How to Get to Crater Lake: Airports, Entrances, and Transportation
Crater Lake sits in the heart of southern Oregon, far from the main tourist routes. The nearest regional airport is Medford (MFR), about 72 miles from the main entrance, or a 1-hour-45-minute drive. If you're coming from France, you'll first connect through an international hub such as Portland, San Francisco, or Los Angeles, then drive to the park in a rental car. No train or bus service reaches Crater Lake.
Airports around the park (5)
- Airport Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport MFR · 54 miles from the park · international Directions ↗
- Airport Eugene Airport EUG · 98 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Roberts Field RDM · 103 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Southwest Oregon Regional Airport OTH · 111 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
- Airport Jack Mc Namara Field Airport CEC · 134 miles from the park · regional Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO Where to Fly: Which Airport for Crater Lake
Medford (MFR): The Nearest Regional Airport
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) is the most direct gateway. It's about 72 miles from the park's West Entrance, or a 1-hour-45-minute drive via Highway 62. The route is straightforward: leave the airport, take Highway 62 northeast, and you'll reach the park entrance. Medford has domestic flights from Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle, operated by airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American, and United. In practice, if you're coming from France, you'll connect through one of these hubs.
Portland (PDX): The Main International Hub
Portland International (PDX) offers more international connections and a wider choice of rental car companies. Crater Lake is about 267 miles away, a 4.5- to 5-hour drive. This route fits naturally into an Oregon road trip: drive down the Willamette Valley, stop in Eugene or Bend, and reach the park through the North or West Entrance, depending on the season.
Getting to Crater Lake from France
There are no direct flights from Paris to Medford. The usual route from Paris-CDG is a transatlantic flight to San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), or Portland (PDX), followed by a domestic connection to Medford, or a rental car picked up directly at the hub.
Our recommendation is to choose Portland (PDX) if Oregon is the main focus of your trip, with a 4.5-hour drive to the park, or San Francisco (SFO) if you're combining Crater Lake with Northern California. The drive takes about 9 hours, so it's best saved for a road trip lasting several weeks. For flight costs and entrance fees, our Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees and pass options.
By Car: Distances and Drive Times from Gateway Cities
A car is the only practical way to reach and get around the park.
| Starting point | Distance | Drive time | Recommended entrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medford (OR) | 72 miles | 1 hr 45 min | West Entrance (Highway 62) |
| Klamath Falls (OR) | 56 miles | 1 hr 15 min | South Entrance (Highway 97 + Highway 62) |
| Bend (OR) | 96 miles | 2 hours | North Entrance (Highway 138) |
| Eugene (OR) | 149 miles | 2 hr 45 min | North or West Entrance |
| Portland (OR) | 267 miles | 4 hr 30 min | North Entrance (east on Interstate 5 + Highway 138) |
| San Francisco (CA) | 559 miles | 9 hours | West Entrance |
Approximate times, not including stops. In winter, the North Entrance closes, and road conditions can add considerable time to these drives.
Crater Lake's Entrances
The park has three entrances, and their availability varies widely by season.
West Entrance (Highway 62) is the main entrance, open year-round, 24 hours a day. It provides access to Rim Village, Crater Lake Lodge, and most of the park's services. It's the entrance to use from Medford, and the only one you can count on outside summer.
South Entrance (Highway 97 + Highway 62) is also open year-round. It's convenient for travelers coming from Klamath Falls or California, and joins the same road as the West Entrance after a few miles.
North Entrance (Highway 138) is seasonal. It generally closes on November 1, sometimes earlier after heavy snowfall. Its spring reopening depends on lingering snow and can vary from year to year. It's accessible from Interstate 5 heading east, and is especially convenient if you're driving down from Portland or Eugene.
Admission is $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. The park's annual pass costs $55. For entrance fees and pass options, see our Fees & Passes page.
Getting Around the Park: Driving, Shuttles, and Parking
Unlike Zion, Crater Lake doesn't require visitors to use a shuttle. Driving remains the standard way to get around.
For Rim Drive, the summer shuttle, and parking tips, see our guide to getting around Crater Lake.
Other Options: Organized Tours and Public Transportation
No bus or train service reaches Crater Lake directly. Public transportation stops in Medford or Klamath Falls. From these cities, a few local operators offer summer day trips departing from Ashland or Medford. This can work if you're traveling without a car, but fixed schedules won't let you linger freely on the trails.
Renting a car is by far the most flexible option. For ideas for trips that include Crater Lake, see our complete guide or our Road Trips.
In Summary: The Best Route to Crater Lake from Your Starting Point
From France, the most direct route goes through Portland (PDX) or San Francisco (SFO), followed by a rental car. For a trip focused on Crater Lake, Medford Airport (MFR) is the better choice: a 1-hour-45-minute drive, a West Entrance that's open year-round, and the option to return the car that same evening if needed. If Crater Lake is part of a larger Oregon road trip, Portland (PDX) offers the widest range of flights from Europe and makes a good starting point for driving south to the park via Bend or Eugene.
To plan the next part of your trip, our Itinerary & Trip Length page offers plans based on how much time you have, and our Where to Stay page covers options in and around the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Crater Lake?
You can reach Crater Lake by car through three entrances. The West Entrance (Highway 62, from Medford) and South Entrance (Highway 97 + Highway 62, from Klamath Falls) are open year-round. The North Entrance (Highway 138, from Interstate 5) is seasonal: it closes around November 1 and reopens in spring depending on snow conditions. No train or bus service reaches the park.
Which airport should you fly into for Crater Lake?
The nearest airport to Crater Lake is Rogue Valley International-Medford (MFR), about 72 miles from the park, or a 1-hour-45-minute drive via Highway 62. For international visitors, Portland International (PDX) is the hub with the most connections, about 267 miles away, or a 4.5-hour drive.
How do you get to Crater Lake from France?
From Paris-CDG, plan on a connecting flight, usually through San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), or Portland (PDX). From Portland, the drive to the park takes 4.5 hours; from San Francisco, about 9 hours. A rental car is essential because no public transportation reaches Crater Lake.
What wildlife and plants can you see at Crater Lake?
Crater Lake is home to remarkable wildlife and plant life. To learn more about the species you can see in the park, visit our Wildlife page.
What's the best time to visit Crater Lake? July, August, and September are the months when all the park's roads and entrances are accessible. In spring and fall, some roads may remain closed because of snow. To choose your travel window, see our When to Go page.
Where should you stay when visiting Crater Lake?
The park has Crater Lake Lodge and campgrounds at Mazama Village. Hotels and motels are available in Medford and Klamath Falls. Our Where to Stay page details all the options for different budgets and travel dates.