Gorgeous views when it is clear and great hiking when it's not windy or snowing. Even with the snow…read morethey had marked off the trail and had boundary ropes up to keep you away from cornices that could collapse into the lake on you and ruin your day. Definitely plan to be there several hours to get in the hike and views you will likely stare at for hours. Bring water and snacks or hit the visitor center which has a cafe and gift shop.

Visited in mid November after a dusting of snow that left about 1-2 inches in the ground. The north…read moreroads were all closed and very few trails were available for exploring. The Discovery Point trail was open and I hiked it for about 2 miles in from Rim village. The views of Wizard Island got closer as I went along. Perfectly sunny day. Spectacular! Highly recommended! There were some wary folks along the way, but if you stay on the trail you'll be safe.

What a beauty! If you're looking for a challenging hike with rewarding views within Crater Lake…read moreNational Park, Mount Scott Peak is your best bet. At 1,200 feet of elevation, Mount Scott is the highest peak within all of Crater Lake. And with that 1,200 feet of elevation gain comes a serious climb. This is definitely a booty-glutey workout for sure. It's a moderately difficult 5 mile jaunt to the top of Mount Scott Peak and back. Totally worth the trek for some of the best views in the park. The beginning of the hike starts out relatively flat and then gradually begins to incline. I'd say about the first mile or so is relatively mild in terms of progression. It'll still get your heart pumping, but you won't be sweating too much just yet. Speaking of that, make sure to dress in layers if you're coming during the mid-fall season because it'll be chilly in the beginning but you'll warm up as you start to get higher up the mountain. The next mile or so is where the elevation starts to really kick in. You'll basically be switchbacking steeply up the mountain until you reach a plateau. From this point, you'll be able to see both the strikingly gorgeous blue Crater Lake in the forefront, and the summit near the end of the peak. I was actually astounded by how much snow that there was in mid fall! Definitely wear some thick and comfortable hiking boots. You'll need it for the snowy patches and rocky sections of the trail. Along the trail, you'll have beautiful views of the surrounding forests, bright blue skies, snow covered hills, and fellow mountainous terrains. Ground squirrels run rampant around these parts. They're adorable but be mindful of where you put your food because they'll eat it quickly! These ground squirrels seem to be kind of comfortable around humans which lets me know that people probably feed them often while on the trails. I never do this but they are damn cute and I can see why people want to feed them so badly. Most of the trail is exposed but there are a few shady spots. Luckily it didn't get very hot at all in mid fall, but the sunglasses and long sleeves still helped. I actually didn't run into many people at all on this trail. I'd say maybe a handful of groups at the most. Crater Lake is a super remote park to begin with, so social distancing (especially during the off season) would be quite easy to do. The views going up the ridge are beautiful, but nothing can compare to actually being able to summit the peak. The amazing 360 degree views of Crater Lake and the surrounding mountains make it all worth the while. The hike to Mount Scott Peak was naturally my favorite part of visiting Crater Lake. Would love to hike here again and would 100% recommend for a challenging adventure.

This trail was so fun! It has a convenient trailhead right off the road so the walk to the base…read moreisn't a trek of its own. As for the hike itself, WOW WOW WOW! I loved every second of switchbacks and inclines, and that's not sarcasm. The views from every spot on the trail are rewarding and encouraging. You ask yourself how it could get any more beautiful and then you turn a corner and are surprised once again. This is a moderate hike for the experienced hiker and a strenuous hike for the average joe. Wear good shoes with traction as there is a lot of loose gravel. This could be hard on the knees and joints for those who have those issues, so I'd bring trekking poles. Also, take plenty of water and snacks. The view at the top is worth it so push through and enjoy the ride. This was probably my favorite part of my stay in Crater Lake.

September 2, 2025 - Crater Lake…read more Grab a self-guiding brochure at the trailhead. After walking just a few steps from the trailhead, the trail splits into a 1.1-mile loop. We took the route to the right, and had a lovely hike through old-growth mountain hemlocks and firs. About half way through, the trail parallels Munson Creek Canyon. Along the canyon walls are the pinnacles or fossil fumaroles. You can hear the water and a waterfall below deep in the canyon, but unfortunately, you can't see it. This was an easy trail with breathtaking views, and is one of the few trails in Crater Lake that is dog-friendly.

