Things to Do

Wildflowers at Crater Lake

Many Ways to Explore the Park

Visitors arrive at the park with anticipation of seeing Crater Lake, one of the world’s deepest, clearest, and bluest lakes. Whether day-tripping or spending a week, there are many ways to explore the park and enjoy the lake.

Ninety miles of trails meander through diverse forests, and rise to peaks with views of the lake. The historic 33-mile Rim Drive circles Crater Lake with views from 30 overlooks. Opportunities to photograph landscapes, the lake, and wildflowers are countless. Stargazing, camping, and with some advance planning fishing are also options for things to do. Visit the pet webpage for safety tips and where to go with your pet.

 

Throughout the Park

  • Hikers on a high elevation trail with sparce vegetation to Mount Scott Fire Lookout in the distance
    Hiking Trails

    Choose a forest hike, one with lake views, high elevation, wildflowers or a pumice meadow. There are long distance trails and easy ones.

  • Visitors listen as ranger points to the Crater Lake on the relief map
    Got a Question?
    Ranger Programs

    Begin with science, add a little curiosity, consider history and discover art, that is the evolution of a ranger program!

  • trail and campground directional sign
    Wilderness Camping Permits Required
    Backcountry Camping

    Prepare for a wilderness adventure that could include snow, a brilliant night sky, or the sound of animals. Get help with trip planning.

  • A woman in a light blue jacket with binoculars around her neck peers across treetops from a vista.
    What's that bird?
    Birding

    The park's diverse habitats and elevations attract a variety of birds! The best place to listen for and observe them is...

  • Person on trail holds two stringers filled with fish caught in Crater Lake.
    Catch of the Day

    No fishing license is required within park boundaries, but here are important rules & regulations for fishing in the lake and park streams.

  • An information exhibit is set in a circular stone wall overlooking Crater Lake.
    Overlooks and Pullouts

    Along Hwy 62 and throughout Rim Drive there are many places to pull safely off the road for views of the geology, the lake, and other sites.

 

Around the Lake

 

At Rim Village

  • Children make their own postcards
    Just for kids
    Junior Ranger Activities

    Each day during summer, four times a day, kids get to discover Crater Lake National Park with a ranger.

  • Stone steps, a grassy meadow, and a 2-story, multi-pitched historic building of stone and wood
    Rim Village Walking Tour

    For many, Rim Village is the first place to see the lake. It is an historic district and walking tour including Crater Lake Lodge.

  • The silhouette of two visitors in a round stone shelter, looking across the lake and Wizard Island
    Sinnott Memorial

    The oldest and most popular viewpoint in the park built specifically to offer a united view of the beauty the geologic story.

 
 

Last updated: July 18, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Crater Lake National Park
PO Box 7

Crater Lake, OR 97604

Phone:

541 594-3000

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