Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon centers on a lake inside the collapsed Mount Mazama volcano. Most visits combine viewpoints along the rim with a short walk. Snow determines which roads you can use, and the Cleetwood Cove construction project changes what you can do at the water: plan for views from above rather than a lakeshore visit.

Highlights around Crater Lake

• Rim Village: Look across the lake from the promenade without committing to a long hike.
• Discovery Point: Follow a rimside trail through wind-shaped forest.
• Watchman Peak: Climb toward a historic lookout for a broader view of the lake and surrounding landscape.
• Volcanic history: The caldera and its forested slopes show the aftermath of Mount Mazama's collapse.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Use the official fee page to check pass eligibility and charges for your mode of travel.

Rim, snow, and weather safety

Rim Village sits at about 7,100 feet above sea level. Allow time to adjust, carry water, and bring layers for wind and cold. Water is not readily available around Rim Drive. Snow can hide unstable ledges that extend beyond solid ground. Stay away from the rim edge and obey barriers.

Pull completely into designated turnouts before taking photographs. Carry the required winter traction equipment when conditions call for it. Summer and fall smoke can affect both air quality and the view, while thunderstorms can make exposed hikes unsafe. Check conditions before choosing a summit route.

Protect the rim and its wildlife

Do not feed birds, squirrels, or other animals. Store food securely. Keep vehicles on permitted paved surfaces and avoid trampling pumice meadows. The closed Cleetwood route is not an invitation to find another way down the caldera wall; other descents are prohibited.

Dogs need a leash no longer than 6 feet. Rim Village's paved paths are an option, but most hiking trails are closed to pets. Only specified routes allow them, and snow can further limit access. Service animals follow separate rules.

Entry, lodging, and backcountry permits

You do not need a reservation to enter the park. Arrange overnight accommodation separately and confirm that the property is operating on your dates.

All overnight backcountry trips need a free permit. Obtain it in person at the ranger station, no more than one day before the trip. A self-registration station provides instructions. Day hiking does not require this permit. Read the backcountry camping instructions for location restrictions and registration details.

Maps, entrances, and seasonal routes

The park lies in Oregon's Cascade Range. From Medford, follow Highway 62 to the West Entrance. From Klamath Falls, use US 97 and Highway 62 to the South Entrance. The northern approach connects from Highway 138, but it is seasonal.

NPS suggests using Rim Village as a navigation waypoint because the park has no conventional street address. A routing app may still send you toward a closed North Entrance. Save the official park and regional maps before driving into areas with limited reception.

Nearby parks

Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, near Fort Klamath, fits a trip through the park's southern approach. Collier Memorial State Park, on US 97 near Chiloquin, is another convenient stop when continuing toward Klamath Falls. Use public roads between these parks; the connecting forest trails have fire-damage warnings.

Choose a rim walk or a longer climb

Start with the Rim Village promenade if lake views are your main goal. For a longer walk, match distance and climbing to your group:

• Discovery Point: A 2-mile round trip with about 100 feet of elevation gain.
• Watchman Peak: A 1.6-mile round trip with about 420 feet of climbing to the lookout area.
• Garfield Peak: A 3.6-mile round trip with about 1,010 feet of gain, starting near the lodge.

These are snow-free route descriptions. High trails can retain snow into summer. Rim Drive also has seasonal closures and may have traffic controls near construction work, so build your day around the available sections.

The Cleetwood Cove rehabilitation notice explains the lakeshore closure. Swimming, lakeshore fishing, and boat tours should not be treated as available activities during this work. The rest of the park remains a destination for rim views and open trails.

Visitor services and accessibility

Steel Information Center provides visitor information. Rim Village has restrooms and a cafe and gift shop. No gasoline is available in the park. Fill up before entering. Cell reception is limited and inconsistent.

Confirm Crater Lake Lodge, Mazama cabin and Mazama Campground operation with the concession operator before booking. Use the current conditions page to reach the operator.

The accessibility guide describes parking, facilities, and trail surfaces. The Rim Village promenade is paved but has uneven sections. Grades increase behind the lodge toward Garfield Peak. Large-print and braille park guides are available through visitor centers or by contacting the park.

About Crater Lake National Park

From Mount Mazama to a national park

Mount Mazama's eruption and collapse formed the caldera about 7,700 years ago. Rain and snow supply the lake. Indigenous connections to the area predate the eruption; its human history did not begin with nineteenth-century prospectors.

William Gladstone Steel campaigned to protect the lake after visiting in 1885. Crater Lake became a national park on May 22, 1902.

Animals of the rim and forest

Golden-mantled ground squirrels and Canada jays are often seen around Rim Drive. Clark's nutcrackers occur near whitebark pines. Black bears also live in the park, and winter snow can reveal tracks of smaller mammals. Watch without offering food or approaching for a photograph.

Contact Crater Lake National Park

General information: 541-594-3000. Mailing address: Crater Lake National Park, PO Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604. The mailing address is not a driving destination.