5-Day Crater Lake National Park Itinerary
Circle Oregon's deepest lake on five days of rim trails and scenic overlooks.
Crater Lake fills a caldera created 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed. The lake's depth—1,943 feet—makes it the deepest in the United States, and its famous blue derives from extreme purity and clarity.
- 183,224 Acres
- 1,943 ft Deepest lake in US
- 33 miles Scenic Rim Drive
- 30 Named overlooks
Day 1: Arrival at Crater Lake
Stay: Crater Lake Lodge offers historic accommodations with lake views; book early.
Arrive early, check in, and acclimate to rim elevation with a gentle sunset walk.
- Drive Highway 62 south from Chemult or north from Klamath Falls to reach the South Entrance.
- Check in at Crater Lake Lodge (or Mazama Village cabins), then head to Discovery Point Trail for a easy rim walk through whitebark pines with views across the caldera to Phantom Ship Island.
Day 2: Mount Scott Summit
Stay: Return to Crater Lake Lodge; rest for tomorrow's scenic drive.
This is the park's highest peak and the toughest hike of the trip, rewarding you with unobstructed 360-degree views of the lake and caldera.
- Drive east on Rim Drive to the Mount Scott trailhead (8 miles east of Rim Village).
- The hike gains 1,250 feet over steep, exposed switchbacks to the 8,929-foot summit.
- On clear days, you see the entire lake, Phantom Ship, and the Cascade Range horizon.
Day 3: Rim Drive West & Watchman Peak
Stay: Full day circling the rim; return to Crater Lake Lodge at day's end.
The Rim Drive is one of America's most stunning road loops; completing the west section delivers 30 viewpoints and a perfect sunset summit.
- Depart Rim Village on Rim Drive heading west, stopping at Sentinel Rock, Phantom Ship Overlook, Hillman Peak, and Union Peak viewpoints.
- In late afternoon, break for Watchman Peak Trail (1.6 mi, 420 ft gain, moderate), ending at a fire-lookout tower with sweeping lake views.
- Return to lodge to rest.
Day 4: Garfield Peak & East Rim Exploration
Stay: Return to Crater Lake Lodge for the final night; enjoy the lodge's Great Hall and dining.
Garfield Peak pairs a challenging climb with intimate views of the lake and caldera walls—a classic Crater Lake experience.
- Depart Rim Village and drive east on Rim Drive (note: East Rim has partial construction closures in 2026).
- Hike Garfield Peak (3.6 mi, 1,010 ft gain) from its trailhead, scrambling rocky switchbacks to the summit.
- On return, explore open sections of East Rim Drive and overlooks, stopping at Cloudcap and Vidae Falls (if accessible).
Day 5: Crater Peak & Departure
Stay: Depart after morning hike; no overnight stay.
A final summit captures wildflower meadows and direct caldera views before leaving the park, balancing scenic payoff with a manageable morning schedule.
- Depart the lodge early for Crater Peak (6.5 mi, 765 ft gain, 3.5 hrs) accessed via Grayback Road on the west side of the park.
- The trail passes through lodgepole and whitebark pine forest, emerging at a windswept summit with lake and caldera views.
- Return by mid-afternoon for the drive home via Highway 62.
Common Questions
When does Crater Lake's Rim Drive fully open each year?
NPS does not predict exact opening dates, as snow melt varies yearly. The Rim Drive typically opens in mid-July, but can range from late June to early August. Plan July trips as the safest window for guaranteed full-road access. Check nps.gov/crla/conditions before traveling.
Can we go to Wizard Island or swim in the lake?
No, not in 2026–2027. Cleetwood Cove Trail (the only lake access) is closed through 2027 for major rehabilitation. Boat tours are unavailable until 2028. The lake itself is accessible only by foot or boat, neither available during this period.
Do we need permits or reservations to hike?
No permits are required for day-use hiking at Crater Lake. Simply pay the $30 vehicle entrance fee at the gate (credit/debit card only). Backcountry camping requires a free permit from Park Headquarters, but this itinerary uses lodge accommodations only.
What is the best time of year to visit Crater Lake?
July through September offers the best combination of full road access, clear weather, and all trails open. June trips risk partial road closures due to snow; October brings increasing cloud cover and weather unpredictability. July–August are peak season, so book lodging 6–12 months ahead.
How difficult are the rim hikes?
Rim trails range from easy (Discovery Point, 2 mi) to strenuous (Mount Scott, 4.4 mi with 1,250 ft gain). This itinerary includes three strenuous summits (Mount Scott, Garfield Peak, Crater Peak) suitable for hikers comfortable with steep ascents and high elevation (7,000–8,900 ft). Bring plenty of water and layers.
Sources & Further Reading
- Hiking Trails at Crater Lake National Park — National Park Service
- Scenic Rim Drive at Crater Lake National Park — National Park Service
- Park Entrance Fees and Passes — National Park Service
- Current Park Conditions — National Park Service
- Things to Do at Crater Lake — National Park Service
- Crater Lake National Park Main Page — National Park Service
- Plan Your Visit – Crater Lake National Park — National Park Service
- Crater Lake Nature and Science — National Park Service
- Crater Lake Lodge – Official Lodging — Explore Crater Lake
- Mazama Village Accommodations — Explore Crater Lake
- Mazama Campground — Explore Crater Lake
- Boat Tours at Crater Lake — Explore Crater Lake
- Recreation.gov Crater Lake Gateway — Recreation.gov
- Crater Lake – Wikipedia — Wikipedia
- Visitor Centers at Crater Lake National Park — National Park Service
- Lodging and Camping Near Crater Lake — National Park Service
- Operating Hours and Seasons — National Park Service
