Recently Travel And Leisure reported that Crater Lake is the 'best hidden gem' in the US. They also reported that Crater Lake and other destinations that made the list might be known to locals, but are less-visited spots for tourists. Truth be told, Crater Lake is a pretty amazing spot, and it has been known as the 'gem of the Cascades' since at least as far back as 1980. But it hasn't been a 'hidden' spot since it became a national park in 1902 and the Crater Lake Lodge began to be constructed in 1908. In fact, between 500,000 and 750,000 people visit Crater Lake each year. Every time we head up to Crater Lake we encounter people not only from around the U.S. but from countries like Japan and Germany as well. Many people come to Oregon just to visit our gorgeous gem of the Cascades. On any nice day in the summer (and even in the middle of winter), you're likely to encounter a crowd at the Crater Lake Lodge, or dozens of people meandering down the paved trails overlooking the rim at the glistening waters down in the caldera.
Instead of just telling you that Crater Lake is a cool spot to visit (it really is), or try to make you think that it's a 'less visited tourist spot that's only known to locals', I'd rather give you a list of all the amazing things to do within the national park that you might not have known about so that you can try to get away from the crowds.
Crater Lake Is Busy - Here Are Some Spots In The Park You Might Be Able To Visit With Less Of A Crowd
Listen, I'm not going to lie. These days, just about anywhere you want to go within the park is likely to have people, even if you're looking to hike and camp in the back country. Crater Lake National Park is a popular spot to visit for a reason. This place is steeped in history, geological wonder and mystery. But the masses that visit each year (half a million people) usually stick to the easy to reach places like the lodge, the gift shops, and the paved trails along the rim.
A brave few venture down the steep steps into the caldera to dip their toes into the water or go fishing, and a good number of people head out to a few other impressive places in the park, but most stay close to their car, satisfied with peeking over the rim of the caldera for a few minutes and then visiting the gift shop. There's no shame in that. I've been up there and done the same thing numerous times myself. Some of the best places within the national park take some effort and a little bit of an adventurous spirit to get to however.
1. Pinnacles Valley
The first couple times I visited Crater Lake, I had no idea that the Pinnacles even existed. These needlelike formations are both strange and awe-inspiring to look at. As hot pumice cooled down, steam and hot gasses rose up and released through vents and tubes, turning the pumice into a sort of cement. Later, the softer material that surrounded these hardened structures eroded away, and left the sharp, pointy pinnacles we can see today.
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To get to the pinnacles at Crater Lake National Park you'll head down Pinnacles Road from East Rim Drive into Wheeler Creek Canyon. It should be noted that you can't visit the pinnacles when East Rim Drive or Pinnacles Road are closed. Due to snow, these two roads are sometimes closed until July, so plan for a mid to late summer trip if you want to check out these interesting formations.
2. Swim Or Cruise The Glassy Surface Of The Lake On A Tour Boat (If You Can Manage The Hike)
I myself have never been down to the water's edge at Crater Lake. I've been to the park at least a dozen times, and have tried to brave the trail leading down into the caldera, but never made it. Call me a wimp, but that trail was steep. We made it down about five flights of stairs before the trail started to grow narrow and get eroded. The part where we turned back slanted steeply towards the lake, and I was afraid I was going to slide right off. So I'm wimpy and gave up. I have no sense of adventure when it comes to that particular trail.
It's been a few years since I tried to get down to the lake's edge, so maybe that part of the trail has been repaired, or maybe I'm remembering it as something more scary than it actually is. For those who do brave the trail and make it all the way down, it's the same distance as going down 65 flights of stairs. Don't forget that you'll have to hike the same distance back up to the top again. The steep pumice trail, high elevation, lack of shade, and often slippery conditions are one reason why half a million people don't make the journey down to the lake's edge every year. You could be one of the lucky few thousand that do during your visit.
When you make it down to Cleetwood Cove, you can swim in the cold waters from mid-June to late October, take photos, or take an incredible boat ride on the lake's glassy waters. You'll have a few options when it comes to boat rides. You can take a standard lake cruise, which is a two hour journey that will take you near Wizard Island and the Phantom Ship. There's an option for a Wizard Island Layover which will get you directly to Wizard Island, where you can hike and explore as well as take pictures.
There's also a shuttle that gets you back and forth to Wizard Island (this is ideal for people that want to fish, hike and swim instead of take a long boat ride). You can book your Crater Lake Boat tour here, and check current pricing. Pricing varies depending on age and tour.
So how bad is this trail down to Cleetwood Cove at Crater Lake? The trail down to Cleetwood Cove is the only way to access the lake legally. The trail itself follows a series of switchbacks down 700 feet to the water's edge. The hike is 1.1 miles one way, and the surface of the trail is crushed pumice, which is loose and can be slippery when dry. Not sure if you can make the hike? Ask yourself first if you can hike down and then back up 65 flights of stairs before you consider making the journey. Also be sure to check out the information about the hazards of the trail here.
3. Hike Garfield Peak
Ok, so you did the trail down to Cleetwood Cove and you were bored. That's ok, because there are lots of hiking opportunities in and around Crater Lake National Park. If you want some incredible panoramic views of the lake, try the Garfield Peak Trail. This trail has a one thousand foot elevation gain and is 3.4 miles round trip.
It takes two to three hours to complete. This trail is steep and rocky in some spots, but for those that make it to the top, the views are well worth the effort.
4. See Plaikni Falls
Plaikni Falls is an easier hike than heading down to Cleetwood Cove or up to Garfield Peak, so you're more likely to see people on this trail, especially if you're hiking it later in the day. Show up early for less of a crowd and better photo opportunities. The trail to Plaikni Falls is 2.2 miles round trip and provides some shade early on as you head up through old growth fir and hemlock. The falls here aren't big, and may be dry or mostly dry if you wait to go until late in the summer.
If you want to look at more trails where you can escape the crowd within Crater Lake National Park, check out the official trail list here. This list has descriptions of all the trails in the park, describes whether or not they have lake views, and how difficult they are.
5. Camping At Crater Lake National Park
If you're looking to stay within the park during your visit, you may have some trouble. Without booking in advance, you probably won't be able to find an available room at the lodge, or an open camping spot. We've compiled a list of all of the available campgrounds in the park, as well as more than a dozen nearby campgrounds and other places to stay. There are a lot of campgrounds just outside of the national park.
Tip: We often stay outside of Crater Lake National Park, and then make a short drive in to do our hiking and sight seeing. Another advantage to staying at a campground nearby is that there are many nearby hiking trails, lakes and waterfalls to check out.
Note: Be sure to check for closures and fee changes at the Crater Lake website before your trip. Specific roads and trails may be closed due to snow, fire, and other unforeseen circumstances. Also be aware that some trails require a back country permit to hike.
Looking to share fun facts during your trip to Crater Lake? Check out the interesting history of the lake and Crater Lake Lodge here. You might also want to tell some creepy ghost stories around the campfire about the mysterious deaths at Crater Lake, or check out these fun facts that many don't know about Crater Lake.
