Oregon's Rustic National Park Lodge Boasts Breathtaking Mountain Views

Crater Lake National Park was established in 1902 as the country's fifth national park, created to protect its namesake, the deepest lake in the United States and one of the deepest in the world. Soon after, William Gladstone Steel, known as the "Father of Crater Lake National Park," championed the idea of accommodations that matched the setting. Inspired by rustic lodges in New York's Adirondacks, a log-and-stone lodge was built and opened in 1915. Now one of the oldest national park hotels in the United States, the Crater Lake Lodge remains one of the coziest places to stay in the Pacific Northwest. Its stunning lake and mountain views will make you want to extend your trip. 

Shortly after its opening, the lodge became a popular destination and remained so until the economic downturn during the Great Depression. Without enough visitors or income to support repairs and maintenance, the lodge began to crumble. Eventually, the National Park Service acquired the property and renovated it back to its former glory. The lodge, now on the National Register of Historic Places, is once again a focal point of the national park. It's a must-stay for visitors who want to be at the heart of the park with panoramic views of the lake.

The closest airport, Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport (LMT), is an hour-and-a-half drive away. While Klamath Falls is a vibrant city with scenic recreation, its small airport only services nonstop flights between other airports in Oregon. If you're coming from further afield, you can fly to Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) for more options. It's under two hours from the Crater Lake Lodge by car and only 30 minutes from Grant's Pass, a unique city with historic charm and outdoor adventure.

As you approach Crater Lake Lodge, it's obvious that you're in for a treat. You will first pass the Rim Visitor Center, a historic building constructed as artist Fred H. Kiser's studio in 1921. It offers the first unobstructed view of the deep blue lake. Those views are even better from the Sinnott Memorial, an overlook built into the rocky caldera next to the visitor center, so pull over and have a look before heading to the lodge.

You won't be disappointed by the views once you get there, either. After you climb the stone stairs and check in at the wood-beamed lobby, you won't be able to focus on anything else. Inside, the Crater Lake Lodge's great hall has a huge stone fireplace with wooden furniture and tons of board games that make it a cozy spot to hang out. The hall leads to the dining room, which serves locally sourced ingredients from Oregon and the Pacific Northwest whenever possible. Both the great hall and dining room have large windows facing the water. But to truly take in the lake's beauty with the mountains in the background, you need to settle into a rocking chair on the back porch. Fair warning: It'll be hard to tear yourself away from this awe-inspiring panoramic view.

The lodge is open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October and has 71 guest rooms. They range from standard double rooms to funky loft spaces and personal cabins. Rates start at $245 per night. You'll also need to purchase a standard day pass (from $15) to visit the national park.

If you can tear yourself away from the lodge's peaceful porch, there are lots of things to see and do in the national park. There are over 2 hiking trails, ranging from easy routes under 2 miles long to overnight treks that require a backcountry permit. One of the most popular hikes, the Garfield Peak Trail, begins right outside the lodge. The 3.6-mile out-and-back trail has unbelievable views of features like the volcanic-formed Wizard Island within the lake, Phantom Ship, and Mount Mazama. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of the longest hikes in America that runs from the Mexican to Canadian border, also passes by Crater Lake. You can hike 33 of the trail's 2,650 total miles in Crater Lake National Park.

Though Crater Lake's popular boat tours will not run in 2026 or 2027 due to facility and trail maintenance, you can still tour the lake on the Crater Lake Trolley (adults $25). The trolley circles the 33-mile Rim Drive, a historic, scenic road with plenty of parking areas to take photos. You can also bike this narrow, winding road, though the downhill segments are quite steep.

Closer to the water, you can then go fishing in Crater Lake. The lake was stocked with fish in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and Kokanee salmon and rainbow trout thrived here. You can catch them in the lake and surrounding streams without a fishing license. Just be sure to return to the lodge in time for sunset. A rocking chair has your name on it.