Crater Lake National Park is home to some spectacular hiking trails, from short walks along the caldera rim to mountain summits with panoramic views over the lake. Many of these hikes are relatively short, making it easy to combine several trails in one day.
In this guide, we cover 9 of the best hikes in Crater Lake National Park. Some lead to viewpoints overlooking the lake’s deep blue water, while others take you to waterfalls, wildflower-filled meadows, and the summit of a volcano. We’ll also help you decide which hikes are worth prioritizing based on your time, hiking experience, and the type of scenery you want to see.
Our Experience in Crater Lake National Park: We spent two days in Crater Lake National Park in mid-September, hiking several trails along the rim, descending to Cleetwood Cove, and taking the boat to Wizard Island, where we hiked to the summit of the cinder cone. Wizard Island was our favorite experience, while Garfield Peak and Watchman Peak gave us some of our favorite views of the lake. We also hoped to hike Mount Scott, but poor weather kept us off the summit.
Which Crater Lake Hike Should You Choose?
With limited time, we recommend starting with Garfield Peak or Watchman Peak. Garfield Peak is our pick for the best overall hike in Crater Lake, with almost continuous views of the lake and a spectacular summit viewpoint. Watchman Peak gives you nearly as much scenery in about half the distance, making it a great choice if you want a shorter or easier hike.
For a bigger challenge, hike Mount Scott, the highest point in Crater Lake National Park. Discovery Point is a good choice for an easy walk along the rim, while Sun Notch is one of the quickest ways to get a beautiful view of Crater Lake and Phantom Ship. And if you want a break from lake views, Plaikni Falls takes you through the forest to a waterfall and wildflower-filled meadow.
| If you want… | Choose… |
| Best overall hike | Garfield Peak |
| Best short hike with big views | Watchman Peak |
| Best challenging hike | Mount Scott |
| Best easy rim hike | Discovery Point |
| Best very short hike | Sun Notch |
| Best waterfall hike | Plaikni Falls |
| Best for wildflowers | Castle Crest |
| Most unique experience | Wizard Island (currently inaccessible) |
| Access to the lakeshore | Cleetwood Cove (currently closed) |
WHAT ABOUT THE RIM TRAIL? The Rim Trail continues beyond Discovery Point along the western side of Crater Lake. We walked part of it and enjoyed the views, but with limited time in the park, we think Garfield Peak, Watchman Peak, and Discovery Point offer a better payoff. Consider hiking a longer section of the Rim Trail if you have more than two days in Crater Lake or simply want a longer walk away from the busiest viewpoints.
Best Hikes in Crater Lake National Park
Rather than listing every trail in the park, we picked nine of the best hikes to do in Crater Lake. Here is our list, starting with our favorite hikes.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
About our ratings: Our ratings reflect the overall hiking experience, including scenery, trail variety, crowds, and whether we think the hike is worth your time. Difficulty does not affect the rating. A short, easy walk can earn five stars if the experience is worth it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceptional: One of the best hikes in Crater Lake; worth planning your day around.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Very good: Highly recommended, especially for the right type of hiker.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good: Enjoyable, but we’d prioritize other trails if time is limited.
⭐️⭐️ Fine if you’re nearby: Pleasant, but not worth a special trip.
Garfield Peak Trail
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This popular trail leads to one of the best viewpoints of Crater Lake. It’s a must-do hike in Crater Lake and best in the morning.
DISTANCE: 3.3 miles (5.4 km) out-and-back | DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous | TOTAL ASCENT: 1,100 feet (335 meters) | TIME: 1.5 to 3 hours
This 3.3-mile round-trip hike climbs steadily along Crater Lake’s south rim, rewarding hikers with panoramic views over the lake’s brilliant blue waters.
From the Crater Lake Lodge, the trail leads to the summit of Garfield Peak. At an elevation of 7,976 feet (2,431 meters), the top of Garfield Peak offers one of the best views over Crater Lake.
