Crater Lake National Park is beautiful. The day I went to there with my family was a little crowded, but I suspect it probably gets worse on the weekend and around holidays. It is unfortunate that the Park Service has had to reduce staff at National Parks. I feel for the struggles this causes in maintaining, securing, and supporting the parks. There is a lot of parking, but it was almost all full when we were there. This particular park will be having a lot of renovation over the next few years until 2029 so we wanted to go before it got even more complicated.

Beautiful and unique place. When we arrived the foggy weather blocked our view of the lake. Important to note that even if the clouds are low it doesn't mean the whole lake is covered. We continued to drive and eventually found a great spot with perfect view.

Not easy to find. It has a sign of park store but I didn’t see any sign of visitor center. It feels like the parking is competitive at the beginning when you enter rim village but it has more parking space inside. It has shades and rest area beside the visitor center and water fountains at the other side. Overall, I would give 5 stars.

Crater Lake is a beautiful place to visit in Summer. But with a pet dog, it’s not a good choice to arrange the visit. We could only visit the paved area around Rim Village visitor center. Next time, hope we could return here in Winter to explore a different sightseeing of snow covered Crater Lake.

Amazing views of the lake from Rim Village. There is a overlook semi enclosed a short walk down from the main walkway along the rim. Great info plaques and views there.

A couple of helpful staff members inside answered questions about trails and whether we could get an official Crater Lake brochure. If you are curious, the funding to print those no longer exists. The other bummer about this visitor center is they were out of the artistic postcard featuring Crater Lake and only had ones with a guy on a bicycle. Annie's Creek gift shop had the good one.

Small visitor center with your usual visitor center items and stamps! Park rangers were friendly and amazing view points right outside the center. If it’s crowded it is tough to look around as it’s a small center.

Stunning. I was there in late June and some of the trails were closed as they were still covered in snow. The gift shop was busy, which is to be expected as it is a national park and when kids are out of school. Even so, the lovely people working the check out desk took their time explaining many things to do and had maps to explain in detail where various visitors could go and would be best for their specific needs. I unfortunately couldn’t explore any trails as I had a van full of dogs with me. I was able to park and get out and take some amazing pictures. I will definitely be back sans dogs!!

Being the deepest lake in the US and its clarity and deep blue color, it’s a must visit national park in the west coast. Breathtaking views on each overlook and hike trails. Cleetwood Cove trail takes you down the lake where you can get a boat tour in the lake, you even get a taste of the lake water as part of the tour!

One of the most spectacular sights to see. We came in early July and were treated to stunning views at every stop. We took the trolley tour which was a fantastic way to see a lot of the lake, especially because it was so busy later in the day and it would have been impossible to see as much with the traffic. Must see!

Crater Lake is absolutely breathtaking — a must-visit destination in Oregon. The views from the Rim Drive are spectacular, with unbelievably clear blue water and dramatic cliffs at every turn. The park is well-maintained, trails are clean and accessible, and the Visitor Center staff were friendly and helpful. We hiked a few rim trails — every viewpoint felt like a postcard. Great facilities, informative signage, and plenty of scenic pullouts for photos. Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and families. Can’t wait to come back!

7/18/25 Crater Lake National Park -$30 park entry fee for a vehicle. Vehicle reservations not needed and plenty of parking around the lake at look-out sites. 
Crater Lake is renowned for its deep blue water color and dramatic volcanic landscape. 
Rim Drive is a scenic 33 mile drive around the lake with numerous viewpoints and pull-off areas. 
There are several short moderate hikes providing opportunities to explore and enjoy the different views of the lake. The visitor center can provide information. Many beautiful views around the lake!
The park is usually snowed in with limited access through winter and spring. Summer from July 1st - September 30th is the best time for a day trip when the park is fully opened. Consider the potential for fog and varying weather conditions in early mornings. There are 3 primary waterfalls within Crater Lake National Park: Vidae Falls, Plaikni Falls,and Duwee Falls. Another waterfall, Annie Falls, is also located within the park. Vidae Falls 100' tall: Easily accessible, a roadside falls. 
Duwee Falls 100' Plunge: One of the three primary waterfalls within the park. 
Annie Falls 53' tall: Located at the south end of Rim Village Historic District along Annie Creek. Plaikni Falls 20' tall: Accessible by almost a 2mi 45 min. round hike off Pinnacles Road. One of the park's primary waterfalls. 
*The Pinnacles in Crater Lake National Park are located east of the Rim Visitor Center along Wheeler Creek. Take a right turn off Rim Dr. onto Pinnacles Rd and drive south to the end of the road. Look-out site there. It is a .4mi hike -10 min. doing the trail. Enjoy!!

