Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure to Crater Lake National Park! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• Download the tour using Wi-Fi before you go!
• The tour has four starting points:
  • North Diamond Lake, OR
  • Chemult, OR
  • 7 miles north of Fort Klamath, OR
  • The junction between OR 230 and Highway 62
• Entrance to the park is $30 per car. 
• The park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, however, the park’s facilities and roads have varying seasonality and hours of operation. Learn more about Crater Lake's availability here. 
• Advanced reservations are not required to enter the park but are recommended for the Crater Lake Boat Tours. (Same-day reservations may also be available.)

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Robin Montgomery

Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs.

• $30 park entrance fee.

Hours of Operation 

Although the park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the park’s facilities' hours of operation vary based on the season. The park also experiences seasonal road closures. We highly recommend you visit the park’s website before you go. 

• Mazama Village Camper Store
  • Mid-May to mid-Jun: 9 am - 9 pm
  • Mid-Jun to mid-Sep: 7 am - 9 pm
• Mazama Gas Pumps
  • Same as store hours
  • After mid-Sep: 10 am - 6 pm
• Steel Information Center
  • Daily from 10 am - 5 pm
• Rim Village Cafe and Gift Shop
  • Open seasonally May - October from 9 am - 8 pm
• Rim Visitor Center
  • Open seasonally June - September 9:30 am - 5 pm

Get Packing!

Shutterstock Image

​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• National Park Pass 
• Cell phone (with tour downloaded!)
• Car charger
• Phone mount for car
• Flashlight - for sunrise or sunset hikes 
• Binoculars (optional)
• Trekking poles (recommended if hiking to Mount Scott, Watchman Peak, or Garfield Peak)
• Hiking shoes
• Sunscreen & sunglasses 
• Hat
• Water 
• Snacks and/or picnic food (Remember to pack up leftovers/don’t leave crumbs) *The only places to get food in the park are at Rim Village and Mazama Village.
• First aid kit/medications
• Emergency roadside assistance kit
• Swimsuit and towel if interested in swimming in Crater Lake

Best Time to Visit 

Image by Robin Montgomery

If you are interested in hiking and driving around the rim, the best time to visit is July to September. This is when the park is mostly or completely snow-free and all the roads and trails are open. 

During the winter months, parts of the park and road are closed due to snow. However, the road up to Rim Village stays open throughout the winter, depending on the weather.

The lake is absolutely stunning when the surrounding landscape is covered under a blanket of snow. Come enjoy free ranger-led snowshoe tours during the winter.

If you want to beat the summer crowds, consider coming on a weekday or arriving early in the morning or later in the evening on a weekend.

Safety Information 

Image by Robin Montgomery

Before we get to the lake, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind: 

First, cyclists share these narrow roads, so please…drive carefully. 

Second, the Crater Lake caldera is beautiful but also steep and dangerous. Except for one designated area at Cleetwood Cove, hiking or climbing down inside it is actually illegal.

Tragically, visitors have lost their lives slipping and falling off the edge of the rim. So please…stay behind the barriers. The walls not only protect the plants that grow here–they also protect you. 

Lastly, whenever you park on an incline, remember to use your emergency brake. Freak accidents have happened.

Leave No Trace 

Image by Robin Montgomery

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders.

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.

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 Crater Lake National Park Itinerary.

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