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Summer/Fall 2025Visitor Guide |
Summer/Fall Visitor Guide to Crater Lake National Park (NP) in Oregon. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Reflections Visitor Guide
Summer/Fall 2024
2025
Part of East Rim
Drive is Closed for
Construction until
Mid-September
Road alert! Part of the East Rim Drive is
closed this summer for construction. It
is closed to all traffic, including bicycles
and pedestrians, to allow the contractor
to work efficiently. The closure extends
from Sun Notch to Reflection Point
(see map on page 5) and may include
temporary closures of Pumice Castle
Overlook and the Mount Scott Trail
parking lot. If all goes well, everything
will reopen sometime in mid-September.
The Pinnacles Road will also be affected.
While not part of the construction zone,
it won’t be reachable by automobile.
To access the road and its trailheads,
you’d need to bike or hike there via the
4.3-mile (6.9-km) Grayback Road (a
sandy dirt road, closed to automobiles)
or exit the park and use Forest Service
Road 2304 (gravel) to reach Pinnacles
Overlook from the southeast—a 1-hour
drive from Park Headquarters, followed
by a flat walk of 0.7 miles (1.1 km).
The roadwork is part of a 5-year, $56 million effort to stabilize and repair 19 miles
of the East Rim Drive, which was built in
the 1930s. Funding for the project comes
from the Great American Outdoors Act,
passed by Congress in 2020 to address
infrastructure needs on public lands.
Cleetwood Cove
Trail to be Closed
for Improvements
in 2026-2028
Each year, around 10% of visitors to
Crater Lake National Park descend the
steep trail to the water’s edge (see page
2). Maintaining this trail—inside the belly
of a crumbling volcano—is not easy! To
ensure safe access for future generations,
the Cleetwood Cove Trail will be closed
for construction in 2026, 2027, and
2028. It will be stabilized and improved,
and the lake shore will receive a new
bulkhead, marina, and restroom facility.
While it won’t be possible to swim, fish,
or take a boat tour during this major
rehabilitation project, the rest of the park’s
trails, viewpoints, and facilities will remain
open for your enjoyment and discovery.
For more details and project updates,
visit the park’s website: www.nps.gov/
crla/planyourvisit/cleetwood-cove-trailand-marina-rehabilitation.htm.
Escape to Wizard Island
Plus 10 Other Ways to
Enjoy Your Park
Lidar
Image of
Wizard
Island
Have you ever set foot on a volcano inside a
volcano? Boat tours operate on Crater Lake from
July to mid-September. While most don’t stop
at Wizard Island, about 200 people per day can
purchase a ticket to be “stranded” on the island for
3 hours—to explore, swim, fish, and relax. See page
3 for more information and page 2 to learn about
the steep hiking trail required to take a boat tour.
Wizard Island emerged from Crater Lake around 7,300 years ago in a shower of fiery
cinders that piled into a symmetrical cone. Lava flows then pushed through the loose
cinders, creating “tongues” of blocky lava that comprise the rest of the island. Today,
hikers can cross a lava tongue on the Fumarole Bay Trail or explore the volcano’s vent
(known as the Witches Cauldron) by taking the Summit Trail. See page 4 for trail details.
Visiting Wizard Island is a special experience, but there are many other ways to make
your stay at Crater Lake memorable, meaningful, and fun. Here are 10 suggestions:
Watch the Park Film
Climb a Peak
Walk Among Wildflowers
Touch the Water
Explore the park’s violent past and its
present tranquility in this 22-minute film,
shown on the hour and half-hour at the
Steel Visitor Center at Park Headquarters.
In July and August, flowers line many of
the park’s roads and trails. Take a short
stroll on the Castle Crest Trail to view the
park’s premier display (see page 4).
Find the Phantom Ship
The summits of Watchman Peak, Garfield
Peak, Union Peak, Crater Peak, and Mount
Scott each offer panoramic—and very
different—views of the park (see page 4).
