Crater Lake National Park Camping Guide created to help you plan your perfect camping experience at Crater Lake National Park!
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Crater Lake Lodge (In the park) or Additional Lodging nearby.
📍Complete List of Tours for Crater Lake National Park
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Crater Lake Camping Guide
There are 2 developed campgrounds in Crater Lake National Park; Mazama Village Campground and Lost Creek Campground.
Crater Lake NP is open year round but both campgrounds are open seasonally as both campgrounds are located at 6000 feet in elevation.
This means that both campgrounds get a considerable amount of snow each year! You may ask how much snow does Crater Lake get each year? The average snowfall at Crater Lake is 533 inches!
That's almost a whopping 45 feet of snow!
Mazama Village Campground is considered the main campground at Crater Lake National Park with 214 campsites and has most of the amenities that you would expect while camping in the front country (car camping).
The Lost Creek Campground has only 16 tent-only campsites that are available first-come, first-served basis.
The Mazama campground is located 7 miles south of Rim Village and Crater Lake.
Crater Lake's iconic deep blue waters and snow-covered mountains have captured the imagination of people worldwide.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the 7th deepest lake in the world.
Showing up in the evening hoping to find a campsite can easily lead you to disappointment. This article will assist you in planning the vacation of a lifetime at Crater Lake National Park.
Site A12, Mazama Campground, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Mazama Campground
Season - Open mid-June through Late September.
These dates are approximate, depending on the weather.
Sites - 214 Sites
Camping Fees: Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees
How to Make Crater Lake Camping Reservations
Crater Lake camping reservations can be made online or by calling (866) 292-6720.
Reservations can be made for June to September, depending on the amount of snow in the park.
Full payment is due at the time of reservation.
It is always a great idea to have a campsite reservation. Having a campsite reservation guarantees you a spot in some of the best camping locations in the National Parks!
Mazama Campground address
Mazama Campground
Crater Lake HWY
Crater Lake, OR. 97604
Mazama Campground GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 42.8684N
Longitude: -122.1685W
Mazama Campground Amenities
The campsites are very nice! Most sites are very level, has a beautiful forest setting and only 7 miles from the Rim of Crater Lake.
Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, and a metal food locker (you are in bear country & yes they frequent the area).
Most campsites are tent camping only and do not have any RV hookups. The F Loop has 15 electrical hookup only sites (F15-F29) that are 1st. come, 1st. served and two are ADA (F17 and F21).
Guests wanting more information on the electrical hookup sites or requiring an ADA RV site should call the park directly at (541)594-2255 ext. 3610 or 3601
The campground has showers, public laundry and a dump station.
There is a gas station that also sells propane. There is also a camp store that is well stocked and a restaurant.
There is a pay phone outside the Camp Store.
The Cabins at Mazama Village
They are called cabins but in reality, it is a 4-plex with hotel-style rooms.
There are 40 rooms with very limited services. You can expect to have a room with 2 Queen beds and a private bath.
There are no TV's, phones, A/C. There is WIFI but don't expect super fast speeds.
The Cabins at Mazama Village are close to the amphitheater, café and Campstore.
Lost Creek Campground
The Lost Creek Campground has 16 sites that are tent only at Crater Lake National Park.
It is open seasonally between early July and Mid-October, depending on the weather.
I would call ahead to see if this campground was open as I have seen it closed in mid-July due to snow.
The good news is that there are flush toilets and is only $5/night for camping. Remember that generators are prohibited at the Lost Creek Campground.
Backcountry Camping
A backcountry camping permit is required year-round for all overnight trips in the park. Permits must be obtained in person, during business hours, from the Ranger Station at Park Headquarters.
One thing to know is there is no backcountry camping in the summer with a view of the lake.
The National Park Service ranger station is located 100 yards from the Steel Visitor Center. The ranger station is open:
- June-September: Open daily, 8:00 am-4:30 pm
- October-May: Open daily, 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Backcountry permits are free. They are only valid for the dates, location and number of campers designated.
The maximum group size for backcountry camping in Crater Lake National Park is 8 people.
Campers need to be prepared with bear resistant containers or ways to hang their food properly.
Backcountry camping is not allowed in the Research Natural Areas or within ¼ mile of Boundary Springs, Sphagnum Bog, and Thousand Springs. Camping is also prohibited inside the caldera.
There are five designated backcountry campsites including Bybee Creek, Dutton Creek, Grouse Hill, Lightning Springs, and Red Cone Springs.
National Geographic trails illustrated maps are a great help while planning your trip to the park.
Additional Crater Lake Lodging Options
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Crater Lake Resort - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The closest bookable lodging to Crater Lake National Park, sitting just 7 miles from the south gate right on the banks of scenic Fort Creek!
