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Crater Lake National Park

Best Hiking Trails in Crater Lake National Park

38 reviews


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Seasonal Popularity

Overview

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon's Cascade Mountains wows thousands of visitors annually with views of the deep blue waters nestled in the rim of the now-collapsed volcano. Wizard Island, a cinder cone of the old volcano, juts mysteriously out of the depths at the western edge while inspiring imaginations with its whimsical name.

Getting Started

Don't miss the Rim Drive, one of the most scenic roads of any national park, usually open from July through October, depending on snow. Check park conditions, here. Though only 33 miles long, take a couple of hours to stop at the many overlooks and picnic spots with fabulous views.

Among the various hikes and points of interests, check out the popular Mount Scott Trail, the Watchman Overlook, Garfield Peak, and of course, a hike down to the water's edge via the Cleetwood Cove Trail and others, listed in our 'popular hikes' section below. Get more information on trails and what to see and do at the Visitor Information Center. Want a super long hike? Hit up the section of the nearby Pacific Crest Trail.

When to Go

Though the park is open year-round, many of the facilities and roads remain closed until July. Get details information and plan your visit, here.

Permits

Like most U.S. national parks, permits are required and can be purchased upon arrival.

Dog Info

Pets on leash are welcome only in certain parts of the park, including parking lots and up to 50 feet away from paved areas. Check out the 1/4-mile paved promenade at Rim Village for great views of the lake with your dog. Get more dog info here, including which trails allow pets.


Resources

  • wikipedia

  • Hiking Trails (39)
  • Reviews (38)
  1. 1
    Mount Scott
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 4.3 mi
  2. 2
    Crater Lake Garfield Peak 3.7 mi 2 hr
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 3.7 mi
  3. 3
    Crater Lake BEST 3mi 1 hr difficult via Cleetwood Cove Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 3.0 mi
  4. 4
    The Watchman via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 77.1 mi
  5. 5
    Plaink Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.9 mi
  6. 6
    Crater Lake 2mi 1h easy Watchman Trail and PCT Oregon Section C
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.8 mi
  7. 7
    The Watchman via Pacific Crest Trail Alternate and Watchman Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.9 mi
  8. 8
    Discovery Point via West Rim Drive
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.7 mi
  9. 9
    Watchman Overlook via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 7.6 mi
  10. 10
    Merriam Point Loop via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ DIFFICULT 31.4 mi
    user_profile
    nascafitness 4 months, 4 weeks ago
    Crater Lake Snowshoe
    Beautiful views! We wore layers & gratefully so. The windchill towards the top was freakin cold. We were happy to have the trail map because the snow hid a lot of the trail.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    tipa.mellada 7 months, 3 weeks ago
    Mount Scott
    Yurtyy
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    scott.straka 10 months, 1 week ago
    Cove Creek Trail
    Great hike down to lake for 20’ cliff jumping!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    zacriah85 1 year, 1 month ago
    Crater Lake Loop (3/21/21, 6:50:09AM)
    Slept at Annie Spring Snow Park before the trip. Went clockwise starting at 7am. Pack weight: 20 lbs. Brought 2.5 liters of water and was able to stretch that out so didn’t need to melt snow for water. 14 hrs would provide a little more resting time. Equipment worked great apart from bindings not easily locking in.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    mjtimber 1 year, 8 months ago
    Crater Peak
    A nice most forested trail culminating in a steep climb to the top of Crater Peak. Smoke obscured much of our trip but cleared out to give nice views at sunset. We were primarily using it as a dispersed backpacking campsite, but it was a pleasant hike as well, and we had it all to ourselves for the night.
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Megan 1 year, 9 months ago
    Cleetwood Cove
    Our favorite hike at crater lake. Took us 25 minutes down at 32 minutes up, this was with carrying a 3yo and a 6m old. We spent an hour and a half at the base swimming, jumping and having lunch. It was crowded but worth it.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    henryhampton 1 year, 9 months ago
    Union Peak 😇
    Epic! That’s the only way to describe a blue bird day. Only two other hikers not on the peak.. and time to reflect on the #cascadeconquest! Wow. Perfect end of Part Uno.. this trip to the top isn’t for some that are faint of heights.. there’s one class two scramble around a ledge at about 7100 feet.. the rest is great! Don’t forget to find the second marker two and the fulgrite where the lightning 🌩 did it’s business! Feel free to follow my adventures at https://www.instagram.com/henryhampton1/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hellahampton
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Richard 1 year, 10 months ago
    Mt. Scott, Crater Lake NP
    An amazing hike in Crater Lake NP. Sweeping vistas and an incredible view of the lake. A must do if you have 2.5 hours for the round trip.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    Daren Lucas 2 years, 7 months ago
    Garfield Peak
    Beautiful hike overlooking Crater Lake. Fairly steep ascent but a good trail. Awesome panoramic view from the top.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    meltzer.marc 1 month, 2 weeks ago
    Crater Lake National Park Hike
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Sky Norbu 2 months, 3 weeks ago
    Merriam Point Loop via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    AlexGong 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Cracker Lake Hiking
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    psschuldt 9 months, 3 weeks ago
    Crater lake swim
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    sugnim63 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    Crater Peak
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    philfr212 11 months, 1 week ago
    Crater Lake via Cleetwood Cove Trail
    ★

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    vwongboi 11 months, 2 weeks ago
    Garfield Peak
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    barryharrislives 1 year, 6 months ago
    Loop - Crater Lake Lodge to Garfield Peak (10/15/20, 9:48:56AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    hutchbri14 1 year, 6 months ago
    Crater Lake - Garfield Peak
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    suzcarp44 1 year, 6 months ago
    Mt Scott w/Davie, 10/31/20
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    m.rouse 1 year, 7 months ago
    Track (10/14/20, 16:17:50)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    bless_this_mess 1 year, 8 months ago
    Cleetwood Cove
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    bless_this_mess 1 year, 8 months ago
    Pinnacles at Crater Lake NP
    ★ ★ ★

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    hirschberg 1 year, 8 months ago
    Devils Peak via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    ront759 1 year, 8 months ago
    Garfield Peak
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ront759 1 year, 8 months ago
    The Watchman via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★ ★

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    Twisty Deets 1 year, 9 months ago
    Garfield Peak
    ★

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    realestatesue 1 year, 9 months ago
    Crater Lake - Cleetwood Cove
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    stuiterbal 1 year, 9 months ago
    Mount Scott
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    stuiterbal 1 year, 9 months ago
    Mount Scott
    ★ ★ ★

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    montilladon 1 year, 10 months ago
    Crater Lake via Cleetwood Cove Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    austingillem7 1 year, 11 months ago
    Mt Scott 5/24/20
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tylermillerhome 2 years, 7 months ago
    Crater lake rim ride 2019
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Bryan 2 years, 8 months ago
    Annie Creek Canyon
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    cocod 2 years, 9 months ago
    G
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    masonlqma 2 years, 10 months ago
    Crater Lake via Cleetwood Cove Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    johnclarke 2 years, 10 months ago
    Track (7/13/19, 2:09:24PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    karenfgrove 2 years, 10 months ago
    Crater Lake Discovery Point and Rim Trail
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    brisketchick 2 years, 11 months ago
    The Watchman via Pacific Crest Trail
    ★

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