Lost Creek Campground

Lost Creek Campground in Crater Lake National Park is a small tent-only campground. The campground is located three miles from the rim of Crater Lake and offers the opportunity to get away from the crowds.

This National Park Service Campground is located a few miles from the rim of Crater Lake. The campground is primitive with no running water or drinking water. The campground normally opens by early July and August depending on how much snow the park has received during the winter.

The campground is surrounded by lodgepole pines. There are some trees within the campground but there are also areas that are wide open. Visitors will want to be prepared for cool nights even during the summer.

There are no amenities within the campground but many can be found near the Mazama Campground and the main park visitor center. There is a gas station, ranger programs, and a small gift shop.

Each campsite has bear-resistant food lockers for food storage, a picnic table, and parking space.

Check out all of the Crater Lake Camping options.

Season: Usually opens in early July and closes in mid-October.

Number of Sites: 16 tents-only campground

Location in the park: Located on the road to Pinnacles Overlook, three miles from the rim of Crater Lake

Campsite cost: $5.00/night

Senior Pass and Access Pass holders are entitled to a 50% discount on camping fees.

Payments accepted: Payment can be made by cash (exact change only) or a check made out to the National Park Service. Credit cards are not accepted.

Reservations: No, first come first serve

Elevation: 5,973 feet

Accessible Sites: No accessible sites

Pets Allowed: Pets must be leashed at all times. Pets are not allowed on park trails, in public buildings, or at park programs. Pets must not be left unattended or allowed to be excessively loud.

Crater Lake National Park Entrance Fee

Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.

Summer Entrance Fee from Mid-May through the end of October

Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Winter Entrance Fee from November 1 through Mid-May

Park Entrance Pass - $20.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $15.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

Park Entrance Pass - Snowmobile - $15.00 Per Snowmobile (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)

The fees below are year-round

Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.

$25.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats

$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats

$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats

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

$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

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

National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Lost Creek Campground Reservations

Are campground Reservations Available? No, First come first served

Lost Creek Campground Amenities

Flush Toilets: No

Payphone: No

Is wifi available? No

Is cellular Phone Service Available? Yes

Is camp host available on site? Yes

Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, firewood is available for purchase at the Mazama Village Camp Store.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are available next to the Mazama Village Camp Store

Showers: Showers are available next to the Mazama Village Camp Store

Amenities at each campsite:

Fire ring in the site? Wood campfires are not allowed. Gas stoves and self-contained charcoal grills are permitted.

Picnic Table in the site? Yes

Bear Box in site/area? No

Potable Water? No, you will need to bring water with you. A faucet with drinking water can be found outside the Visitor Center at Park Headquarters, 11 miles away.

Make sure to pack water jugs that can carry enough water for cooking and enjoying.

Don't forget to pack

Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.

Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.

Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

RV Camping at Lost Creek Campground

Lost Creek Campground is a tent-only campground. The campground is closed to RVs, buses, and trailers.

An RV is defined as any vehicle with its own toilet. Vans and truck campers (without restrooms) are allowed. A tent is not required; you may sleep in your vehicle.

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando

How to get to Lost Creek Campground

The campground is located on the road to Pinnacles Overlook, three miles from the rim of Crater Lake.

Lost Creek Campground Regulations

The maximum number of people in the campsite: The maximum number of people per campsite is 8.

The number of cars per campsite: The maximum number of vehicles per campsite is 2

Check-in: You can check in 24 hours a day.

Checkout time: 12 noon

Quiet Hours: Quiet hours in the campground are between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Maximum Stay: Limited to 14 days. Camping in the park is limited to 30 days per calendar year, with no more than 14 consecutive days in any campground.

Lost Creek Campground Photos

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.