New changes in the park and fun recreational activities for all visitors.
A destination on many bucket lists, brilliantly blue Crater Lake is one of Oregon’s natural wonders. Its crater formed 7,700 years ago when Mt. Mazama erupted, and thanks to rainfall and snowmelt over the centuries, it’s now the deepest lake in the United States at 1,934 feet. To experience its stunning vistas, visitors can now fly into Medford’s Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) from 11 destinations on the West Coast — including Portland, Los Angeles and San Francisco — for a weekend getaway. Here’s what you need to know about the changes coming to the park this season and beyond.
Planning Ahead for 2025 Visitors
The best way to enjoy Crater Lake is to plan ahead. It’s not too early to check the Explore Crater Lake website for updates and reservations. A new concessions operator, ExplorUS, has taken over management of lodging, restaurants, camping and gift shops in the park.
Understanding when the park will be open and what areas are under construction will give you ample time to enjoy the lake without stress. In 2025 and 2026, boat tours will be closed as the park refurbishes trails and marinas. Its most popular trail, Cleetwood Cove, will also be closed in 2025 due to reconstruction, which means there will be no official lake access.
There are still many options for enjoying the park, including driving the rim and stopping at numerous overlooks, including popular Sinnott Memorial Overlook, which has exhibits and ranger programs held throughout the summer. Hiking is a popular activity, with a variety of short and long trails for every kind of ability, to enjoy waterfalls and natural features like The Pinnacles in season. The Rim Village walking tour is a great option for a flat, short (0.3-mile) path with stunning caldera views and historic structures.
Are you a bike enthusiast? If so, another way to enjoy Crater Lake is to bike around the 33-mile volcano. It’s not for the faint of heart, though! Be ready for many hills as you ride past the sparkling-blue water. Or register for the popular Ride the Rim challenge in September, for which the park closes to vehicles for a nonmotorized parade around the lake. You can also run or walk a portion or all of the rim.
Where to Dine and Stay
After a full day of adventuring, enjoy the views of Crater Lake while enjoying a bison burger or vegetable lasagna at the Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room. Visit the Rim Village Cafe for sandwiches and salads, and Annie Creek Restaurant in Mazama Village for classics like mac and cheese or margherita flatbreads. All are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Book ahead to stay at one of several lodging options in the park. These include the historic Crater Lake Lodge, with deluxe and standard rooms and beautiful views of the lake. You can also reserve rustic cabins in Mazama Village among the ponderosa pines, or book one of the tent or RV sites at the Mazama Campground.
Things to Do Near Crater Lake
Interested in off-the-beaten-path adventures or extending your stay in the area beyond park boundaries? Just west of Crater Lake, the Rogue River offers whitewater rafting, fishing and more breathtaking hiking trails. The Natural Bridge trail, a paved 2-mile loop, takes you by the upper Wild and Scenic Rogue River and Rogue Gorge, where the river disappears into lava tubes and resurfaces downstream. It’s a wonder to stand among history on the roaring river while awestruck under old-growth pines.
Just northwest of Crater Lake, breathtaking waterfall hikes await the more adventurous hiker. Located off Highway 138, Toketee Falls is a short half-mile hike to a viewpoint that allows hikers to view the Umpqua River below. The falls plunge over volcanic basalt for a two-tiered experience. Also on Highway 138, Watson Falls is an astounding hike with old-growth forests and cascading falls. The third tallest in Oregon, this waterfall plunges over 270 feet and is easily accessible to all hikers.
You can find even more things to do and places to stay nearby in one of the surrounding communities. If you’re headed from the cities of Medford or Grants Pass, check out these spots for fun along the upper Rogue River southwest of the park. Or take the road less traveled southeast of the park to historic towns like Klamath Falls, Chiloquin and Fort Klamath.
Top photo of the Pinnacles by Cody Roux
