Crater Lake Lodges at Crater Lake National Park.

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 2008 Volcano Boat Tours season is scheduled for July 2nd through September 14th (weather permitting).  This guided tour of Crater Lake begins from Cleetwood Cove and lasts for one hour and forty-five minutes. The trail to the Cove is a fairly steep, 1.1 mile hike.  

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.  We encourage guests to check with the front desk or tour desk for additional information and recommended departure times. 

Daily Tour Schedule (These tours do not stop at Wizard Island.):

• 10:00 a.m.
• 11:00 a.m.
• 12:00 p.m.
• 2:00 p.m.
• 3:00 p.m.

Wizard Island Daily Drop-off Tour Schedule:
 

• 9:55 a.m. 
• 1:00 p.m.

These tours will drop off guests at Wizard Island. Guests from the early Wizard Island drop-off may choose to stay for either three of six hours; the afternoon drop-off is limited to three hours on the island.  Guests may leave the island by catching a ride back either at 1:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.  

Ticket Information

Reservations are not currently taken for the boat tours and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.  For 2008, a limited number of boat tickets will be available through the Crater Lake Lodge tour desk (located in the main lobby, near the front desk) for tours up to two days prior.  The remaining tickets will be sold on the tour date at the Cleetwood Cove parking lot beginning at 8:30 a.m. for the various tour times throughout the day.  These boat tours sell-out very quickly, so advance tickets are recommended when possible.  Guests interested in taking a boat tour are encouraged to check with the lodge front desk personnel for additional information and instructions to purchase tickets. 

*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