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The nation’s fifth oldest national park serves to stand as a memorial to time and receives half a million visitors per year. In 1902, Congress decided that Crater Lake and its surrounding 180,000 acres were to be “dedicated and set apart forever as a public park or pleasure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States.” The passing of this legislative act had been a 17 year effort, championed by Crater Lake’s primary promoter, William G. Steel. William Gladstone Steel devoted his life and fortune to the establishment and management of Crater Lake National Park. The act (16 USC 121) also required that measures be taken for the “preservation of the natural objects….the protection of the timber….the preservation of all kinds of game and fish,” and as well as for use by “scientists, excursionists, and pleasure seekers.”

The park is always open, but many of the roads and facilities are closed during the winter. Rim Village Visitor Center is open from June through September 9:30 AM-5:00 PM. This visitor center is located on the south rim of the caldera, approximately 200 yards west of the Crater Lake Lodge. Exhibits on geology and lake research are located in the nearby Sinnott Memorial Overlook, open July through September. Steel Visitor Center located at park headquarters is open all year; November to April from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and May to October from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, except for Christmas day. A park ranger is on duty to assist you with information, weather forecasts, backcountry camping permits, ski route advisories, and safety tips. A 20 minute film, The Crater Lake Story, describes the formation of Crater Lake through a story passed down by Native Americans of this area. It is shown throughout the day in the auditorium. Books, maps, posters, postcards, and educational materials are available for purchase here from the Crater Lake Natural History Association. The Steel Center has public restrooms and is fully accessible. A post office is also located in this building. Sinnott Memorial Overlook and Crater Lake Lodge have interpretive displays and exhibits which are open to the public in the summer.

Local Native Americans witnessed the collapse of Mount Mazama and kept the event alive in their legends. One ancient legend of the Klamath people closely parallels the geologic story which emerges from today’s scientific research. The legend tells of two Chiefs, Llao of the Below World and Skell of the Above World, pitted in a battle which ended up in the destruction of Llao’s home, Mt. Mazama. The battle was witnessed in the eruption of Mt. Mazama and the creation of Crater Lake. The Klamaths revered the lake and the surrounding area, keeping it undiscovered by white explorers until 1853. Archaeologists have found sandals and other artifacts buried under layers of ash, dust, and pumice from this eruption approximately 7,700 years ago. To date, there is little evidence indicating that Mount Mazama was a permanent home to people. However, it was used as a temporary camping site.

Accounts of the eruption can be found in stories told by the Klamath Indians, who are the descendants of the Makalak people. The Makalaks lived in an area southeast of the present park. Because information was passed down orally, there are many different versions. The Umpqua people have a similar story, featuring different spirits. Early settlers and explorers did not hear about Crater Lake from the native inhabitants because this place is sacred to most Native Americans of Oregon and northern California. Makalaks (now Klamath Indians) held the belief that this place was so holy that looking upon it would lead to death. There are no stories relating to the crystal blue lake that formed after the eruption, indicating that these people became silent on the issue of Mount Mazama, the mountain that was no longer. Even today, some Native Americans choose not to view Crater Lake. Its beauty and mystery form a religious context.

On June 12, 1853, three gold prospectors, John Wesley Hillman, Henry Klippel, and Isaac Skeeters, came upon a long, sloping mountain. Upon reaching its highest point, a huge, awe-inspiring lake was visible. “This is the bluest lake we’ve ever seen,” they reported, and named it Deep Blue Lake. But gold was more on the minds of settlers at the time and the discovery was soon forgotten.

In the 1850s, hostilities between settlers and Native Americans developed in the area. In response, the U.S. Army established Fort Klamath seven miles southeast of the present park boundary in 1863. This led to the construction of a wagon road from Prospect in the Rogue River Valley to the newly established Fort Klamath. On August 1, 1865, the lake was “rediscovered” by two hunters attached to the road crews. Several soldiers and civilians journeyed to see the now-legendary lake. One of the participants, Sergeant Orsen Stearns, was so awestruck by what he saw that he climbed down into the caldera and became the first non-Native American to reach the shore of Crater Lake. Captain F.B. Sprague soon joined him and suggested the name “Lake Majesty.”
In July 1869, newspaper editor Jim Sutton and several others decided to visit Lake Majesty and explore it by boat. By August, a canvas boat had been constructed and lowered onto the lake. Five people reached Wizard Island and spent several hours exploring the cinder cone. Sutton wrote an article describing the trip for his Jacksonville newspaper. Instead of Lake Majesty, Sutton substituted the name “Crater Lake.”

In 1886, Captain Clarence Dutton was the next man to make a discovery at Crater Lake. Dutton commanded a U.S. Geological Survey party which carried the Cleetwood, a half-ton survey boat, up the steep slopes of the mountain then lowered it to the lake. From the stern of the Cleetwood, a piece of pipe on the end of a spool of piano wire sounded the depth of the lake at 168 different points. Dutton’s soundings of 1,996 feet were amazingly close to the sonar readings made in 1959 that established the lake’s deepest point at 1,932 feet.

