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Are you considering a camping vacation at one of the Crater Lake campgrounds but are unsure which one to pick? If so, this tutorial can assist you!
The deepest lake in the country may be found in Crater Lake National Park, which also offers breathtaking views, picturesque roads, and hiking opportunities.
Furthermore, there are plenty of places you can stay. You can save money, stay close to the top activities, and take in the breathtaking views of the Cascades when you camp at Crater Lake.
Travelers from all over the world come to Crater Lake, one of Oregon's most picturesque locations.
Some visitors come to walk, some to explore the many features inside the park boundaries, like the Pinnacles and numerous waterfalls, while still others come for the breathtaking view of the deep blue waters inside the caldera.
Many want to remain for up to a week, so they'll need to locate decent Crater Lake accommodations or camping areas. Here are some of the greatest camping spots we could find close to Crater Lake, in our opinion.
Crater Lake National Park is the only authentic national park in Oregon. There are four other sites under federal management, although none of them are national parks.
Fortunately, Crater Lake effortlessly carries the title of being the state's only national park and is a well-liked camping and outdoor attraction all year round.
The park itself only has a small number of built campgrounds, and they are only open during the summer. The campgrounds are accessible to RV campers, which will make them delighted.
Those who have a backcountry hiking permit can camp in primitive settings. The park itself offers the greatest camping in the vicinity of Crater Lake National Park.
In addition to a neighboring state recreation area, Fort Klamath, Oregon, offers a number of scattered options in case you're unable to find a spot or it's winter.
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Best Campgrounds in Crater Lake
Mazama Village Campground and Lost Creek Campground are the two established campgrounds in Crater Lake National Park.
We've listed a few alternative campgrounds in the region in case you can't locate a Crater Lake campground that meets your requirements.
1. Mazama Village Campground
The biggest campground in Crater Lake National Park is called Mazama Campground. When considering camping at Crater Lake National Park, this campground should be your first choice because it has over 200 spots that can handle tents, RVs, and trailers—especially if a hot shower is important to you!
The most well-known Crater Lake attractions, Rim Village and Rim Drive are only a short drive away from your location, which is close to a number of hiking trails and the park's South Entrance.
The Crater Lake Lodge, a gift shop, and the Rim Village Visitor Center are located in the nearby village of Rim Village.
Mazama Campground is only accessible during the summer. But from July through September, advance reservations are accepted at 75% of the campsites. The remaining twenty-five percent is available first come, first served.
The campgrounds are excellent! The majority of the locations are about 7 miles from the Crater Lake Rim, have a lovely forest backdrop, and are rather level.
You will find a metal food locker, a fire ring, and a picnic table at each campsite (yes, bears frequent this region; you are in bear country). The campground offers a dump station, public laundry, and showers.
Propane is sold at a petrol station as well. A well-stocked camp store and restaurant are also available. Outside the Camp Store is a pay phone.
Restrooms, potable water, a fueling station, food storage lockers, and a dump station are available at the campground.
There is electricity at some locations. Pets are allowed, however there are limitations. You may buy groceries, firewood, propane, camp supplies, and gasoline at the Mazama Camper Store. There are four accessible campsites at the campground.
In the village, Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop serves casual, family-friendly American food and sells mementos of Crater Lake. Gas, groceries, camping gear, electric hookups,
free wifi, and firewood are all available at the adjacent Mazama Camper Store.
2. Lost Creek Campground
Lost Creek Campground is Crater Lake's second, smaller campground and a perfect spot for you. Just 16 campsites can be found in this little campground, which is accessible from East Rim Drive. This is a primitive camping area best suited for seasoned campers.
The amenities at Lost Creek Campground are minimal. Mazama Campground does not offer running water, drinkable water, hot showers, laundry facilities, dump stations, or other services. You will have to rely solely on yourself if you choose to stay here.
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3. Wood River Valley Camp
This is a simple campground located seven miles from the edge of Crater Lake Park. They provide a clean porta potty, gas station, picnic table, and drinkable water.
Beautiful vista of the Cascades and the Wood River Valley. locations tucked away among aspen and ponderosa old growth.
