Crater Lake National Park Is Open Year-Round, 24 Hours a Day
Every summer, Crater Lake National Park comes alive with colorful wildflowers, sun-kissed rock formations, towering waterfalls, and—of course—picturesque vistas of its namesake, emerald-hued body of water.
This year, those magical views at Oregon’s only national park will still be available to visitors. They just might look a bit different than in the past.
Starting in 2026, the Cleetwood Cove Trail—the only legal access to the lakeshore—is closed for repair and upgrades. That means boat tours won’t be available, and the trailhead’s spacious parking lot will be inaccessible. Closures continue until Cleetwood Cove reopens in 2029 with safer, more stable terrain, as well as a brand-new dock.
Even so: The vast majority of the trails, viewpoints, and attractions at Crater Lake remain open and continue to offer one awe-inspiring moment after another. Keep reading for more about what to know when visiting Crater Lake in 2026—along with five favorite activities at the park this summer.
Hike to Sweeping Overlooks, Thundering Waterfalls, and More
The Cleetwood Cove Trail may be closed until 2029—but that’s just a small fraction of the roughly 60 miles (round-trip) of high-elevation hiking trails at Crater Lake National Park. Here are a few other jaunts that show off captivating natural sites and explosive past.
Choose among two easy hikes on Pinnacles Road. The 2-mile (round-trip) hike to Plaikni Falls passes meadows covered in colorful wildflowers before ending at the base of a 40-foot waterfall, and the all-terrain-wheelchair-accessible Pinnacles Valley Trail shows off needle-like spires that acted as gas and steam vents during Mount Mazama’s eruption some 7,700 years ago. Note that East Rim Drive is under construction in 2026—and that both sites can only be accessed from the north.
For more of a challenge, hike to the summit of Watchman Peak, which hosts a fire lookout tower and lords over Wizard Island below; pack a headlamp if you’d like to savor some of the park’s best sunset views. The Garfield Peak Trail climbs from Crater Lake Lodge and showcases not just Crater Lake, but several peaks in the surrounding Cascade Range. And the Mount Scott trail passes alpine wildflowers before arriving at the base of a fire lookout tower—the tallest point in the park.
Go Stargazing Under Bright Night Skies
All the conditions for epic stargazing are in place at Crater Lake. The park itself is more than 6,000 feet above sea level, bringing you that much closer to the cosmos and rising above low-elevation haze that would otherwise blur the best views. It’s also at least 50 miles from the closest large city, leaving little light pollution to wash out the starry skies. And pleasant summer weather typically translates to cloud-free nights—making it easy to spy stars, planets, the soft green glow of the Milky Way, and other cosmic wonders, often with the naked eye. Aim for a visit around the new moon or in mid-August to catch the peak of the Perseid meteor shower.
Upon arrival, check the park newspaper or pop into a visitor center to ask whether ranger-led stargazing programs may occur on your visit. If not, bundle up and head to the Crater Lake rim after sunset for an iconic experience with these stargazing tips and tricks.
Enjoy Rim Drive on a Trolley Tour
Soak up every sight along the 33-mile Rim Drive, and leave the driving to the pros, with a Crater Lake Trolley ride.
Between July and mid-September, the two-hour tour departs from Rim Village and makes five to seven stops at popular viewpoints on Rim Drive. Along the way, a staff member regales riders with narration and trivia about the park’s cultural history, natural features, wildlife, and more. Each trolley is fully enclosed and wheelchair-accessible, making the tour a fun way to see the park’s highlights without worrying about traffic or parking.
See Crater Lake Through the Eyes of a Ranger
There’s a lot to love about Crater Lake, and friendly rangers are happy to help make the most of your experience.
On average, Crater Lake receives more than 40 feet of snow every year—making ranger-led snowshoe walks a popular activity in winter. Taking place on weekends through the end of April, conditions permitting, each one- to two-mile trek goes through peaceful forests and wide-open meadows—or around park headquarters. Snowshoes are provided free of charge.
As snow melts and the park opens up in June and July, join a number of ranger programs between late June and mid-September. Rangers routinely lead short talks at Sinnott Memorial Overlook and on the patio at Crater Lake Lodge, evening programs and stargazing experiences when the sun goes down, guided hikes on popular trails, and other fun outings. Check in at Crater Lake’s visitor centers upon arrival, or flip through the park newspaper, to see what’s happening on your next visit.
If you’re traveling with kids, ask about the Junior Ranger program—where little ones can earn a special badge by answering trivia questions, playing educational games, and more with a complimentary activity book.
Spend the Night in Style
Plenty of overnight stays are ready to welcome your whole crew—inside and outside the park.
Choose among three options within the park. The ornate Crater Lake Lodge, an iconic site since 1915, sits perched next to Crater Lake and offers more than 70 hotel rooms—some with views. A few miles south, The Cabins at Mazama Village pairs comfortable beds with easy access to nearby shops and eateries. If you’d rather rough it, pitch a tent or park your RV at Mazama Campground, home to more than 200 sites, food storage lockers, and other amenities.
The Cabins and Mazama Campground are both a short walk from Mazama Village. There, you’ll find a restaurant, gift shop, convenience store, gas station, and—as of 2026—a new scoop shop serving ice cream from the Roseburg-based Umpqua Dairy, a family-owned outfit that’s been a regional staple since 1931.
To the west of Crater Lake’s southern entrance, Union Creek Resort is a historic collection of 17 cabins, five vacation rentals, and a handful of lodge rooms—some of which date back to 1922—just across the highway from the Rogue River. Save room for a slice at the on-site Beckie’s Café, whose seasonal pies use fresh Oregon berries.
North of the park, Diamond Lake is chockablock in overnight stays. Welcoming visitors since 1920, Diamond Lake Resort hosts a variety of cabins, an RV park, and more than 50 motel rooms and studio apartments. If you’re camping, Diamond Lake Campground is one of three campgrounds around its namesake body of water; it offers 51 waterfront sites and nearly 200 sites tucked into the surrounding forests.
Visit the Current Conditions page to find out what’s open in the park today.
Written by Matthew Wastrodowski
April 2026