We took this photo from the summit of Garfield Peak
The Garfield Peak Trail is of moderate difficulty, with a steady ascent to the top of Garfield Peak. Hikers are rewarded with nearly constant views of Crater Lake and the surrounding mountains to the south. As a result, this trail is one of the best hikes in Crater Lake and is perfect for those seeking stunning scenery without the challenge of a long full-day hike.
The Garfield Peak Trail will take most hikers 1.5 to 3 hours to complete.
Map of the Garfield Peak Trail
Another view from Garfield Peak
For photos, the best time of day to hike the Garfield Peak Trail is from mid-morning to early afternoon. You’ll have clear views out over Crater Lake with the sun to your back. We hiked Garfield Peak just after sunrise.
Nearby, hikers will find the Crater Lake Lodge, the Rim Village Visitor Center, the Discovery Point Trail, and plenty of scenic overlooks. This central region along Crater Lake’s south rim is well worth a visit.
Watchman Peak Trail
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ From Watchman Peak, get panoramic views over Crater Lake and Wizard Island. This is one of the best sunset spots in the park.
DISTANCE: 1.7 miles (2.7 km) out-and-back | DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate | TOTAL ASCENT: 410 feet (125 meters) | TIME: 45 to 90 minutes
Located on the west rim of Crater Lake, hike up to a historic fire tower and enjoy 360-degree views over the national park.
Only 1.7 miles round-trip, the Watchman Peak Trail is perfect for hikers of all ages and skill levels. We heard a park ranger describe this as “offering the best of the park in one trail,” which we feel sums up Watchman well.
There’s a decent-sized parking lot on Rim Drive. Here you’ll find the trailhead, bathrooms, as well as an overlook out at Crater Lake and Wizard Island below.
From the trailhead, follow the Rim Trail south for a third of a mile, before turning onto the Watchman Lookout Trail at the split. From here, it’s a somewhat steep climb along switchbacks to the Watchman fire tower.
We took this photo from Watchman Peak
This trail is easier than the Garfield Peak Trail, covering about half the distance, but the views are almost just as good. The Watchman Peak Trail is a great alternative if you’re short on time or want an easier hike while still enjoying incredible views.
The Watchman Peak Trail is best hiked in the afternoon or evening when the sun is setting in the west. From the fire tower, you’ll be looking east toward Crater Lake, enjoying clear, well-lit views perfect for photos. However, be prepared for more hikers during this time.
Hike to the Summit of Wizard Island
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is our favorite hike in Crater Lake. The views from the summit are breathtaking, with 360° views of Crater Lake. Plus, how often do you get the chance to hike to the summit of a cinder cone volcano?
DISTANCE: 2.4 miles | DIFFICULTY: Strenuous | TOTAL ASCENT: 800 feet | TIME: 1 to 2 hours
IMPORTANT: Due to trail restoration on the Cleetwood Cove Trail, Wizard Island is inaccessible until 2029. We are including the hike here since it was our favorite experience in Crater Lake, and worth planning a trip around.
Wizard Island is the cinder cone volcano that sits within Crater Lake. To get here, hikers will first have to hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail and then board a shuttle to Wizard Island. Once on the island, visitors have 3 hours to hike to the summit, walk out to Fumarole Bay, go fishing, go swimming, and enjoy some of the most unique views of Crater Lake.
This entire experience takes about 5 hours. Overall, we think it’s the #1 thing to do in Crater Lake, since you get views from the rim, a boat ride on the lake, plus the chance to hike both the Cleetwood Cove and Wizard Island trails.
To do this, it takes some advance planning. Shuttle boats only run a few times per day and tickets sell out quickly.
We cover exactly how to do this, including how to get your shuttle tickets, and what to expect, in our guide to Wizard Island ↓
The Ultimate Guide to Wizard Island & Is It Worth It?