Don't miss seeing this Wonderful place! You will never see a bluer blue or breathe air so clear. It's amazing.

A true Oregon Gem! I live local but this is always a beautiful sight and breathtaking. No matter if it's summer or winter. The views are stunning. There are so many different places every time we could never explore them all in one visit. One day I'd love to stay in the lodge! We will be back.

Drop dead gorgeous views from the very top. Hike going down is not too steep. Spent about 2 hours swimming and fishing once we got to the bottom. If you’re not an experienced hiker I’d recommend going at a steady pace. Not slow. Still get a workout in but just steady. Do not stop. You’ll definitely feel the incline. It’s about a 750 ft elevation gain in about 20ish minutes.

The only permitted place to get down to the water of Crater Lake. It's very popular, and hence very crowded. The trail starts out about 700' above the lake, so it's easy to get down, not as easy to get back, so take that into consideration, don't spend too much time and energy in the hot sun and swimming, because you still have to make the trek back up to the parking lot. The facilities down at the docks are old and falling apart, so be aware that this trail will be CLOSED through 2027 from what is published on the NPS website. There are rock outcroppings from which people dive into the water, people more brave than me! The water is incredibly blue and clear, you can see a hundred feet or more down into the water. If you walk along the rocky shore away from the dock, it's possible to find a spot further away from the crowds, we did just that, and took a quick dip into the water. Even on an unusually hot day for mid September, the water was very cold, but also very refreshing. This is one of those bucket-list type things for visitors, to go swimming in Crater Lake, it was something I'm glad we did but I wouldn't do this regularly, as the trail is long and steep to get down to the water.

Yes it’s quite steep and gets crowded in the summer, but well worth it as it’s the only place to access the Crater Lake shoreline. Recommend going for a refreshing swim in the chilly water for the full experience, remarkable how clear it is. However, note that the trail will be closed until 2027 as per the NPS for maintenance - all the more reason to put it on the list and look forward to enjoying the improved hike.

Absolutely incredible trail with views almost the whole way. Once at the bottom, we swam in the crystal waters and were shocked that even up-close, the water is still such a deep blue. We wore our swimsuits on the walk down and up, though there are restrooms at the parking lot and at the bottom so you could change there, but I bet that it is a tight spot to do it and honestly, pit toilets are always a little gross. Do not underestimate the difficulty of this trail. We saw three people who had passed our and another being carted back up the trail by rangers on a special cart that looked like wheelbarrow on tank treads. It is doable, we are two adults, two teens and a 12 year old but be prepared to take your time on the way up, bring plenty of water, and expect it to be hard.

What a wonderful experience. People of all ages can be seen on the trail. I had to come before the trail closes for the next few years. Going down the trail is the easiest part. Be prepared to take twice as long going back up. I went down early am, back up a few hours later. I had a nice little visitor while watching the water. Suggestions: wear good walking shoes. Take plenty of water for the trail back up. Even if it’s not hot, going back up you’ll need it.

This was are first time on this trail. It's the only way to reach the lake's edge and we wanted to do so before the trail is closed for the next three years for improvements. The trail is mostly in the trees. It is rated as strenuous, but is manageable if you take your time on the way back. It is 1.1 miles each way on packed dirt, with benches every so often. The water is stunning blue and cold. Many hikers were testing the water, with some swimming. A large parking lot has valted restrooms. There are some at the bottom of the trail also, but I don't recommend them except as an emergency. It took us 25 minutes to go down and 50 to walk up. We are 70 years old in average shape.

