Crater Lake was formed 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama, a volcano, caved in on itself. Precipitation and snow melt have filled the lake over thousands of years. There are no inlets or outlets, which reduces sediment, so the lake is very clear. The surface of the lake can get up to 60°F in the summer time, but the bottom of the lake stays at about 38°F. We visited in mid-July during COVID times and we were lucky enough to see Crater Lake National Park with less crowds than normal. Here is my guide to Crater Lake National Park.
When to go
Crater Lake National Park is meant to be seen by car in the summertime. The West Rim Drive opens first and the East Rim drive opens usually sometime around mid-June to mid-July due to snow cover. We visited in mid-July and both rim drives were open so we could drive the full 33 miles around the lake. A few of the hikes were closed due to snow, so make sure to check out the National Park Service for alerts and conditions.
What to do
I do suggest going for at least one full day or two half days. We did two half days and felt is was the perfect amount. We drove the Rim Drive twice, once in each direction. If you would like to do more hikes and/or take the boat to Wizard Island, I would highly suggest giving yourself more time.
Day 1
We first visited in late afternoon and came in through the North entrance and went around the rim counter-clockwise. Our first stop was at Watchman Overlook, which is the closest viewpoint of Wizard Island (pictured above left). Next, we stopped at Discovery Point, the name is pretty self explanatory, the point at which it was discovered. Then we headed to hike Sun Notch for views of Phantom Ship, the smallest of the two islands in Crater Lake. This is a short, loop trail coming in at under a mile, we even spotted a deer!
Finally, we scouted out the best spot to watch sunset on the southeastern end of the lake. I’m not sure what viewpoint, but Cloudcap Overlook was too windy. It might have been Pumice Castle Overlook or a turnoff near there. While we waited for the sun to come down, we cooked up some vegan tacos and enjoyed an adult beverage. That end of the lake gets windy and chilly at the end of the day, so be sure to bundle up for the amazing sunset views!
Day 2
We returned in the morning through the North entrance and drove around in a clockwise direction (easier to pull off this way). We started the morning off by making pancakes at a picnic area in the park. After we filled our bellies, we hiked a little over one mile down Cleetwood Cove Trail. This is the only lake access and consists of some switchbacks to the lakeshore. If you are brave enough, you should definitely go for a swim! When the boat is operating (not during COVID times), you can hike down to take the boat to Wizard Island. The hike back up is a tough one, especially with a face mask on.
Next, we stopped at Cloudcap Overlook, which is the highest point on Rim Drive. Last, we stopped at Phantom Ship Overlook for another view of Phantom Ship. We were going to stop for a drink at the Rim Café afterwards, but it was quite busy, so we just left.
Where to stay
There is a lodge inside the park called Crater Lake Lodge if you prefer to sleep in a cozy bed. There are also two campgrounds inside the park, Mazama Campground and Lost Creek Campground. These book up fast, so if you are too late there are a bunch of campgrounds nearby in Umpqua National Forest. The closest one is called Whitehorse Falls Campground and is first come first serve. If you’d prefer to make a reservation somewhere close to the park, check out Hipcamp. Don’t miss out on some nearby waterfalls in Umpqua National Forest, there are over twenty of them! We hiked to Watson Falls, the third largest waterfall in the state, and Toketee Falls, the waterfall that has become “insta-famous.”
Because of COVID we only missed out on the boat ride and because of snow we missed out on a few hikes. But we have no regrets, our time at Crater Lake National Park was exactly what we needed. We got to spend time in nature, mostly away from crowds. We couldn’t have asked for better weather or better scenery.
If you liked this blog post, be sure to check out What to Pack for a Camping Trip! Don’t forget to book your trip with your favorite travel planner, yours truly.
