Crater Lake National Park showcases the stunning jewel of the Cascade Mountains - Crater Lake. This Saffire gem is the park's main attraction, but it isn't the only natural wonder here.
Set in the caldera of an ancient volcano, the lake points to this region's fiery past. It is a land of both beauty and mystery.
From cinder cones and fascinating volcanic spires to mysterious underwater tubes and a strange floating spectacle--this park is nothing short of amazing.
Discover Crater Lake with Shaka Guide
On Shaka Guide's Crater Lake National Park Tour, we’ll guide you around the rim of this breathtaking lake and point out the best views and trails.
As you drive, we'll tell you the fascinating history of the region, regale you with mysterious tales and legends, and share about the unique plants and animals that live here in the Cascades.
With Shaka Guide leading the way, you’ll explore at your own pace. There’s no schedule to keep or crowd to follow. You’re in the driver’s seat—literally, so take your time!
Or, if you’re in a hurry, feel free to skip a stop. We promise we won’t take it personally. We’ve taken all the guesswork out so all you have to do is enjoy yourself.
Starting Points
There are multiple starting points for this driving tour. From the north, you can pick up the tour on Highway 138 near Diamond Lake or come from Chemult.
From the south, you can start the tour on Highway 62 coming from either Fort Klamath or Union Creek. Once in the park, you can choose to circle the lake going clockwise or counterclockwise around the rim.
(We recommend going counterclockwise for the best views and because you get to make right turns for most of the overlooks!)
Tour Overview
With over 20 potential stops and nearly 70 points of narration, the tour is packed with practical and fun information and takes you to the best places in the park.
You can drive around the rim and see the highlights of Crater Lake National Park in just one day. But if you want to visit every place and hike every trail we mention on the tour, we recommend spending at least two days in the park.
Hitting the trails early will help you avoid the crowds and give you time for additional hikes.
Of course, if you have less time, you can choose the places you want to visit and skip the rest. The tour never expires, so you can always come back another time.
Itinerary
1. Mazama Village
Shutterstock Image
- Duration: 15-30 mins
Located near the south entrance to the park, Mazama Village features a seasonal campground; the Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop; the Mazama Village Camp Store with groceries, snacks, sundries, and souvenirs; public restrooms; and a gas station.
You can also access the Annie Creek Trail from the campground. Ask at the camper store for trail details.
2. Annie Creek Canyon Overlook
Shutterstock Image
- Duration: 5 mins
If you are entering the park from the south, pull over for a view of Annie Creek Canyon. From the overlook, you'll get a glimpse of one of the park's mysterious volcanic features--towering pinnacles made of ash and pumice. These fossilized spires were formed during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Mazama.
3. Godfrey Glen Trail
Shutterstock Image
- Duration: 30 mins
Godfrey Glen is an easy one-mile loop and one of the few accessible and pet-friendly trails in the park. The shady path winds through an old-growth forest along the edge of a steep canyon and offers views of strange needle-like towers called pinnacles.
These unique spires formed after Mount Mazama’s explosive eruption, which dumped a thick layer of pumice. Hot gasses escaped from this layer through vents and cemented parts of the surrounding pumice into these fantastic shapes. Then over time, the softer rock around the spires eroded away, leaving just the pinnacles standing.
4. Steel Information Center
Image from Flickr by Ken Lund
- Duration: 15 mins
Originally built as a ranger dormitory, the Steel Information Center now serves as the park’s main visitor center, offering information, exhibits, and a gift shop.
Named after one of the park’s earliest advocates, William Gladstone Steel, the visitor center received an extensive renovation in the early 2020s and reopened to the public in 2024.
The historic building was updated and strengthened to withstand earthquakes and heavy snow.
5. Rim Village Cafe and Gift Shop
Image by Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 15-30 mins
Located at the edge of the caldera, Rim Village is the main visitor hub featuring:
- a small visitor center
- cafe
- gift shop
- Crater Lake Lodge, and
- stunning views of Crater Lake!
Check out the Discovery Point Trail, an easy two-mile round-trip hike along the rim to Discovery Point. Or, if you'd like something more challenging, try the climb to Garfield Peak, a 3.5-mile round-trip hike with rewarding views.
You can get trail maps and information from the visitor center. While you're there, don't miss the dramatic cliffside views from Sinnott Overlook, just below the visitor center.
6. Crater Lake Lodge
Shutterstock Image
- Duration: 15-30 mins
Built-in 1915, the historic Crater Lake Lodge sits on the edge of the caldera and offers majestic views of the lake and surrounding sub-alpine meadows.
The stone and wood structure retains the charm and character of the original lodge.
Stop in for a meal in their dining room--or just sit on the veranda and soak in the views.
The lodge is open seasonally from mid-May to early October.
7. Rim Visitor Center
Image by Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 5-15 mins
The Rim Visitor Center is located in the historic Kiser Studio in Rim Village and offers stunning views of the lake.
The center offers park information, maps, books and souvenirs. You can also get your passport stamped here.
8. Discovery Point Trail
Image from Flickr by Ken Lund
- Duration: 1 hr
This 2-mile round trip trail along the rim offers amazing views of the lake and Wizard Island. The trail begins at Rim Village and ends at Discovery Point.
