Crater Lake National Park is home to the beautiful, deep blue, and pristine Crater Lake. Formed over 7,000 years ago as the result of a volcano, over 500,000 people visit this outstanding national park every year. It has some of the cleanest water and air on the planet, but what exactly is there to do, and how long should you visit?
Crater Lake National Park can easily be seen in one day. This allows visitors time to see various viewpoints from the East and West Rim Roads, explore the Rim Village, and even hike down to Crater Lake via the Cleetwood Cove Trail to take a swim or do a boat tour to Wizard Island.
Crater Lake is undergoing significant construction from the summer of 2025 through the summer of 2028 for the improvement of the Cleetwood Cove Hiking Trail and making the boat docks for the Wizard Island Tours more accessible.
I’m Cheryl, and my husband, Matt, and I have made over 600 YouTube videos that help people travel to the national parks in the West. We found Crater Lake absolutely stunning and can’t wait to return. Below is the exact itinerary we tell our friends and family to follow when they visit, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Although Crater Lake has many backcountry trails (including the Pacific Crest Trail!), this itinerary is written for the regular national park traveler who enjoys scenic viewpoints and drives, learning the park’s history, and a little bit of hiking and fun.
The rim of Crater Lake sits between 7,000 and 8,000 feet above sea level and has a very long winter. It’s common for some of the roads not to open until June. Even after the roads open, there will still be plenty of snow within the park. The park is open year-round, but most people visit from June to October, when all the roads are open. That is the time frame that this itinerary was written for.
As far as the time of day to visit, the parking lots at the Rim Village and the Cleetwood Cove Trail are pretty full by 10:00 am and begin to clear out around 4:00 or 5:00 pm. Parking at the viewpoints is a little more forgiving because of all the coming and going. Overall, I love to explore this park around 7:00 or 8:00 am in the morning or after 5:00 pm. The temperatures are comfortable and you can actually get some solitude.
Visiting Crater Lake is actually really simple. It’s a 33-mile drive around a gorgeous lake. It’s an hour and a half to two hours without stops, but it takes most people 3-4 hours with stops. To do this, take the East Rim and West Rim drives to complete the loop. The rim sits around 1,000 to 2,000 feet above Crater Lake and there are several viewpoints to view the lake and take pictures. If you have ever visited the Grand Canyon, you’ll find many similarities. There is even a village here, like there is at the Grand Canyon. It has the Crater Lake Lodge and also has a small visitor center, restaurants, and gift shops.
Something interesting and important to know is that only 10% of the park’s guests actually make it down to Crater Lake. This is because there is only one legal way to get to the lake and it requires a steep and strenuous hike to get to the bottom, via the Cleetwood Cove Trail. It’s 1.1 miles each way and has a 700-foot elevation gain.
It’s the deepest Lake in the United States. At over 1,900 ft deep, it would take the Eiffel Tower, Washington Monument, and Statue of Liberty all stacked on top of each other to reach the top.
Its only source of water is from rain and snowmelt. There aren’t any native fish living here, but in the early days of the park, it was stocked with trout and salmon and they still live here today.
It gets around 45 feet of snow each year! If you look at the restroom in the village, you’ll notice metal tunnels leading into it. This is so the bathrooms are accessible in the winter.
Pure air, pure water. This is supposed to be some of the cleanest air and water on the planet.
It was formed by a volcano. 7,700 years ago, a volcano erupted and created Crater Lake.
As you look into the lake, you’ll see Wizard Island, which is another volcano.
You can climb 700 feet to the top of the caldera. It’s 500 feet wide and 100 feet deep.
Sign up for park updates, travel ideas, new guide releases, discounts, and stories of the West all in our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox once a week.
Are you ready to check out this very cool national park? Let’s do it! We entered through the North Entrance because it was the most convenient for us. If you enter from the South or West entrance, feel free to start there and work your way around. Remember, it’s just one big drive around Crater Lake.
As you enter the park, treat yourself to a viewpoint. For us, the first one we came across when we entered the North Entrance was Merriam Point. Not only will you be impressed with the deep blue water of Crater Lake, but you’ll also see Wizard Island and Mount Scott, the tallest peak in the park.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: It is common for fog and haze to loom over Crater Lake, especially in the morning or after rain. The good news is that it is also common for it to clear up later in the day. Smoke from wildfires can also obstruct your view, but it can be quick to clear out.
Your next stop is to check out the Rim Village. We have you heading here next, mostly because parking will fill up after 10:00 am. There are a few buildings and things to check out, including the Crater Lake Lodge, a gift shop, cafeteria and market, the Rim Visitor Center (tiny!), and the Rim Village Promenade.
Crater Lake Lodge is definitely worth a stop, even if you aren’t staying there. They have a grand lobby with a fireplace and comfortable chairs where you can sit and visit. Outside, they have a wonderful deck with rocking chairs where you can view Crater Lake and enjoy a drink and/or food from the Crater Lake Dining Room. There is also a small display that shows the history of the Crater Lake Lodge, which we find interesting.
