This is page 2 of this article. To start at the beginning, click here.
1. Rim Drive
It’s not every day that you get to drive around a volcanic caldera filled with sparkling blue water, but that’s exactly what you get to do on Crater Lake’s Rim Drive! See the lake from every angle and enjoy the numerous viewpoints and hikes along the way.
What You Need to Know
The Rim Drive travels 33 miles around the lake and is a fabulous introduction to the park. Due to the elevation and amount of snow the area receives, the entire road is only open seasonally. To see the current status, click here.
A few of my favorite stops (not including the ones outlined as can’t-miss stops in this article) are Discovery Point, the Watchman Overlook, Cloudcap Overlook, Pumice Castle, the Phantom Ship Overlook, and Vidae Falls.
If you’d like a guided tour along the Rim Drive, check out the Trolley Tour.
Getting Here
The Rim Drive can be started from the Steel Visitor Center at the south end of the park or from the North Junction 9 miles south of the North Entrance.
I highly recommend driving the road clockwise. Because most viewpoints and overlooks are on the right-hand side, driving clockwise will allow you to make right turns back into oncoming traffic rather than always trying to turn left.
2. Sinnott Memorial Overlook and Rim Walk
Dig deeper into the geologic history of the explosive volcano Mount Mazama and Crater Lake. This overlook doesn’t just provide an unobstructed and expansive view of the water below. It also provides a fascinating look into what makes Crater Lake so special!
What You Need to Know
This overlook is probably the best way to learn more about the lake and how it formed. You’ll find many informative displays to tell you all about the area, and ranger programs are offered here daily. Open hours vary, but in the middle of the summer it’s open from 9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m..
As you make your way to the Sinnott Memorial Overlook, you’ll notice a pleasant paved path along the cliffs of the caldera. This is the Rim Trail, and it’s worth a few minutes of your time to walk and take photos of the lake.
Getting Here
This overlook is located in the Rim Village on the south side of the lake. To get here from the Rim Village Parking Lot, walk toward the lake until you find the paved Rim Trail. The Sinnott Memorial is located along the Rim Trail and can be found behind the small Rim Visitor Center (located between the Cafe/Gift Shop and the Lodge).
3. Pinnacles Overlook
Venture beyond the lake and experience another feature left behind by Mount Mazama’s gigantic eruption! These large needle-like rocks jut out of the hillside and highlight another remnant of volcanic activity at Crater Lake.
What You Need to Know
The Pinnacles Overlook is easily accessible from the parking area, so no hiking is required! If you’re hoping to see more pinnacles or to get a different vantage point, a short trail is available.
The Pinnacles Valley Trail travels to the edge of the park boundary, leaves from the overlook, and is 1.2 miles roundtrip. Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
This overlook is located at the end of the Pinnacles Road on the southeast side of the park.
To get here from the Steel Visitor Center, take a right out of the parking lot and then stay left as the road forks to drive on the East Rim Drive. Follow the East Rim Drive for 8.2 miles and then turn right onto the Pinnacles Road. Follow the Pinnacles Road to the very end, approximately 6 miles.
4. Sun Notch Trail
This cliffside trail offers a phenomenal vantage point of Crater Lake and the surrounding mountains. After a hike here, you might even agree that this is the best rim view of the Phantom Ship!
What You Need to Know
The Sun Notch Trail is 0.75 miles roundtrip and has an elevation gain of about 90 feet, making this an ideal trail for hikers of all ages and abilities.
I personally prefer hiking the loop clockwise to save the best views of the Phantom Ship for last!
Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
This trail is located along the East Rim Drive. To get here from the Steel Visitor Center, take a right out of the parking lot and then stay left as the road forks to drive on the East Rim Drive. Follow the East Rim Drive for 4.3 miles until you reach the trailhead parking on your left.
Click NEXT to see sights 5-8 (including the only way to get down to the water!)
We love your blog suggestions and have ordered a couple of your 3-4 day itineraries , all great stuff so thank you!
We are planning a trip next summer to hit Lassen, Redwood, and Crater. We like to fully explore and experience the parks (typical use you Must Dos as our baseline), prefer day hikes and hotels as opposed to backpacking. Our question is how many days would you recommend for each park?
Lassen – days needed?
Redwood – days needed?
Crater – days needed?
Thank you and we will continue to be big fans of your website, blogs, recommendations, and itineraries!
Thanks Brett! I suggest 1.5-2 days in Lassen if you plan to do some hiking, 3 days in Redwood to get to all the different sections of the park, and 1-5-2 days in Crater Lake if you plan on taking the boat on the lake. That’s a road trip I’ve done several times — it’s incredible with lots of variety. Enjoy!
Thank you and appreciated!
How close can you get to Pumice Castle? Is it really inaccessible?
You can’t get very close because it’s hanging off the steep cliffs. It would be extremely dangerous to try to get closer than the overlook!
IS the area accessible for handicapped people, wheelchairs, etc?
You can find accessibility information here: https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm Have a great trip!
would like to be able to print information so we don’t rely on our cell phone service when there :(
anyway you could make that accessible?
thanks
Hey Shelby,
I do have PDFs of this information available for a small fee. Email me at ash(at)dirtinmyshoes(dot)com if this is something you’re interested in. Safe travels!
The pictures are great. We went last year but so much smoke from area fires and settled down in the crater. Decided the. That we would definitely have to go back. Thanks for the post.
Oh yeah, that happened this year too :( I hope you’re able to make it back out there sometime soon!