Crater Lake National Park: 2 Day Itinerary

Nestled in the heart of Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is a breathtaking destination that draws hikers and adventurers from all corners of the globe. Known for its enchanting blue waters and stunning rim views, the park offers a unique blend of outdoor activities and natural wonders that are sure to leave a lasting impression. From picturesque hiking trails to the calming embrace of the towering pines, our guide will help you navigate this majestic park and make the most of your visit. Join us as we dive into the must-see attractions, essential tips, and hidden gems that await at Crater Lake National Park!

Entrance Fee:

$30/private vehicle (May 22- Oct 31)

$20/private vehicle (Nov 1- May 21)

*This park does NOT accept cash*

Lodging:

There are two hotel/cabin options inside the park: The Crater Lake Lodge and The Cabins at Mazama Village. Online reservations can be made up to one year in advance at Crater Lake Lodging.

There is one seasonal campground inside the park—Mazama Campground. It has 214 sites, including tent and RV sites. Sites are available on a first-come basis through June and then become reservation-only from July through September. Opening each year varies as it is weather-dependent.

*There is a second tent-only campground- Lost Creek- however, it was closed all of 2024.*

For lodging options outside the park, check the areas of Diamond Lake (near the North Entrance) or Union Creek (near the South Entrance). We personally stayed at Diamond Lake RV Park, which I would definitely recommend! It was a great location, the staff was lovely, the sites were beautiful, and Diamond Lake was within walking distance.

Dining:

There are three restaurants and a general store inside the park. The Rim Village Café is open year-round, while Annie’s Restaurant, Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room, and Mazama Village Store are all open seasonally.

Food options outside the park are few and far between. I highly recommend bringing your own food. The South Shore Pizza Parlor near Diamond Lake is an excellent option if you do want to eat out. Their hours vary, so I would call to confirm the day’s hours before visiting.

Know Before You Go:

Gas Stations are limited in this area. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before heading out.
Cell service is not reliable. Before venturing out, make sure you have downloaded all maps you may need throughout the day.
The Rim Road—where most hiking trails are located—does not open until late June or early July. If you want to see most of the park, I would not plan on visiting before then.
If you are feeling extra adventurous and want to skip the crowds, visit in early summer and hike or bike the rim road. We did this, and it was awesome! We felt like we had the entire park to ourselves. 😊
Lots of wildlife call Crater Lake home. Please review wildlife safety before heading out.

2 Day Itinerary

Day 1 (South Rim)

Annie Creek Canyon Trail

Distance: 2.2 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Loop

Trail Route: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 300 ft

This trail begins inside the Annie Spring Entrance on the park’s south side. You can park near the Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop in Mazama Village. Behind the restaurant, you’ll find the Annie Creek Connector Trail, which will lead you to the campground and then to the main loop of the trail. This trail is easy to follow, especially if you download the AllTrails map. You can hike it in either direction- there will be some ups and downs no matter which route you choose.

While this trail does not offer views of Crater Lake, you will encounter plenty of water once you descend into the canyon. The stunning scenery features a cascading creek, vibrant wildflowers, and opportunities to spot various wildlife throughout the park. On this trail, you’ll likely be able to avoid crowds and enjoy the trail primarily by yourself!

Rim Village

After the Annie Creek Trail, take the park road up to Rim Village and to some of your first views of the incredible Crater Lake. Rim Village has a café, gift shop, and Visitor Center to check out before heading out on your next trail.

Garfield Peak Trail or Discovery Point Trail

NEXT, choose one of the following trails, or do both if you feel extra adventurous. If you only have time for one, I personally would choose the Discovery Trail. It will be more crowded, but it has a lot of great information throughout, and you will still get views from above with the Watchman Peak Trail later in the day. Reading all the informational plaques along the way was really cool to learn more about the area. You can keep your car parked in the Rim Village lot for either trail.

Garfield Peak Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out and back

Trail Route: Moderate- Strenuous

Elevation Gain: 1000+ ft

This trail is stunning year-round. However, if you visit during the winter months you’ll need snowshoes, and during the shoulder seasons, you will want to bring spikes—we needed them even at the end of June. From Rim Village, head east on the main path. It ends right at the Garfield Peak Trailhead. This short but steep trail has incredible views the entire way to the top, with panoramic views of Crater Lake and the surrounding area. If you squint, you will be able to see Watchman Peak, which you’ll hopefully reach later in the day.

Discovery Point Trail

Distance: 2 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out and back

Trail Route: Easy

Elevation Gain: 300+ ft

The Discovery Point Trail begins in the same place as Garfield’s Peak; however, instead of heading east, you will follow the lake path in front of Rim Village to the west. This trail is easy to navigate, featuring informational signs along the way. It hugs the West Rim Drive on one side while offering stunning views of Crater Lake on the other. This trail is suitable for all ages, and even if you do nothing else at Crater Lake, the views on this trail alone are worth the trip!