Discovery Point is the place where John Hillman discovered the lake in 1853.
9. Sinnott Memorial Overlook
- Duration: 5-15 mins
Don't overlook the Sinnott Memorial Overlook! This cliffside viewpoint features outdoor exhibits and stunning views of the lake. You'll find the overlook behind the Rim Visitor Center.
10. Watchman Overlook & Trail
Shutterstock Image
- Duration: 1 hr
From Watchman Overlook, you'll get an unrivaled view of Wizard Island and the crater on top that this lake was named after!
You can also climb up nearby Watchman Peak. The steep, 2-mile round-trip trail takes you to a historic fire lookout that sits over 8,000 feet above sea level.
There, you'll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
There are portable restrooms in the overlook parking area.
11. Merriam Point Overlook
Image from Flickr by John Manard
- Duration: 5-15 mins
From Merriam Point, you'll be treated to a spectacular view of Crater Lake and Wizard Island. Look for Mount Scott, the tallest peak in the park, in the distance.
Merriam Point was named after John C. Merriam, a prominent paleontologist who was instrumental in starting the nature interpretation program at Crater Lake in the early 1900s.
12. Steel Bay Viewpoint
- Duration: 5 mins
Located near the Grouse Hill Picnic Area are two scenic viewpoints overlooking Steel Bay.
Steel Bay was named after William Gladstone Steel. Steel was known as "The Father of Crater Lake" for his instrumental role in preserving this land as a national park.
13. Cleetwood Cove Trail
Shutterstock Image
- Duration: 1-2 hrs
Cleetwood Cove Trail is a two-mile round-trip hike with a 700-foot elevation and steep switchbacks.
At the lake, you can take a guided boat tour. Advance reservations can be made here.
Some tickets are available for same-day bookings and can be purchased up to 2 hours before departure at the:
- Mazama Village Cabin/Campground Registration Desk
- Crater Lake Lodge Front Desk and
- the Cleetwood Cove Kiosk
Check the visitor guide for swimming rules and fishing regulations. If you need to change clothes, there are restrooms in the parking area just across the road from the trailhead.
14. Skell Head Overlook
Image by Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 5-15 mins
Enjoy the view from this promontory named Skell Head and learn about the ancient spirits connected to this sacred place.
15. Cloudcap Overlook
Image by Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 5-15 mins
Like its name suggests, Cloudcap Overlook is the highest overlook on our drive. It also happens to be the highest paved road in all of Oregon!
At Cloudcap, you'll be standing around 8,000 feet above sea level with a beautiful view of the lake below. Definitely take time to soak in the views.
You'll see many hardy whitebark pine trees here at Cloudcap. Read the interpretive signs to find out why some of these trees are called Flag Trees!
16. Phantom Ship Overlook
Image by Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 5-15 mins
The overlook is one of the best places to see Phantom Ship Island. This jagged formation of volcanic rock rises over 170 feet above the lake's surface and is a remnant of the ancient volcanic core that survived Mount Mazama's eruption.
This mysterious island seems to appear and disappear in the mist, kind of like a ghostly ship.
17. Plaikni Falls Trail
Image by Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 1 hr
A short detour from Rim Drive will take you to the trailhead for Plaikni Falls. This easy, two-mile roundtrip hike will take you through an old-growth forest and along a stream bank bursting with summer wildflowers.
At the end, you'll be rewarded with a view of a picturesque 20-foot waterfall.
The name Plaikni is a Klamath word that means "from the high country." It's a fitting name for these lovely falls whose waters originate nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.
18. Pinnacles Overlook & Trail
- Duration: 45 mins
This easy, one-mile forested trail follows the rim of Pinnacle Valley, offering stunning views of these fairytale towers.
The gray and brown pinnacles were formed when pumice and ash filled the valley following Mazama’s big eruption. Hot gasses trapped underneath this layer of volcanic material escaped through cylindrical vents called fumaroles.
The intense heat and chemical action of the gasses caused the pumice and ash surrounding these volcanic vents to harden.
Later, when streams of water once again cut through the valley, the softer rock material eroded away, leaving behind these fantastic “fossil fumaroles.”
19. Sun Notch Trail
Shutterstock Image
- Duration: 30 mins
The Sun Notch Trail is a little less than a mile long. The loop winds through a meadow to the rim of the lake. From this vantage point, you'll get a different view of Phantom Ship Island.
20. Vidae Falls
Image by Robin Montgomery
- Duration: 5-15 mins
This lovely waterfall is located right next to the road making it easy to stop for a quick photo.
21. Castle Crest Wildflower Trail
- Duration: 30 mins
If the summer wildflowers are in bloom, you'll definitely want to check out Castle Crest Wildflower Trail. This easy, half-mile walk meanders up to an enchanting meadow teaming with colorful wildflowers and butterflies.
But if you're short on time, or if the wildflowers are not at their peak, you can probably skip this one.
Explore Crater Lake National Park with Shaka Guide
So, are you ready to explore Oregon's wilderness gem and discover some of its hidden mysteries? Shaka Guide has you covered!
Whether you are here for a few days or just a few hours, you'll discover that Crater Lake is "like no place on Earth."
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Crater Lake National Park Tour!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Know Before You Go article.
Like this article? Share it on Pinterest!