FUN FACTS ABOUT CRATER LAKE LODGE: It was built in 1915, but was always in pretty poor repair because it wasn’t designed to withstand the harsh winters. In 1990, it went through a complete rebuild. They painstakingly labeled every stone of the building and recreated it exactly how it was, with improvements, of course!
The Rim Village Promenade is an easy, flat, paved, 1/3 of a mile walk along the edge of the caldera, where you have wonderful views of Crater Lake. Rangers often lead walks here, and… it’s dog-friendly! I consider this a must because it is so scenic and requires very little effort.
The Rim Visitor Center will take you five minutes at most. It is very small, but it has a nice relief map of the area, a small gift shop, and a ranger desk where you have the opportunity to ask a park ranger questions.
The Cafe and Gift Shop are nothing special, but are there for your souvenir shopping or if you need a meal or a snack.
Departing from the parking lot of the Crater Lake Lodge is the Crater Lake Trolley. Trolley tours run from July through September and usually depart on the hour from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. They are 2 hours long and the tour takes you around the entire rim, 33 miles. You stop 5-7 times and your guide will teach you about the history and the geography of the park.
The tours cost ~$40 per person and you can (and should) reserve your ticket in advance, though walk-ups the day of are available if the tours aren’t booked. You can book your tour on their website.
We did one of these tours and really enjoyed it. The trolley was charming and well-maintained and our tour guide taught us some really cool stuff about the history and geography of Crater Lake.
Some of our favorite things we learned were how to identify the different trees we were seeing in the park and the story of the Old Man of the Lake.
OLD MAN OF THE LAKE: This is a 40-foot hemlock log that has been floating around Crater Lake for over 100 years. He floats vertically and he goes everywhere. There are lots of stories and superstitions about him. You can check out his history here.
If you choose not to do the trolley tour, I recommend taking the drive around the lake and stopping at some of the viewpoints. Here are a couple of our favorites.
Watchman Overlook. This overlook was wonderful. It’s accessible, and when you look down, you can see Wizard Island and the Crater Lake Lodge from across the way. Very beautiful and not too much effort. It’s probably a 15-minute stop. There are pit toilets here… with long lines. Watchman Overlook had quite a few people at it. There is a good-sized parking lot and it tends to have parking spaces available, even in the middle of the day.
Phantom Ship Overlook. With a name like this, you have to stop to find out exactly what this phantom ship is! Phantom Ship is actually Crater Lake’s other island. It’s what is left of the volcanic cone and its black spires poking out of the water look like a ghostly ship. I think it’s worth a stop.
ALERT: The Cleetwood Clove Trail and Wizard Island will be closed due to extensive renovation beginning late 2025-2028. You can check the current status of the project here. Skip this stop if traveling during these dates.
You’ve been viewing Crater Lake from the rim all day. Now it’s time to actually see it from the shore (and maybe have a little fun!) Just keep in mind that this stop will require a few things…
Only 10% of people who visit Crater Lake actually make it down to the lakeshore, but if you can make it, you should! The shore is rocky and the water hovers between 50-60 degrees, but it’s nice to dip your toes in and enjoy the lake views. It was crowded the day we visited, but we still enjoyed sitting on the lake shore and watching the fun, even though the water temperature was a bit too cold for us.
The boat tours to visit Wizard Island depart from here. There are a few tours you can choose from
WHAT IS WIZARD ISLAND? Wizard Island is a 763-foot cinder cone created when Crater Lake first filled with water after Mount Mazama collapsed. You can hike to the top of the caldera, or fish or swim from the lakeshore.
Tickets need to be booked in advance at the Crater Lake Website. They also reserve some last-minute tickets that are available 24 hours in advance. Tickets range from ~$30-$60, depending on the tour.
We booked the Wizard Island Tour and were very disappointed to find out that our tour was cancelled that day due to unhealthy air caused by a nearby wildfire. We’ve heard these tours are wonderful and we’ll be back soon to check it out.
If a ~$50 dinner is in your budget, the Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room would be a great way to end your day. The dining room is beautiful and classic and there are large windows that offer views of Crater Lake. Reservations for dinner are recommended and you can make those on their website.
We opted for the less formal Annie Creek Restaurant, which I’ll discuss later, but I’d like to share some general expectations for dining at a national park dining room, since we’ve eaten at a few of them.
The service is usually great, the food can range from being ok to good, and it’s always overpriced. The views are hit or miss based on where you are seated. The national parks are in remote areas and getting fresh food there can be a bit of a challenge. We like to treat ourselves occasionally to a nice meal in the national parks. If we are trying to save money, we will eat breakfast or lunch instead because the prices are often similar to what a grill or cafe in the park would charge.
Sunrise at the Rim. We spent the night at Crater Lake. The next morning, I woke up and made it to the Crater Lake Village by 7:30 am. The parking lot was empty, the air was brisk, and I enjoyed a peaceful morning walking along the Rim Village Promenade. I found a great bench below the viewing deck of the Crater Lake Lodge and took a moment to take it all in. It’s one of my favorite memories of Crater Lake. I hope you have the chance to enjoy this too.
