9 Best Crater Lake Hikes You’ve Got to Take On!
If you’re looking for the best Crater Lake Hikes, you’re in the right place.
Sitting in the heart of Crater Lake National Park in south-central Oregon, this impossibly blue volcanic crater lake wows from every angle – and this list of hikes will help you see it from every vantage point possible!
You could sit on the lake’s edge and take some time enjoying the scenery, but it’s also worth tackling some of these trails to explore more terrain.
These trails range from strenuous tracks climbing mountains by the lake to easy routes to see waterfalls and other geological formations.
Whatever your ability and interests, you’ll find something to suit you at Crater Lake!
Table of Contents
- Best Hikes in Crater Lake
- Getting Into Crater Lake
- More Hiking in Oregon
- 17+ Badass Bend Hikes to Conquer During Your Visit
- 37 of The Best Oregon Hikes You've Got to Check Out
- 25 Columbia River Gorge Hikes + Other Adventures
- 21+ Awesome Hikes Near Portland to Escape The Bustle
- 17+ Must-Visit Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls
- Waterfalls Near Portland: 17 Gorgeous Waterfall Hikes
- 17 Breathtaking Oregon Coast Hikes
- 28 Stunning Oregon Waterfall Hikes
Best Hikes in Crater Lake
1. Cleetwood Cove Trail
Distance: 2.0 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 620 ft
Cleetwood Cove Trail is a two-mile out-and-back hike and is one of the best Crater Lake hikes for uninterrupted views of the beautiful surroundings.
While it’s only short, it’s fairly demanding, particularly on the way back up! It descends to the lake, with beautiful views as you go, and then climbs back up – which can be challenging, but you can always turn around and admire the views as you go!
The water’s chilly at the bottom, but it’s worth taking the plunge if you’re there in summer – you’ll warm up on the hike back uphill.
READ MORE: How to Hike Cleetwood Cove Trail in Crater Lake National Park
2. The Watchman Peak Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 400 ft
The Watchman Peak Trail is a 1.7-mile out-and-back trail, taking just under an hour for most people to complete.
While the trail’s only short, it involves a lot of switchbacks covering elevation gain, so you’ll get your heart pumping as you ascend.
It traverses up from a car park above the lake to a watch tower, where you can enjoy even more mesmerizing vistas over the incredible scenery.
3. Discovery Point Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 337 ft
This 2.4-mile hike is a lot easier than others on this list, although it also boasts incredible views of the water!
Discovery Point Trail mainly runs parallel to West Rim Drive so that you can hear some car noise, but it’s well looked after and is a great accessible route that’s suitable for most people.
It terminates in Discovery Point Lookout, an idyllic vantage point ideal for photography. This is also the best trail to wander in winter. Mostly because it’s one of the only accessible trails during that time of year!
RELATED: Beautiful Places in Oregon for Photography Lovers (And Adventurers!)
4. Garfield Peak Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,069 ft
Now we’re getting a bit more challenging! Garfield Peak Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back trail that should take you just over two hours to complete.
There’s a 1,069-foot climb, and it’s pretty steep, so make sure you have plenty of energy before tackling it.
It’s also quite an exposed trail, so be mindful of this in the summertime, and don’t rush. While it’s fairly challenging, the adrenaline rush and vistas from the top are unmatchable.
RELATED: 37 of The Best Oregon Hikes You’ve Got to Check Out
5. Annie Creek Canyon Trail
Distance: 2.1 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 305 ft
For something a little bit different, why not tackle the Annie Creek Canyon Trail, which descends into a canyon and takes in some of the area’s best flora and fauna before ascending again?
The uphill and downhill hikes are a bit challenging, but the middle of the trail runs along the creek and is very scenic, with wildflowers and beautiful terrain.
If you’re staying at Mazama Campground, this route is ideal, as you can do an easy loop, taking around an hour.
6. Plaikni Falls Trail
Distance: 2.0 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 137 ft
Chase waterfalls at Crater Lake with the beautiful two-mile-long Plaikni Falls Trail.
This is a well-maintained, reasonably flat route (with a short incline at the end) that leads through shaded woodland and terminates at the beautiful Plaikni Falls.
You can’t swim here, but it’s a tranquil spot to sit and have a picnic before walking back.
As it’s quite an easy hike, it should only take 45 minutes to an hour, so it is ideal if you haven’t got much time but want to tick one of the Crater Lake hikes off your list.
RELATED: Things To Do at Crater Lake National Park: Hikes, Camping & When to Visit
7. Mount Scott Trail
Distance: 4.2 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,259 ft
If you want something a little tougher, tackle the Mount Scott Trail, which is around 4 miles long and takes about two and a half hours to complete.
You’ll hike up to the top of Mount Scott, which is quite strenuous, but if you take it slow, you’ll be fine!
There’s a little exposure as you go up, and you’ll be graced with panoramic views from the summit. On the way down, enjoy uninterrupted views of Crater Lake with every step.
8. Wizard Island
Distance: 2.3 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 751 ft
If you want something a little different, where not many tourists visit, head out to Wizard Island.
Wizard Island trail is just over two miles long and is an out-and-back trail to a beautiful viewpoint that offers a unique view of Crater Lake. The ascent is moderately challenging and rocky but isn’t too strenuous.
As the name suggests, this is an island, so you’ll need to take a boat out on the lake to reach it. The boat leaves from the end point of the Cleetwood Cove Trail, so you’ll actually be doing both hikes!
Once you’ve reached the summit, head to Fumarole Cove, where you can kick back and relax right on the shores of the lake before catching your boat to return to the mainland.
RELATED: 17+ of The Best Lakes in Oregon for Adventures & Camping
9. Pinnacles Valley Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles
Type of Trail: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 42 ft
If you want an uber-quick walking route, check out Pinnacles Valley Trail, which is less than a mile long and should only take 15 minutes.
It’s perfect if you want to do one last Crater Lake hike before heading back home.
The walk runs along the edge of a valley and terminates at The Pinnacles, which are enigmatic, otherworldly stacks that look like they belong on another planet!
These multi-colored spires are the result of an eruption from Mount Mazama during the ice age. The valley was filled with lava, but over time, erosion carved it into the pointed formations you see today.
While the trail is only short (and not so much of a hike as the others), it’s worth doing this stroll to experience this incredible natural phenomenon.
The Pinnacles are just down the road from Plaikni Falls and are both quick and easy trails so you could do them both in one morning or afternoon. Do note this is a short detour from the main rim road.
Getting Into Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a national park and requires an entrance fee. You can arrive and buy a pass that lasts one week and costs $30. However, if you plan to visit other national parks this year, it’s cheaper to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass.
This pass costs $80, and you get to go to any national park in the country for a whole year! So depending on your plan, grabbing this pass now might make more sense. You can get your pass here.
If you’re spending some time in the Crater Lake National Park, make sure you do at least one or two of these epic hikes!
Whether you fancy summiting a mountain for incredible 360-degree views or want to stick to flat hikes on ridgeways or through woodland, there’s something for everyone in this gorgeous region of Oregon.
More Hiking in Oregon
We hope this post inspired you to take on some of the best Crater Lake hikes! Don’t forget to check out some of the best hikes in the state and more adventures in Central Oregon.