Choose from 13 pine-paneled creek-side cabins with full kitchens, private decks, and gas BBQs, canvas glamping tents under old-growth pines, a unique lagoon capsule pod for two, or a whole vacation home sleeping up to 12 with a jacuzzi and full kitchen. On-site amenities include free canoe rentals, a covered bridge, giant tree swing, fire pits, general store, EV charging, and laundry. Free WiFi, free parking, pet friendly, and open year-round!
⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Running Y Ranch Resort - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Southern Oregon's premier destination resort on 3,600 stunning acres, just 59 miles from Crater Lake and bordered by seven national wildlife refuges including Upper Klamath Lake, named the Best Birding Destination in the West by Sunset Magazine!
The resort features Oregon's only Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, the full-service Sandhill Spa, indoor pool and hot tub, sauna, fitness center, tennis courts, horseback riding, 12 miles of hiking and biking trails, kayaking, ice skating rink, and the Ruddy Duck Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Rooms, cabins, and private vacation homes available, all with free WiFi, fireplaces, and gas decks. Pet friendly and open year-round!
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Compass by Margaritaville Medford - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A vibrant island-inspired resort hotel in Medford, perfectly positioned just 5 miles from Rogue Valley International Airport and perfectly halfway between Crater Lake National Park and Redwood National Park for a two-park road trip!
All 111 rooms feature premium bedding, 55-inch HDTVs, rainfall showerheads, and free WiFi. Amenities include a complimentary breakfast buffet, outdoor pool with private poolside cabanas and fire pits, the 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill, a 9-hole golf course and driving range, 24-hour fitness center, business center, and free parking. Pet friendly, kids stay free, and open year-round!
Click on this link or map below to see current rates for additional hotels and vacation rentals near the park.
Best Crater Lake National Park Tours & Activities
Note: Crater Lake's famous boat tours and the Cleetwood Cove Trail down to the lake are closed through 2029 due to ongoing infrastructure improvements. The park's beloved Crater Lake Trolley, operated directly by the park concessioner, is also not bookable through Viator. We've included the direct booking link below along with the best currently available Viator options for independent exploration of the park.
Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour in Crater Lake
⭐️ Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars (3+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 to 4 hours (self-paced) | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
Powered by GuideAlong, this GPS-synced audio tour cruises Rim Drive with narration covering the park's volcanic past, Indigenous history, and geology, triggering automatically as you reach each stop. Covers 85+ points of interest including Merriam Point, Phantom Ship, Vidae Falls, Watchman Peak, Pinnacles Overlook, and Plaikni Falls Trailhead. Works fully offline once downloaded, so no cell service is needed in the park. One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, with free cancellation and no expiry date. Booked 10+ times last month.
Crater Lake Guided Snowshoeing Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🥾 Book Direct at Crater Lake Hospitality
Explore the majestic beauty of Crater Lake in the winter on a three hour snowshoeing tour! All levels of experience are welcome as you experience the exhilarating & breathtaking views of this pristing wilderness. The guides will take you through winter wonderlands, discussing and explaining the many things you will see including natural geological formations, abundant wildlife, and local culture and history. Tour includes snowshoes with poles, free lessons, and local licensed experienced guides.
Crater Lake Trolley: Two-Hour Narrated Rim Tour
⭐️ Highly Rated by Visitors | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours | 🚌 Book Direct at Crater Lake Hospitality
The Crater Lake Trolley is widely regarded as the best way to experience the park, especially during peak summer weekends when Rim Drive is packed with traffic. A knowledgeable guide narrates the full loop with stops at iconic viewpoints, pointing out features like the Old Man of the Lake, Phantom Ship, and Wizard Island along the way. Reviewers consistently rave about their guides and call it worth every dollar. Book as early as possible as seats sell out fast, particularly on summer weekends.
Crater Lake National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Summer Entrance Fee from Mid-May through the end of October
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Winter Entrance Fee from November 1 through Mid-May
Park Entrance Pass - $20.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $15.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Snowmobile - $15.00 Per Snowmobile (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
The fees below are year-round
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Crater Lake Resources
Make sure to click the links below to find out more information on Crater Lake National Park & Camping Tips from a Park Ranger
- Complete guide to Crater Lake National Park
- Things to do Crater Lake National Park
- Crater Lake Lodge
- Camping Tips From A Park Ranger
- Camping Games - Check out all of the great games you can bring camping
National Parks Sites near Crater Lake NP
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
- Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
- Tule Lake National Monument
- Oregon Caves National Monument
- John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
- Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Check out all of the National Parks in Oregon along with neighboring Washington National Parks, National Parks in California, and Idaho National Parks
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
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