. Other amazing advanced hikes are Wizard Summit (trailhead only accessible by boat), and Mount Scott (the park’s highest point).
Crater Lake is beautiful, even on a cloudy day
Crater Lake truly is one of the most unique landscapes in the country that I’ve personally visited (so far). While it’s very cold, and a smaller park, its beauty is unmatched by any of the country’s other famous lakes. From camping to hiking to simply being an amazing vacation spot, Crater Lake has something for every type of traveler to experience, and is sure to help you appreciate the outdoors just a little bit more.
To read more about Crater Lake and many of the other national parks in the country, check out my ebook: Around the States in 90 Days in the shop!