The National Park Service began recording weather information at Park headquarters in 1926. The winter of 1932-1933 still holds the record for total snowfall in a single season, with 879 inches (2,230 cm). In 1950, Crater Lake set a state record for snowfall in a single calendar year, with 903 inches (2,294 cm). The most snow ever recorded on the ground at Park Headquarters was 21 feet (6.4 meters), on April 3, 1983.

Why does Crater Lake get so much snow? The major weather patterns at Crater Lake National Park originate in the Pacific Ocean. Storm events originate in the north Pacific and build in strength and moisture content over the ocean. Wind patterns at these northerly latitudes move storms from the ocean to the Pacific Northwest. Over 100 inches (250 cm) of rain falls each year on the Oregon Coast. After crossing the Coast Range, storm clouds descend into the Rogue and Willamette Valleys, dropping about 30 inches (76 cm) of rain. As storms move eastward, the high mountains of the Cascade Range push the cool, moist air to elevations over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) in many places. As the air rises, it cools further. Water vapor in the air condenses to form clouds, and snow crystals form within them. If there is enough moisture in the clouds, the snow begins to fall. If the temperature is warm enough, the snow melts before it reaches the ground and falls as rain. Crater Lake, like all of the Cascade Range, is shaped by its winter snowfall. Without the snow, there would be no phlox, no streams, and ultimately, no Crater Lake.

The color of Crater Lake is the product of its great depth, the purity and clarity of its water, and the way solar radiation interacts with water. Water molecules absorb the longer wavelengths of light better (reds, oranges, yellows, and greens). This energy slowly heats the lake throughout the summer. Shorter wavelengths (blues) are more easily scattered than absorbed. In the deep lake, some of the scattered blue light is redirected back up to the surface where we can see it. Around the edges where the water is less deep, some of the unabsorbed green sunlight is reflected back up. The color of the lake can vary from day to day depending on wind, cloud cover, and the angle of the sun. Sunlight is able to penetrate the waters of Crater Lake to great depths. Readings deeper than 100 feet (30 meters) for most lakes are rare, but they can typically reach 120 feet (37 meters) at Crater Lake. The water is so pure because most of the annual input comes directly from precipitation. No stream or creek flows into the lake carrying dissolved minerals or dust. Seepage removes minerals already dissolved in the lake while volcanic rocks below the water line are relatively insoluble in cold lake water.

If you visit the park during spring, you will find Rim Drive still closed. It closes each year in mid-October due to the heavy winter snows. “Spring Opening”, or the clearing of snow from Rim Drive around the lake before summer, usually begins in mid-April. During the first phase of this operation, the park road crews clear 15 miles of roadway along the west side of Crater Lake reaching the park’s north entrance by mid-June. The second phase completes the opening of Rim Drive all around Crater Lake by early July. If left to melt out naturally, many sections of Rim Drive might remain closed until the end of July or early August!

The work involves several hazards for park staff. In most places the road is covered by more than 20 feet of snow and drifts as high as 60 feet must be cleared from the road behind Watchman Peak. Rim Drive is located aside sheer cliffs that drop off hundreds of feet. Snow completely obscures the roadway, and the edges of the cliffs are not always evident. Obstacles such as large trees and boulders fall on the road during winter and are hidden with the snow drifts. Sensors are used to pinpoint a wire buried in the center of the road in areas where the route is not apparent under the snow. Large bull-dozers called Cats push snow away from the route until the road has only about 5 feet of snow above it. When the Cats are through, large snow blowers remove the remaining snow down to the road surface. Clearing 1/4 mile of Rim Drive per day is considered a fast rate. Only a few hundred feet of roadway are cleared on many days. Major winter storms with high winds and heavy snows continue to strike the park through May, often delaying road clearing progress for several days. It is the parks’ desire to make the park roads accessible to visitors for the longest season possible, but they are limited to the park’s severe winters and the hazards of clearing snow from Rim Drive. It is an operation that can’t be rushed and jeopardize the safety of park staff.

The 33-mile Rim Drive encircles Crater Lake, with each mile giving a very different perspective of the lake, rim, and surrounding terrain. Open only during the summer from late June to mid-October, there are numerous overlooks, many with interpretive signs. The only access to the lake itself is via a steep trail to Cleetwood Cove, where boat tours of the lake are offered. Numerous picnic areas can be found along the Rim Drive, as well as hiking access to Garfield Peak (from Rim Village), Lightning Springs (west side), Cleetwood Cove (north side), Mount Scott (east side), Sun Notch Viewpoint and Crater Peak (south side). Both Kerr Notch and Sun Notch Viewpoints are particularly spectacular viewpoints, with views down to Phantom Rock and across the lake to Wizard Island. To protect the fragile meadows, please stay on the established trails!
If you approach Munson Valley from the north (accessible only from late June to October), the easterly portion of the Rim Drive is a left-hand turn just past the Steel Information Center. Continuing straight ahead (south) takes you to Mazama and the Annie Spring Entrance Station. If you approach Munson Valley from the south, you encounter the junction with the Rim Drive. Proceeding north-west, you begin the clock-wise portion of the Rim Drive, and access to the Rim Village.

