Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake, OR
The deepest lake in the US fills a collapsed volcano. Rim Drive is usually fully open from July to October.
Crater Lake fills the caldera that formed about 7,700 years ago, when Mount Mazama, a volcano roughly 3,700 m (12,000 feet) high, collapsed after a massive eruption. At 594 m (1,949 feet) deep, it is the deepest lake in the United States. No rivers flow in or out; rain and snow make up for evaporation and seepage, and an average of about 11.8 m (39 feet) of snow falls here each year. Wizard Island, a cinder cone, and the rock pillar known as Phantom Ship rise from the water.
The 53 km (33-mile) Rim Drive, built between 1926 and 1941, circles the caldera at about 1,980 to 2,410 m (6,500 to 7,900 feet) and offers eight major overlooks plus 15 more pullouts. Because of the snow, it is open only in summer. Allow half a day for the full loop with photo stops. The Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only legal route down to the shore, is closed for rehabilitation for the 2026 through 2028 seasons (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Crater Lake, OR
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.9446, -122.1090
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–July and October. Mountain passes on this route are usually open July–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Crater Lake Rim Drive (2,300 m). Usually open July–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: The south entrance road to Rim Village usually stays open.
Featured in these trip guides
Photo by Karsten Winegeart on UnsplashOregon's waterfalls and volcanoes
© Prayitno / Thank you for (9 millions +) views from Los Angeles, USA · CC BY 2.0Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake
© Ian Poellet · CC BY-SA 3.0Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake
© Saksham Gangwar saksham · CC0Volcanic craters, lava fields and alpine lakes: by camper through Oregon’s Cascades
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Mazama CampgroundCampsite6 mi from Crater Lake National Park
- Diamond Lake Trailer CourtMotorhome stopover14 mi from Crater Lake National ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Jackson F Kimball CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Crater Lake National ParkTentsCaravansToiletsDogs allowed
- Farewell Bend CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Crater Lake National ParkTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Union Creek CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Crater Lake National ParkTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Digit Point CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Crater Lake National ParkTentsToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
All campsites in Oregon · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Crater Lake National Park?
Crater Lake National Park is in Crater Lake, OR, at GPS 42.9446, -122.1090. It is about 4 mi from Crater Lake Rim Village.
Can you camp near Crater Lake National Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lightning Springs Backcountry Campsite, about 4 mi away; within 25 mi there are 41 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Crater Lake National Park?
Crater Lake National Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Oregon's waterfalls and volcanoes, Volcanic Legacy Byway: Mount Shasta to Crater Lake, Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway via Crater Lake and Volcanic craters, lava fields and alpine lakes: by camper through Oregon’s Cascades.
What is there to see near Crater Lake National Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Diamond Lake (15 mi), Rogue River Gorge (17 mi), Rogue River Natural Bridge (18 mi) and Watson Falls (25 mi).
When is the best time to visit Crater Lake National Park?
The most pleasant months are usually August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–July and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)