1 Day in Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the United States at almost 2,000 feet deep. It’s the only national park in Oregon. Formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama through volcanic eruption, the pristine blue water is worth seeing in person. Even if you only have 1 day in Crater Lake, you can experience all the best on offer. Here’s how to make the most of one day with the best things to do in Crater Lake.
Boat Tours
If you want to hop on a boat tour, I would suggest getting an early start to the park. If you’re traveling during the summer (mid-June to mid-October), both the north and south entrances are open. The north entrance is more convenient from Bend and getting to Cleetwood Cove. Check the NPS website to double check that the roads aren’t closed from the ongoing construction. There are three different tour options, including ones that stop on Wizard Island for further exploration. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, but half of the tickets are reserved for same-day sales, which can be bought up to 2 hours before the tour.
Note: To reach the boat dock, you will need to hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail. This trail is very steep and can be very strenuous as there is approximately 700 ft. elevation change. It may take 45 minutes to 1 hour to descend the trail. (Trail is 2.2 miles round trip). We chose not to do the boat tours as the ascent from the dock is quite challenging.
Hiking Sun Notch Loop
This 0.8-mile loop uphill around a grassy meadow provides amazing views of the lake including the Phantom Ship. We also saw deer eating in the meadow. If you are looking for the easiest ascent, I believe the left side of the is smaller incline to the viewpoint.
Views at Pinnacle Overlook
This easy (read flat) 0.8-mile roundtrip out and back trail offers a beautiful view of the volcanic spires (pinnacles). The forest walk above the canyon shows the hot ash valley and erosion. This trail is accessible to all-terrain wheelchairs. I would encourage you to take the time to drive up to this unique viewpoint away from the lake.
Discovery Point
Take the 1-mile trail along the rim from the Rim Village to Discovery Point (2 miles roundtrip). This trail has 100 feet of elevation change and a few spots close to the edge, so tread carefully. The views of the lake, though, are spectacular with good shots of Wizard Island. This is considered a moderate hike.
Rim Drive
The 33-mile drive encircles Crater Lake and is the best way to experience the park’s breathtaking vistas. There are numerous pullouts for short walks, viewpoints and photo ops. The park is currently updating the road around the rim and has closed the rim drive from Skell Head to Phantom Ship Overlook. Regardless, plan for 2-3 hours to complete the portion of the drive that’s available with plenty of stops along the way. Always check the NPS website for further information on road and trail closures.
Rim Village & Lodge
The Rim Village houses a café and gift shop, the visitor center and Crater Lake Lodge. The food at the café is all quick-fix freezer foods (think chicken fingers and hot dogs) and was pretty disappointing. If you can pack a picnic for the trails and just enjoy the views.
Swimming in Crater Lake
Many don’t realize, but YES you can swim in Crater Lake. However, the only access point is by the boat dock at the bottom of Cleetwood Cove Trail. The trail is very steep and strenuous with an elevation change of 700 feet. The park takes great strides to protect the pristine waters, so no water sports are allowed. It is prohibited to bring masks, fins, paddle boards, etc. The waters can be quite cold, and swimming is only permitted when the trail is open, only in the summer when the snow is gone. If you bring food, make sure it stays contained and pack out all your trash.
Watchman Peak
If you are looking to watch the sunset in the park (and have some stamina), head up the Watchman Peak Trail to the Overlook. This 1.6-mile round-trip hike offers some amazing views of Crater Lake. From the top, you can be rewarded with views of Wizard Lake and the surrounding Cascade Mountains.
Crater Lake’s beauty could captivate you for days, but a well-planned visit can allow for some iconic moments in just one day. From hiking the rim to gaze at the pinnacles and boat tours around Wizard Island, you can pack a lot into your visit. Don’t forget to wear good walking shoes and pack your camera to remember your day!
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