Crater Lake National Park

Overview

In its long and varied history, Crater Lake National Park has attracted the wonder and admiration of people all over the world. No place else on earth combines such a deep, pure, vividly blue lake surrounded by sheer cliffs, almost two thousand feet high, with two picturesque islands and a violent volcanic past. Crater Lake's depth of 1,943 feet (592 meters) makes it the deepest lake in the United States, and the ninth deepest in the world, and its fresh water is some of the clearest to be found anywhere on earth. Crater Lake National Park is a place of immeasurable beauty, history, and culture in a stunning and unique landscape.

To learn more about Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
Steel Visitor Center

• Open 9 am to 5 pm daily from late April through early November
• Open 10 am to 4 pm daily from early November through April

Rim Visitor Center

• Open 9:30 am to 5 pm daily from May through late September

Visiting Tips

Crater Lake National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some of the roads and facilities are closed during the winter. Current conditions and additional information on trails, roads and weather can be found at the park's website.

Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

• Purchase an annual pass for all national parks sites, $80

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
Crater Lake hosts two campgrounds within the park. Keep in mind that weather can impact the opening and closing dates of each campground. Reservations are recommended for Mazama Campground, and reservations can be made by calling 1 (888) 774-2728 or online at craterlakelodges.com.

Mazama Campground

• Open late May through early October
• 200 sites equipped with a picnic table and fire ring
• Flush toilets and running water are also available

Lost Creek Campground

• Open June through October
• 16 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis

Lodging:
There are two major lodges within the park, both of which offer modern hotel-style rooms. Reservations are recommended for both locations and can be made by calling 1 (888) 774-2728 or online at craterlakelodges.com.

• Crater Lake Lodge: 71 rooms. Open from mid-May through mid-October.
• Mazama Village Motor Inn: 40 units located in the Mazama Village complex. Open from late May through early October.

Food & Drink

Crater Lake features four dining areas within the park. Ranging from sit-down restaurants to general stores, the park is sure to satisfy a variety of tastes. Hours vary seasonally, so be sure to double check the park's website for more details and current operating hours.

Annie Creek Restaurant & Gift Shop

Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room

Mazama Village Camper Store

Rim Village Cafe and Gifts

There is no gasoline available in the park during the fall/winter seasons, beginning in mid-October until late May. Travelers should plan accordingly, and fill up before reaching the park. The nearest gas stations are approximately 35 miles away in the towns of Chiloquin and Prospect.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Crater Lake offers a variety of ranger-led programs that vary by season, including the Crater Lake Boat Tours and the Trolley Tours in the summer and ranger-led snowshoe walks in the winter. To learn more about these ranger-led programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.

Other Activities

No matter the season, there are plenty of activities available to explore Crater Lake National Park. Regardless of the time of year, bringing a camera is recommended as opportunities for beautiful photographs abound. Summers at Crater Lake provide access to the park's many trails. Additionally, boat tours, trolley tours and lakeside activities such as swimming and fishing are popular choices. During the winter months, take advantage of the snow-covered landscape with ranger-led snowshoe hikes, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile access. Visit Crater Lake's website for more information on the park's other activities.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.