1.2 mi, 62 ft elevation gain, 30 min to complete…read more Easy minimal elevation change trail. This could definitely be accessed for folks who use a wheelchair. We came here since the pinnacles were unable to be reasonably accessed and we were told it was a good alternative (section of rim road was closed and would have taken 2.5 hrs to get there otherwise). An absolutely gorgeous hike. You are able to hear a waterfall but unfortunately could not see it from the trail. There are a few pillars/pinnacles that are visible from this trail in a couple different sections.

2 mi, 423 elevation gain, 56 minutes to complete…read more Small snowfield to cross if you start at watchman overlook. If you come from discovery point it would be longer but you would avoid any of the snow crossings. Totally worth the hike- one of the most amazing views in the park especially at sunrise or sunset! Lots of different wildflowers along the way and panoramic views. There is a cute fire lookout that appears to no longer be in use at the top.

I'd like to talk about not just hiking to Watchman Peak, but also the roadside pullover here at…read moreWatchman Overlook. So yes...there are 2 purposes for stopping at this Watchman Area. The Overlook from the rim and hiking the trail to Watchman Peak. This section of Crater Lake is deserving of 5 stars because...when driving around the 33 mile rim encompassing all of Crater Lake (although the views can get quite repetitive and monotonous)...the BEST APPEARANCES OF CRATER LAKE COMES FROM HERE AT WATCHMAN PEAK!!! That's what makes Watchman Overlook so worthwhile. Because the roadside emergence of not just Crater Lake, but the main centerpiece attraction to it all known as Wizard Island is the closest and most prevalent you'll find throughout the park. Watchman Overlook was the best observation viewpoint I can remember from my time spent at Crater Lake. Wizard Island sort of smacked me in the face through my camera lens...I was able to photograph Crater Lake in it's majestic entirety from the viewpoint. Whereas, many of the significantly less roadside Crater Lake stops can just be ordinary especially when you're pulled over far away from Wizard Island. Then the scenery was really a letdown. For instance, when you're on the other side of the lake near Phantom Ship, when I exited my car to look upon Crater Lake, it was like glancing into the abyss of some large sized lake of water, without any focal points (like Wizard Island) and without any meaningful blue coloring to it. I was expecting turquoise blue around the lake and never found it. Even at the main hub of activity in Rim Village featuring Sinnott Overlook, the Crater Lake Lodge, Garfield Peak Trail, and even along Discovery Point Trail....I never received that fulfilling/humbling "wow moment" that completely blew me away in comparison to the sights and scenery I uncovered here at Watchman Overlook and Peak. Regardless...back to what makes Watchman Peak Overlook one of the most worthy of roadside stops at Crater Lake... - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND VISITING HERE IN THE AFTERNOON TIME! Yes this is SO IMPORTANT because from here at Watchman Overlook the sun starts to set from your backside. So...you get the sun reflecting onto Crater Lake and it affords you the most clear and concise perspectives for taking pictures! If you arrive in the morning, the sun will hit you in the opposite (in your face) direction and then you may be stuck with those annoying shadows! - After observing Crater Lake from the rim overlook area....off to the right hand side you'll find the hike to Watchman Lookout Trail. This path will take you to the apex of the rim's edge for uninterrupted views of Crater lake. This Watchman Lookout Trail isn't hard. There'll be a sign/trailhead stating that the Lookout Tower is 0.8 mile to the top. That's 1.6 miles round trip and it's an elevation gain of about 450 feet - I'd say a moderate level of difficulty, but it's overall less than 1 mile. - This Watchman Lookout Trail to the Lookout Tower is certainly recommended because there's not many hikes to even traverse at Crater Lake. I found Crater Lake to be more of just a roadside get out of your car kind of park. So...might as well take advantage of a little hiking opportunity while here...especially since the views around this Watchman Peak area are some of the most scenic in the park! - Along the 0.8 mile...there's not much to view, just switchbacks making your way to the top. From this Watchman Peak Lookout Tower, the appearance of Crater Lake was just as good as the roadside view (there wasn't much difference in my opinion) but still, I'd recommend grabbing a couple of photos from high atop here. - During this summer pandemic of 2020, the Lookout Tower was closed. So, in the end...you just have a small viewpoint to pier down on and admire Crater Lake with of course Wizard Island being so photogenic as well. I truly believe you won't find superior angles/perspectives of Crater Lake and Wizard Island anywhere else in the park other than being here at the rim's Watchman Overlook and at the pinnacle of Watchman Peak Trail Lookout Tower. Capture as many pictures as possible during your time here because the views won't get any better.

