Crater Lake National Park - Activities & Hiking Trails
Crater Lake offers year-round adventure and fun. The main road
to the lake is kept open year-round except during storms. Winter
arrives early, framing the lake in the stunning backdrop of a
snow-covered forest.
Crater Lake offers an abundance of great winter activities. Cross country
ski on trails and on the
rim drive (closed to traffic from late fall to late spring), snowshoe hike through the
forest, adventure outside, or just cozy up in
the restaurant with a coffee or chocolate and take in the spectacle of
one of America's most scenic National Parks.
Sun Notch View - Time: 20 minutes, Length: 0.25 miles one way,
Elevation: 7000 - 7115 ft., Difficulty: moderate, Trailhead: 4 miles east
of Park HQ on East Rim Drive, marked by a sign. Feature: Overlook of Crater
Lake and Phantom Ship, scattered wildflowers, dry meadow. Use caution near
steep edges.
Godfrey Glen - Time: 30 minutes, Length: 1.00 miles, Elevation:
6000 - 6050 ft., Difficulty: easy, Trailhead: 2.4 miles south of Park HQ.
Castle Crest Wildflower Garden - Time: 30-45 minutes, Length:
.4 mile loop from Rim Drive, 1 mile loop from Park HQ, Elevation: 6400
- 6500 ft., Difficulty: easy but some uneven ground and rocks, Trailhead:
1) East Rim Drive, 0.5 miles from park HQ, or 2) Across road from Park
HQ parking lot. Features: Small brook, lush vegetation, and spectacular
blooms of wildflowers in summer months.
The Watchman - Time: 1 hour, Length: 0.7 miles. one way, Elevation:
7400 to 8056 ft, Difficulty: difficult, steep, Trailhead: "The Corrals",
3.7 miles northwest of Rim Village on West Rim Drive. Features: Panorama
of surrounding area, overlook of Wizard Island, a historic fire lookout
and an interpretive map of local peaks and landforms.
Annie Creek Canyon - Time - 1 hour and 15 min, Length: 1.7 mile
loop, Elevation: 5800 to 6000 ft., Difficulty: moderate, Trailhead: Amphitheater
at Mazama Campground. Features: Deep stream cut canyon, creek habitats,
wildflowers and occasional animals.
Cleetwood Cove (lake shore trail) - Time - 1 hour, Length: 1.1
miles, one way, Elevation: 6850 to 6176 ft., Difficulty, strenuous, 11%
grade, Trailhead: Parking area 4.5 mi. east of North Junction. Features:
Access to lake shore and boat landing.
Garfield Peak - Time: 2 to 3 hours, Length: 1.7 miles, one way,
Elevation. 7050 to 9060 ft, Difficulty: difficult, Trailhead: Rim Village
Parking Lot. Features: Panorama of surrounding area, excellent views of
Crater Lake, occasional small animals, wildflowers, and an overhead view
of Phantom Ship.
Mt. Scott - Time: - 3 hours, Length: 2.5 miles. one way, Elevation:
7450 to 9929 ft., Difficulty: - strenuous, Trailhead: 14 miles east of
Park HQ, across East Rim Drive from road to Cloudcap junction.
Click
HERE for the "Unofficial" Guide to Crater Lake
which contains the contents of the Park brochure.
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