It's close to amenities, the historic village of Fort Klamath, and public river access. Since this is a region prone to wildfires, these people forbid burning.
They are the most reasonably priced hip camp in the area, and the pricing matches the simplicity of the camping experience.
4. Diamond Lake
Diamond Lake offers a plethora of year-round recreational possibilities for outdoor lovers. For swimmers brave enough to enter its chilly, refreshing waters and fisherman launching a line from a boat or the shore, the area provides a beautiful setting.
The lake's rainbow trout population is abundant, with 300,000 fingerlings added to it every year. The 11 miles of paved bike trails around the lake are great for riding, and there are plenty of trails nearby for hikers to spend the day on. Saturday night interpretive presentations are available at the campground.
There are 238 sites in this spacious campsite, including double and standard sites that can fit tents, RVs, and trailers. All of the sites are reserved in advance. Picnic tables, grills, campfire rings, drinking water, and flush toilets are provided at the sites.
There are boat ramps and fish cleaning facilities for guests, and Diamond Lake is reachable on foot. The campground hosts are available to answer inquiries, and the gatehouse is manned daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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5. Wild River Sanctuary
The Vann family is the ones that constructed this cabin. This new venture is being led by third generation energy. A home and treehouse beside the creek will be ready by summer of next year.
There are two spots for tents on the creek. Nestled behind pine trees, the sites are located on a one-acre riverfront property. It is noteworthy that the two locations are roughly thirty to forty feet apart.
There's a seasonal outdoor shower provided by the creek and a functional, clean outhouse nearby. Every campsite features a fire pit and private dock. The lakes and a fantastic climb to the fire lookout are only a short distance away.
From your tent, mountain bike on infinite routes. Take use of the nearby creek, where you may swim, float, fish, and sunbathe, all within a short distance from the designated spots.
Their wonderful neighbors are close by with holiday houses. Between Earl Lane and Pine Creek Loop is Dorothy Lane.
6. Williamson River Campground
Conveniently situated right off Highway 97, the Williamson River Campground is five minutes north of Chiloquin, Oregon.
The amenities at this campground include three vault toilets, two hand pumps, picnic tables, and fire grates in 19 campsites.
There is an ADA-accessible campsite. The environment is dominated by ponderosa pines and sagebrush, which stand in stark contrast to the Williamson River's pure clarity. Owing to its close proximity to the highway, this campground enjoys considerable popularity.
You can go fishing, mountain bike on miles of Forest Service roads, or look into day hiking options. The two campgrounds are connected by a 1.3 mile walking track and are located near to the well-known Collier State Park.
Explore the Collier State Park Logging Museum, which features a pioneer village that has been moved and antique logging tools from the late 1800s.
7. Crater Lake Resort
For more than 70 years, these guys have been in the real estate industry in one capacity or another. Although the stick-built cabins date back before the 1950s, their exact age is unknown.
They are situated on Fort Creek, so called because it once passed through Fort Klamath. Fort Creek is a lovely flowing creek that is 30 feet wide and flows north to south across the property.
They can paddle their Old Town Canoes along its length and up the creek to a beaver dam for free.
A pleasant hiking trail crosses two of the creek's bridges—one covered and the other floating. Additionally, they provide free catch and release fishing, with their rivers home to brown trout and rainbow trout.
8. Crater Lake Private Woodlands
Woods, paths, wildlife, ponds, wildflowers, old growth timber, views, and private and protected forest forests. Nature in its purest form!
Situated on what is referred to as the lovely side of Crater Lake NP, they are close to the small community of Prospect and south of Highway 62, which is part of the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway, sometimes known as the "highway of waterfalls."
Within two miles are three waterfalls, a pizza place, the Prospect Cafe, and the Historic Hotel. You're ten minutes away from the renowned pie at Beckie's Cafe.
Their guests can stay in their brand-new A-frame Cabin, at camp/tent sites, or in their own RVs on their 100-acre ranch. All of these options are situated in quiet, private areas.
Guests can enjoy a number of well-maintained pathways that wind around the property. Hiking, seeing wildlife, and enjoying the lovely ponds and woods are all enjoyed by nature lovers.