The trail to the lake shore is steep and can
be crowded, but the water at the bottom is
some of the world’s purest. Swim, fish, or
simply dangle your toes (see page 2).
Take a Trolley Tour
Anchored near the lake’s south shore is
an island that seems to be sailing away.
To see it, walk to Sun Notch or drive
to Reflection Point (see page 5).
See the park with those who know it best.
Narrated, 2-hour tours depart daily from
Rim Village, stopping at overlooks as they
travel along Rim Drive (see page 3).
Visit the Sinnott Overlook
Savor a Sunset
View the Lodge
See the Milky Way
Perched on a cliff at Rim Village, this
historic overlook features a dramatic view
of the caldera and exhibits that explain
its geologic features (see page 3).
For a glimpse into a bygone era, check out
the history exhibits—and the Great Hall—
of Crater Lake Lodge, renovated in the
1990s but first opened in 1915 (see page 3).
Rotary Plow
at Rim Village
Sunsets in the park can be spectacular—
especially from the top of Watchman Peak
and from roadside pullouts high on the
Rim Drive (see page 2).
Look Inside!
2... Activities, Rules
3... Food & Other Services
4... Hiking Trails
5... Map, Viewpoints
6... Feature Articles
7... FAQs
8... Supporting Your Park
Park Profile
Crater Lake National Park protects the
deepest lake in the United States. Fed by
rain and snow (but no rivers or streams),
the lake is considered to be the cleanest
large body of water in the world. The
water is exceptional for its clarity and
intense blue color.
The lake rests inside a caldera formed
7,700 years ago when a 12,000-foottall (3,700-meter) volcano collapsed
following a major eruption. The eruption
may have been the largest in North
America in the past 640,000 years. Later
eruptions formed Wizard Island, a cinder
cone near the southwest shore.
Today, old-growth forests blanket the
volcano’s slopes, harboring more than
700 native plant species and at least 72
types of mammals. The park is central to
the cultural traditions of local American
Indian tribes, whose ancestors witnessed
the lake’s formation.
• Park established: 1902
• Size: 183,224 acres (74,148 hectares)
• Number of visitors last year: 505,000
• Lake depth: 1,943 feet (592 meters)
• Lake width: 4.5 to 6 miles (7 to 10 km)
• Highest point: Mount Scott, elevation
8,929 feet (2,721 meters)
On moonless nights, the park offers some
of the darkest night skies in America. Look
up to see meteors, satellites, planets, and
the starry arms of our galaxy.
When is the Park Open?
The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day.
No reservations are needed to enter. Some roads,
however, are closed seasonally due to snow. The
North Entrance and Rim Drive close for the season
on November 1 (or earlier if there is significant
snowfall). Highway 62 and the road to Park
Headquarters are open year-round. Rim Village is
also reachable year-round except during periods
of heavy snowfall. In the spring, opening dates
vary. The North Entrance and West Rim Drive open
sometime between mid-May and late June. The
East Rim opens between mid-June and late July.
Artist Paul Rockwood’s conception
of Mount Mazama, the volcano that
collapsed to form Crater Lake. If you
gathered up the ash from the mountain’s
big eruption and spread it evenly across
the state of Oregon, it would form a
layer 8 inches (20 cm) thick.
Bicycling on the East Rim Drive
National Park Service
U.S. Dept. of the Interior
Relaxing on the Annie Creek Trail
Activities
Backpacking
Crater Lake Visitor Guide
Summer/Fall 2025
This is the official newspaper of Crater
Lake National Park. It is published twice
a year and funded by the Crater Lake
Natural History Association through sales
made in the park’s visitor centers.
Park Phone: 541-594-3000
Website: www.nps.gov/crla
Mail: PO Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604
Email: craterlake@nps.gov
Know
the
Rules
National parks belong
to everyone. We all
share responsibility
in protecting them.
Please take a moment
to become familiar
with these important
regulations. For a full
list of the park’s rules,
visit go.nps.gov/regs.
Drones
Operating remote-controlled aircraft in the
park is prohibited.
