Crater Lake

[jsmith948]

Good morning to all,

We are planning a visit to Oregon's Crater Lake after Labor Day on our way home from our son's house in Washington. We have been researching things to do and see in and around the park. Can anyone out there give us an idea as to how much time we should allow? We are thinking of spending 3 days. Is this too much time or not enough? Hoping to hear from any of our fellow campers who have visited this area. Trucked up and down Hwy 97 for many years, but never had time to stop and visit the lake or its environs.

[Andymon]

I've been to CL many times and live about an hour and a half away. It is beautiful. Take the boat tour on the lake. Lots of sightseeing. you are close enough to camp at Farewell Bend if you dry camp. Beckie's diner at Union Creek is a good place to stop for pie! You can also camp with full hookups at Diamond Lake with a great view of Mt Bailey. Stop in at Prospect and see the Avenue of the Boulders as well as Mill Creek falls. Crater Lake is close enough that you can take a day trip into Medford and Ashland.

[jsmith948]

Thanks, Andymon, for the reply. Thinking of using the RV park in Prospect as our base. Probably won't be able to do the boat ride as we will have our 95# yellow lab with us. We do plan on hiking some of the trails along the 'North Umpqua and High Cascades areas. We're thinking one full day there, another full day inside the park and the third day to explore around Prospect and the Upper Rogue River. Not sure if that is enough time to do justice. Plan on taking I-5 And SR58 over to 97 and then south to Crater Lake.
Familiar with that route. Plan on running out to Medford for the return home.

[Povo]

We live in Bend but have only been to Crater Lake once a long time ago (pre-new lodge). Only had out 5ver a few years and stayed at Diamond lake once. I'd be interested to hear how your trip goes and how it was staying in Prospect. If we get there ahead of you I'll let you know how our trip goes.

[bobbecky]

Another neat place to visit is at Collier State Park, the Logging Museum. You could almost spend the day there, really gives an appreciation for the labor that went into harvesting trees for lumber in the old days. It is just north of Chiloquin on Hwy 97.

[CarbonFun]

We stayed at the US Forest Service campground at Diamond Lake just north of the Park in October after the govt shutdown ended. No full hookups but it was beautiful there. Our best campsite of our whole trip down the Oregon Coast. I might suggest the volcano scenic highway that takes you by Mt Bachelor and around all the lakes just west of Hwy 97 on your way down to Crater Lake. Its a nice detour and not too far out of your way as you work your way south.

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[jsmith948]

Thanks for the replies. Your input is appreciated very much. The scenic lake drive and the logging museum are now on the itinerary. We have decided on Crater Lake Rv Park in Prospect OR (south of the National Park) as a base camp from which we will make day trips. We will be there for 4 nights (3 full days to explore). If we don't get to see it all we can always try to extend our stay or come back another time. Our oldest son lives near Seabeck, WA, so we can always return for another visit when we go to get our 'grandsons fix'

[DieselMatt]

Make sure you have at least a half tank of fuel going into the park. There are no fuel stations close. I ran into the issue of only having 1/4 tank when we got to the park thinking it would be enough because there is supposed to be a fuel station in the park. Unfortunately for us that fuel station was closed.

Can't tell you much about the camping since we were staying in Sunriver at the resort for that trip.