Where to Stay at Crater Lake: Inside the Park, Gateway Towns & Campgrounds
There are two completely different ways to visit Crater Lake. You can stay in the park, just a few feet from the crater rim, or an hour away in a gateway town. For a first visit, plan on at least two nights, or three if you want to fit in Rim Drive, a hike, and a boat tour without rushing. My straightforward recommendation is one night at Crater Lake Lodge to catch sunset over the caldera, followed by one night in Klamath Falls so you can recharge before getting back on the road.
Where to stay: towns, lodges and campgrounds (9)
- Gateway town Medford entrance South Entrance - Annie Spring (Hwy 62) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Klamath Falls entrance South Entrance - Annie Spring (Hwy 97 + Hwy 62) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Fort Klamath entrance South Entrance - Annie Spring (Hwy 62) · motel, grocery store, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Chemult entrance North Entrance (Hwy 97 → Hwy 138) · motel, grocery store, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Diamond Lake entrance North Entrance (Hwy 138) · lodge, grocery store, gas station Directions ↗
- Gateway town Roseburg entrance North Entrance (Hwy 138) · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
- Lodge mid-May to mid-October Directions ↗
- Campground Mazama Campground first come, first served · 214 sites Directions ↗
- Campground Lost Creek Campground see NPS · 16 sites Directions ↗
Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO ⚠ Gateway town & Lodge data is undergoing editorial review.
Stay Inside the Park or Outside?
This is the first decision to make, and it comes down to two practical things: when you're planning your trip and your budget.
You booked six months ahead. Stay in the park. You won't find the sunrise atmosphere anywhere else, when the caldera belongs to just a handful of early-morning hikers. The lodge and campgrounds are within walking distance of the best viewpoints.
You're planning less than two months ahead. Stay in Klamath Falls or Medford, both less than an hour from an entrance. You'll find a wide range of lodging, reasonable prices, and last-minute rooms are easy to find.
You're traveling by van or RV. Mazama Campground in the park accommodates larger vehicles. It's the best way to immerse yourself in the park while keeping costs down.
You're traveling with young children. Practical amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, and pools are mostly outside the park. The gateway towns make everyday logistics much easier.
You're visiting in the off-season, from November through May. Only the West Entrance stays open year-round, while the roads along the crater rim close on November 1. There is no lodge and no Rim Drive access by car, so you'll have to stay outside the park.
Staying Inside the Park: Lodges and Lodging
The park has two lodging options, both managed by concessioner Aramark. They fill up several weeks in advance as soon as summer approaches. This isn't overkill. Booking in January for July is a sensible precaution.
Crater Lake Lodge
This is the park's historic lodge, sitting directly on the crater's south rim at Rim Village. Built in 1915 and renovated since then, it offers dozens of rooms in a wooden building that has kept its period character. The grand common room, with armchairs facing the windows overlooking the lake, is reason enough to stay. On my last visit in September, I'd booked the cheapest forest-side room, but I still spent an hour in that room at dusk without looking at my watch once.
The season is short. It opens in late May and closes in mid-October, depending on snowfall. Lake-view rooms disappear within hours when reservations open, often in January or February for the following season. The lodge restaurant serves dinner overlooking the caldera, so plan on spending more than average.
Mazama Cabins
Less spectacular than the lodge, since you're no longer beside the lake but a few miles south near the park entrance, the Mazama Cabins offer a slightly longer season and lower rates. They're practical and don't have direct crater views. Their main advantage is their immediate proximity to the campground, grocery store, and park restaurant. That makes them an ideal base for families or travelers who want to alternate nights indoors with days of camping.
Camping at Crater Lake: The Park Campgrounds
Crater Lake has two campgrounds that differ greatly in size and atmosphere.
Mazama Campground is the park's main campground, with more than 200 sites. Located near the South Entrance, it accommodates tents and RVs, has restrooms with pay showers, and is within walking distance of a grocery store. Most sites can be reserved through recreation.gov several months ahead, while a handful are available first come, first served. The season generally opens in late May and ends in early October.
Lost Creek Campground is much smaller and for tents only. Located on the east side of the park, away from the tourist traffic, it's the choice for travelers who value quiet over convenience. There are no showers, sites are first come, first served, and the season runs only from July through October. Lost Creek doesn't always appear on standard reservation apps, so check availability directly on the NPS website or recreation.gov before building your itinerary around this campground.
Where to Stay Around Crater Lake: Gateway Towns
Couldn't find a spot in the park, or would you rather have more options? These three bases cover most situations.