Turning east takes you around Crater Lake in a counter-clockwise direction and is the quickest route to The Pinnacles section of the park. A short distance (east) of this road junction on the Rim Drive is the delightful Castle Crest Wildflower Trail. While this is a short .4-mile loop hiking trail, the tread is uneven and is not suitable for wheelchairs. When flowers are in bloom the profusion of colors is spectacular. The trail passes from forest, to wet meadows, crosses a tributary of Munson Creek, and finally passes a small dry slope exposing the visitor to a wide assortment of Northwest wildflowers.

The Pinnacles can be reached in the summer from the Rim Drive on a paved, 6-mile road. These eerie spires of eroded ash rise from the edges of Sand and Wheeler Creeks in pinnacle-fashion. Once upon a time, the road continued east of the turn-out, to the former East Entrance of the park. A path now replaces the old road and follows the rim of Sand Creek (and more views of pinnacles) to where the entrance arch still stands.

The views of Crater Lake from the Rim are certainly the highlight of Rim Village. A path follows along the Rim from Discovery Point to Crater Lake Lodge (2.6 miles round-trip). An extension of this hiking trail proceeds from Crater Lake Lodge to the top of Garfield Peak (3.4 miles round-trip). Walking a portion of any of these trails affords the visitor views of Wizard Island, The Watchman, Hillman Peak, Mt. Thielsen (located outside of the park to the north), Cleetwood Cove (located at the base of the North Rim, nearly 6 miles distance), Mt. Scott, and Garfield Peak. A short walk to Sinnott Memorial, with a small museum and ranger-talks during the summer, gives a spectacular view 900 feet down to the lake’s surface.

Crater Lake National Park contains more than 90 miles of hiking trails. Many of these trails may easily be hiked in a single day. The steep terrain around Crater Lake makes hiking times difficult to assess. Sun Notch Viewpoint, Godfrey Glen, Castle Crest Wildflower Garden and Park Headquarters Historic Trail are all short hikes, one mile or less. Watchman Overlook, Cleetwood Cove, Annie Creek Canyon and Discovery Point are all less than 1.7 miles. Garfield Peak, Mt. Scott, Crater Peak and Wizard Island Summit are longer hikes that range from .9 miles to 3.2 miles and are more strenuous.

The Pacific Crest Trail stretches from the Mexican to Canadian borders along the mountainous crest of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada and has long been a multi-day backpacking trip adventure for many. Thirty-three miles pass through Crater Lake National Park, offering through-hikers magnificent views of the lake. In 1946, Crater Lake was the finishing point on the Oregon Skyline trail. Today this 400 mile stretch from Mount Hood to Crater Lake is the oldest section of the Pacific Crest Trail. The idea for a trail on the west coast was first proposed in the 1920s, but it was not until 1972 that all 2,638 miles of the trail were completed and hiked for the first time.

Crater Lake is one of seven National Parks through which the Pacific Crest Trail passes. Hikers who wish to stay overnight in Crater Lake National Park must get a backcountry permit. Permits may be obtained at the Rim Visitor Center in Rim Village, or at the Steel Information Center in the Park Headquarters area. Alternatively, PCT through-hikers may sign the trail register as they enter Crater Lake National Park. In June 1995, an alternate trail opened which brings hikers right up to the rim of Crater Lake. Coming from the south, the trail ascends the Dutton Creek trail to the rim, and then follows the edge of the caldera for six miles with spectacular views. It then parallels the road from North Junction to Grouse Hill and rejoins the PCT. Short sections of the PCT may be completed within the park as day hikes. None are loop trails, so hikers must backtrack to their vehicles. A long day hike is possible, but to do this, hikers need to have two vehicles. The PCT crosses Highway 62 south and west of the Annie Springs Entrance. It crosses the North Entrance Road in the Pumice Desert area. This day hiking covers 18 miles.

Each year, increasing numbers of cyclists come to the park to ride around the lake on the 33-mile Rim Drive. The route is physically demanding. Steep hills at high elevation may encourage even the most physically fit riders to pause at many of the road’s thirty overlooks and pullouts. The payoff, however, is spectacular scenery, seen at a pace that few visitors choose to take enough time for. All routes into the park have long, steep grades. Most cyclists start from the Park Headquarters area and ride around the lake clockwise. This direction puts one of the steepest and longest grades at the beginning of the trip. Because road conditions are unfavorable to cyclists most of the year, and because many roads are closed during the long winter, it is recommend you plan trips only for the summer months of July, August, and September.

