10 Best Places to Stay Overnight In and Around Crater Lake
Every year, Crater Lake National Park draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The deepest lake in North America sits inside the caldera of Mount Mazama, a towering volcano that erupted 7,700 years ago and left behind a bowl that’s since filled with some of the clearest water in the world. The lake’s distinctive blue hue is a testament to that depth and clarity, and visitors have long been enchanted with hiking to its shore, exploring the lake’s many natural features, and gawking from dramatic viewpoints.
Of course, all those attractions—and the remote nature of the park—mean plenty of people are staying overnight when they visit. For some, that entails a night or two at the regal Crater Lake Lodge; for others, the outing is best experienced around the campfire and inside a tent. And for many more, overnight lodgings fall somewhere in between.
No matter what kind of traveler you may be, you’ll find plenty of overnight opportunities for enjoying Crater Lake. Here are 10 of our favorite places to stay in (and around) Oregon’s only national park.
Crater Lake Lodge
The iconic Crater Lake Lodge perched above the distinctive blue hue of Crater Lake. – vladeb
When it opened in 1915, Crater Lake Lodge was far from a must-stay experience; exterior walls were covered in tar paper, interior walls were crafted from a cardboard-like material that afforded precious little privacy, and the rooms (many of which were left unfinished) didn’t come with private bathrooms.
But more than a century later, the iconic lodge—which was renovated in 1995 and sits atop the southern shore of Crater Lake—lives up to its promise with a far grander experience. The four-story building’s stone-and-wood exterior recalls an alpine mountain chalet, while its wood-adorned lobby and fireplaces encourage visitors to linger with free coffee and board games.
The rooms themselves are small by modern standards—but include heaters for those crisp mornings and chilly evenings; many afford views of the lake itself. Note that the lodge is open May-October, and reservations (especially for midsummer weekends) may fill up months in advance.
The Cabins at Mazama Village
The Mazama Village general store is the perfect place to load up on snacks and supplies. – Virginia Hill
Other than Crater Lake Lodge, The Cabins at Mazama Village are the only other overnight abodes within the park. And what the cabins lack in sweeping views or opulent amenities, they make up for with comfort and a more down-home experience—just seven miles south of the Crater Lake rim.
For starters, The Cabins at Mazama Village (open May-September) ditch most modern amenities—like TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, air conditioners, fans, and phones. Rather, each cabin covers the basics with one or two queen beds, private bathrooms (with a hot shower), and free Wi-Fi connectivity; the recently renovated interiors also pay tribute to the region with vintage artwork and wooden furnishings that reflect the forest just outside your door.
The cabins also boast an excellent location, just steps from the park’s general store, gas station, and the Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop (which serves classic comfort fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Mazama Campground
With 214 tent and RV sites in the midst of an old-growth forest, Mazama Campground (open June-September) is the only developed campground within Crater Lake National Park—and offers plenty to love for families and weekend warriors just seven miles south of the Crater Lake rim.
Each of Mazama Campground’s sites come with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-resistant food locker—and none of the sites are more than a short walk from restrooms, water spigots, or bear-proof trash bins. And when you need another log for the fire, forget the marshmallows back home, or desperately need a (paid) shower after a few days in the woods, Mazama Village is just a 10-minute walk away.
In summer, rangers routinely give talks about Crater Lake’s natural history and wildlife at Mazama Village Campground’s amphitheater.
Lost Creek Campground
Tent campers looking for something a little quieter than Mazama Campground can head to Lost Creek Campground—the park’s only other place to pitch a tent (excluding backcountry sites for heartier travelers).
Lost Creek Campground (open July-October, weather depending) sits along Pinnacles Road, roughly three miles southeast of Crater Lake’s rim. Its 16 primitive sites are for tent campers only and include a picnic table and bear-resistant food locker; the first-come, first-served sites usually fill by the early afternoon on summer weekends.
Crystal Creek Mountain Lodge
Just over a half-hour from Crater Lake National Park’s southern entrance, Crystal Creek Mountain Lodge promises a rustic lodge experience with plenty of fun for the entire family—no matter how big that family may be.
The lodge’s main cabin sleeps up to 19 and is awash in amenities: Its outdoor deck is larger than some studio apartments, a wood-adorned interior hosts several couches and chairs for maximum comfort, the fireplace keeps everyone warm and toasty, and commercial kitchen facilities (stocked with all the gear a family could need) are available as well.
The lodge’s Sportsman House, meanwhile, promises a quieter, more intimate experience—but only just. The 1,200-square foot cabin boasts two bedrooms, a fireplace, and a spacious deck for outdoor gatherings.