Guns
Firearms are allowed in the park in accordance with Oregon state laws. They are
prohibited, however, in all park buildings.
Marijuana
Possession of marijuana is prohibited.
Oregon state laws allowing the use of
marijuana do not apply in the park, an
area of federal jurisdiction.
Overnight Parking
The park is open 24 hours, but overnight
parking is not allowed except for people
who are backpacking (permit required) or
staying in the park’s campground or hotels.
Feeding Animals
Do not feed wildlife, including birds and
squirrels. Exposing them to our food alters
their behavior, is bad for their health, and
can be dangerous for you. Store food
properly. Generally, this means in your
vehicle or in a campground food locker.
Backcountry campers should hang their
food or use a bearproof canister.
Golden-Mantled
Ground Squirrel
Help keep wildlife wild.
Please do not feed!
Hiking and Climbing
Stay on trails. This prevents erosion,
protects vegetation, and protects other
hikers. The Cleetwood Cove Trail is
the only legal access to the lake shore.
Hiking and climbing inside the caldera is
otherwise prohibited. The walls consist of
unstable rocks and loose soil.
More than 95% of the park is managed
as wilderness. Although some trails and
areas are closed to backcountry camping
(for example, there is no camping in the
summer with a view of the lake), exploring
the park’s old-growth forests and volcanic
landscapes can be a rewarding experience.
Generally, backpackers must travel at least
1 mile from their vehicle in order to camp.
Before setting out, all backpackers must
obtain a permit, in person, from the
Ranger Station at Park Headquarters.
(The one exception is through-hikers on
the Pacific Crest Trail, who may instead
sign a trail register as they enter the park.)
Backcountry permits are free of charge and
are available 24 hours a day. They are not
available online or over the phone.
Bicycling
Bicycles are allowed on paved roads and
the dirt/sand Grayback Road. They are
not allowed on trails or off-trail. Helmets
are required for riders under 16 years of
age and are strongly recommended for all
cyclists. The park’s paved roads are narrow
with heavy automobile traffic. The most
popular trip in the park is the 33-mile (53km) Rim Drive, but making the full loop
is not possible this summer due to road
construction (see page 1). The road features
spectacular views but also long climbs that
gain a total of 3,800 feet (1,158 meters) of
elevation. For a flatter, more relaxing ride,
try the paved, 11-mile (18-km) bike path
around Diamond Lake, 5 miles (8 km)
north of the park. The closest place to rent
bikes is Diamond Lake Resort.
The park’s annual “Ride the Rim” event
will be taking place on September 6 and
September 13 this year. On those two days,
the entire East Rim Drive will be closed
to automobiles but open to bicyclists
and pedestrians (including through the
construction zone), giving them a chance
to enjoy 24 miles (39 km) of scenic
roadway without vehicle noise and traffic.
Visit www.ridetherimoregon.com to learn
more.
Enjoying the Park
with Your Pet
Pets are welcome in the park, but only in
certain areas. Pets on leash are allowed on
the Godfrey Glen Trail, Pacific Crest Trail,
and Lady of the Woods Trail (see page 4).
They are also allowed on the Grayback
Road (see map on page 5). Leashes must not
exceed 6 feet, and only one pet per hiker
is allowed. Pets are not permitted on other
trails or off-trail. Pets on leash (or otherwise
physically restrained) are also allowed in
picnic areas, campgrounds, parking lots,
Junior Rangers
on paved surfaces, and up to 50 feet (15
meters) away from paved surfaces. Popular
places to walk a dog include Rim Village and
Mazama Campground. Pets are not allowed
inside buildings, including Crater Lake
Lodge and the Mazama Cabins. The preceding rules do not apply to service animals
here to assist people with disabilities. Solid
waste must be picked up immediately and
disposed of properly, in a trash can or toilet.
Junior Ranger
Program
Are you between 6 and 12 years old—or a
kid at heart? Pick up a free Junior Ranger
activity book! They are available 24 hours
a day from dispensers
outside the park’s
visitor centers.