All waters within the park are open to fishing unless otherwise indicated. The lake can be fished year-round except when seasonal limitations prevent safe access. The only access to the lake is by the Cleetwood Trail located on the north side of Crater Lake. No fishing license is required within the park. Fishing is allowed in the park from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset generally May 20 through Oct 31. All waters are restricted to use of artificial lures and flies only. No organic bait of any kind can be used in Crater Lake National Park. This includes live or dead fish, power bait, and fish eggs or roe. There are no restrictions relative to size, number, or species taken. Cleetwood Cove provides about 1/4 mile of rocky shoreline for angling. Wizard Island is also open while boat tours are running. Fishing is allowed from park boat docks except when a boat is within 200 feet of the dock. Private boats or flotation devices are not allowed on Crater Lake. You’ll have to pack out your catch as cleaning fish in the lake is prohibited. Kokanee salmon which average eight inches and Rainbow trout which can average 10-14 inches are the only two types of fish that remain in the lake after extensive stocking years ago. The park streams have four species of fish, Eastern brook trout, rainbow trout, German brown trout and bull trout. The bull trout is considered the only native fish and listed on the endangered species list.

The Park has no stock trails which provide views of Crater Lake itself. However, the park’s backcountry has many miles of trails suitable for stock use which explore diverse lower elevation forests, including the full length of the Pacific Crest Trail within the park (but not the alternate trail along the caldera rim). For use within the park, stock animals are defined as horses, mules, burros and llamas.

Scuba diving is also a popular sport at Crater Lake. Access to the lake for diving is only by hiking the Cleetwood Trail, located on the north side of Crater Lake. The Cleetwood Trail is 1.1 miles in length and descends 700 feet to the lake surface. You must be able to carry all your equipment up and down the trail. Wheeled vehicles are prohibited. Restrooms are available at the top and bottom of the Cleetwood Trail but there are no food or drinking water facilities. You may dive from the Cleetwood Cove dock near the lake level gauge. You may also dive from Wizard Island; however, the island is only accessible by taking one of the concession-operated boat tours. A ranger-naturalist narrates the tour, so plan on arriving to Wizard Island about forty minutes after departing from the Cleetwood Cove dock. Prior arrangements must be made with the concessionaire, as space on the tour boats is limited. After your dive, you may return to Cleetwood Cove by catching a later boat tour, on a space-available basis. No one is allowed to stay on Wizard Island overnight. There is no drinking water or other facilities on Wizard Island. If lightning threatens, boat tours may be cancelled.

Surface temperatures in Crater Lake vary from 32° to 65°F. The average summer temperature is 50° to 58°F. Below 260 feet, the temperature is a constant 38°F. Once under the surface, you will find Crater Lake varied in appearance. As in any natural body of water, you may encounter sediments, algae, and suspended materials. Phytoplankton and zooplankton live in the lake, along with two species of fish (kokanee salmon and rainbow trout), which were introduced in the late 1800s. Moss grows along the caldera walls to depths of more than 400 feet.
During the winter, trails and unplowed roads provide cross country skiing and snowshoeing, with access to open slopes, dense forests, and breathtaking views, making Crater Lake ideal for both day-trippers and backcountry visitors. Since 93% of the park is managed as federal wilderness under the provisions of the Wilderness Act, opportunities for solitude abound. The Rim Drive around Crater Lake is closed and unplowed during the winter, creating a popular ski route from about November to April. The trip is thirty miles long and typically requires three or four days, longer on snowshoes. Although a trip in either direction is possible, most people start at Rim Village and proceed clockwise around the lake to Park Headquarters, with a net loss of 700 feet of elevation. For groups with only one car, the Raven Trail offers a connection between Park Headquarters and Rim Village.

There are several ski trails available during the winter. Some may be used for snow shoeing as well. West Rim Road is 6.1 miles and ends up at North Junction. This is an easy cross-country skiing route that has good views of the lake, but is often windy and icy. Hemlock Loop is a little more difficult with rolling hills, but more sheltered and only 2 miles. Raven Trail is east of the lodge and is in an open bowl leading into woods. It is considered difficult as it is not easy to follow. Dutton Creek / PCT / Annie Springs Trail is 4.5 miles long with a 1000 foot vertical drop near the beginning which rates it difficult, but an outdoor adventure! Lightning Springs branches off West Rim Road two miles from Rim Village and is 9.6 miles in length with a 1300 foot vertical drop. East Rim Road is rated moderate. It follows an unplowed roadway 3 miles to Vidae Falls, 4.5 miles to Sun Notch, and than 9 miles to Kerr Notch. There is no view of lake until Sun Notch. Crater Peak Trail ranges in difficulty from moderate to difficult. It has a 600 foot climb to the peak from East Rim Road with the last 0.7 miles being very steep through trees. Greyback Trail is used very little. It is 4.8 miles one way with a 250 foot climb, followed by an 800 foot loss (west to east). Mazama Village is a good beginner ski trail with views of Annie Creek Canyon.

Snowmobile use is permitted at the park only on the North Entrance Road from the park boundary to North Junction, where the entrance road meets Rim Drive. Snowmobile use is limited to the unplowed roadway. The Diamond Lake area in the Umpqua National Forest offers many more trails and developed facilities for snowmobiles. The Diamond Lake Ranger District can be contacted Monday though Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at (541) 498-2531.