And the lodge’s location on 100 acres in the Klamath Basin means you’re never far from your next outdoor adventure. Crater Lake might be a quick 40-minute drive north, but you’re also close to the Sky Lakes Wilderness (home to numerous scenic hiking trails) and Upper Klamath Lake (home to a leisurely canoe trail and world-famous birdwatching).
Rocky Point Resort
Just 45 minutes from the iconic blue hue of Crater Lake, Rocky Point Resort is a wonderful lodge worth visiting. – James St. John
You’d be forgiven for spending as much time at Rocky Point Resort as Crater Lake on your next outing.
Just 45 minutes from the park’s southern entrance, Rocky Point Resort sits on the shore of Upper Klamath Lake and offers lodging for all tastes.
The resort’s rustic cabins come with full kitchens and bathrooms, electricity, porches, and barbecues; hotel rooms include full bathrooms; RV sites include full and partial hookups; and lakeside tent sites deliver pristine views—along with shared bathroom facilities that include hot showers, washing sink stations, water, and a laundromat.
Beyond the accommodations, Rocky Point Resort hosts a seasonal restaurant that pairs Upper Klamath Lake views with a variety of fresh fare. The resort also offers boat rentals that range from stand-up paddleboards to canoes, kayaks, motorboats, and pontoon boats. And if you forgot anything at home, an on-site general store sells fishing gear, snacks, camping basics, ice cream treats, beer, wine, and souvenirs.
Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site
Campgrounds don’t come much quieter than Jackson F. Kimball. – Jan Hazevoet
Campgrounds don’t come much quieter than at Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site, just 20 minutes from Crater Lake National Park’s southern entrance.
The campground (open April-November) hosts 12 primitive campsites (available on a first-come, first-served basis) and two primitive horse campsites. Water isn’t available, but vault toilets are. Short walking paths lead to the headwaters of the crystal-clear, slow-moving Wood River, where visitors can launch a kayak and see more of the bucolic river corridor. In early September, quaking aspens turn the forest bright shades of orange and yellow.
Crater Lake Resort
Just a 20-minute drive from the park’s southern entrance, Crater Lake Resort offers a cozy stay with cabins, tent and RV sites, and even “glamping” tents for a more upscale experience.
The resort’s cabins come with full bathrooms, as well as kitchenettes or full kitchens; others butt up against Fort Creek, which runs through the resort’s property, and include private decks with gas barbecues.
Spacious tent and RV sites (with full and partial hookups) are available for vehicles up to 40 feet long; each site comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and barbecue.
And for romantic getaways or a more luxurious outing, angle for one of the resort’s “glamping” sites, where a thick canvas tent covers a carpeted interior that’s fully outfitted with a comfortable queen bed.
And while you’re not far from Crater Lake, you’d be forgiven for sticking around the resort; amenities include walking paths throughout the forested property, a pickleball court, a playground, free canoe rentals, a camp store stocked with snacks and drinks, and more.
Aspen Inn
Just a few minutes from Crater Lake’s southern entrance in the historic community of Fort Klamath, Aspen Inn (open April-October) boasts some of the most photogenic lodgings in the region.
Four A-frame cabins are the centerpiece of the property; three can accommodate up to four people with a second-floor loft, while the other can sleep two. Wood-paneled walls, regional artwork, and charming décor cover each cabin’s interiors.
Aspen Inn also boasts standard motel rooms outfitted with queen beds, four suites, and the 1,000-square-foot Wagon House; perfect for families or groups, the Wagon House includes two bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room, couch, and barbecue grill.
Lonesome Duck Ranch
A pair of comfortable cottages are the heart of Lonesome Duck Ranch, which sits just 40 minutes south of Crater Lake’s southern entrance station via Highway 62.
The ranch’s Arrowhead Cottage sits along the Williamson River—which borders Lonesome Duck Ranch on two sides—and is popular for its two bedrooms, full bathroom, massive stone fireplace, and ranching artifacts that give the abode a dose of Wild West charm. The 1,500-square-foot Rivers Edge log home, meanwhile, boasts two bedrooms, a spacious loft, a full bathroom, a covered porch overlooking the Williamson River, and an outdoor area that includes a hammock, picnic tables, and barbecue.
As if that weren’t enough, rentals—boats and canoes in spring and summer, snowshoes in winter—are included with lodging.
Written by Matt Wastradowski for Matcha in partnership with Discover Klamath Visitor and Convention Bureau.