When they say that this trail is steep, they mean steep! This trail is a 2.2 mile round trip that decends 700 feet in altitude. It is rough on the knees going down as its higher impact with how steep the trail is, but going back up was even harder. There are plenty of spots on the trail with benches or rocks you can rest on, and its a partially shady trail. Take water with you as there is nothing along the way. They do sell it at the top and at rhe bottom during their open hours. It was amazing to be able to touch the water ans experience the boat ride, this is the purest, clearest water I've ever seen. It was cool and so blue when looking at it from above. The trail will be closing for renovations after this season for the next few years. I am glad I did this and experienced this but I dont think id take this hike again anytime soon. It is very strenuous. It took us a little less than 30 minutes to get down, and closer to 45 to get back up which isn't too bad, but we were trying to get to the car before the rain started pouring. It was definitely worth it.

I took the boat tour and spent 3 hours on wizard island and it was not enough. It’s a unique place as it’s a volcano inside a volcano.

How should I put it... I could not think of another name other than "Wizard Island" to describe this place. It's magical. First of all, we need to make a commitment by competing with the visitors all over the world to grab a limited ticket, which this part is already hard. Then we need to take enough courage to climb up the summit trail. Then we need the "wizard" of this place to give us dramatically nice weather to manifest the magnificent color of the surrounding. But when it does, oh my, it's absolutely astonishing.

We took the early shuttle to wizard Island and it did not disappoint. While everyone else on the shuttle was intent on hiking to the top, we had our fly fishing gear and traverse the lava rock until we reached a small private cove. For those who don't know, the trout are invasive, and fishing is managed by the National Park Service, not Oregon. The park service want you to take as many trout as you can out of the lake so there are no limits. The only restriction is non-organic bait and lures. The trout were abundant, and the water was so clear you could watch them swim to target your flies. The fishing was productive, can't wait to do it again!

🧙‍♂️ Wizard Island: A Volcano Inside a Volcano Wizard Island is a striking cinder cone that rises 755 feet above the surface of Crater Lake. It formed after Mount Mazama’s cataclysmic eruption 7,700 years ago, and it’s one of the few places where you can actually walk on a volcano inside a caldera. Size: About 316 acres Elevation: 6,940 feet above sea level Access: Only reachable by boat via Cleetwood Cove Trail (1.1 miles down to the lake) The island’s name comes from its mystical silhouette—especially when viewed from Rim Drive. It looks like a sorcerer’s hat rising from the lake’s impossibly blue waters. 🥾 What to Do on Wizard Island Once you land, you’ve got a few hours to explore before the boat returns. Here’s what adventurers rave about: 1. Hike to the Summit A steep but short trail (about 0.9 miles) leads to the top of the cinder cone. At the summit, you’ll find a small crater and panoramic views of Crater Lake’s rim. Expect loose volcanic rock and minimal shade—bring water and sturdy shoes. 2. Lava Rock Exploration Traverse the rugged lava fields around the shoreline. Some visitors find secluded coves perfect for fly fishing or quiet reflection. 3. Swimming & Snorkeling The water is cold year-round, but crystal clear. Brave souls jump in from the dock or wade in from rocky beaches. 🧭 Visitor Experience Feature Details Boat Tours Operated by Crater Lake Hospitality, typically July–September. Time on Island Usually 3 hours—enough for hiking, exploring, and a snack break. Facilities No restrooms, no food vendors—pack in and pack out. Wildlife Sparse—mostly birds, insects, and the occasional wizard (according to lore). 🧙‍♀️ Local Legends & Humor Wizard Island has inspired plenty of tongue-in-cheek tales: One reviewer joked that to find the wizard, you must “spin counterclockwise 17 times and offer a human sacrifice”. Another claimed their wife was turned into a frog by a bearded man with a pointed hat. And yet another swears they were served “magic tea and biscuits” by a kind soul living on the island. Clearly, the island’s mystique fuels the imagination. 📸 Photography Tips Best Viewpoints: Watchman Overlook and Sinnott Memorial Overlook offer stunning perspectives. Golden Hour: Early morning or late afternoon light makes the island glow. Drone Use: Not allowed—stick to handheld shots. 🧳 Tips for Visiting 🥾 Fitness Required: The hike down to Cleetwood Cove and up Wizard Island is strenuous. 🧢 Sun Protection: No shade on the island—bring a hat and sunscreen. 🥪 Pack Snacks: No food services on the island or boat. 📶 Offline Mode: No cell service—download maps and info ahead of time. 🧼 Leave No Trace: Respect the pristine environment. 🧠 Final Verdict: Is It Worth It? Absolutely. Wizard Island is not just a hike—it’s a portal into Oregon’s volcanic past and a rare chance to stand inside a caldera. Whether you’re chasing geology, solitude, or a sprinkle of fantasy, this island delivers. .