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9. Waterwheel RV Park & Campground
Situated on Highway 97, the Waterwheel RV Park and Campground is 3 miles south of Chiloquin and 22 miles north of Klamath Falls. It is one of the best recreation locations in Oregon.
Situated by the Williamson River, which is well-known for its trout fly-fishing, is the RV Park. Despite being an older campground, they are constantly remodeling the toilets, adding a laundry room, and installing 50-amp electricity.
They are open seven days a week, nine months a year, and offer 32 RV spaces. From December to February, they are closed.
On their Riverfront row, there are six 60-foot pull-through sites with wonderful views of the Williamson River. They have water and electricity at 20/30/50 amps, but no sewer. There are four back-in campsites on the river that have 30-amp electricity and water, but no sewer.
10. Farewell Bend Campground
The Civilian Conservation Corps built the Farewell Bend Campground in 1934. The campground is situated in the middle of an old growth forest, eighteen miles west of Crater Lake National Park.
There are sixty RV, tent, and trailer-friendly campsites. There is swimming and fishing available in the campground along the Rogue River.
The campground is only one mile away from Union Creek Resort, which offers hotel, dining options, ice cream shops, and a convenience store.
There are several different types of campsites in this spacious park to suit RVs, trailers, and tents.
Campfire rings, picnic tables, as well as flush toilets are supplied along with drinking water. You can buy firewood at the host site for the campground.
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11. Annie Creek Sno-Park
Annie Creek Sno-Park is situated close to the Crater Lake National Park boundaries, approximately 43 miles northwest of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Fort Klamath is located fewer than ten miles from the Sno-Park, making its surroundings historically significant. In 1863, Fort Klamath was founded as a military outpost along the Oregon Trail.
It is now part of the National Register of Famous Places in the United States. The Fort Klamath park and museum is a convenient place to visit if you want to take a break from recreation.
More amenities are available at Annie Creek than in the typical Sno-Park. In addition to two domed restrooms, this official Oregon Volcanic Scenic Byway stop has an interpretive kiosk.
A lovely, year-round warming shelter in the log style with benches and a wood burner is perfect for leisurely lunches. Snowmobilers can explore countless miles of trails and enjoy driving beneath blankets of snow on ponderosa pines.
12. Mount Thielsen Wilderness
Extending across the top of the Cascades, 80 miles east of Roseburg and just north of Crater Lake National Park, is the 54,914-acre Mt. Thielsen Wilderness.
Elevations vary from 5,000 feet to 9,182 feet at Mount Thielsen's peak. This is the land of fire and ice, formed by the same volcanic activity that gave rise to Crater Lake.
Open meadows and high alpine forests make up a large portion of the Mount Thielsen Wilderness. Although the terrain is mild, it gets extremely steep as it approaches the Cascade Mountains' crest.
At 7,200 feet, Timberline is situated slightly above a mixed mountain hemlock, fir, and whitebark pine forest.
At lower elevations, lodgepole pine predominates in the vegetation. A significant volume of snowmelt is carried by the area's numerous streams in the spring.
13. Broken Arrow Campground
The peaceful Broken Arrow Campground in the Umpqua National Forest is a great place for family and large group camping outings. It is tucked away in a lodgepole pine forest at the southern tip of Diamond Lake.
This charming location provides excellent recreational activities with breathtaking views of both Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen.
This spacious campground can accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers and has 120 conventional sites in addition to 3 group sites. Reservations are required for the regular sites and the three group sites.
Picnic tables, grills, campfire rings, drinking water, and flush toilets are provided at the sites. The lake can be accessed from a number of adjacent boat ramps. Hosts at the campground are available to address inquiries.
Bottom Line
There are many places to camp in Crater Lake National Park, both inside and outside the boundaries. Make reservations at Mazama Campground, the biggest campground in Crater Lake, if you want to stay inside the park.
In the surrounding towns and national forests, there are lots more campgrounds available if you're searching for additional first-come, first-served options.
In the Umpqua National Forest, next to Diamond Lake and about fifteen minutes from the Crater Lake North Entrance Station, there are reservable campgrounds close to Crater Lake. I suggest making a reservation for one of these sites.