Introduction
Crater Lake National Park is awesome! If you are a volcano climbing, polar bear plunging, wildlife watching, stay up past your bedtime to watch the stars come out type of individual, then this is the place for you.
Established in 1902, Crater Lake National Park is the fifth-oldest national park in the United States. It is the only national park in Oregon. With a maximum depth of 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
The 33-mile Rim Drive circumnavigates the caldera with many jaw-dropping overlooks. The park has numerous hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, multiple waterfalls, and boat rides to Wizard Island. Many geological wonders exist such as Phantom Ship, Pumice Castle, Devils Backbone, and the Pinnacles.
The “Deep Blue Lake” should be atop your Most Beautiful Places in the United States must-see list.
Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel
Hiking
While many great trails exist within the park, a few stand out offering fantastic views.
Discovery Point Trail – just West of the Rim Village Visitor Center, the Discover Point Trail is an easy walk along a well-maintained gravel path. This path has numerous lookout points with classic Crater Lake views. Wizard Island, Llao Rock, and Mount Thielsen all line up along this route. A completely paved alternative is the short staircase down to the Sinnott Memorial observation platform within the Rim Village.
Watchman Peak Trail – our favorite moderate hike ends at the fire lookout tower atop Watchman Peak. This trail begins up a long gradual slope until a series of switchbacks lead up the last half of this hike. The views are incredible from the top and this is a favorite spot to enjoy a sunrise or sunset. Wizard Island rests directly below this summit.
Pinnacles Trailhead – off the circular Rim Drive lies a unique geological area nestled within Wheeler Creek Canyon. Huge rock spires reach up over 100 feet into the sky from the canyon floor along this very easy walk. From Rim Drive, take the six-mile Pinnacles Road until it ends at the overlook. This small detour off the circular Rim Drive is well worth it.
Two more challenging hikes that should be mentioned include Garfield Peak and Mount Scott. These hikes offer breathtaking views of the entire lake and surrounding area. Both hikes could be rated as difficult due to substantial elevation gains.
If you enjoy waterfalls, an easy hike to Plaikni Falls is most enjoyable. Wildflower enthusiasts will enjoy the very easy walk along the Castle Crest Trail. If a close up view of Phantom Ship is desired, take the short and easy hike up the Sun Notch trail for beautiful views.
Lastly, should you be interested in taking a boat ride to Wizard Island or swimming in Crater Lake, the Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only option to reach the water. Be advised, the crushed pumice trail is a strenuous 2.2 mile round-trip hike with an elevation loss and gain of 700 feet.
Discovery Point Trail
Favorite Overlooks
The best part about many of the overlooks in Crater Lake National Park is that they are accessible by vehicle. Scattered around the rim of the caldera, many of these viewpoints will take your breath away.
Cloudcap Overlook - if driving on the highest paved road in Oregon is on your to-do list, this is an amazing place to watch the sunset. Resting 1,893 feet above the eastern shoreline of the lake, Cloudcap offers stunning views high above Crater Lake.
Merriam Point - should you access the park from the North Entrance Station (summertime only), Merriam Point will likely be one of your first impressions of Crater Lake. I vividly remember our first glance of the incredible scene before us. We laughed out loud at how phenomenal this panorama was.
Sinnott Memorial Observation Station - mentioned briefly in the hiking section, the Sinnott Memorial overlook is an easily accessible viewpoint accessible to all within the Rim Village. A stone shelter was built into the cliffs in the 1930s with educational signage detailing the history of the park and geological wonders within the caldera.
Lastly, if the golden-orange Pumice Castle is on your must-see list, be sure to note that an unmarked overlook along Rim Drive just South of Cloudcap Overlook, is the best spot to view this area. This colorful geological feature is set against mostly gray cliff sides, making it a unique natural sculpture of the park.
The Pinnacles
Where to Stay
Crater Lake National Park has the beautiful Crater Lake Lodge, built in 1915, as well as a campground and numerous cabins within park boundaries. The lodge sits approximately 1,000 feet above the surface offering incredible views over the lake. This is a superb option to maximize your time within the park.
An alternative to staying in the national park is to lodge on nearby Diamond Lake, fifteen minutes from the North Entrance Station. Diamond Lake Resort has become a family favorite of ours as it is pet friendly. We often travel with our dogs and they offer an array of 38 differently styled cabins. There is also a motel section for anyone not needing as much space.
Diamond Lake rests between Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen. The picturesque setting is an ideal spot for fishing, swimming, boating, and bicycle riding around the lake. South Shore Pizza is a great place to stop for dinner after a day of exploring.
Evenings at Diamond Lake Resort - featuring Barebones Railroad Lantern
Conclusion
Crater Lake National Park is one of the most serene parks we have visited. Shoulder season is our favorite time to visit. September, in particular, is a fantastic month to visit before various sections of the road are closed for the winter. It also typically allows for any wildfire season smoke to clear out of the area.
This national park should be on your must-see list! It is an incredibly remarkable place. The experience one leaves with makes it easy to see why it was so important to many before to preserve this national treasure. Enjoy!
Sunset from Watchman Peak
Nearby Areas of Interest
Toketee Falls & Umpqua Hot Springs
Lemolo Falls & Warm Spring Falls
National Creek Falls