Crater Lake features two small islands. Wizard Island, is near the western edge of the lake, (and views of it are accessible from the Rim Drive) is a cinder cone approximately 316 acres in size. It is separated from the caldera wall by Skell Channel. The other island is Phantom Ship. Wizard Island's s tallest point is 6,940 feet, but it looks small compared to the height of the caldera. It is also accessible from the water by boat trip and private fishing craft. (Inquire about these at the Visitor Center).

The hike to the boat dock and also the hike up and down the Wizard Island cinder cone was challenging. The final obstacle was the climb up from Cleetwood Cove, we succeeded with patience and arrived happy hikers back to the trailhead. It's good to be back in Oregon.

No access to this part of Crater Lake during covid. But how it came about after the lake had formed is pretty cool.

Great hike. 1 mile RT. Lots of stairs but easy for us. The parking lot is small. The falls are beautiful. You can go over the railing and down to the waters edge but every year someone gets hurt doing this.

One of the most beautiful waterfalls and surroundings I've seen in Oregon. The overall experience can be a 3-star or 5-star depending on your level of adventure. The falls is WAY WAY WAY better if you do the treacherous climb down to the bottom, but it requires a near-vertical climb down a dirt slope and dirt-covered rocks (see my photos). There are ropes along the way but I was surprised just how vertical the route is. It was dry weather when we went, but I could only imagine how dangerous it would be in wet conditions. In climbing parlance, it would rate out as relatively straight forward Class 3 scrambling (without ropes). You have to be comfortable (and physically capable) on this kind of terrain, but the reward made this one of the best waterfall experiences I've had. There is simply no comparison viewing the falls from the elevated platform, which has limited views, and does not come close to the same experience at the bottom, where you can see and feel the power of the water and the flowing river so much closer up. The views are 100% wide open and unobstructed from below, and offer incredible photographic opportunities. The surroundings of this waterfall (and the upstream river gorge), and the adventure getting to it makes this one of the best waterfall experiences I've had.

What an exhilarating hike! The trail to Toketee Falls is short but full of excitement, winding through lush forest and leading to one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Oregon. The view from the platform is absolutely worth every step — a must-see stop for any nature lover or photographer traveling through the Umpqua National Forest. #TravelWithRolando #AdventuresWithBella #ToketeeFalls #OregonAdventures

Beautiful place to experience. A beautiful trail to become one with nature with use of the river and waterfalls. Wish the trail was not as challenging. Not wheelchair accessible. Trail way is challenging at times with tree roots, rocks, narrow pathways and stair case.

Very nice hike with some great fall colors. Roundtrip took us about 45 minutes, but that was with lots of stops for photos. Waterfall was beautiful! There are lots of rocks, roots and stairs so it’s not an ideal hike for those with uneasy footing. Dog friendly :)

John Chambers’ video on here is not the same falls. Imagine my surprise when I saw the actual Toketee Falls. It’s beautiful but you can only watch the falls from a distance on a platform. Not sure if you can get to the bottom. There’s no pathway. It’s a bit of a hike, less than half a mile but with varied elevations, multiple flight of stairs, 120+ steps total. So be prepared. It was muddy and slippery when we went so it was a challenge. Was it worth it? It was to me.

Amazing waterfall! I made the stop on the road trip and the trail was short- about one mile return trip. I went in August and it was quite dry but the waterfall was still flowing. The hike was pretty easy to do and there is a nice viewing platform to see the falls. If you are on the highway, it is definitely worth stopping!

A Hidden Gem of Crater Lake – A Must-Visit Spot! I recently visited a beautiful waterfall of the Crater Lake, and it truly exceeded my expectations. Unlike other waterfalls I’ve seen, this one had a special charm, especially in July. The weather was just perfect — warm but refreshing — and what made it unique were the vibrant wildflowers blooming all around. The colorful scenery added a magical touch to the whole experience. If you’re planning a trip to Crater Lake, don’t miss this spot. It’s peaceful, picturesque, and a great place to enjoy nature in full bloom!

I visited in August and there was not a lot of water flowing over the falls, however it is was still a really nice falls. It is right on the side of the road so not hiking is required at all and you can just park and take a couple pictures. Definitely worth adding to the itinerary if you are visiting the park!

