Activities in the Park
Crater Lake National Park offers year-round adventure and fun, from winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing to summer camping, boat tours, hiking, and scenic tours around the lake.
Volcano Boat Cruises
The 2009 Volcano Boat Tours season is scheduled for July 2nd through September 20th (weather permitting).
The standard Volcano Boat Cruises depart from the north side of Crater Lake at Cleetwood Cove and are approximately 1-hour and 45-minutes in length. Guests must make the 1.1-mile hike on Cleetwood Trail to access the lake and boat dock. This hike can be very strenuous, as it drops approximately 700-feet, and it may take 30 to 45 minutes to descend the trail. These cruises offer a fantastic perspective of the lake as they travel counter-clockwise around the perimeter of Crater Lake. An Interpretative Ranger from the National Park Service will be onboard the boat and offer cultural and natural history about Crater Lake. All guests will remain on the boat for the entire tour making stops at some special points along the way to view the beauty and formations of Crater Lake, including Wizard Island and Phantom Ship. Upon returning to the boat dock, it is time for the 1.1-mile hike out. This hike can take an hour or more, and the 700-foot ascent in elevation is the equivalent of climbing more than 70-flights of stairs. Due to the strenuous nature of the hiking requirements to access the boat dock, this tour is not recommended for anyone with medical or physical problems that may limit them from this exertion.
For more adventure, you may choose one of the Wizard Island Tours to be dropped off on Wizard Island for some additional hiking, exploration and beauty. Guests on the morning Wizard Island Tour will have the choice of reserving the half-day (3-hour drop-off) or the full-day (6-hour drop-off, limited quantity). Boats will return to the island to pickup guest at approximately 1:45p.m. and 4:45p.m.
Standard Tour Schedule (These tours do not stop at Wizard Island.):
· 10:05 a.m.
· 11:00 a.m.
· 12:00 p.m.
· 2:00 p.m.
· 3:00 p.m.
Wizard Island Tour Schedule:
· 9:55 a.m.
· 1:00 p.m.
*The above schedules are based upon weather permitting and are subject to change.
It is recommended to allow at least one and a half hours prior to the boat trip for travel from the Lodge/Rim Village to Cleetwood Cove.
Ticket Information
We are now accepting advance reservations for a limited quantity of tour seats for the 2009 season. The remaining seats will be sold first-come, first-serve on the tour date at the Cleetwood Cove parking lot beginning at 8:00 a.m. for the various tour times throughout the day. The boat tours for the entire day sell-out very quickly, so advance reservations are recommended when possible. First-come, first-serve tickets also sell-out quickly and guests are encouraged to be at the Cleetwood Cove ticketing kiosk early. We encourage guests to check with the front desk or tour desk for additional information and recommended departure times.
Reservation Information
We are now accepting advance reservations for a limited quantity of tour seats for the 2009 season. At this time, we do not offer the option to make reservations online for the Volcano Boat Cruise Tours; however, we are happy to assist you with your request through central reservations. Please refer to Reservation Policies for information regarding our deposit and cancellation policy.
Reservations for the 2010 season are being accepted at this time.
Contact Us
Phone: 888-77-4CRATER (888-774-2728)
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*2009 Rates
July 2 - September 20, 2009
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Ticket Price
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| Adult |
$27.00 |
| Adult with Wizard Island drop off |
$37.00 |
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Child (age 3 through 11)
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$17.00
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| Child with Wizard Island drop off |
$22.00 |
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Infant (under 3 years of age)
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No Charge
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*Schedule based upon weather permitting and subject to change.
Camping
Mazama Campground, located near Highway 62 at the Annie Springs entrance, offers 211 campsites from mid-June to early-October. Lost Creek Campground, located three miles off the East Rim Drive, is more secluded. It has 16 campsites for tents only, cold water faucets, and toilet facilities. Lost Creek is open from mid-July to mid-September. Backcountry camping is also permitted with a permit. Visit our Mazama Village Campground page for more information.
Hiking
Crater Lake contains more than 90 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to strenuous. Many of these trails may be hiked in a single day. Additionally, thirty-three miles of the Pacific Crest Trail pass through the park, offering hikers magnificent views of the lake. Hikers who wish to camp overnight in Crater Lake National Park must get a backcountry permit.
Fishing
Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout are both present in Crater Lake. No fishing license is required within the boundaries of Crater Lake National Park. The lake can be fished year-round except when weather prevents safe access. The only access to the lake is by the Cleetwood Trail located on the north side of Crater Lake. Cleetwood Cove provides about quarter mile of rocky shoreline for angling. Wizard Island is also open while boat tours are running. All waters are restricted to the use of artificial lures and flies.
Bicycling
One of the most popular and spectacular bicycle routes at Crater Lake is the 33-mile Rim Drive. The road is narrow with long, steep grades. Most cyclists start from the Park Headquarters area and ride around the lake clockwise, which puts one of the steepest and longest grades at the beginning of the trip.
Diving
Crater Lake is accessible for certified scuba divers. All divers are required to obtain a diving permit upon arrival at the park. Permits are free of charge and can be procured from the Canfield Building (Ranger Station) in the Park Headquarters complex. Crater Lake is accessible for diving only by hiking the Cleetwood Trail. Guests must be able to carry all of their equipment up and down the trail.
Winter Activities
During the winter season, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular. There are nine different skiing trails available, ranging in difficulty. Backcountry camping is available with a permit. Snowmobiling is available just outside the boundaries of the national park.
Nearby Activities
- Klamath Museum
- Baldwin Hotel Museum
- Favell Museum of Western Artifacts
- Klamath Falls Bird Sanctuaries
- Russ Raglan Theater
- River Rafting
- Fishing Guide
- Wildlife Viewing
- Snowmobile guided Tours
- Lava Beds National Monument
- Golf
- Horseback Riding
Related Links
visit the following Web sites for more information.
Crater Lake National Park Service Trip Planner
Southern Oregon Vacation Guide
State of Oregon Travel Guide and Map
Klamath County Chamber of Commerce
Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway
