The best campsites in Crater Lake National Park, OR

Named for its centerpiece caldera lake, formed by a volcanic eruption nearly 8,000 years ago, Crater Lake National Park—the only national park in Oregon—offers miles of snowshoeing and hiking trails, along with ranger programs, fishing, and boat tours. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US, and a highlight for many visitors is the chance to go boating out to Wizard Island in the middle of the water. A segment of the iconic Pacific Crest Trail passes also through the park, and while hikers love it here, the park is equally fun to explore by car with a drive along the crater’s rim to experience miles of incredible views.

• Best for avoiding the crowds: Lost Creek Campground only has 16 campsites, which keeps things quiet.
• Best for families: Mazama Village Campground offers tons of amenities to help your family camping trip run smoothly, including flush toilets and RV hookups.

1. Book the year before your stay if possible. RV camping and tent sites at Mazama Campground can be booked online through Crater Lake Hospitality up to a year in advance. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served (FCFS) basis in June and by advanced reservation for stays from July to September.
2. Lost Creek Campground offers tent camping on a FCFS basis. If visiting in June, Mazama and its 214 sites are your best bet.
3. To secure a FCFS site, check in at the crack of dawn and be prepared to wait for departing campers to pack up.
4. The park has five designated backcountry camping areas, each with a couple of sites included in the purchase of a first-come, first-served backcountry permit.

While Crater Lake is open year-round, it’s a summer destination and is at its busiest in July and August. September and early October see fewer crowds but still have nice weather, but things tend to take a turn by late October, when snowfall forces the park to close many of its roads. The North Entrance and West and East Rim Drives are always shut after the first major snowstorm or on November 1, whichever comes first. The North Entrance and West Rim Drive usually open in May or June, and East Rim Drive generally opens between late June and mid-July, depending on snow.

• A Mazama Village general store and gas station sells groceries, supplies, and firewood from late May through the end of September. You can also stock up on supplies and groceries in Chiloquin, about a 20-minute drive from the park, or in Klamath Falls, 45 minutes away.
• The park has three restaurants: Rim Village Café (with light food and grab-and-go items), Annie Creek Restaurant, and Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room.
• Crater Lake is pet-friendly, and leashed dogs are allowed on select designated trails.
• Crater Lake has two National Park Service visitors’ centers offering interpretive information, gift shops, potable water, and ranger talks. The Steel Visitor Center is open year-round (except on Christmas Day), while the Rim Visitor Center is only open in summer.