There are a few ways to get to Crater Lake without a car! The first is via the Rim Drive, which is a 33-mile route that loops around the lake. You can take a shuttle bus that travels this route, or you can hike or bike it. Another option is to take a boat tour of the lake. The boat tour departs from the Cleetwood Cove Trailhead, which is a 2-mile hike from the nearest parking lot.
In order to get to Crater Lake without a car, you can take a bus or a train. The closest airport to Crater Lake is in Medford, Oregon, and from there you can take a bus or a train to the park.
Can you take a train to Crater Lake?
There is no bus service between Klamath Falls and Crater Lake National Park, so you will need to hire a car to travel the rest of the way to the park. The park is 60 miles north of Klamath Falls.
Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful places in America, and the best way to explore it is by driving the Crater Lake rim drive. This 33-mile loop takes about one hour to complete, but you’ll want to budget at least a few hours to enjoy all the incredible photo ops along the way.
How do you get down to Crater Lake
If you want to enjoy the lake shore, the Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only safe and legal place to do so. The trail usually opens late June, so plan your visit accordingly. Enjoy your time at the lake!
If you’re planning on driving from Portland to Crater Lake, it’s about a 4 hour and 30 minute drive. However, if you factor in breaks, it’ll definitely take a bit longer. You could easily drive this in half a day, but it’s best to split the road trip up over a weekend or a few days. This way, you can enjoy the drive and make stops along the way without feeling rushed. Plus, it’s always more fun to explore a new place when you have more time!
How do you get to Crater Lake in one day?
There are many ways to spend a day at Crater Lake. One option is to take a scenic drive around the lake. There are two main roads that loop around the lake, West Rim Drive and East Rim Drive. Both roads are about 33 miles long and have numerous pullouts and overlooks where you can stop and enjoy the views. Another option is to take a trolley tour. These tours generally operate in the summer and provide an informative commentary about the lake and its history. If you’re looking for a more active day, there are several hiking trails around Rim Village, the main tourist area near the lake. Or you could take a boat tour for a different perspective of the lake and its unique features. There is also a campground called Broken Arrow, which is a great place to spend the night if you want to make a longer trip out of it.
The Cleetwood Cove trail is the only way to access the shore of Crater Lake. The trail is steep, but offers spectacular views of the lake. The trail takes 15-25 hours to complete, and is 22 miles round trip. There is also an elevation gain of 700 feet.
How much time do you need at Crater Lake?
Crater Lake is an amazing place and definitely worth spending at least a day and night there. The views are incredible and there is so much to explore. Getting to the park can be a bit of a hassle, but once you’re there it’s totally worth it. Once you’re in the park, there are plenty of things to keep you busy, so you don’t have to worry about getting back in your car and heading back right away. You can relax and enjoy your time at Crater Lake!
Due to the deep snow in the park in May and June, most of the hiking trails are inaccessible and dangerous. If you’re planning on hiking in the park during those months, be sure to check the trail conditions first and be prepared for difficult terrain.
Is it worth it to drive to Crater Lake
If you want to see Crater Lake but don’t want to drive all the way to Oregon, there are a few things you can do. There are two easy ways to access Crater Lake from Seattle, the fastest is down I-5 through Eugene and the other takes you along Oregon State Hwy 97 past Bend, Oregon. You can also take a look at some of the many pictures and videos of the lake online.
Crater Lake is best enjoyed by car. You can take in all the sights and sounds of the lake while driving the 33-mile Rim Drive. The full loop is usually open from late June to mid-October, depending on snowmelt.
How long is the hike down to Crater Lake?
Although the trail is long, it is a popular route for birding and hiking. You can still find some solitude during quieter times of the day. The average time to complete the trail is 6 hours and 51 minutes.
The Cleetwood Cove Trail is a steep and strenuous hike. In 11 miles (17 km) the trail drops 700 feet (213 meters) in elevation through a series of long switchbacks.
Do you need a reservation to go to Crater Lake
Visitors to the park do not need to make reservations in advance to enter.
Prospect is a small town located in southern Oregon, about an hour’s drive from Crater Lake National Park. The town is home to a historic hotel, the Prospect Hotel, which was built in the early 1900s. The hotel is a popular destination for tourists visiting the area, and it is also a popular spot for weddings and other events.
How to get to Crater Lake from Portland by train?
There is no direct bus service from Portland to Crater Lake. However, Amtrak Thruway Bus Service does offer connecting service from Klamath Falls to the Medford Amtrak station, where you can then take the Cascade train #26 north to Eugene, and then transfer to the Coast Starlight train #11 south to Crater Lake. The entire trip would take approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes.
I definitely agree that the Rim Drive is one of the great things about Crater Lake! It’s so easy to see the lake from so many different angles, and the views are absolutely incredible. The overlooks are also spaced out perfectly so that you can easily find a parking spot and only have to walk a short distance to the edge.
Final Words
There are a few ways to get to Crater Lake without a car. One way is to take the bus. The Rogue Valley Transportation District (RVTD) provides bus service to Crater Lake National Park from the Medford, Oregon area. The cost is $5 per person each way, and the trip takes about 2.5 hours. Another way to get to Crater Lake without a car is to take the train. The Amtrak Cascade line runs from Vancouver, BC, Canada all the way down to Eugene, Oregon. There are a few stops along the way, including one in Chemult, Oregon which is about 30 miles from Crater Lake National Park. The cost of a ticket varies depending on the time of year and how far in advance you book, but it is typically around $60 for a one-way ticket from Vancouver to Chemult.
If you don’t have a car, the best way to get to Crater Lake is to fly into the Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford, Oregon. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle to Crater Lake National Park.
