Crater Lake National Park Camping Guide

Crater Lake National Park Camping Guide created to help you plan your perfect camping experience at Crater Lake National Park!

Crater Lake Camping Guide

There are 2 developed campgrounds in Crater Lake National Park; Mazama Village Campground and Lost Creek Campground.

Crater Lake NP is open year round but both campgrounds are open seasonally as both campgrounds are located at 6000 feet in elevation.

This means that both campgrounds get a considerable amount of snow each year! You may ask how much snow does Crater Lake get each year? The average snowfall at Crater Lake is 533 inches!

That's almost a whopping 45 feet of snow!

Mazama Village Campground is considered the main campground at Crater Lake National Park with 214 campsites and has most of the amenities that you would expect while camping in the front country (car camping).

The Lost Creek Campground has only 16 tent-only campsites that are available first-come, first-served basis.

The Mazama campground is located 7 miles south of Rim Village and Crater Lake.

Crater Lake's iconic deep blue waters and snow-covered mountains have captured the imagination of people worldwide.

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the 7th deepest lake in the world.

Showing up in the evening hoping to find a campsite can easily lead you to disappointment. This article will assist you in planning the vacation of a lifetime at Crater Lake National Park.

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Site A12, Mazama Campground, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Mazama Campground

Season - Open mid-June through Late September.

These dates are approximate depending on the weather.

Sites - 214 Sites

Reservations - See below

Camping Fees

Tent Sites - $21

RV sites without hook ups - $31

RV sites with electricity - $36

RV sites with full hook up - $42

PCT Hiker and Bicyclist Walk In Sites - $5

Park Entrance Fees

7-day single-vehicle park pass - $30 in the summer (May 22-October 31), $20 in the winter (November 1-May 21).

7-day individual park pass - $15 per individual. Admits one individual with no motor vehicle (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian).

7-day motorcycle park pass - $25 in the summer (May 22-October 31), $15 in the winter (November 1-May 21).

Annual Park Pass - $55
Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder.

The Annual Park Pass covers both Crater Lake NP and Lava Beds National Monument.

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

Free Entrance Days -Find the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

How to make Crater Lake Camping Reservations

Crater Lake camping reservations can be made online or by calling (866) 292-6720.

Reservations can be made for June-September depending on the amount of snow in the park.

Full payment is due at the time of reservation.

It is always a great idea to have a campsite reservation. Having a campsite reservation guarantees you a spot in some of the best camping locations in the National Parks!

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Mazama Campground address

Mazama Campground
Crater Lake HWY
Crater Lake, Or. 97604

Mazama Campground GPS Coordinates

42.8684N 122.1685W

Mazama Campground Amenities

The campsites are very nice! Most sites are very level, has a beautiful forest setting and only 7 miles from the Rim of Crater Lake.

Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, and a metal food locker (you are in bear country & yes they frequent the area).

Most campsites are tent camping only and do not have any RV hookups. The F Loop has 15 electrical hookup only sites (F15-F29) that are 1st. come, 1st. served and two are ADA (F17 and F21).

Guests wanting more information on the electrical hookup sites or requiring an ADA RV site should call the park directly at (541)594-2255 ext. 3610 or 3601

The campground has showers, public laundry and a dump station.

There is a gas station that also sells propane. There is also a camp store that is well stocked and a restaurant.

There is a pay phone outside the Camp Store.

Mazama Village Cabins, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

The Cabins at Mazama Village

They are called cabins but in reality, it is a 4-plex with hotel-style rooms.

There are 40 rooms with very limited services. You can expect to have a room with 2 Queen beds and a private bath.

There are no TV's, phones, A/C. There is WIFI but don't expect super fast speeds.

The Cabins at Mazama Village are close to the amphitheater, café and Campstore.

Lost Creek Campground

The Lost Creek Campground has 16 sites that are tent only at Crater Lake National Park.

It is open seasonally between early July and Mid-October, depending on the weather.

I would call ahead to see if this campground was open as I have seen it closed in mid-July due to snow.

The good news is that there are flush toilets and is only $5/night for camping. Remember that generators are prohibited at the Lost Creek Campground.

Pacific Crest Trail, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Backcountry Camping

A backcountry camping permit is required year-round for all overnight trips in the park. Permits must be obtained in person, during business hours, from the Ranger Station at Park Headquarters.

