Has anyone been to Crater Lake? I read some of the roads are closed until mid-July because of snow? We are going in early July and wonder if we will be able to see much. Where is the closest town/lodging? How many hours to really see the lake (around the rim and maybe a boat ride). Appreciate any advice.

The roads normally are open by June. July will be a good time. There is the lodge right there, and although it does fill up far in advance, you can keep calling and see if there are any cancellations. Time depends on your interests. Some people go for an hour and others spend days.

It is perhaps the single most striking place in the lower 48. Having said that, I can't see staying there more than a couple of nights. There's just nothing to do once you've seen the lake. But it is spectacular with a capital S.

We really enjoyed the boat ride on the lake. But the hike back up is really steep. We were OK, but we passed a lot of people muttering.

Its possible the road around the lake could be closed in early Jul- but we've had less snow this year so could be open.

For lodging- there is a town of Prospect close by with the historic Prospect Hotel- I havent stayed there but friends have and they love it. The rooms in the hotel are the nicest but there are motel type rooms available also which are nice- My friends claim the food is great and there is some nice hiking close by.

If you like something quite upscale the
Steamboat Inn on the Umqua River is also quite close to Crater Lake and is a very nice resort/ on the river/ great restaurant

Besides The Lodge, The Mazama Village Motor Inn is the only hotel/motel accommodations inside the park. It's seven miles from the lake. If you stay there, please post a report here. We've got reservations later in the summer.

thanks for all the responses! I will check into the lodging suggestions. Fodor's guide says that rim drive is usually closed until mid-July but if there hasn't been much snow this year, it may be clear. I'll call once it opens in May. Thanks again.

We drove there one April as part of a big NW USA round trip, and found the southern entrance was the only road open. A great drive up through snow-ploughed roads, and a crunchy walk to the crater rim. What a stunning sight! The blue lake in a cone of snow is a jewel ! You could hire snow-shoes.

We had a room in the Lodge overlooking the lake, and we loved it. Unfortunately, the food in the dining room wasn't up to snuff.

Crater Lake is gorgeous, a must-see for Southern, OR. Too bad about the food, we tried to get into the dining room last visit and they were booked so we went across the way to the cafeteria there. I'm sure the food at the Lodge is better than that place! ***kim***

I called the Steel Info Ctr @ Crater Lake and they said the south entrance should be open in early July. Thanks for the lodging suggestions everyone. Just not sure we can make it all the way up to Crater Lake (13 hour drive). We may have to stop in Redding or somewhere nearby (10 hours), get up early and then head the rest of the way to Crater Lake.

I think AAA said that the roads open June or really late May. It's really worth it even if you only see the rim. The closest town is Klamath Falls(about 30 minutes away) but if you're willing to drive another 1 or so you can go to Eugene or Salem. I know some people worry about price of hotels and they are a little cheaper there. I've never stayed in Klamath Falls so I don't know if it a good place to stay. But it's the biggest city around there.

Is Klamath Falls just 30 minutes away? When I type it in on Mapquest or Switchboard I get 1 hour and 48 minutes but it doesn't look that far on the map.

I dont think I'd be staying in Klamath Falls as a center for viewing Crater Lake- there is not much happening in Klamath Falls- and Eugene is at least 3 hrs away
there are places to stay closer than that

You could stay in Roseberg, Oregon. The drive from Roseberg to Crater Lake along the Umpqua River is gorgeous. About an hour drive.

We have stayed in Crater Lake Lodge several times and have eaten some terrific dinners in the dining room. You do not need a reservation for lunch.

I stayed in Roseburg when I went to Crater Lake. Nothing much to the town, but the drive up the Umpqua River valley was wonderful.

Thanks for more suggestions everyone. Just looked up Roseburg on my map and see that it is NW of Crater Lake. Maybe we can stop there for the night after seeing Crater Lake. We want to stop in a nice Oregon town for the 4th of July after seeing Crater Lake. We are considering Bend, Corbett or possibly Vancouver, WA.

I am the one who gave you the information about Corbett. I don't know anything about Bend for the 4th of July as we always go shortly after that. But...for Vancouver on the 4th, I also know about that. VERY busy!!! Fantastic show, but very, very large. Traffic all day and evening is rough since people go to stake out their spots. It is fun, but just wanted to let you know what you are in for if that is what you decide on.

Thanks for the heads up mms. We decided against this...looking for more of a small town 4th. I guess being so close to Portland there are bound to be big crowds.

Portland has the Blues Festival on the waterfront over the 4th of Jul- lots of people but very fun and great fireworks display- many people were lined up over the bridges and along the waterfront for the display -
if you dont want crowds that big- I would suggest Bend- and look into staying at the Old St Francis school-
a very fun place to stay!!