Hidden Gem
Crater Lake National Park
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Trip length
- 2–3 days
- Budget
- $200–$800
- per person · excl. airfare
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
HikingBackpacking
Park entrance: $30 (Entrance - Private Vehicle) · source: NPS
Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on Earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.
Highlights
- Deepest lake in the US
- Impossibly blue caldera
- Rim Drive views
Photos
Photos via Wikimedia Commons under their respective licences.
Map
Trails (7)· Moderate
- View →Pacific Crest TrailRepresentative16.1 mi0 ft gainModerate~5.4 h
- View →Bald Crater Loop TrailRepresentative5.7 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.9 h
- View →Rim TrailRepresentative5.5 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.8 h
- View →Lightning Spring TrailRepresentative4.2 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.4 h
- View →Dutton Creek TrailRepresentative2.4 mi0 ft gainModerate~0.8 h
- View →Grayback RoadRepresentative4.6 mi0 ft gainModerate~1.5 h
- View →Garfield Peak TrailRepresentative1.5 mi0 ft gainModerate~0.5 h
Getting there
- MFR Rogue Valley (Medford) · 54 mi
- RDM Redmond Muni (Bend) · 103 mi
- ACV California Redwood Coast (Arcata) · 169 mi
Straight-line distances to nearby airports. Airfare and drive times are not included.
Permits & access
Reservation required
Backcountry permit for overnight; deep snow can linger into summer — confirm current rules on the official site.
Official permit & conditions ↗Last verified 7/24/2026