Directions to Crater Lake National Park

LocMap Crater Lake National Park

General Location of Crater Lake National Park!

Before I give you any directions to Crater Lake National Park, I just think that I ought to fill you in on a couple of things.

#1 – There is no cell phone coverage in many areas which are close to or inside the actual park – so if you can’t live without it don’t go, and if you do go, don’t rely on your cell phone as an emergency lifeline.

#2 – There is no gasoline for sale inside Crater Lake National Park between November and May, the closest fill up points are a full 35 miles away in Prospect and Chiloquin, so make sure that you have plenty of gas ‘cos if you run out of gas remember point #1 . . . you could be in an area where you can’t use your cell phone for help.

I hope that hasn’t put you off, a trip to Crater Lake National Park is well worth the effort, but, as with many of the other National Parks in America, you’ve got to be well prepared and do a little pre-planning. That’s what these pages are all about . . . good huh?

Right, in case you’re geography ain’t too good, Crater Lake National Park is in Oregon!

Flying to Crater Lake National Park

The airports which will get you closest to Crater Lake National ParkĀ are in Klamath Falls, around 60 miles from the park, or Medford, which is around 80 miles from the park. You will be able to pick up a car rental from either town to continue your journey to Crater Lake National Park.

Lone Sentinel, Crater Lake National Park

Lone Sentinel, Crater Lake National Park

Travelling to Crater Lake National Park by Train

There’s an Am-Trak service to Klamath Falls, around 60 miles away, from where you can pick up a rental car.

Travelling to Crater Lake National Park by Road

Another word of warning before we begin talking about the drive to Crater Lake National Park – the roads in and around the park are mountain roads, there are some tight curves and some very steep drop-offs, the weather is unpredictable and can change in a whisker . . . you may even experience a snow storm in August. Drive with extreme care. Right, how do you actually get there?

  • Driving to Crater Lake National Park from the South – if you’re heading from Medford take route 62 north and east, which will take you to the west entrance of the park. If you’re heading from Klamath Falls, take route 97 north until you reach route 62 north and west towards the park entrance. These routes should be accessible year round.
  • Driving to Crater Lake National Park from the North – summer time only – the north entrance to Crater Lake National Park is closed during the winter and spring, the dates vary from year to year but it’s usually early in November through to June, so check it out if you’re planning the trip around those times. During the summer you can drive from Roseburg along route 138 east which will take you to the north entrance of the park, or from Bend along route 97 south to route 138 west and the north entrance of the park.

  • Driving to Crater Lake National Park from the North – winter time – as you’ve just read, the north entrance to the park is closed during the winter and spring months, so you’ve got to head for the west or south entrances. From Roseburg head along route 138 east to route 230 south to route 62 east, which will take you to the entrance, or from Bend follow route 97 south to route 62 north and west, which will take you to the south entrance of the park.

Pretty good place to take a ride!

Crater Lake in all it’s glory . . . amazing!

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