Like many of the park’s attractions, most forms of wildlife are seldom seen. In fact, one may think that the wildlife is restricted to the squirrels and birds that hover about. The animal population at Crater Lake is actually quite diverse. From summer seasonal visitors such as the black bear, elk, and bald eagle, to the year round residents like the pine marten, snowshoe hare, and Clark’s Nutcracker, the park serves as a sanctuary and home for these animals of the Crater Lake ecosystem. Other animals you might see are Northern Spotted Owl, American Peregrine Falcon, Gray Wolf, Columbian White-tailed Deer and wolverines. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is the largest carnivore inhabiting Crater Lake. The exact population of bear is unknown, but has been estimated at approximately 30 to 40 animals. Among the summer mammals, the elk is one of the largest yet least viewed. A herd of about 150 bases itself near Union Peak and grazes in the meadows on the south side of the park. Elk are most common in open areas near timber stands, where they graze on grasses and shrubs. They stand up to five feet high at the shoulder and can weigh up to six hundred pounds. Despite their size, elk have an uncanny ability to move quietly and avoid detection. There are also plenty of birds for the bird watching lover in your family. Some that you’re likely to see or hear are grebes, ducks, hawks, grouse, American kestrels, spotted sandpipers, doves, Goatsuckers, and hummingbirds.

One of the year round residents, the pine marten, becomes especially active in the winter. The hunt for food keeps them on the move and their lack of natural predators allows them to be especially brave. The pine marten is a close relative of the short-tailed weasel, and is distinguishable from its cousin as the marten keeps its brown coat throughout the year. This is due in part to the lack of predators the pine marten has during the cold, snowy months. Pine martens have adapted themselves especially well to survive this time. Their small bodies and large feet allow them to bound over the snow very effectively in their hunt for food, most notably mice and other small rodents.

Understanding and caring for the ancient forests at Crater Lake National Park has always been an important part of park management. Although its tree species are at relatively high elevations (4400 to 8900 feet), the park’s forests were of enough interest to men like John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and John Wesley Powell that they assisted William Gladstone Steel with his efforts to establish a national park in 1902. Subsequent extensions to the park in 1932 and 1980 were made with the intention of protecting representative samples of the region’s ancient forests.

There are four major forest zones at the park, each named after its dominant tree species. Starting in the park’s lower elevations (about 4500 ft), a ponderosa pine forest is the first zone greeting visitors who enter on Highway 62 from the south or west entrances. The ponderosa zone gives way to a dense lodgepole pine forest at about 5000 ft. Sometimes referred to as dog’s hair forest because of the dense, scraggly stands of thin lodgepoles, this zone sometimes covers vast areas. Mountain hemlocks become dominant at about 6000 feet. This zone has the final tall trees in the park and has limited underbrush. The next zone is almost purely whitebark pines and extends from about 7500 ft to the top of Mt. Scott, the highest point in the park (8,929 ft). The whitebark pine zone is more an open woodland than a forest.

Management of Crater Lake’s ancient forests ranges from proper fire control to ecological studies, such as surveys for ancient forest dependent species like the northern spotted owl. A critical difference between the National Park Service and the Forest Service is the “use” of these forests. The Forest Service, under the Department of Agriculture, manages its lands as “multiple-use” lands. The USFS strives to maintain a balance between commercial harvesting, stock grazing, mineral extraction, and recreation. The National Park Service has a different mandate. The NPS seeks to preserve the systems that have shaped the land. National Park lands are preserved for human enjoyment, enrichment, and understanding. These ancient forests are an integral part of Crater Lake National Park.

Weather plays a dramatic role. Winter, especially, shapes the landscape; snow generally begins to accumulate each year in October and doesn’t melt in most places until the following June. Summer weather is more predictable, with warm, dry days, blue skies, and cool nights. Nevertheless, there may be days even in August when the lake is completely obscured by clouds and fog. Visitors to Crater Lake National Park should be prepared for any kind of weather, any time of the year. For current road and weather conditions updated at 8am daily, call (541) 594-2211.

The weather in May and June can vary from warm and sunny to snowy and foggy with poor lake visibility. Temperatures may be as high as 65°F (18°C) or as low as freezing. July, August, and September are the best months for dry, warmer weather. A typical daytime high temperature during these three months is around 67°F (19°C), but can range from 40°F to 80°F or more (4°C to 27°C). Temperatures cool off rapidly in the evening, with a typical nighttime low around 40°F (4°C), while some nights dip below freezing. Summer thunderstorms occur from June through mid-September, bringing dramatic displays of lightning and high winds. Boat tours, guided walks, and evening programs may be canceled if lightning is present in the park.

October usually presents cool but sunny days and brings the start of winter snowfall by mid-month. From October to June, the park is a snow-covered wilderness. November through April is assuredly snowy with poor
visibility and fair to poor driving conditions. With snowfall still lingering on the ground in early July, winter defines Crater Lake more than any other season.

Typical winter temperatures range from a high of about 35°F (2°C) to an overnight low around 19°F (-7°C). Winter can also be a challenging time. Blizzards, snow avalanches, and steep, icy slopes are just some of the hazards to be prepared for during the winter months. Make safety your first consideration.