To become a
Junior Ranger
and earn an
official badge,
complete at least
7 pages as you
explore the park.
Then show your
book to a ranger
at the visitor center
(see hours on next page).
Wildlife Viewing
The park is home to a variety of animals,
but they can be difficult to spot. Many are
active primarily at night or shy away from
humans. The most commonly seen animals
are squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, ravens,
jays, and deer. Lucky observers might
spot a pika, marten (a type of weasel), fox,
coyote, bald eagle, or herd of elk. Bobcats,
mountain lions, and wolves are present
but are rarely seen. Approximately 50
black bears live in the park, but they also
prefer to stay hidden. You might see one
crossing a road. The only creatures that
tend to pester people are mosquitoes (from
mid-June through July) and yellowjacket
wasps (in August and September). Three
of the park’s species are currently listed
as threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act: the gray wolf,
northern spotted owl, and bull trout
(found in several creeks south of the lake).
If you spot any wildlife during your visit,
please let us know (see page 8).
Accessibility
Except for the Sinnott Overlook, developed
areas in the park are generally accessible
to individuals with mobility impairments.
The most accessible path for people using
wheelchairs is the paved promenade at
Rim Village. The Godfrey Glen, Sun
Notch, Pinnacles, and Plaikni Falls trails
are accessible to all-terrain wheelchair
users with assistance (see page 4). Many
pullouts on the Rim Drive have wheelchairaccessible wayside exhibits. We are working
to improve our level of accessibility for all
park visitors. We welcome your comments.
Park Features
Leave rocks, plants, animals, and artifacts
undisturbed for others to enjoy. It is
prohibited to collect, deface, disturb, or
destroy natural or cultural features. Do not
approach, touch, feed, or disturb wildlife.
Sky Gazing
With clean air and unobstructed views,
the rim of Crater Lake is a great place to
observe astronomical events. Discovery
Point is a favorite spot to watch the sunrise.
For sunsets and moonrises, try Watchman
Overlook, Cloudcap Overlook, or hike to
the top of Watchman Peak.
Fishing
Crater Lake is home to rainbow trout and
kokanee salmon. Neither is native to the
lake. Fishing is allowed at the bottom of
the Cleetwood Cove Trail, where you’ll
find a short stretch of rocky shoreline.
Wizard Island, reachable by tour boat,
is also open to fishing. Licenses are not
necessary. There are no restrictions on
the size, number, or type of fish taken.
Fish may be released or kept. To prevent
the introduction of other non-native
organisms, no organic bait of any kind may
be used. This includes fish eggs, PowerBait,
and live or dead fish. Fishing is limited to
artificial lures and flies only.
Swimming
Swimming is allowed in Crater Lake, but the
water is cold! Most people swim for just a
few minutes. Swimming is permitted only at
Cleetwood Cove and Wizard Island (which
requires a tour boat to reach). The shoreline
at both locations is rough and rocky. There
are no beaches, and no lifeguards are
on duty. Swimmers must stay within 100
yards (91 meters) of shore and not venture
out of Cleetwood Cove or away from
Wizard Island. Long-distance swimming is
prohibited. To prevent the introduction of
non-native organisms, the use of equipment
other than standard swimsuits is forbidden.
Wetsuits, snorkels, fins, goggles, life jackets,
and other flotation aids are not allowed, as
well as other gear—such as rafts, canoes,
kayaks, and paddleboards—that could serve
as potential vectors for invasive species.
Hiking to
Cleetwood Cove
The Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only legal
access to the shore of Crater Lake. The
hike is steep and strenuous: in 1.1 miles
(1.7 km) it drops 700 feet (213 meters) in
elevation. Walking back up is equivalent
to climbing 65 flights of stairs! The trail
is recommended only for those in good
physical condition. It is not accessible for
people with mobility impairments. Hikers
should wear sturdy footwear and carry
water. Vault toilets are located at the top
and bottom of the trail. Depending on
snow conditions, the trail is usually open
from mid-to-late June to late October.