So peaceful and gorgeous! We were really close to a deer that wasn't scared of us and was just grazing on the lush grass. The falls is right where you park along the road.

This waterfall in late July early August will be bustling with monarch butterflies just adding to the already magnificent view of the 100ft waterfall, I happen to see a doe deer just casually walking across the waterfall not bothered by our presence, absolutely stunning

It is a great waterfall by the road but a lot of bugs.

This place is GORGEOUS! 🥰😍🥰😍 Go the extra little drive from the visitor center and go her what my family called "peed on" by the falls! 😁😁😁🥳🥳🥳🎉🎉🎉

It is right off the road. Nice little scenic waterfall. Not the most impressive but worth a quick stop.

Since the Rim Road is closed by the Pinnacles turnoff we came around to the old entrance of the park. Had the whole place to ourselves!! Absolutely awesome.

We visited here in September, which seems to be the ideal time to come. It was so clear and not too hot. If you come to Crater Lake, this is one thing I would recommend doing. This valley is amazing, this is a true artwork of nature. There are very few similar places in the world. You do not need to walk far from the parking to see the best examples of the Pinnacles, though the trail goes for quite a distance along the valley side. The best views are a few hundred feet down where there is a viewing area. The drive down here is also really nice with the chance to see other things like the waterfalls. If you have your own car, I would certainly recommend taking the time to visit the Pinnacles.

A trail off the beaten path and the information plaques were interesting but you don’t have to walk this whole trail . The views do not get any better after about the halfway point , where my picture was posted from. Glad I did the hike for informational purposes only .

Visited this place on a weekend but it was early, by 8am the few parking spots were filled really only about 6 good spots to park but we saw about 12 cars just in the road and not even in a spot blocking the turn around and a truck pulling parked cars out of the way to get out. Way to go we applaud correcting people that can't follow the rules and are just selfish thinking only of themselves. Any how the trail was nice, a short out and back but you can see the pinnacles right from the parking area so you don't have to take the the hike but why not get out in nature if you drove the 6 miles to get down here. Give us a like 👍 if you think about doing this stop at Crater lake. Follow for more adventure reviews, food reviews and campground reviews.

A short stroll over mostly even ground with a great view of the pinnacles (cone shaped structures made from vents in the volcano). Wonderful looking things like frozen Christmas trees all along the path

It doesn't matter how many times I've been to Crater Lake, this place is always breathtaking! I hadn't been to the pinnacles before and it is beautiful!! So amazing how these formed and have been here for thousands of years! Truly a site to see if you are there!!!

Nice easy walk seeing pinnacles on the way. The place is a bit secluded from the lake. It is worth the visit but if you don't have enough time I would choose other points or hikes to do instead of this one.

Nice park with a shaded trail system, marina, and small store. The trails offer a peaceful walk, though they were a bit messy—covered in leaves and branches. Some areas feel dated, with old equipment stations left behind and picnic tables that are worn but still usable. It’s an average park with decent lake access, but for a paid day-use area, I expected a little more upkeep and care.

Our trip to Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area in a Mini-T Campervan was fantastic. The campground, located by Lost Creek Lake, offers spacious, well-maintained sites with excellent amenities. The hiking trails, including the Rogue River Trail, provided stunning views and immersive experiences. A significant benefit of this outstanding campground is its proximity to Crater Lake National Park, just about an hour's drive away—unless you stop to enjoy the many hiking opportunities along the way.

Going fishing in the spring and early summer, "I think," is the best. Fresh clean clear water.

This review is for the lady in the business office in white city whom I spoke to twice regarding my issue of not being able to book a reservation with the marina for 2 days. I've been told that you could of booked one for me but instead you put me through to the marina where you knew there was Noone working. Now my family visiting from California and my family here have been left disappointed because even though I showed up before 8am on Saturday I still couldn't get a boat to rent. This is a horrible process if staff shortage & change of hours change give consumers the correct information, be helpful and make the reservation process available on line if your not interested in any of the above i mentioned! Tony at the marina is great but I did feel like he could if tried to accommodate more offer a discount for another day. He's always been on top of helping people at the marina and usually with a smile.

