Crater Lake is one of the strangest American landscapes — the deepest lake in the United States, sitting in the caldera of a collapsed volcano, with water so blue it looks photoshopped. A weekend covers the highlights.
Day 1 — Rim Drive
33 miles around the caldera, takes 3-4 hours with stops. Hit every overlook. The west rim has the most-photographed view (Wizard Island center-frame); the east rim has the deepest water and the Pinnacles. Camp at Mazama Village.
Day 2 — Wizard Island boat tour
The only way to actually touch the water. Reservations required (boats run July to mid-September only). The boat tour drops you at Wizard Island for several hours — climb the volcanic cone (1.8 miles, 760 ft elevation gain).
Hike Garfield Peak (3.6 miles round-trip) for the best lookdown view of the entire caldera.
Day 3 — Watchman Tower or home
Hike the Watchman Tower trail (1.6 miles round-trip) for sunrise on the rim. Then drive home, or extend west to Bend or south to the Oregon coast.
What to pack
- Layers — Crater Lake sits at 7,000-8,000 ft and is cold even in July
- Rain jacket (Pacific Northwest weather)
- Hiking boots
- Light gloves and a beanie for early mornings
Crater Lake in winter is buried under 40 feet of snow and most of the rim road is closed. July through September is the only practical window.
Crater Lake-ready kit: tables and chairs. Plan: Crater Lake destination page.