Crater lake is a far drive from Bend where we were staying. It is well worth it especially if you…read moredrive down early and get there before the parking lot fills up. When we were leaving at 2 pm it was packed so 10 am is perfect for getting parking. There is only two bathrooms at the parking lot, and supposedly one at the bottom of the hike but I didn't see it. We hiked down with kids, my 4 and 8 year old were able to do it. The 4 year old needed some carrying at the end but I was able to carry her up. I am not sure where people see "easy" for this hike. I would consider it medium because it's gradual and not straight up. Yes it's a gravel sand mixture but not slippery, especially on a dry day. The dusty trail got us all covered by a layer by the end. There is some points where you are in full sun and others with full shade. We jumped in the water and it was 61 degrees according to the Apple Watch. It helped the bottom up was in sun and helped keep me warm and drier. When we got to the shade it was a bit cold. The water is rocky so there isn't an easy place to get in but the kids were able to do it. They have boat rides on to the lake at the bottom but we didn't partake in it. The walk up was not difficult because of the switch backs. Had it been stairs straight down I would say that would be difficult. The path allows for people to rest and is wide enough for 3 people wide. They also have benches on the trail which is lovely. The view from the trail is much better than the lookouts from the road.

2.2 mi, 604 elevation gain, 1 hr to complete…read more Trail is well maintained though it appears there is high risk for rock slides. It is very highly traveled and probably one of the busiest trails in the park. There were several people swimming at the bottom. Heading back up there are many benches along the way to take a breather and have a sip of water. It was pretty smokey today so it was difficult to see Wizard island and the other side of the lake from the trail. Though, looking down you can see the bright blue water and boats anchored waiting to take passengers to wizard island and on tours of the lake.

Wow!!!! It is BEAUTIFUL! It is about an hour drive from Medford and TOTALLY worth the trip!!!…read more For those less mobile, you can get a great view of the gorge and water rushing through the rocks with a 5 to 10 minute walk to the first bridge depending upon your walking speed. And it is paved until the third overlook. I went hiking. It is a 1/4 mile to the Natural Bridge from the parking, but you can hike further past the three overlooks. I stayed on for another 1.5 miles which is worth the hike. By my standards, it is a "moderate" hike with a few steep grades. Once you cross the second bridge, take a left and walk another 1/4 mile to reach a shaded beach area to lay down and relax or cool off in the water.

This is a cool place to just take a stroll and really breath in the cleanest air possible. Well, it…read moremight not be the cleanest air, but it's darn near close enough in this wilderness area. There is also, a lot of parking here for all sorts of vehicles but it doesn't ever seem like this place gets full. I stopped here as I was staying at a place in Prospect. The road to Crater Lake was super snow covered and I didn't have chains so I opted to just hike here instead and try Crater Lake the following day. It wasn't really challenging but I still got a great hike. I really think it's amazing how the lava and water have carved so much of the landscape in this area and it's free just to roam and take it all in. Most of the trails are well travelled but there are several areas where I had to turn around and head back as they were fenced. Although you can hear the rush of the water nearby, it's oddly quiet. It's just how I like it for hiking so you can get real peace of mind. I kind of wish I saw a little more wildlife but I guess that's why they're called wild-life. They have limited first come, first serve tent sites as well as limited RV sites. There are vault toilets as well. There is no drinking water, so bring your own water. I think I saw signage for $10 for a campsite, but check the resources to make sure. Also with most campgrounds pack it in, pack it out with regards to trash.

1.7 mi, 289 ft elevation gain, 40 minutes to complete…read more Holy mosquito. Don't attempt this one without mosquito spray- for real! This hike is outstandingly gorgeous. We were already camped at Mazama Village so we just hoped onto the trail right behind where we were set up! It is about 15 degrees cooler down in the canyon than anywhere else. You get some of the same views here as with Godfrey Glen but from the bottom. There is an abundance of wildflowers surrounding you and you can hear the creek trickle along beside you. Would be a great place to relax and read a book if it weren't for the mosquitos. This hike also comes with an informational pamphlet at the trailhead.

"The Lightning Rod of the Cascades"!…read more This is the steep needle visible from Crater Lake National Park. It looks unclimbable. It's quite doable though! The summit requires a couple hundred feet of 4th class climbing. Most people don't use a rope. Some people *do* take a rope to rappel back down, and avoid down-climbing. The summit contains melted-then-reformed rock from being struck by lighting so many times. So, if the forecast is sketchy, DO NOT go up! It's one of the only summits that you can see crater lake from. Fun Fact: I have no idea how this mountain's name is pronounced. I've heard it with the "th" as in "the" and also just a hard-T. You tell me!