Rim Drive
Lake Shore
The strenuous trail to Cleetwood Cove
drops 700 feet (213 meters) in elevation.
Best Friends at Rim Village
2
Summer Sunset
Black Bear Crossing the Pinnacles Road
Download the NPS App!
Navigate the park with your phone using the free NPS app!
• See where you are in the park
• Find trailheads and park features
• Get trail descriptions
• No cell service required once installed
• Works in every national park
• Scan this QR code to download—
Sinnott Overlook
Services
& Facilities
Emergencies
Dial 911 to report any emergency.
Phone & Internet
Cell reception in the park is spotty.
You may have luck at overlooks on the
Rim Drive. An emergency landline can
be found outside the “snow tunnel”
entrance to the Administration Building
at Park Headquarters. WiFi with limited
bandwidth may be available at the park’s
concession-run facilities in Rim Village
and Mazama Village.
Restrooms
Restrooms with flush toilets and running
water are open 24 hours a day at Rim Village
and Mazama Campground. Vault toilets
are located near all three park entrances
(West, South, and North) and at 8 other
places around the park (see map on page 5).
Drinking Water
Water fountains can be found outside the
Rim Village Visitor Center and Mazama
Village Store. You can buy bottled water
at the Rim Village Café, Mazama Village
Store, and Annie Creek Restaurant. When
boat tours are running, water is available
for purchase at the top and bottom of the
Cleetwood Cove Trail.
Food & Dining
The Rim Village Café, open year-round,
offers grab-and-go sandwiches, salads,
and snacks. Crater Lake Lodge, also in
Rim Village, features gourmet cuisine in a
casual atmosphere from mid-May to midOctober. Reservations are recommended
for dinner but are not taken for breakfast
or lunch. The Annie Creek Restaurant in
Mazama Village serves breakfast, burgers,
pizza, salads, and other meals from late
May to late September. The Mazama
Village Store sells groceries, snacks, graband-go sandwiches, souvenirs, camping
supplies, and firewood from mid-May to
late September. For operating hours, visit
www.explorecraterlake.com or ask at one
of the park’s concession-run facilities.
Gasoline &
EV Charging
Self-serve, unleaded gasoline is available
at the Mazama Village Store during
business hours from mid-May to midOctober. For electric vehicles, a Level 2
charging station is located in front of
the Annie Creek Gift Shop in Mazama
Village. It has one standard connector and
one Tesla connector.
Fishing at Cleetwood Cove
Crater Lake Lodge
Visitor Centers
At the park’s two visitor centers, rangers
can help plan your trip. The Steel Visitor
Center at Park Headquarters is open daily
9 am–5 pm. A 22-minute film is shown
every half hour. It explores the park’s
significance and the lake’s violent, volcanic
past. The Rim Visitor Center at Rim
Village is open 9:30 am–5 pm daily from
June to late September. The park’s souvenir
passport stamp is available at each location.
You can purchase postage stamps and send
letters at the Steel Visitor Center.
Exhibits
Perched on a rock ledge behind the Rim
Visitor Center, the Sinnott Overlook
has geology exhibits, a relief model, and
a spectacular lake view. It’s open daily
9:30 am–5 pm from July through September
and 10 am– 4 pm in October (weather
permitting). The overlook is located down
a steep, historic walkway with stairs and,
unfortunately, is not accessible to people
with limited mobility. At Crater Lake
Lodge, exhibits on tourism and the history
of the Lodge can be found on the ground
floor, west of the lobby.
Gifts & Books
The nonprofit Crater Lake Natural
History Association sells books, maps,
postcards, and souvenirs inside the park’s
two visitor centers (see hours above). Park
concessioner Explor Crater Lake also
offers a range of merchandise at the Rim
Village Gift Shop, the Annie Creek Gift
Shop in Mazama Village, and the Mazama
Village Store. For operating hours, visit
www.explorecraterlake.com or ask at one
of the park’s concession-run facilities.
