Rim Drive circles Crater Lake, formed when Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed 7,700 years ago. The caldera filled with rain and snowmelt over centuries, creating the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet. No streams flow in or out. The water is pure enough to see 100 feet down, and the color is the kind of blue that looks manipulated in photographs. The 33-mile road, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, follows the rim with more than 30 overlooks. Wizard Island rises from the western waters. Phantom Ship, a jagged rock formation, floats in the southeast. Every pullout offers the same lake from a different angle, and every angle seems worth stopping for.
Parks Along the Way
Crater Lake National Park
Drive Rim Drive, hike down to the water at Cleetwood Cove, and catch sunrise or sunset from the rim.
Notable Stops
Rim Village
The main hub on the south rim. Crater Lake Lodge, a visitor center, cafe, and gift shop cluster here. The promenade along the rim provides views of Wizard Island. The lodge has operated since 1915 and is worth walking through for its stone fireplace and lake-view windows.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Discovery Point
Where John Wesley Hillman became the first European American to see the lake in 1853. He called it Deep Blue Lake. The viewpoint offers close views of Wizard Island and the lake's western arm. A short trail connects from the pullout.
15-20 minutes
Watchman Overlook
One of the best views of Wizard Island, the cinder cone rising from the lake's western waters. The Watchman Trail climbs 1.6 miles round trip to a historic fire lookout at 8,013 feet, with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding peaks.
30 minutes at overlook, 1.5 hours with hike
Merriam Point
Named for C. Hart Merriam, a naturalist who studied the lake in the 1890s. Views of Mount Scott to the east, Mount McLoughlin to the south, and Wizard Island below. One of the more comprehensive vantage points on the drive.
10-15 minutes
Cleetwood Cove Trail
The only legal access to the lake's shore. A 1.1-mile trail descends 700 feet to the water's edge. Swimming is allowed and bracingly cold. Boat tours to Wizard Island depart from the cove. The climb back is strenuous. Bring water.
2-3 hours round trip
Cloudcap Overlook
The highest viewpoint accessible by car in Oregon at 7,960 feet. A short spur road reaches the overlook, with views of most of the lake from its eastern shore. Phantom Ship is visible below. The angle here is distinctly different from the western views.
15-20 minutes
Mount Scott
The highest point in the park at 8,929 feet. A 5-mile round-trip hike from the trailhead on Rim Drive leads to summit views that extend to the Cascade peaks in all directions. The only place in the park where you can see the entire lake at once.
3-4 hours for hike
Phantom Ship Overlook
The best view of Phantom Ship, a jagged rock formation that resembles a ghost ship, especially in fog or low light. The rocks are the oldest exposed formation in the park, remnants of a volcanic vent predating Mount Mazama.
10-15 minutes
Sun Notch Viewpoint
A short 0.5-mile trail leads to a notch in the rim with views directly down to Phantom Ship, appearing to float on the impossibly blue water. The perspective here is more intimate than the road overlook.
30-45 minutes
Vidae Falls
A 115-foot waterfall visible from a pullout on the road. No hiking required. Best in early summer when snowmelt feeds the flow. One of the few features in the park not focused on the lake itself.
10 minutes
Beckie's Cafe
Homemade pies since 1926, about 23 miles from the park on Highway 62. The wild huckleberry and marionberry pies are local institutions. Home-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Open 365 days a year. A traditional stop before or after Crater Lake.
45 minutes to 1 hour
Pro Tips
- Rim Drive is typically open July through October. Snow can close sections into early summer. Check conditions at nps.gov/crla before visiting.
- Drive clockwise for easier access to pullouts, as most are on the lake side of the road.
- The east rim road closes first in fall and opens last in spring. If visiting in June or October, the west side may be your only option.
- Gas is not available in the park. Fill up in Prospect, Fort Klamath, or Diamond Lake before arriving.
- Summer crowds are manageable compared to other major parks. The park's remote location helps.
- Trolley tours offer narrated 2-hour trips around Rim Drive from July through September if you prefer not to drive.