Not too far off the beaten path up to Crater Lake. It's right on the edge of Lost Creek Lake. Like a park in most areas. Green grass. Sprinklers go all day. And night. Campsites have enough space between them. Our neighbors and us were trying out our new to us camping trailers. Very clean and quiet. Good showers. Views of the lake are the best mainly from the dry hookup sites. Walking paths surrounding the park and over to the boat landing and clubhouse. Our dogs loved it.

We spent 3 days there. It was a good visit. The park was clean. The bathrooms are clean and they have showers. W are going back soon. We stayed in A loop and ran across a couple of awesome camp hosts. Greg and Cookie. They seemed to be the hardest working volunteers I've seen. Keep it up.

Now this is my favorite place to camp with kids. I was definitely surprised how nice and welcomed the camp host were. Now it's number one campground in Oregon for me. Wish it would be a bit closer to Portland.. I love everything about this campground. UPDATE: Still love this place, it was awfully hot 4th of July weekends 2024. Actually July 3rd, 4th, 5th it was 100F° something. I'm glad we had AC.

Loved this easy/few steep spot waterfall hike. Water was cold and refreshing. Beautiful falls

Easy hiker. Nice gravel packed trail. Great with kids. They can see nature, accomplish a hike, but avoid tired legs. The hardest part is parking is limited.

Easy hike with not much elevation change. The falls and wildflowers around it are amazing.

Go early before others arrive! Small area to view falls. Pretty easy hike in with just a short uphill at the end.

I mean... it’s beautiful but definitely not as big as I hoped. It’s more like a stream with one good access point (the actual falls) and a nice trail with many signs telling you to stay on the gravel path

Very pretty waterfall with wildflowers growing all around it.

I’m 66 and this was a great hike for us. 1 1/2 miles each way. Well maintained path through beautiful woods. There’s a fairly steep incline when you first see the creek as it climbs to the falls. This was a perfect hour or so walk as we drove around Crater Lake.

Mother nature at her finest, sharing all her beauty to mankind. If you haven't had the chance check out this are aod the world , bucket list it for sure . Next time I will come back and do the Watchman Peak trail . Unbelievable how hard they worked to build that watch tower. Id love to learn some more history Defintely will be back to explore more and you should to . Thank you mother nature 🤙🌀

Probably the best spot from which to view Crater Lake. The view straight down to Wizard Island, and all of the "sub islands", with all of the different shades of green, blue, and teal water is the most breathtaking of all the scenic viewpoints, IMO. The hike up to the watchtower is just under a mile one way, and about 420' of elevation gain, but it's spread out over several switchbacks, and not very difficult. The trail is in very good condition, and fairly smooth dirt. Not too many rocks or roots or steps, until the final ascent up to the tower. Best time to go is the late afternoon, the sun is mostly as your back, so you aren't looking directly at it. There are some cool objects inside the watchtower building, there is a sign saying NPS personnel only, but my assumption is this is simply for legality reasons, it's completely safe to go up the set of stairs, and you can't get inside the locked building anyway. It is a popular trail, which is another reason to go later in the afternoon once most tourists have started to leave.

Great outlook point that one shouldn’t miss. The outlook is in very high place so it offers a great view to the lake and the island. The tree here looks white. We thought it is covered by snow but actually it is ice.

One of my favorite lookouts over Crater lake. It's a .8 mile trail to the top of Watchman Peak lookout. (1.6 mile roundtrip) It has some elevation gain but that makes the view that much better.

Free parking lot close to the trail. You take the rim trail a little ways south alongside the east side of the road and the hang a left at the sign and start the ascent via a series of varied length switchbacks until you reach the fire lookout. You will get some crater views to the east but do not forget to look west as there are great views too especially at sunset.

The Trail was still closed due to snow and ice when we visited, so we didn't get the full experience from the higher elevation. However, we enjoyed the views from the lookout point and a little higher from the side of the hill.

The trail is very well maintained. It's easy at the beginning and then becomes slightly moderate, but nothing too challenging. Our 5-year-old hiked it easily. From the top, there's a beautiful view of Wizard Island. There is also a fire lookout at the summit, but it's only accessible to staff.