Trolley Tours
Boat Tours
Rim Drive is one of America’s most
scenic roads, but it’s hard to appreciate
the views with your eyes on the asphalt.
Fortunately, you can leave the driving to
someone else—while learning about the
park at the same time!
Boat tours offer a unique perspective
on Crater Lake. They operate, weather
permitting, from July to mid-September.
Taking a tour requires hiking down—and
back up—the steep trail to Cleetwood
Cove (see page 2 and map on page 5).
Three types of excursions are available:
Trolley tours depart hourly from Rim
Village, 10 am–3 pm, from late June
through September (weather permitting).
They last 2 hours and are narrated by a
concession guide. They travel clockwise
to Skell Head and back (see map on
page 5), stopping at a variety of scenic
overlooks in both directions.
Tickets can be purchased from 9 am–
3 pm daily by calling 541-882-1896 or
aboard the trolley parked in the middle
of Rim Village. They can also be reserved
online at www.craterlaketrolley.net. The
trolleys are wheelchair accessible and seat
about 20 passengers. They are owned
and operated by park concessioner
The Shuttle Inc. of Klamath Falls.
Lodges
The park has two hotels, both operated
by park concessioner Explor Crater Lake.
Crater Lake Lodge, which first opened in
1915, overlooks the lake at Rim Village. It
has 71 rooms and is open mid-May to midOctober. The Cabins at Mazama Village
have 40 units and are open late May to late
September. For both facilities, advance
reservations are highly recommended: visit
www.explorecraterlake.com or call 866292-6720. For a list of options outside the
park, visit go.nps.gov/sleep.
Campgrounds
Mazama Campground has a total of
214 sites for tents and RVs. It is operated
by park concessioner Explor Crater Lake
and is open July–late September. (It often
opens in June, if snowmelt allows, with
sites in June available on a first-come, firstserved basis.) 75% of sites are reservable
in advance at www.recreation.gov. The
other 25% are available on a first-come,
first-served basis each day at the Mazama
Village Store. Senior Pass and Access Pass
holders are entitled to a 50% discount on
campsites. The campground has drinking
water, flush toilets, showers, laundry
facilities, and a dump station. Each site
has a picnic table and bear-resistant food
locker. Food must be stored in a locker
or in your vehicle. Each site also has a
fire ring, but wood and charcoal fires are
prohibited during times of high fire danger.
The park’s other campground, Lost Creek
Campground, is closed this year. For a
list of campgrounds outside the park, visit
go.nps.gov/sleep.
Ranger Programs
Ranger talks are presented in the summer
at Rim Village. Other activities may be
offered as well. Ask at a visitor center to
find out what’s on tap during your stay.
Climate
Chart
Standard Tours last about 2 hours.
They are narrated by a concession guide
or park ranger and circle the entire lake
(but do not stop at Wizard Island).
Wizard Island Tours are 5 hours long.
They consist of a standard tour plus
a 3-hour stay on the island, where
passengers are dropped off to hike,
swim, fish, and relax on their own.
Wizard Island Shuttles require 3 hours
and 45 minutes. They include a roundtrip
ride to the island plus a 3-hour stay there.
They do not circle the entire lake and do
not include narration.
Tours are operated by park concessioner
Explor Crater Lake. For information on
departure times and ticket prices, visit
www.explorecraterlake.com or ask at one
of the park’s concession-run facilities. Half
the tickets for each tour are available for
advance purchase online. The remaining
tickets go on sale exactly 24 hours prior
to each departure (online and at several
concession-run facilities). Ticket holders
should arrive at the trailhead at least 45
minutes before departure to allow time
to hike down the trail to the dock.
The boats are not covered. Sunscreen,
sunglasses, and a hat are recommended
for sun protection. Wear sturdy footwear,
especially if visiting Wizard Island. And be
sure to bring a jacket—the weather on
the lake can be windy and chilly! Note:
Kids must be at least 3 years old to take
a boat tour. Noise, sun, wind, and waves
make tours unpleasant for infants.