Ranger Programs. Knowing the history and geography of where you are visiting makes it even more enjoyable. If you don’t take the trolley or boat tour, try to catch a ranger program. You can learn more about them on the NPS site. They have guided hikes, evening programs and even Jr. Ranger programs for kids and “Bark” ranger programs for dogs.
Steel Information Center. This was recently renovated in 2025. It’s much larger than the Rim Visitor Center. I am assuming that it will have more to offer, including a movie about the park.
When to Start Your Day: Parking at the Rim Village can fill up by 10:00 am. Either try to get here before then or arrive around 5:00 pm. Same for parking at the
Cleetwood Cove Trail parking lot. There are a lot of people coming and
going at the viewpoints, so it’s a little easier to visit those throughout the day.
What to Wear: Shoes you feel comfortable walking in, sun protection, a hat, and sunglasses.
Find out more in our recommended gear.
What to Bring: Binoculars and a water bottle or Camelbak (if you are hiking). A picnic lunch
if you don’t want to eat at the restaurants in the park.
For Your Comfort: If you are taking the trolley tour, bring a seat cushion.
Road Conditions: The roads are paved and drivable in a regular car (excluding winter)
Cell Phone Service: Don’t plan on having service. It’s spotty at best.
Bring Your Doggo: Dogs are allowed here in more places than typical national parks, including the Rim Village Promenade, campgrounds, and parking lots.
Services Within the Park: Restaurants, gift shops, laundry, lodges, and campgrounds.
Elevation Factors: The rim of Crater Lake is 7,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level and altitude
sickness is possible. Read our article about how to successfully deal with it.
RV Restrictions: The road within Crater Lake will accommodate RVs, but many of the sites don’t have parking for them, including the Cleetwood Cove parking lot. If you can unhitch your trailer before exploring the park, it will be easier to navigate the tight and winding turns.
As mentioned before, the Rim Village offers the Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room (fine dining). You can enjoy your meal in the fancy and classic indoor dining room or take it to-go and enjoy it on the rocking chairs from the viewing deck outside.
The cafe and market at the Rim Village are ok. You can buy picnic supplies or order hot dogs, nachos, salads, and sandwiches.
We ate at Annie Creek Restaurant in Mazama Village. We had to wait about half an hour to be seated, but I really liked my burger and the marionberry cheesecake we ordered. My husband’s chicken strips and onion rings were just ok. One thing we really liked was that we had cell service here! We are all about connecting with nature, but after having no service most of the day, we were thrilled to be able to check in with our kids.
There is a great camp store in Mazama Village that has tons of grocery supplies. I think it’s well stocked because many people who are hiking the Pacific Crest Trail stop here to get supplies.
There are two villages within Crater Lake National Park. The upscale Crater Lake Lodge is at the Rim Village and has 71 rooms. Mazama Village has cabins and a campground. It’s located 15 minutes away from the Rim Village and has no views at all of Crater Lake. But, it’s in a nice forest, is budget-friendly, and has the best grocery store and gift shop in the park. Plus, it’s kind of nice being away from the hustle and crowds of the village.
| Accommodation Type | Season | Estimated Rate (per night, pre-tax) |
|---|---|---|
| Crater Lake Lodge (hotel) | Mid‑May to mid‑Oct | $245 – $347 |
| Mazama Village Cabins | Late May to late Sept | $159 |
| Tent or RV (no hookups) | Mid‑June to late Sept | $35 |
| RV with electricity | Mid‑June to late Sept | $48 |
| RV with full hookups | Mid‑June to late Sept | $57 |
| Walk‑in hiker campsite | Same as above | $5 |
We stayed at the Mazama Village Cabins. From the outside, they didn’t look very nice. But we actually loved our room and would stay here again. It was clean, spacious, and our bed was comfortable. It looked like the whole place had been recently updated.
Something to be aware of is that the cabin is actually a fourplex. We liked meeting our neighbors and it was nice that each building has some picnic tables so you can eat your meals outdoors.
If you don’t want to stay within the park, it’s popular to stay in Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass, or Klamath Falls.
Medford is the most common gateway city, with the closest commercial airport (MFR).
Ashland is popular with visitors who combine a trip with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Grants Pass is farther but is often used by visitors coming up from Redwood National and State Parks in California.
Klamath Falls is the closest major Highway 97 gateway and is handy for those traveling from Bend or northern California via US-97.
INTERESTING: Crater Lake was established in 1902 and was the 5th national park in the United States. It was very common for parks back then to have a lot of lodging because people had to visit the parks by train or horse and buggy and needed a place to spend the night.
We LOVE road trips and I hope you do too! We visited Crater Lake as part of a 21-day trip where we explored Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Oregon Coast! It was absolutely amazing. Check out our articles and YouTube videos for tips on how to make this trip happen for yourself. If you really want to make planning your trip easy, check out our travel guides! Hope you make it to Crater Lake soon.
Driving the Oregon Coast HWY 101: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
Quick and Easy Guide to Hiking in Mount Rainier
10 BEST Beaches on the Oregon Coast (+ the Ones You Can Skip)
A Perfect 6 Day Itinerary for Olympic (For First Timers)
What We Wish We Knew Before Visiting the Oregon Coast
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