Klamath Falls
About 56 miles south via Highway 97 and then Highway 62, Klamath Falls is the largest city within a reasonable distance of the park. It offers a wide range of lodging, including hotel chains, affordable motels, and a few rental apartments. The drive to the South Entrance takes between an hour and an hour and 15 minutes, which is perfectly manageable if you leave early. Finding a last-minute room in Klamath Falls is much easier than finding one in the park. The city is functional rather than charming, but it gets the job done.
Medford and Ashland
To the west, Medford and Ashland are about 56 miles from the park via Highway 62. Medford is a service-oriented city with a regional airport, which is convenient if you're flying in. Ashland, just south of Medford, is more picturesque and known for its theater festival. Both towns suit travelers combining Crater Lake with a road trip through southern Oregon. The route via the West Entrance on Highway 62 stays open year-round, which is a real advantage in the shoulder seasons.
Fort Klamath and Lodging Near the South Entrance
Fort Klamath is a tiny community about 9 miles south of the park. A few motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and private lodges offer lodging that's often more affordable than staying in the park, with a drive of less than 20 minutes to the entrance. It's worth considering when you're booking late, the park is full, and you don't want to sleep 56 miles away. A little farther north, Diamond Lake Resort offers another option for travelers combining Crater Lake with northern Oregon.
When to Book Your Crater Lake Lodging
The rule is simple. Book Crater Lake Lodge six months ahead, especially for July and August weekends. The lodge opens reservations in January or February for the upcoming season. If you miss that window, the lake-view rooms will be gone.
For Mazama Campground, recreation.gov opens reservations six months ahead. July weekends disappear within minutes of opening.
Outside the peak season, in May, June, September, and October, things are less restrictive. Gateway towns such as Klamath Falls and Medford usually have rooms available without much advance planning.
If you're visiting Crater Lake in winter, plan ahead. The park is open, but almost all indoor lodging is closed, and only Highway 62 remains passable. The weather conditions at Crater Lake and our guide to choosing the right time to visit cover seasonal conditions and help you choose the best window.
Lodging Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Crater Lake?
Rates vary widely depending on the option you choose.
Inside the park. Crater Lake Lodge charges $200 to more than $300 per night during peak season, with lake-view rooms at the top of the range. The Mazama Cabins are considerably cheaper, at around $150 to $200 per night.
Camping. A site at Mazama Campground costs around $30 per night. Lost Creek is a little cheaper and remains the park's most affordable campground.
In town. In Klamath Falls, expect to pay $80 to $150 per night for a decent hotel. Medford offers similar options. Lodging around Fort Klamath falls in a price range comparable to the Mazama Village cabins, with less charm but more availability.
The National Parks Fees & Passes page explains entrance fees, including the $30 per-vehicle fee, and the annual pass options.
Our Recommendation Based on Your Travel Style
First visit, comfortable budget. One night at Crater Lake Lodge is worth it. Book as early as January and aim for a lake-view room. Add a night in Klamath Falls for an easier return trip.
Traveling with family. Choose the Mazama Cabins if they're available, or a hotel in Klamath Falls. Having a grocery store nearby in Mazama Village makes things easier with kids.
Tight budget. Mazama Campground offers the deepest immersion at the lowest cost. Otherwise, a motel in Fort Klamath is the most honest compromise between price and proximity.
Total nature immersion. Choose Lost Creek Campground, which is tents only, if you want quiet and don't mind first-come, first-served camping. Arrive in midmorning.
Oregon road trip. Stay in Medford or Ashland, which fit naturally into a larger route. Our Crater Lake itinerary guide offers several loops starting from Portland or San Francisco.
For everything you can do once you arrive, our Crater Lake activities guide covers the rest of the logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you stay at Crater Lake?
Yes, you can stay at Crater Lake. The park has Crater Lake Lodge, sitting directly on the crater rim at Rim Village, and the Mazama Cabins, farther south in the park. Both lodging options are managed by a private concessioner and open from late May through roughly mid-October. Outside that window, indoor lodging is closed and you'll need to stay outside the park.
How long do you need to visit Crater Lake?
Two nights is the reasonable minimum for visiting Crater Lake without rushing. That gives you time for Rim Drive, a hike, and possibly a boat tour on the lake. Three nights work well if you want to explore the less-visited areas. Our Itinerary & Length Guide lays out possible plans based on how much time you have.
How long does it take to see Crater Lake?
One day is enough to see the highlights, including Rim Drive, which circles the crater for about 33 miles, and the main viewpoints. But one day doesn't leave time for a boat ride or a serious hike. Plan on at least one night in the area so you can enjoy the park at sunrise and sunset.
What is the closest town to Crater Lake?
The closest town to Crater Lake is Fort Klamath, a community about 9 miles south of the park. For a wider selection of lodging and services, Klamath Falls, about 56 miles south, and Medford, about 56 miles west, are the two main gateway towns.