Most days in July, August, and September are warm and sunny. In May,
June, and October, clear days alternate with periods of rain and snow.
Winters are long. Storms from the Pacific Ocean dump an average of 42
feet (13 meters) of snow at Park Headquarters! The park’s tremendous
snowfall is a result of its position at the crest of the Cascade Mountains.
FAHRENHEIT
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Average Daily High (ºF) 34 35 37 42 50 58
Average Daily Low (ºF) 18 18 19 23 29 34
Average Snowfall (inches) 100 81 83 45 19 4
Avg. Snow Depth (inches) 78 100 115 110 75 23
Avg. Lake Surface Temp. (ºF) 39 38 37 38 40 47
CELSIUS
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Average Daily High (ºC) 1
2
3
6 10 15
Average Daily Low (ºC) -8 -8 -7 -5 -2
1
Average Snowfall (cm) 254 206 211 115 49 9
Avg. Snow Depth (cm) 199 254 291 280 191 59
Avg. Lake Surface Temp. (ºC) 4
3
3
3
4
8
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
69
41
0.2
1
57
69 63
41 37
0.1 3
0
0
60 57
52
31
21
2
51
40
24
61
16
44
34
19
93
47
40
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
21 21 17
5
5
3
0.5 0.3 7
3
0
1
14 16 14
11 4
1
-1 -5 -7
53 155 237
6 42 119
10 7
5
Water temps are from 1965-2019. Other averages are from Park Headquarters, 1931-2019.
3
Let’s Go
for a Hike!
We have 90 miles (145 km) of trails here
at Crater Lake. Our most popular day
hikes are listed here. If you are visiting
in June or July, be aware that some trails
might still be closed by snow. Please
help us protect this special place by
following a few important rules:
Phantom Ship
from Sun Notch
Lewis Monkeyflower
on the Castle Crest Trail
No hiking or climbing inside the caldera! The walls are dangerously steep and unstable.
The one exception is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only legal access to the lake shore.
Leave all rocks, plants, animals, and artifacts undisturbed for the enjoyment of future hikers.
Pets are allowed on the Godfrey Glen Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Lady of the Woods Trail,
and Grayback Road. Pets must be leashed; only one pet per hiker is allowed (see page 2).
Overnight backpacking requires a permit, available at the Ranger Station at Park Head-
Hiker atop
Garfield Peak
Headquarters. Some areas are not open to backcountry camping (see page 2).
To protect vegetation and prevent erosion, please stay on the trails.
Castle Crest
Lady of the Woods
Sun Notch
0.5 miles (0.8 km) loop trail
0.7 miles (1.1 km) loop trail
0.8 miles (1.3 km) loop trail
100 feet (30 meters)
120 feet (37 meters)
150 feet (46 meters)
20 minutes
30 minutes
30 minutes
Flowers, Meadow, Creek
Historic Architecture
Views of Phantom Ship
Loop trail through a lush
meadow. Abundant
wildflowers from mid-July
to mid-August. The trail is
rocky and slippery in places.
Self-guiding brochures are
available at the trailhead.
Loop trail around Park
Headquarters. Self-guiding
brochures, available at the
trailhead, describe how early
park architects integrated
their designs with the
natural landscape.
Short uphill walk through a
meadow to the rim of Crater
Lake. Great views of the
Phantom Ship. Use caution
near cliff edges. Accessible to
strong, all-terrain wheelchair
users with assistance.
East Rim Drive, 0.5 miles
(0.8 km) east of Park Headquarters. Can also walk there
from Park Headquarters.
Behind the Steel Visitor
Center, on the south side
of the building.
East Rim Drive, 4.4 miles
(7.1 km) east of Park
Headquarters.
The flowers here are
nourished by springs
emerging from the hillside.
The trail’s name refers to a
sculpture of a woman carved
into a boulder along the trail.
This U-shaped valley was
carved by glaciers that once
flowed down Mt. Mazama.
