Although its summer window is brief, Crater Lake National Park is a beautiful place to visit in the prime vacation months of June, July, and August. From its beautiful, blue lake waters to the surrounding steep mountainsides and volcanic history, Crater Lake NP in Crater Lake, Oregon has outdoor recreation opportunities and scenic views for every vacationer. You can decide to spend a day driving through the park, taking in the views, or decide to stay longer at one of the Crater Lake NP campgrounds.
If you are simply passing through Crater Lake NP on your way to or from Grants Pass, OR or another vacation destination in Oregon, we recommend that you check out the Rim Drive. This road opens up, snow cleared, around May or June and allows visitors to drive around Crater Lake to take in the views and get a general Crater Lake NP experience. You can decide to hike, bike, or even drive Oregon RV rentals around the Rim Drive, depending on your time and recreation preferences.
Another way to enjoy Crater Lake National Park is to enjoy its many hiking trails through the forest and meadows. If you’re really adventurous, you might even try to conquer a mountain climb or go for a backcountry backpacking trip. Or, if you prefer to stick to the path and be educated on the area, then you may want to consider getting a guided tour.
You can find all kinds of tours available at Crater Lake, including:
- Crater Lake Boat Tours
- Trolley Tours
- Discovering Crater Lake Talks
- Ranger’s Choice Talks
- Junior Ranger Program
- Watchman Peak Hikes
These tours and talks can give you some great background on Crater Lake NP and all it has to offer. You may especially want to check out the Crater Lake Boat Tour, which is available on a limited basis and weather permitting. Check out more details on the Crater Lake NP website.
To stay a few days at Crater Lake NP, take advantage of one of the park’s two campgrounds. The Mazama Campground has about 200 sites where you can park your Oregon trailer rental from about mid-June through early October. Each site at this facility has access to running water, flush toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. However, if you prefer tent camping, you may want to try one of the 16 sites at Lost Creek Campground, which is open mid-June through early October on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Crater Lake National Park is located just under two hours from Grants Pass, Oregon and Medford, OR. Your family may decide to drive to Crater Lake National Park as your primary destination or for a day trip to enjoy the beautiful lake, the mountains, two unique islands, and volcanic areas within the park. How and when you decide to enjoy Crater Lake National Park is up to. But if you’re in the Grants Pass, OR area, you should definitely give it a go.