How to visit Wizard Island and hike the summit trail.Cleetwood Cove Trail
IMPORTANT: The Cleetwood Cove Trail is closed for rehabilitation throughout the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. Because this is the only access to the boat dock, boat tours and trips to Wizard Island will also be unavailable during this time. If the project stays on schedule, the earliest these experiences could return is 2029.
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ There is no reason to hike this trail, unless you plan to take a boat tour or go swimming. It’s a tough hike and you can get much better views from the other trails on this list.
DISTANCE: 2.2 miles out-and-back | DIFFICULTY: Strenuous | TOTAL ASCENT: 700 feet | TIME: 1 to 2 hours
Are you interested in standing at the shoreline of Crater Lake? What about a chance to swim within the lake’s deep blue waters? With a hike along the Cleetwood Cove Trail, hikers follow the only trail in the national park that provides shore access to Crater Lake.
The trail begins along the Rim Drive before descending down into the crater below. It’s a steep trail, descending over 600 feet across one mile of switchbacks. It’s easy going down, but a strenuous challenge back up. Climbing these steep switchbacks will leave you out of breath with your heart pounding. Be confident in your ability to hike back up before heading down!
Cleetwood Cove
Once you’ve reached the lake, swimming and cliff jumping are both very popular things to do. Expect frigid water temperatures around 59°F (15°C) during the summer. Although chilly, we still saw a fair number of people swimming when we hiked here in September.
The only accessible boat dock in Crater Lake National Park is found along this trail. If you are planning to explore Wizard Island or take a boat tour, your boat will depart from here. That means you will need to hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail in order to see Crater Lake by boat.
Discovery Point Trail
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s flat, it’s relatively easy, and from the trail, hikers get lots of panoramic views of Crater Lake.
DISTANCE: 2 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate | TOTAL ASCENT: 100 feet | TIME: 1 hour
The Discovery Point Trail is an easy to moderate trail that connects Rim Village to Discovery Point. On this 2-mile round-trip hike, you’ll follow a narrow forested path along the southern rim of Crater Lake. Most of the trail is shaded, with clearings in the trees that overlook the lake.
We took this photo from the Discovery Point Trail
Although visitors can simply drive to Discovery Point, this hike allows you to enjoy a little more of the rim than what’s visible from the road. The Discovery Point Trail is suitable for a beginner hiker.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: The Discovery Point Trail is easy to connect with the Garfield Peak Trail. The two trailheads are half a mile apart, linked by a paved path that follows the crater’s rim. There are multiple viewpoints along this path that are also well worth your time. If you’ve already hiked the Garfield Peak Trail, you don’t need to worry about moving your car. Just leave it parked by the Crater Lake Lodge.
Sun Notch Trail
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This easy hike leads to a viewpoint of the Phantom Ship, an iconic rock formation in Crater Lake.
DISTANCE: 0.8 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy | TOTAL ASCENT: 150 feet | TIME: 30 to 60 minutes
The Sun Notch Trail is one of the easiest and most popular hikes in Crater Lake National Park. Just 0.8-miles long, enjoy a flat hike through grassy meadows before reaching the rim of the caldera. Here hikers will get clear views down at Phantom Ship Island, a natural rock formation that resembles a ghost ship.
The trailhead for the Sun Notch Trail is a 15-minute drive east of Rim Village.
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a lovely, easy hike, with very few others on the trail. But it lacks the great views you get from the rim.
DISTANCE: 0.5 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy | TOTAL ASCENT: 100 feet | TIME: 30 to 45 minutes
Enjoy a short, easy walk along a peaceful nature trail. Over 1.3 miles, you’ll pass tall fir trees, a tranquil stream, and a colorful meadow filled with wildflowers. As the easiest hike on our list, we found the Castle Crest Wildflower Trail to be a relaxing, meditative experience.
The best time to do this hike is from mid-July to August, when the wildflowers are in peak bloom. We hiked here in mid-September and were a bit underwhelmed. However, we still found this to be an easy and relaxing walk through a forest.
Park at the Steel Visitor Center, and the trailhead is located across the street.
