Things to Do in Crater Lake and Southern Oregon
The deepest lake in the country, a theater town and a wild river.
See top-rated activities »About Crater Lake
Crater Lake is Oregon's only national park and one of the most striking sights in the West. About 7,700 years ago the volcano Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed, leaving a caldera that slowly filled with rain and snowmelt. The lake that formed is the deepest in the United States, at nearly 2,000 feet, and its water is so clear and pure that it shows an intense blue. Wizard Island, a small cinder cone, rises near the western shore.
Rim Drive circles the lake for about 33 miles with many viewpoints, and Crater Lake Lodge and Rim Village sit on the south rim. Snow is the defining fact of the park: it averages more than 40 feet a year, so Rim Drive and the north entrance are usually open only from about July to October. In summer, the Cleetwood Cove Trail drops steeply to the only legal access to the water, where boat tours run to Wizard Island in season. In winter, the road to Rim Village is plowed when weather allows, and rangers lead snowshoe walks.
Southern Oregon has more to see on the way. Ashland, near the California border, is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which stages plays in several theaters for much of the year, and Lithia Park runs up a creek from the town plaza. Jacksonville is a preserved Gold Rush town with a summer music festival, and the Rogue River, which flows to the sea at Gold Beach, is famous for whitewater rafting and jet boat trips. Oregon Caves National Monument, in the Siskiyou Mountains, offers guided tours through marble caverns. With Crater Lake, these round out the best places to visit in Oregon's south.
Don’t Miss
The deepest lake in the country, with Rim Drive, lodge, trails and summer boat tours.
A 1915 lodge on the caldera rim, open in summer, with a lakeview dining room.
A repertory theater company staging Shakespeare and new plays in indoor and outdoor theaters.
A 93-acre park along Ashland Creek with ponds, a Japanese garden and trails.
Guided tours through marble caves, plus forest trails in the Siskiyou Mountains.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Crater Lake
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Best of Oregon may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Crater Lake — FAQ
When is Crater Lake open?
The park is open all year, but heavy snow means Rim Drive and the north entrance are usually open only from about July into October. The south entrance and the road to Rim Village are plowed in winter when conditions allow.
Can you swim in Crater Lake?
Yes, but only at Cleetwood Cove, reached by a steep trail of about a mile, and at Wizard Island for boat tour passengers. The water is very cold, and the trail is typically open only in summer.
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