Trail
The Pinnacles
Godfrey Glen
Plaikni Falls
Roundtrip
0.8 miles (1.3 km)
1.1 miles (1.8 km) loop trail
2.0 miles (3.2 km)
Elevation Gain
10 feet (3 meters)
50 feet (15 meters)
100 feet (30 meters)
30 minutes
30 minutes
1 hour
Highlight
Volcanic Spires
Peaceful Forest
Waterfall, Flowers
Description
Easy walk along the rim of
Pinnacle Valley to the park
boundary. Great views of
volcanic spires. Use caution
near cliffs. Accessible to
all-terrain wheelchair users
with assistance.
Easy stroll through an oldgrowth forest, with some
canyon views. Accessible to
all-terrain wheelchair users
with assistance. Self-guiding
brochures are available at
the trailhead.
Easy walk through an oldgrowth forest to a waterfall.
Many mid-summer flowers.
The first 3/4 is accessible to
all-terrain wheelchair users
with assistance, but the final
¼ might be too steep.
Trailhead
Location
End of Pinnacles Road.
Not easily reachable until
mid-September due to road
construction (see page 1).
2.4 miles (3.9 km) south of
Park Headquarters.
Pinnacles Road. Not easily
reachable until midSeptember due to road
construction (see page 1).
Nature Note
The Pinnacles are chimneys
formed when hot ash cooled
after the big eruption.
Trail is named after William
Godfrey, a ranger who died
in a blizzard here in 1930.
Snowmelt, not Crater Lake,
is the source of Plaikni Falls’
water.
Time
Easy
Easy
Discovery Point
Watchman Peak
Annie Creek
Boundary Springs
Wizard Summit
Fumarole Bay
2.0 miles (3.2 km)
1.6 miles (2.6 km)
1.7 miles (2.7 km) loop trail
5.0 miles (8.0 km)
2.2 miles (3.5 km)
1.7 miles (2.7 km)
100 feet (30 meters)
420 feet (128 meters)
200 feet (61 meters)
400 feet (122 meters)
760 feet (232 meters)
150 feet (46 meters)
1 hour
1 hour
1½ hours
3 hours
1½ hours
1 hour
Lake Views
Panoramic Views
Creek, Canyon, Flowers
Springs, Stream, Flowers
Highlight
Views, Summit Crater
Swimming, Fishing
The first mile of a 6-mile
(9.7-km) trail along the
West Rim of Crater Lake,
through a pretty, old-growth
forest. Great views of the
lake and Wizard Island. Use
caution near cliff edges.
Moderate ascent to a fire
lookout above Wizard
Island. Spectacular views in
all directions. Great place to
watch the sunset. Trail may
be closed until mid-July due
to snow.
Moderately strenuous hike
through a deep, streamcut canyon. Lots of water,
wildflowers, and sometimes
wildlife. Self-guiding
brochures are available at
the trailhead.
Moderate walk to the large
springs that represent the
headwaters of the Rogue
River. Trail starts outside the
park’s northwest corner and
is shown on the map in the
official park brochure.
Description
Rocky climb to the top of
Wizard Island. Spectacular
lake views, interesting
geology. A 0.3-mile (0.5-km)
path leads around the
90-foot-deep (27-meter)
crater at the summit.
Rocky trail on Wizard Island
leading to a shallow cove
with clear water. Upon
reaching Fumarole Bay, the
maintained trail ends but a
rough path continues to the
far end of the cove.
West end of Rim Village,
where the paved walk becomes a dirt path. Can also
start from Discovery Point.
Watchman Overlook, 3.8
miles (6.1 km) northwest of
Rim Village on the West Rim
Drive.
Mazama Campground,
behind the amphitheater
(between loops D and E).
Limited parking in Loop E.
Pullout on Highway 230
near milepost 19, 5 miles
(8 km) west of the junction
with Highway 138.
Trailhead
Location
Wizard Island dock,
reachable only by tour boat
from Cleetwood Cove. See
pag