Crater Lake National Park is a special place and a federally protected area. To help preserve park resources and to protect yourself, please observe the following rules on park trails: hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, or climbing inside the caldera is prohibited. Conditions within the caldera are extremely dangerous. You are responsible for your own safety. The Cleetwood Trail is the only safe and legal access to the lake’s shore. Pets, firearms, bicycles, and motorized vehicles are not permitted in the backcountry. Pets are permitted on leash in developed areas only. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on park trails. Pets often threaten small wildlife. Even well-behaved domestic pets leave scents that disturb the local wildlife. The park has also had many incidents of lost or injured pets who escape from their owner’s control. Smoking is not allowed on any trail. Stay on trails to protect vegetation and fragile hillsides. Shortcutting trails, particularly on switchbacks, can damage slopes, making them more susceptible to erosion and visual damage. Leave all rocks, plants and artifacts undisturbed for the enjoyment of future hikers. There is no hunting or mushroom picking allowed in the park.

The “leave no trace” philosophy is a critical concept to backcountry travel. More than 90% of Crater Lake National Park has been proposed as federal wilderness.
Choose bathroom break locations wisely. Improper sanitation can contaminate streams and lakes. Make your toilet well away from camp and at least 100 feet away from any standing or running water. Dig a shallow trench and cover after use. Pack out all toilet paper. Dispose of waste or wash water at least 100 feet away from any water source. Pack out all garbage.

Be prepared! Equip yourself with water, food, warm clothing, rain gear, and anything else appropriate to the trail you take. It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Do not drink water from park streams or from the lake without properly treating it. Giardia, a water-borne parasite can be present even if the water appears clear and clean. Water is scarce in Crater Lake’s backcountry. In a typical year, many sources are dry by late July or early August. Hikers should carry at least one gallon of water per person. Possible water sources include Red Cone Springs, Lightning Springs, and major branches of Dutton, Trapper, Bybee, North Copeland, and South Copeland Creeks.

A good backpacking checklist is: backpack, water, food, compass, topographical map, first aid kit, good hiking boots, rain gear, layered, warm clothing, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, water filtering system if you are not taking enough water, matches, candle, multipurpose tool or knife, flashlight with extra bulb and batteries and signal mirror or whistle. It is also useful to carry a ground sheet or small tarp for possible unforeseen overnight stays on a trail. For overnight camping, you’ll want to add a tent with rainfly, sleeping bag and mat, possible campstove and fuel, repair kits, animal proof containers, garbage bags to pack out what you take in, collapsible water container, cooking pots and utensils.

Pack stock use is not permitted throughout the backcountry with the following exceptions: Bald Crater Loop Trail and Bert Creek Access Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, not including the alternate trail along the rim, Lightning Springs Trail, up to the hitching post below Rim Drive, and Stuart Falls Trail. You must bring feed for any pack stock and it must be pelletized feed. To protect the Crater Lake ecosystem, all other feed types are prohibited, including hay and seed type feeds. Grazing is prohibited. There is a special campsite located west of the Pacific Crest Trail on Bybee Creek with pack stock facilities. Carefully select resting areas for your stock. Tethering them to a small tree can damage the tree. Remember you need a fee backcountry permit for overnight stays.

Stock is not permitted on the new alternate trail along the caldera rim. Access to the rim for stock remains via the Lightning Springs trail. To reduce impact on the park’s natural resources, camp at one of the park’s designated camp sites: Grouse Hill, Red Cone, Lightning Springs or Dutton Creek. No camping is permitted on the alternate trail along the caldera rim. Camp sites are located at either end of the alternate trail at Dutton Creek and Grouse Hill.

No pets are permitted along the PCT. Although information distributed by the Pacific Crest Trail Conference may state that pets are allowed on all segments of the PCT, pets are not allowed on any section of the trail in Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, or Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks.

There are several essential tips for bicyclists. Bicycle helmets are required. Cyclists face many hazards, including high speeds on steep downhill runs; rocks, animals, and other road hazards; and heavy traffic. Only cyclists experienced at riding with auto traffic should consider biking at Crater Lake. Park roads seldom have shoulders. Cyclists should use extreme caution, particularly along narrow areas and blind curves. Wear bright, highly-visible clothing to help drivers see you. Bicycles are not permitted on park trails. All roads closed to automobiles are also closed to bicycles. For mountain biking, the Grayback Drive provides eight miles of unpaved, one-way road. Cyclists unaccustomed to high altitudes may find that the elevation makes for difficult breathing. Water is available only at Rim Village and Park Headquarters. Cyclists on long tours are welcome to stay at either of the park’s two campgrounds.

Fishing is prohibited in Sun Creek starting three miles upstream from the junction of Sun Creek and the park boundary, and extending three miles upstream, as posted. Sun Creek is protected habitat for endangered Bull Trout. State regulations are enforced for stream fishing in Crater Lake National Park.