One thing to know is there is no backcountry camping in the summer with a view of the lake.

The National Park Service ranger station is located 100 yards from the Steel Visitor Center. The ranger station is open:

June–September: Open daily, 8:00 am–4:30 pm
October–May: Open daily, 8:00 am–4:00 pm

Backcountry permits are free. They are only valid for the dates, location and number of campers designated.

The maximum group size for backcountry camping in Crater Lake National Park is 8 people.

Campers need to be prepared with bear resistant containers or ways to hang their food properly.

Backcountry camping is not allowed in the Research Natural Areas or within ¼ mile of Boundary Springs, Sphagnum Bog, and Thousand Springs. Camping is also prohibited inside the caldera.

There are five designated backcountry campsites including Bybee Creek, Dutton Creek, Grouse Hill, Lightning Springs, and Red Cone Springs.

National Geographic trails illustrated maps are a great help while planning your trip to the park.

Site F23, Mazama Campground, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Campgrounds near Crater Lake National Park

If you are unable to find a Crater Lake Campground that suites your needs here are some of the other campgrounds available in the area.

Diamond Lake RV Park - Diamond Lake, Oregon, approximately 15 miles from the park

This campground offers RV Sites, laundry, full hook ups, and more.

Ashland's Creekside Campground and RV Park - Ashland, OR, approximately 58 miles from the park.

This campground offers RV and Tent Sites, a pool, dog park, playground, and more.

Blue Heron RV Park - Hornbrook, CA, Approximately 71 miles from the par

This campground offers RV Sites, waterfront, dog park, and more.

Check out additional campgrounds in the area on CampSpot

Lodging near Crater Lake

There are a couple of National Park Lodges located within Crater Lake NP.

Crater Lake Lodge

Crater Lake Lodge is perfectly placed at the lake's edge giving visitors sweeping views of the deep blue water of Crater Lake surrounded by tall cliffs that become covered in snow for several months each year.

This is one of the Historic Hotels of America, a title given to only six hotels in Oregon. The combination of the National Park Rustic design, also known as Parkitecture, and jaw-dropping views of Crater Lake alone will leave you wanting to come back again and again.

Crater Lake Lodge is open from May to October 15th. Opening dates depend on weather and conditions. Reservations are highly recommended.

The lodge has 71 rooms including six which are accessible.

The Cabins at Mazama Village

There are also 40 cabins at Mazama Village that are 7 miles south of the Rim Village.

The cabins are available from May through October 1st.

There are no lodges or campgrounds open in the park between mid-October and late May.

The closest towns with lodging include Fort Klamath, Union Creek, Diamond Lake, Prospect, Chiloquin, Chemult, Shady Cove, Klamath Falls, and farther out.

Lodging near Crater Lake NP

Eagle Crater Lake Inn - Eagle Crater Lake Inn provides amenities like a garden and a business center. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Dawson House Lodge - Dawson House Lodge provides a fireplace in the lobby and more. Active travelers can enjoy amenities like ecotours and rowing/canoeing at this hotel. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Crater Lake Resort - This smoke-free cabin features a snack bar/deli, conference space, and laundry facilities. Free Wi-Fi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a library, wedding services, and a convenience store are onsite. All 15 individually furnished cabins feature free Wi-Fi and private yards. Other amenities that guests will find include furnished balconies or patios and sitting areas.

Edgewater Inn Shady Cove - At Edgewater Inn Shady Cove, you can look forward to laundry facilities, a gym, and a hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Best Western Crater Lake Highway White City/Medford - Dry cleaning/laundry services, a fireplace in the lobby, and a gym are just a few of the amenities provided at Best Western Crater Lake Highway White City/Medford. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas, and guests can find other amenities such as a business center.

Comfort Inn & Suites Klamath Falls - Consider a stay at Comfort Inn & Suites Klamath Falls and take advantage of a free breakfast buffet, a terrace, and laundry facilities. In addition to a gym and conference space, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Klamath Falls - free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and a firepit at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Klamath Falls. In addition to dry cleaning/laundry services and a gym, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

The closest towns with lodging include Fort Klamath, Union Creek, Diamond Lake, Prospect, Chiloquin, Chemult, Shady Cove, Klamath Falls, and farther out.

Click on the map below to see current rates for additional hotels and vacation rentals near the park.