Crater Lake National Park – Camping, Lodging, and Guide

by Petr Novák, ? This article’s information was last verified on this date. If you notice any errors, let us know in the comments. Thank you! :-) Updated 06/01/2023 National Parks, Oregon, Tips for Trips

Crater Lake is the fifth-oldest national park in the USA, having been established on May 22, 1902. It is the only one located in southwestern Oregon, and its landmark is Crater Lake with its remarkably clear blue water.

Information About Crater Lake National Park

Situated high in the Cascade Range, Crater Lake National Park is less than a seven-hour drive from San Francisco. Crater Lake is a remnant of the Mount Mazama stratovolcano, which erupted around 5,677 BC. The colossal eruption reduced the volcano by approximately 5,249 ft and formed the lake at the summit. The highest point of Crater Lake is now Mount Scott Volcano, standing at 8,930 ft, while the lowest point is at 4,003 ft in the southwestern corner of the park.

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the USA, the second deepest in North America, and the ninth deepest globally. Its average depth is 1,148 ft, but it reaches 1,949 ft at its deepest point. In contrast, the maximum depth of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, is 5,387 ft. No rivers flow into the lake; evaporated water is replenished by precipitation and melting ice on the surrounding rocks. Therefore, all the fish (trout and salmon) in it are artificially planted.

Crater Lake National Park was established on May 22, 1902, making it the fifth-oldest park in the USA. It covers an area of 286 mi², with the lake itself covering 20 mi². Approximately 647,751 people visit it annually, according to 2021 figures.

The entire area was first explored on June 12, 1853, by a trio of prospectors composed of John Wesley Hillman, Henry Klippel, and Isaac Skeeters. They initially named the lake Deep Blue Lake. Fortunately, they were primarily interested in gold, so their proposed name was eventually forgotten, and the variant suggested by local settlers was adopted.

Among the animals found in the park are elk, coyotes, owls, porcupines, and several amphibians, including the Cascade skipper, American cottontail, long-tailed axolotl, and spotted salamander.

The 2014 film Wild, for instance, was filmed on park grounds.

What to See and Do in Crater Lake National Park

From the Sinnott Memorial overlook at the Rim Visitor Center, you can enjoy a private view of Crater Lake. You can take lovely photos from this spot, which also provides a good view of Wizard Island, the only island near the west shore of the lake.

A rather peculiar landmark right on the lake is Old Man of the Lake. This 30 ft-long vertical tree trunk has been floating on the lake since at least 1896, with a section about 120 cm long protruding from the water.

You can explore the entire lake by car or bicycle along the 33 mi long Rim Drive mountain road. It is only accessible in the summer, sometime between late June and mid-October (depending on the weather and snow cover). There are several viewpoints along the way, and you can easily park your car at them and explore the area, or walk down to the lake.

For hikers, there are several trails ranging in length from 1,312 ft (walked in 20 minutes) to a 3.5-hour hike to the top of the crater, where you walk 3 mi one way. A popular trail leads to The Pinnacles, a set of pointed rock formations. The popular Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,647 mi route that runs from the Canadian border to the Mexican border, passes through part of the park.

You can go directly to the lake by purchasing a scenic cruise ticket. There are two to choose from – the standard two-hour one for $44 and a half-day one that includes a tour of Wizard Island. The latter costs $55. You can book the experience from the comfort of your home on the park’s website. To access the boat, you must hike the 1 mi Cleetwood Trail, with an elevation gain of 699 ft.

When to Visit Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is open all year, but some roads or the Rim Visitor Center may be closed in the winter.

The best months to visit are July and August, and I recommend choosing weekdays. On weekends, especially around public holidays, the park trails tend to be crowded with visitors.

Essentially, there are two seasons in Crater Lake National Park. Winter usually starts in October, with snow lasting until June. Approximately 44 ft of snow falls annually, with the white blanket around 13 ft thick at any given time. The average temperature in winter is 36°F during the day and 19°F at night.

Summer begins to emerge in the park in late May or early June. However, some trails may be covered with snow until July. July, along with August and September, is usually the driest month, with temperatures typically between 66°F and 81°F. At night, it can drop to 39°F. The park can be affected by fog that is thick enough to be tangible. I recommend keeping a close eye on the weather forecast.

• Current weather forecast for Crater Lake National Park

Average Temperatures and Visitor Numbers in Crater Lake National Park

The average temperatures in Crater Lake National Park were measured from 1991 to 2019. Visitor numbers are based on the average from 2017 to 2021, with data sourced from the National Park Service.

Crater Lake National Park Entrance Fees

The entrance fee to Crater Lake National Park is $30 during the summer season, from late May to late October. Outside the high season, the fee is $20.00. The entrance fee is valid for 7 days for passengers in a car. Motorcyclists pay $25 during the high season and $15.00 outside the high season. Cyclists and pedestrians pay $15.00 per person all year round.

Consider saving on admission with the America the Beautiful pass. It costs $80 and allows unlimited visits to USA National Parks for one year after its first use.

How to Get to Crater Lake National Park

The most convenient way to reach and navigate the park is by car. There are no train or bus services to this Oregon gem. When renting a car, I recommend choosing a larger, more comfortable vehicle.

You’ll also need to use your own vehicle for getting around the park. Gasoline is only available in Crater Lake during the summer; alternatively, you can fill up at gas stations in the towns of Chiloquin and Prospect, approximately 37 mi away.

Parking is available at the visitor center, overlooks, and along individual trails.

Lodging in Crater Lake National Park

🏨 Hotels

For lodging around Crater Lake, I recommend the motels and hotels located along the highways. A few can be found in the village of Chemult, northeast of the lake, and many more in the town of Medford. Renowned chains such as Motel 6 and Days Inn have representations there, and affordable options are available at the Budget Inn Motel in both locations.

• Compare Lodging in Medford
• Compare Lodging in Chemult

⛺ Campsites

You also have the option to stay right in Crater Lake National Park by bringing along a tent, sleeping bag, and mattress. The park offers two campgrounds open during the summer:

• Mazama Village Campground
  This 200-site campground is always open from June through September. It provides drinking water, toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and lockers for food storage. A campsite can be booked online, and costs $21.00 per night.
• Lost Creek Campground
  This small camp, with just 16 sites, is open from mid-July to early October, weather permitting. The charge per night is $5.00, and reservations are not accepted.

Tips and Recommendations Before Traveling to Crater Lake National Park

ℹ️ Visitor Center

When traveling to Crater Lake National Park, I recommend visiting the visitor center first. There are two to choose from:

• Steel Visitor Center
  The main visitor center is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm during the summer and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the winter. Located in the southern part of the park near Highway 62, the center features a 22-minute documentary about the lake, a souvenir shop, and an opportunity to converse with park rangers.
• Rim Visitor Center

  The Stone Cottage is open to visitors from late May through September from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It’s located in Rim Village on the south shore of the lake, with the Sinnott Memorial Overlook nearby, offering spectacular views of the lake.

👍 Good to Know

When visiting Crater Lake National Park, I advise bringing several layers of clothing as the weather can be highly changeable, and snow in June isn’t unheard of. Also, remember to bring food and drinks. You can purchase them at Walmart stores in Medford or Roseburg.

During planning, I recommend downloading free brochures and maps of the park to your phone or tablet. They provide additional information about Crater Lake and offer entertainment during long car rides.

• Official Crater Lake National Park Website
• Crater Lake National Park Map

Photos of Crater Lake National Park