Lost Creek Campground - Crater Lake National Park

Lost Creek Campground in Crater Lake National Park is a small tent-only campground. The campground is located three miles from the rim of Crater Lake and offers the opportunity to get away from the crowds.

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

Lost Creek Campground

This National Park Service Campground is located a few miles from the rim of Crater Lake. The campground is primitive with no running water or drinking water. The campground normally opens by early July and August depending on how much snow the park has received during the winter.

The campground is surrounded by lodgepole pines. There are some trees within the campground but there are also areas that are wide open. Visitors will want to be prepared for cool nights even during the summer.

There are no amenities within the campground but many can be found near the Mazama Campground and the main park visitor center. There is a gas station, ranger programs, and a small gift shop.

Each campsite has bear-resistant food lockers for food storage, a picnic table, and parking space.

Check out all of the Crater Lake Camping options.

Season: Usually opens in early July and closes in mid-October.

Number of Sites: 16 tents-only campground

Location in the park: Located on the road to Pinnacles Overlook, three miles from the rim of Crater Lake

Camping Fees: Make sure to check with the park for the most up-to-date camping fees

Senior Pass and Access Pass holders are entitled to a 50% discount on camping fees.

Payments accepted: Payment can be made by cash (exact change only) or a check made out to the National Park Service. Credit cards are not accepted.

Reservations: No, first come first serve

Elevation: 5,973 feet

Accessible Sites: No accessible sites

Pets Allowed: Pets must be leashed at all times. Pets are not allowed on park trails, in public buildings, or at park programs. Pets must not be left unattended or allowed to be excessively loud.

Lost Creek Campground Reservations

Are campground Reservations Available? No, First come first served

Lost Creek Campground Amenities

Flush Toilets: No

Payphone: No

Is wifi available? No

Is cellular Phone Service Available? Yes

Is camp host available on site? Yes

Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, firewood is available for purchase at the Mazama Village Camp Store.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are available next to the Mazama Village Camp Store

Showers: Showers are available next to the Mazama Village Camp Store

Amenities at each campsite:

Fire ring in the site? Wood campfires are not allowed. Gas stoves and self-contained charcoal grills are permitted.

Picnic Table in the site? Yes

Bear Box in site/area? No

Potable Water? No, you will need to bring water with you. A faucet with drinking water can be found outside the Visitor Center at Park Headquarters, 11 miles away.

Make sure to pack water jugs that can carry enough water for cooking and enjoying.

Don't Forget to Pack

Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.

Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottleand plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

RV Camping at Lost Creek Campground

Lost Creek Campground is a tent-only campground. The campground is closed to RVs, buses, and trailers.

An RV is defined as any vehicle with its own toilet. Vans and truck campers (without restrooms) are allowed. A tent is not required; you may sleep in your vehicle.

How to get to Lost Creek Campground

The campground is located on the road to Pinnacles Overlook, three miles from the rim of Crater Lake.

Lost Creek Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in the campsite: The maximum number of people per campsite is 8.

The number of cars per campsite: The maximum number of vehicles per campsite is 2

Check-in: You can check in 24 hours a day.

Checkout time: 12 noon

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours in the campground are between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Maximum Stay: Limited to 14 days. Camping in the park is limited to 30 days per calendar year, with no more than 14 consecutive days in any campground.

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.

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.

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.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

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

Things to do Crater Lake National Park - Check out all of the amazing things to do and places to visit during your trip to the park.
National Parks in Oregon - Find out all of the parks you can visit while in Oregon
Crater Lake Lodge - See photos and our review from staying in the historic Crater Lake Lodge.
Crater Lake Trails Illustrated Map