After completing one or both of the previous trails, I suggest driving the rest of West Rim Road, stopping at the many overlooks along the way. My favorite spot in the park is about four miles from Rim Village on West Rim Drive: Watchman Overlook and the Watchman Peak Trail.

Watchman Overlook/Watchman Peak Trail

Distance: 1.6 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out and back

Trail Route: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 400+ ft

The trail begins at the southern end of the Watchman Overlook parking area. From this point, you will gradually climb up the mountainside, navigating through more than eight switchbacks before reaching the lookout tower. The views from the top are breathtaking, showcasing the beautifully blue waters of Crater Lake, Wizard Island, and the surrounding mountains.

After exploring The Watchman, continue driving along the West Rim Road, stopping at the rest of the overlooks along the way. I recommend turning around at Pumice Point, sainvg the East Rim for Day 2😊

Day 2 (North Rim)

The order of today’s stops will depend on the time of your Wizard Island Tour. I recommend making it as early in the day as possible. If you make reservations first thing in the morning, enter through the North Entrance and head straight to the Cleetwood Cove Trailhead. You must hike the 1 mile to the boat dock via the Cleetwood Cove Trail. Tickets for the Wizard Island Boat Tours can be purchased here: Boat Tours. *Currently, boat tours will be closed in 2025 for a rehabilitation project. Even without the boat tours, I would make the Cleetwood Cove Trail your first stop.*

Cleetwood Cove Trail

Distance: 2 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out and back

Trail Route: Strenuous

Elevation Gain: 600+ ft

This trail is the only access point to the stunning blue waters of Crater Lake. Like most trails in the national park, it is short and steep, with very little shade. I recommend hiking this trail first thing in the morning, before the day gets too hot. You will navigate a series of switchbacks to reach the water and then arrive at the rocky shoreline. While there is no beach area at the bottom, you can swim by jumping off the boulders that line the shore.

Regardless of whether you plan to take a boat tour, swim, fish, or simply complete the hike, I highly recommend wearing hiking boots instead of flip-flops. The path has fine sand that can be slippery, especially during the descent to the water.

If you intend to swim in water that stays below 60 degrees, even on the hottest days, please ensure you remain within 100 yards of Cleetwood Cove and at least 50 feet away from the boat dock. Additionally, there is a list of items not allowed in the water, such as wetsuits, goggles, and personal life jackets. For a comprehensive list, please refer to this guide: Swimming in Crater Lake.

Wizard Island Trail (CLOSED for the 2025 season)

Distance: 2.5 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out and back

Trail Route: Moderate- Strenuous

Elevation Gain: 700+ ft

Cloudcap Overlook/Phantom Ship Overlook

Once you’ve returned to your car, your legs will thank you for a much-needed rest. Continue driving further down the scenic East Rim Drive towards Grotto Cove, stopping at any of the numerous overlooks along the way. You shouldn’t miss two quick stops: the Cloudcap Overlook and the Phantom Ship Overlook (our kids absolutely loved this one!). Immediately after the Phantom Ship Overlook will be Pinnacles Road. Drive all the way to the end (6 mi.) and park in the Pinnacles Overlook Lot for your next trail.

Pinnacles Overlook

Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out and back

Trail Route: Easy

Elevation Gain: <50 ft

This trail is accessible for all ages and skill levels. It is flat, easy to navigate, and well-marked, leading to intriguing rock formations made from hardened volcanic material that were once buried underground. It will probably take you less time to hike the trail than it did to drive down Pinnacles Road, but still worth the trip!😊

Plaikni Falls

Distance: 2 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Out and back

Trail Route: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

Before heading back to East Rim Drive, make one final stop along Pinnacles Road. Park at the Plaikni Falls Lot, about five miles from the Pinnacles Overlook Lot. Enjoy an easy walk through the forest on a flat path leading to a lovely 20-foot waterfall, where you can take in the beautiful scenery and capture some memorable photos.

Sun Notch Trail

Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip

Trail Route: Loop

Trail Route: Easy

Elevation Gain: 100+ ft

After returning to East Rim Drive, your next destination will be the Sun Notch Trail. This easy loop trail offers two additional overlooks of Crater Lake, including arguably the best view of Phantom Ship. It serves as a perfect final opportunity to take in the stunning blue waters before you leave the park.

Vidae Falls

And last but certainly not the least impressive stop of the day- Vidae Falls, a breathtaking 115-foot waterfall steps away from East Rim Drive. This location features a large pull-off area for parking, making it easy to make the short walk to the base of the falls.

I hope you have an incredible adventure!

Looking for another Crater Lake adventure? Check out all of the waterfalls just outside the park- 8 Must-See Waterfalls Just Outside Crater Lake National Park!