Keep in mind that Crater Lake is accessible for divers only from about June 15 through September 15 of each year due to our extreme snow conditions. Earlier or later dives may be possible, but cannot be guaranteed due to the variability of our weather. All divers are required to obtain a diving permit in person upon arrival at the park. The permit is free of charge, and is available between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm daily. Permits are only issued from the Canfield Building (Ranger Station) in the Park Headquarters complex. A ranger will confirm your diving ability and give you specific information about diving in the lake. The lake level is at 6,173 feet in elevation, so high altitude dive tables should be used in planning your dive. Most divers use the 8,000 foot table.
Private boats and rafts are not allowed on the lake. Only interpretive boat tours and research vessels are permitted. Crater Lake is preserved as a scenic and scientific wonder, not as a recreational lake. Because the water is quite cold (temperatures below the surface are consistently in the upper 30’s), a good quality, 0.25-inch full wet suit or a dry suit is required. Diving is prohibited within 100 feet of the Cleetwood Cove dock and mooring facilities, and within 100 feet of the Wizard Island dock. No solo diving is permitted under any circumstances. A “diver down” flag is required. No collecting of rocks, plants, or other features is permitted. No spear fishing is permitted. The nearest full decompression chamber is more than 300 miles from the park. All divers must be certified NAUI, PADI, or similar-type divers and must bring proof of certification with them. Air refills are not available in the park. The closest facilities for this are dive shops in Klamath Falls, Medford, Phoenix, and Grants Pass.

Sno-Park permits are not required to visit Crater Lake during the winter. Sno-Park permits are required for skiing in the adjacent National Forests. Skiing or snowshoeing on any plowed road or parking area is forbidden. Please put on your skis or snowshoes only after leaving the roadway. No overnight lodging is available in the park during the winter months, and roadside camping is not permitted. Backcountry camping is allowed. All backcountry campers must register at a park Visitor Center for a free permit before camping. Campers must ski or snowshoe to their campsite. The following areas are closed to camping: within one mile of any plowed road, within one mile of Boundary Springs or Sphagnum Bog, within 100 feet of any water source, and within visibility of any other backcountry campers or ski trails. Entering the caldera is extremely dangerous and is strictly forbidden. Stay well back from the edge of any drop-off. Snow overhangs, called cornices, can fall away without warning. You are responsible for your own safety. The volunteer ski patrol operates only on weekends. Even during patrolled periods, not all trails and possible routes can be canvassed. No open fires are permitted during the winter season. This is to protect the exposed vegetation. During the summer, dead and downed wood may be used for campfires; during the winter, however, it is covered by deep snow. All trails in the park are ungroomed. The more popular ski trails are marked. Snowshoers should stay off of and out of ski tracks as a courtesy to skiers. Avalanches and icy conditions can create hazards at several points along the Rim Drive. Please familiarize yourself with avalanche safety precautions before your trip, and check on current avalanche conditions upon your arrival at Crater Lake. If you have questions about skiing or snowshoeing at Crater Lake, or if you would like to know the current weather forecast and trail conditions, call (541) 594-3100 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Pacific time.

Here are some snowmobiling regulations. Snowmobiles must stay on the unplowed roadway. Both headlight and taillight must be illuminated while the snowmobile is in operation. Operators must carry a valid state registration for each snowmobile. Maximum speed is 45 mph. Operators must possess a valid state license or proof of state certification by an authorized state snowmobile safety officer. Snowmobiles must be equipped with a muffler in good working order. Wheeled vehicles are prohibited. Also, remember that the winter weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared.

Currernt Weather

Feeding wild animals, including birds, is prohibited. Feeding animals is dangerous for you, bad for them, and harmful for the ecosystem. Animals that learn to depend on human handouts lose their instinctive abilities to find food for themselves. Even a single potato chip is bad for wild animals—potato chips do not naturally occur in their diet. Neither do cheese curls, candy, sandwiches, or even peanuts or raisins. Animals quickly come to recognize humans as a source of food, and may forget their natural food seeking skills. When winter comes, the easy food supply they’ve come to depend on disappears. They may now starve because they have lost their self-sufficiency. Please enjoy all wild animals from a distance.

While black bear are normally shy animals who avoid human contact, the presence and availability of human food often leads to conflict. Food-reward association with humans can result in the loss of fear of man and a more “sophisticated” and unnatural population of bear. As the animal becomes “habituated” to this food source and to the presence of humans, its behavior may become bolder, and more aggressive. Property damage and the potential for injury may result. The black bear is a very intelligent animal with an incredible ability toward learned behavior. For example, if successful in obtaining food from a cooler, the cooler (which next time may be empty) may become associated with food. If the cooler happens to be stored in plain view inside a vehicle, this is no obstacle for the bear. It may simply remove a window or a door to get to the cooler. Covering the cooler with a blanket or other item (while being stored inside a vehicle) may prevent this. Better yet, the cooler and food items should be secured in a trunk, and all garbage immediately deposited in a bear proof trash can or dumpster. A clean camp is extremely important.

