9/26/2023 0 Comments Deck to get out of serenity peakThe Crater Lake Lodge is right on the lake, but it books up a year in advance (no joke), so planning ahead is key. It’s closer to the lake, but more rustic than Mazama. Lost Creek is a much smaller (16 site) campground and is entirely first-come-first-serve. Mazama Campground At Crater Lake National Park. From here, you’ll be about a 15 minute drive from the lake. The campground can get booked up quickly but they reserve 25% of the sites as first-come-first-serve. The largest campground in the camp with 214 sites, Mazama Village offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Check out our guide to camping at Crater Lake here. There are so many awesome places to stay at Crater Lake. These are the only boats allowed on the lake and the guided tour is a truly memorable experience. Note for summer 2023: There is a section of East Rim that will be closed all summer long for repairs, so you won’t be able to do the entire loop, but it’s still worth driving the sections that are open!įrom the bottom of Cleetwood Cove trail, you can book a boat tour with a ranger.West Rim Drive typically opens earlier in the season (May-ish) and East Rim is later (July-ish). ![]() However, portions of the road may not be open depending on the snow pack. Rim Drive (as you might suspect from the name) goes around the entire 33 mile rim of the lake and is one of the most scenic drives you’ll ever take. Be forewarned that the water is cold! Crater Lake National Park will be open and free during Coronavirus quarantines / Forrest Stanley via Flickr Other Things To Do At Crater Lake Drive the Rim But, when you reach the lake you’ll have views that not many people get and you can go for a swim. This two mile trail is also deceivingly difficult as the hike down is on loose scree and the hike up is a steady climb in direct sun. This is one of those “must do” activities that you won’t regret. Unlike the other two hikes, Cleetwood Cove has you descending into the caldera instead of above it. This is also a popular option for photographers since you can fit the whole lake into one frame. On a clear day, you can see south to Mount Shasta in California and north to Three Sisters near Bend. Scott is the highest point in the park at 8,949 feet, but the 4.2 mile hike is well graded and only moderately difficult. Once at the top there’s a nice observation deck where you’ll be rewarded by one of the best views of the lake. Alternatively, if you’re a morning person you can also try it at sunrise and avoid nearly all the crowds. ![]() This popular 1.7 mile hike can be done anytime of day but is best at sunset, with the caveat that you should bring a headlamp and jacket because the temperature will drop faster than you think. There are a lot of great hikes you can take at Crater Lake. Crater Lake was formed roughly 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama (then the highest peak in Oregon at over 12,000 feet) blew its top and left behind the massive caldera that’s now home to the lake. You then have to go for at least one hike to experience the grandeur of the area. Your first stop should definitely be the Rim Visitor’s Center to chat up the friendly and knowledgeable park rangers and learn about the park. It is quite a drive to get there, so I recommend staying at least one night but staying two will ensure you can check off all the boxes for a phenomenal Crater Lake vacation.
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