3.6 miles of strenuous, although a bit less brutal that Wizard Summit, walking up to the peak is well worth the trip. Along the way we were bombarded with tortoiseshell butterflies that made the trip even more special. Since they only come around every 5+ years we were very lucky! Even in early August, we had to cross a small patch of snow to get all the way to the top, but take it slow and it isn't that bad. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with the full view of the rim of Crater Lake. Great place for a little snack and a photo opportunity. Deer, butterflies, ground squirrels, and marmots were all seen on the way up. Make sure you have enough water and snacks to help with energy.

944 ft elevation gain from Crater Lake Lodge. Moderate to slightly difficult hike but SO worth the effort! You won’t regret making the 1.75 hr hike up. We came on a perfect day. Low 80’s (Fahrenheit) and cool shade for breaks. Bring lots of water. 😊

This hike has stunning views along the way and at the peak where trail ends. The vistas will amply reward hikers for the effort required to hike the trail.

Trailhead starts at Crater Lake Lodge. You can get to it by following the pavement around the rim of the Crater. Due to its proximity to the lodge, Visitor Center, etc. the trail is likely to be well traveled, but it is worth doing regardless. You get multiple great views of the Crater including the phantom ship. The summit of the out and back is relatively spacious. The trail has a decent amount of switchbacks and a mix of sun and shade. I saw butterflies, chipmunks, pika and a marmot on this trail in the middle of September.

Really gorgeous hike with incredible views around every corner. Approximately 7900 ft elevation over several switchbacks. Took about 90 min with plenty of stops for pictures. Also it's directly behind the Lodge, parking and several lookouts.

I don't hike often (I only go on family trips) and am scared of heights, but kept chugging along on this accessible trail. It was glorious - stellar views - and had a nice flat area at the top to take pictures, relax, and recuperate.

We decided to take advantage of the clear day and hike up Garfield Peak to catch the sunset. It was extremely windy and cold at the top (Oct 9, 2021) but the view was so worth it. We started from the Crater Lake Lodge at about 5:15pm and got to the top at around 6:20pm with plenty of photo breaks in between. Don’t forget to bring a headlamp if you plan to do the sunset hike, it will get very dark when coming back down.

Falls are located right near parking area. This is a great spot for kids and people with limited mobility. View the falls from an elevated deck. Also has a camping area.

Easy access and clean restrooms available as well. There is a cute bridge and a beautiful view.

Probably my favorite falls in the North Umpqua area due to the whole atmosphere being ethereal/amazing. It's also a short hike, has a viewpoint that is wheelchair accessible and if you want to stay a bit (which I did), the campground was first come, first served when I visited (Summer of 2024). Don't drive by this one!

This falls is beautiful! Much smaller than the Clearwater Falls, but definitely worth stopping to see. Even during the summer there’s plenty of water flowing over the falls.

A beautiful, smaller waterfall in the area but worth the stop. You can see it from the parking lot. There’s a small platform that’s wheelchair accessible for a great view of the falls. The water was raging due to recent rain.

Another nice waterfall in the Umpqua National Forest area. What's nice about this one is the proximity to the parking lot. You can basically park, get out and see the waterfall. There is a very short walk to a viewing platform, or you can wander down to the base of the falls across from the plunge pool. Very slippery ground however, and the view isn't much different, so there's not much reason to go down closer unless you want to take photographs, or play near the river's edge. It's a short waterfall, maybe 15' or so, and it's more of a wide fall vs a tall ribbon-like fall. Not the most awe-inspiring, but it's nice nonetheless. Large downed tree across the falls interrupts photographs, but that's nature for you!

Beautiful little falls with really lovely camping spots.

The pictures do not do this place justice. The river literally comes right out of the side of a small little hill. While there are half dozen or so major springs at the head, there is one major one you simply won't miss if you stay on the trail. The hike in from the north is 2.5 miles one way and is very gentle in slope. The trail follows the river most of the way and is on the edge of a significant burn. The trail is in very good shape. A map is a good idea as there are several options and junctions that are not fully marked. The trail looks like it sees regular traffic, but we did not see a soul. If you like springs and watching a significant body of water form from basically nothing, you will like it. There is a nice little waterfall a couple hundred meters down from the springs that you won't miss if you listen for it.

A nice 3.5 mile hike if you park on the forestry road. The spring is ice cold, and really refreshing to drink.

Bridge closed, good for short walks, no picnic table etc

Very few people and refreshing water at the headwaters of the Rogue River