Is Crater Lake easy to hike?

An easy trail with some steep rises along the west rim of the lake through an old growth wind-shaped forest. The Rim Trail begins where Discovery Point Trail ends. West end of Rim Village where the paved walk becomes a dirt path or park at Discovery Point Overlook and walk right to Rim Village.



People Also Ask

Experience this 3.5-mile out-and-back trail near Aspen, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 44 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

MORE DETAILS

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Crater Lake National Park is Garfield Peak Trail, which has a 4.8 star rating from 3,424 reviews.

MORE DETAILS

The only way down to the Crater Lake Lakeshore is via the Cleetwood Cove Trail. The hike down to Crater Lake is 1 mile long over a series of switchbacks. The hike back up to the Rim Drive is strenuous due to the steep grade of 11%.

MORE DETAILS

Is 1 day enough for Crater Lake? Yes! I spent 1 day in Crater Lake and I feel like it was a good amount of time to spend in the park. The park isn't too large like other national parks so it is very doable to drive around and do a few activities and enjoy your time at the lake.

MORE DETAILS

The Pinnacles Valley Trail is the easiest trail in Crater Lake at only 0.8 miles out and back and is an almost flat trail. The trail offers great views of the volcanic spires or Pinnacles and provides information about the history of these rock formations.

MORE DETAILS

Getting to Crater Lake National Park Most visitors fly into Portland (PDX) and then drive five hours south to the park's north entrance. Alternatively, you could take a regional flight from Portland to Medford (MFR) or Redmond (RDM) and drive about two hours to the park. Another popular option?

MORE DETAILS

The most popular months to visit Crater Lake are July, August, and September. That's when the park's roads, trails, and facilties are usually fully open. May and June are months of transition in the park, as winter slowly gives way to summer.

MORE DETAILS

CRATER LAKE WATERFALLS There are three primary waterfalls within the park's borders including Vidae Falls, Plaikni Falls & Duwee Falls.

MORE DETAILS

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best kid-friendly trail to hike in Crater Lake National Park is Garfield Peak Trail, which has a 4.8 star rating from 3,424 reviews.

MORE DETAILS

Widely known for its rich blue color and extreme clarity, which averages 102 ft (31m) deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It is one of the top ten deepest in the world.

MORE DETAILS

Although not the largest National Park, what makes Crater Lake special, and worth checking out, is just how unique it really is. There aren't many other places where you can go for a swim in a lake in the top of an ancient volcano!

MORE DETAILS

Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only legal access to the shore of Crater Lake. Depending on snow conditions, the trail is usually open from mid-June to late October. Swimming, wading and fishing are permitted in the lake.

MORE DETAILS

Some drive around the rim and take 3-4 hours. Some spring for a long lunch break at the lodge, fit in a hike and take all day. It's a simple itinerary with only one road and a few activity options. You can easily see Crater Lake in 5-8 hours.

MORE DETAILS

A seven-day pass for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or members of non-commercial organized groups is currently $5.00. Children under 16 years old are entitled to free entry. The Crater Lake annual pass, valid for entry to the park for one full year from the date of purchase, is $20.

MORE DETAILS

Although an entrance fee or NPS pass is required to enter Crater Lake National Park, vehicle reservations are not needed. You are encouraged to pay the entrance fee or purchase an NPS pass before arriving to save time, but you may also purchase passes at any entrance station upon arrival.

MORE DETAILS

Last year, Crater Lake National Park was the quietest it's been in a decade. A total of 527,259 people visited the park in 2022, according to National Park Service data, a 19% decrease from 2021 and a 30% decrease from 2016, when a record 756,344 people visited the beautiful blue-hued lake in southern Oregon.

MORE DETAILS

Crater Lake, at 1,943 feet (592 meters) deep, is one of the deepest lakes in the world and the deepest in the United States. The lake averages more than five miles (8 km) in diameter, and is surrounded by steep rock walls that rise up to 2000 feet (600 meters) above the lake's surface.

MORE DETAILS