If a bear has been successful in obtaining food, never attempt to take the food away from the bear! This may sound obvious, but it has happened and the result has been significant injury. If rangers witness such action or other improper bear behavior, they may employ aversive conditioning in an attempt to punish the bear, hoping to reverse its behavior. This action must only be taken by trained persons. Aversive conditioning must be used with discretion around bystanders. They should always be advised of the rationale behind the use of this technique. Other precautions are never step between a bear who is about to acquire food and the food source. And never place yourself between a sow and her cubs.

Black bear are generally easy to frighten away. To accomplish this, recommendations for visitor action include making loud noise (vocal, banging on pots and pans, etc.) and holding your ground to the approaching bear. Such action will usually result in a discouraged bear which moves on. A bear that has become habituated, however, may learn to bluff charge. A bluff charge is a discernable aggressive movement toward humans. This action is intended to move persons from an area, such as a picnic table or campsite where food is present. Once accomplished, the bear enjoys a free meal. This action should be considered serious, and may pose a threat to personal safety; holding your ground is no longer advised. In the event of a bluff charge, stay calm and back away, talking aloud but in soft tones. Avoid direct eye contact and don’t turn and run. If actually attacked by a black bear, some experts advise to fight back (unlike a grizzly attack, where the suggested action is to assume the fetal position and play dead). Other signs of possible aggressive bear behavior may include grunting, snorting, gnashing of teeth, swaying of the head, and lying back of the ears. “Problem bears” are a consequence of irresponsible human behavior. “A fed bear is a dead bear.” It is everyone’s responsibility to behave properly and responsibly in bear country. For more information see the Wildlife Precautions page.

Entrance fees are $10.00 for 7 days for automobiles and $5.00 for bicycles with a maximum fee of $10.00 per family.

Camping fees are required, but call the park for current fees.

Lost Creek Campground is open from early July to early October (weather permitting). Located 3 miles south of Rim Drive on the Pinnacles Road, it has 16 campsites for tents.

Mazama Campground is open from early June through early October and has 200 campsites. Reservations are not taken, however sites are usually available. Running water, flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings are provided. Please Note – Weather can impact the opening and closing dates of the campgrounds.

With 100 miles of hiking trails, Crater Lake National Park’s backcountry offers many opportunities for solitude and exploration. Backcountry use permits are required for all backcountry overnight stays. They are issued from park visitor centers during their regular hours of operation. Try to use one of the designated backcountry campsites. Staying at one of these sites lessens the number of impacted areas. Check with park staff for these locations. If you don’t use one of these areas, pick an already established campsite or area which is more resistant to human impact. Open campfires are allowed only if “dead and down” wood is used to fuel the fire. Wood can only be collected below an elevation of 6,800 feet. Use an existing fire ring. Maximum party size is limited to 8 people and/or 12 head of stock. At your campsite, hang all food in a pack or stuff sack, out of reach of wild animals (at least 10 feet above the ground) and well away from your cooking area, or use an animal proof container. Pack out all garbage and leave a clean camp. Camping and open campfires are prohibited in the following areas: within a mile of any paved road, nature trail, or developed area, within 100 feet of any water source, within 100 feet of any trail or other camping party except when using a designated campsite, between the Rim Drive and Crater Lake, on the Phantom Ship or Wizard Island, atop Mt. Scott and along the trail to the summit, atop Garfield Peak and along the trail to the summit, and in the vicinity of Sphagnum Bog.

Kimball State Park is 17 miles away. Winema National Forest is nearby with campgrounds available. The Rogue River National Forest is west of the park and also has campgrounds. Umpqua National Forest is 6 miles north of Crater Lake junction. Diamond Lake is 20 miles north of the north entrance of the park. Other attractions are Oregon Caves National Monument, Lava Beds National Monument, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Redwood National and State Parks, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Deschutes National Forest. There are also several nearby cities that offer attractions: Roseberg and Grants Pass to name but a few.

The closest airports are located in Klamath Falls (60 miles from the park) and Medford (80 miles from the park).

Driving in Oregon and coming from the north: from Roseburg, take route 138 east to the park’s north entrance, and from Bend, take Route 97 south to route 138 west to the park’s north entrance. From the south: from Medford, take Route 62 north and east to the park’s west entrance and from Klamath Falls, take Route 97 north to route 62 north and west to the park’s south entrance.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Crater Lake National Park:

By Car:

North Entrance:

Medford, OR – 83.28 miles

Portland, OR – 238.34 miles

Salem, OR – 194.22 miles

Princeton, OR – 266.54 miles

Dayville, OR – 215.75 miles

West Entrance:

Medford, OR – 63.65 miles

Portland, OR – 265.43 miles

Salem, OR – 221.31 miles

Princeton, OR – 293.63 miles

Dayville, OR – 242.84 miles

South Entrance:

Medford, OR – 83.11 miles

Portland, OR – 269.92 miles

Salem, OR – 213.50 miles

Princeton, OR – 298.11 miles

Dayville, OR – 247.32 miles

The north entrance is closed in early November to mid-June. Some dates can vary but usually the north entrance is closed during the listed months.

Crater Lake National Park, P.O. Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604
(541) 594-3100
By Fax (541) 594-3010

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