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Cleetwood Cove Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (53)
  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Southwest Oregon
  4. Crater Lake National Park
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“A well-shaded trail that provides the only means of accessing the cool waters of Crater Lake. ”

Quin TCM
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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.4

KM

Out and Back

6,817' 2,078 m

High

6,200' 1,890 m

Low

619' 189 m

Up

619' 189 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

22%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Swimming · Views

Family Friendly Depending on the hardiness of your kids (or yourself if you have to carry them back out) the trail is not that bad. Swimming in the lake is great, especially out at Wizard Island.

Overview

Enjoy this short descent leading to one of the only places to access the water's edge. This well-maintained trail is likely to be popular with all manner of visitors, especially during warmer months. While you won't find solitude on this route, you'll be treated to spectacular views of the lake, and an up close view of the volcanic rock that makes up the caldera.

Description

The trailhead is located along East Rim Drive. A large parking lot sits directly across from the trailhead. If the parking lot is full, people often park their vehicles along the road near the trailhead.

This is the only trail that provides access to Crater Lake itself. As such, the trail is often crowded with visitors seeking to take a dip in the cool waters of the lake. The trail works its way down the wall of the caldera through a series of switchbacks till it ends at the rocky shoreline of Crater Lake. The trail itself is wide and well-maintained. Several locations along the trail contain benches for those needing a more restful break during the climb back out.

If you are going to swim in the lake, take some shoes or sandals that can get wet. The shoreline, as well as the ground beyond the shoreline and into the lake, is littered with sharp volcanic rock.

Contacts

Local Club: Crater Lake Institute

Mar 17, 2025: Crater Lake Rainbows – Dan Mackay

Jan 21, 2025: Medford_Mail_Tribune_1934_07_22_Page_7

Land Manager: National Park Service - Crater Lake National Park

Shared By:

Quin TCM
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 53 votes

#1

in Crater Lake National Park

#215

Overall
  4.5 from 53 votes
5 Star
58%
4 Star
32%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Crater Lake National Park

#3

in Oregon

#215

Overall
26 Views Last Month
15,693 Since Sep 11, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
2%
54%
27%
17%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Crater Lake
Oct 21, 2015 near Crater…, OR
Panoramic view of Crater Lake from Cleetwood Cove. A little too chilly to swim in October!
Mar 28, 2022 near Crater…, OR
Awesome swimming hole at the base of Cleetwood Trail.
Oct 21, 2015 near Crater…, OR
Cleetwood Cove Trail
Oct 21, 2015 near Crater…, OR
Gorgeous blue Crater Lake.
Oct 21, 2015 near Crater…, OR
Swimming and cliff jumping on offer at the bottom of Cleetwood Cove Trail.
Oct 21, 2015 near Crater…, OR

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Dec 18, 2024
Mark mbrogelman@yahoo.com
Aug 10, 2024
Buddy Dunlap
Aug 7, 2024
Adriana Tomeu
Jul 25, 2024
Larry Lynam
Jul 11, 2024
Tamra Sayler
Worth the grind out - bring bug spray! Mosquitos were terrible as the sun was going down around 7 pm
May 14, 2024
John Atherton
Aug 30, 2023
Marcin Baran
Aug 24, 2023
Meredith S
1h 05m

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