Plaikni Falls
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Short, easy hike to a waterfall and flower-filled meadow (in the summer).
DISTANCE: 2 miles | DIFFICULTY: Easy | TOTAL ASCENT: 100 feet | TIME: 1 hour
This short, easy trail leads to one of the prettiest waterfalls in the park. It’s a great hike for those who want to leave the crowds behind and do a leisurely hike.
This trail runs through a forest before opening up into a meadow with views of the waterfall. In the summer, wildflowers in the meadow add to the beauty of the hike.
Hike to the Summit of Mount Scott
Our Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a must-do for avid hikers and those who want amazing aerial views over Crater Lake National Park.
DISTANCE: 4.4 miles (7.1 km) | DIFFICULTY: Strenuous | TOTAL ASCENT: 1250 feet (381 meters) | TIME: 2 to 4 hours
Stand atop the highest point in Crater Lake National Park and enjoy sweeping views over the lake. This is a challenging hike (the hardest in this guide), as the trail steadily climbs to an elevation of 8,929 feet (2,721 meters).
Mount Scott is not located on the rim. From the summit of Mount Scott, you’ll be looking at Crater Lake from a distance, but it’s still a fantastic view.
This was a hike that was high on our to-do list, but poor weather conditions made it impossible to do when we were here.
For those who want a great view of the lake with less effort, Garfield Peak and Watchman Peak are better picks.
But for those who don’t mind a tough mountain climb, Mount Scott is another hike where you can leave the crowds behind and get more spectacular views of the park.
When is the Best Time to Go Hiking in Crater Lake?
The best time for hiking in Crater Lake National Park is from July through September. You’ll have pleasant temperatures for hiking and drier weather than other times of the year. Most importantly, hiking trails will be clear of snow.
For most of the year, the roads and trails of Crater Lake are closed due to heavy snow. These routes remain snow-covered for most of the year, generally from December into June. However, it’s not uncommon for trails to close in October and November as well.
Although you cannot hike during the winter, snowshoeing and nordic skiing are popular activities at this time of year. The west and south entrances of the park are often plowed daily, providing partial access to Crater Lake. However, the north entrance road and Rim Drive remain closed.
Crater Lake is open year-round, however park operations close seasonally due to snow. We recommend checking the National Park Service website before you go. You can see the current condition of the national park’s roads and trails here.
Crater Lake National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in August and September.
What Should I Bring to Hike in Crater Lake?
Most of Crater Lake’s hiking trails are at a high elevation, averaging 7,300 feet (2,225 meters). You should expect colder temperatures along the rim than in the small towns near the national park. Because of this, we recommend bringing a warm jacket or fleece. We also wore long pants when we hiked in September, although we sometimes wish we had brought shorts instead.
A good pair of hiking shoes is recommended, but not necessary. All of the hikes along this list follow dirt trails that can occasionally get a little rocky. Hiking shoes will give you better grip on the trail, but we saw plenty of hikers in running shoes too. Julie wore trail running shoes and these worked great.
Bring plenty of food and water as you explore Crater Lake. The only places to refuel are at the visitor center and the Crater Lake Lodge. You should be self-sustaining for the day, having enough food and water to get you through your hikes.
Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?
If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.Plan Your Trip to Crater Lake
- Planning your first visit? → Our Crater Lake Travel Guide covers when to go, where to stay, how to get around, and everything else you need to plan your trip.
- Looking for more than hiking? → See our guide to the Best Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park for viewpoints, scenic drives, hikes, and other must-see places.
- Only have one day? → Follow our One Day in Crater Lake Itinerary to see the park’s highlights and fit in one or two great hikes.
- Visiting more national parks? → Our US National Parks Guide has itineraries, hiking guides, and planning advice for parks across the country.
- Planning a longer road trip? → Our Oregon & California Road Trip Itinerary connects Crater Lake with Lassen Volcanic and Redwood National Parks.
If you have any questions about the best hikes in Crater Lake, or if you want to share your favorites, let us know in the comment section below.
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