Crater Lake National Park
Hiking, Biking & Horseback Riding
Crater Lake National Park's 180,000-plus acres are mostly backcountry, with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet, and laced with 90 miles of hiking trails. These footpaths are usually snow-free from mid-July to early October.
Visitors can hike for several days or enjoy a walk lasting less than an hour. In addition to the many trails that start inside the park, there are several connections with paths in the surrounding National Forests such as the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs all the way from Mexico to Canada. Thirty miles of the PCT passes through Crater Lake's backcountry.
Day hikes are possible on portions of the PCT within the park, but hikers must backtrack or use two vehicles as there is no loop trail encompassing the PCT. The PCT crosses Highway 62 south of the Annie Springs Entrance en route to Medford. It crosses the North Entrance Road in the Pumice Desert Area. The total day hike covers 17 miles.
The "PCT alternate," brings hikers right up to the rim of Crater Lake, whereas previously PCT hikers could get a view of the lake only by leaving the trail and hiking into the Rim Village area. Coming from the north, the alternate leaves the old trail at the Grouse Hill junction with the North Entrance road. The trail parallels the road up to North Junction where it follows the rim of the caldera, offering spectacular views of the lake for six miles all the way to Discovery Point. From there, the trail descends back down the Dutton Creek trail to rejoin the old trail.
Wizard Island offers excellent hiking opportunities to those who make the effort to get to it. Tour boats make regular trips to the island during the summer months. From the 800-foot summit of Wizard Island, you can peer into the clear waters of America's deepest lake and enjoy a great view of Mount Scott and Garfield Peak. Mount Scott, in fact, is just a hop from the visitor's center on the mainland and can round out a weekend of hiking at Crater Lake.
Distances in the Park
 Highway 62 to Dutton Creek Trail Junction: 2.1 miles
Dutton Creek Trail Junction to Lightning Springs Trail Junction: 4.2 miles
Lightning Springs Trail Junction to North Entrance Road: 11.6 miles
Average hiking time from Highway 62 to North Entrance Road: 7.5 to 8 hours |
Shore Access
The only access to the shore of Crater Lake is Cleetwood Cove trail. Located on the north side of Crater Lake, it is the only safe and legal access to the lake. The trail is one mile in length and drops 700 feet from the East Rim Drive trailhead to the lakeshore. The Cleetwood Cove hiking trail is recommended only for those in good physical condition and should not be attempted by visitors with heart, breathing, or leg problems. It is not accessible for visitors with mobility impairments. Due to the park's heavy snow conditions, the trail typically does not open until late June and closes in mid-October.
Bicycles
No bicycles are allowed on any park trails. Bicycling is allowed only on paved roads, the Grayback Motor Nature Trail, and the dirt trail entering the park on the east side near the Pinnacles.
Horses
Horses are permitted on all trails except between Rim Drive and Crater Lake, on Mt. Scott, Godfrey Glen Trail, Annie Springs Trail, the new PCT alternate trail and in camping areas. Access to the rim for stock remains via the Lightning Springs trail.
Group size is limited to 8 persons and 12 head of stock. For trips beginning in the park, horse trailers must park at the Pacific Crest Trail parking lot on Hwy. 62 or the PCT parking lot on the North Entrance Road. Visitors riding horses must carry and use feed pellets on all overnight stock trips as grazing is not permitted. All other feed types are prohibited.
A permit is required for all overnight trips. Pets are not allowed on any park trail (including the Pacific Crest Trail), nor anywhere else in the backcountry.
Water Sources
Water is scarce in Crater Lake's backcountry. These sources are possibilities but may well be dry by late July or early August. Hikers should carry at least one gallon of water across the Crater Lake terrain.
Possible water sources include Red Cone Springs, Lightning Springs, major branches of Dutton Trapper, Bybee, North Copeland, and South Copeland Creeks.
Trail Descriptions
The following is a partial list of day hikes at Crater Lake National Park. The list is organized according
to estimated time length for completing the hike. Please note that steep terrain of Crater Lake means
time, length and difficulty are not directly related. Times are given are estimates of how long it will take
to complete the trail and return to the trailhead. Trails listed as strenuous should be taken only by people
in good physical condition.
-
Sun Notch View - Time: 20 minutes, Length: 0.25 miles one way, Elevation: 7000 - 7115 ft., Difficulty: moderate, Trailhead: 4 miles east of Park HQ on East Rim Drive, marked by a sign. Feature: Overlook of Crater Lake and Phantom Ship, scattered wildflowers, dry meadow. Use caution near steep edges.
Godfrey Glen - Time: 30 minutes, Length: 1.00 miles, Elevation: 6000 - 6050 ft., Difficulty: easy,
Trailhead: 2.4 miles south of Park HQ.
Castle Crest Wildflower Garden - Time: 30-45 minutes, Length: .4 mile loop from Rim Drive, 1 mile
loop from Park HQ, Elevation: 6400 - 6500 ft., Difficulty: easy but some uneven ground and rocks,
Trailhead: 1) East Rim Drive, 0.5 miles from park HQ, or 2) Across road from Park HQ parking lot.
Features: Small brook, lush vegetation, and spectacular blooms of wildflowers in summer months.
The Watchman - Time: 1 hour, Length: 0.7 miles. one way, Elevation: 7400 to 8056 ft, Difficulty:
difficult, steep, Trailhead: "The Corrals", 3.7 miles northwest of Rim Village on West Rim Drive.
Features: Panorama of surrounding area, overlook of Wizard Island, a historic fire lookout and an
interpretive map of local peaks and landforms.
Annie Creek Canyon - Time - 1 hour and 15 min, Length: 1.7 mile loop, Elevation: 5800 to 6000 ft.,
Difficulty: moderate, Trailhead: Amphitheater at Mazama Campground. Features: Deep stream cut
canyon, creek habitats, wildflowers and occasional animals.
Cleetwood Cove (lake shore trail) - Time - 1 hour, Length: 1.1 miles, one way, Elevation: 6850 to
6176 ft., Difficulty, strenuous, 11% grade, Trailhead: Parking area 4.5 mi. east of North Junction.
Features: Access to lake shore and boat landing.
Garfield Peak - Time: 2 to 3 hours, Length: 1.7 miles, one way, Elevation. 7050 to 9060 ft,
Difficulty: difficult, Trailhead: Rim Village Parking Lot. Features: Panorama of surrounding area,
excellent views of Crater Lake, occasional small animals, wildflowers, and an overhead view of Phantom
Ship.
Mt. Scott - Time: - 3 hours, Length: 2.5 miles. one way, Elevation: 7450 to 9929 ft., Difficulty: -
strenuous, Trailhead: 14 miles east of Park HQ, across East Rim Drive from road to Cloudcap junction.
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