My husband and I will be traveling throughout Oregon from June 5th - 12th. We are in our late twenties.

We originally planned on leaving Bend the morning of 6/7 and driving down to Crater Lake. We have reservations for one night at the Lodge.

However, checking the current weather/road conditions, I'm wondering if it's the best idea to stay overnight only because I'm not sure what we would do there all day. The Rim Road is still closed (only open to Discovery Point). It's too early in the season for boat tours and too late for snowshowing with the park rangers.

Thoughts? Other options for places to see/things to do in the area? We are staying overnight in McMinnville on the 8th so we don't want to travel too much farther south. Thanks!

My husband and I were just there 2 week's ago and it was breathtaking! We did not stay overnight. Whether or not you overnight, I would definitely drive out there as it was gorgeous. We enjoyed the scenery from the Rogue Umqua Scenic Byway and stopped at many of the waterfalls for pics.

Not sure what you've planned for McMinnville but we absolutely loved our stay at the Mattey House B&B and our dinner at the Back Room at Nick's downtown. The Evergreen Museum was nice and we enjoyed seeing Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose.

I'm a sucker for the historic lodges and Crater Lake Lodge is a good one. If you go, I would spend the night or at the very least have a meal there. Lots of waterfalls in Oregon as mentioned by travelmonkey. Several good ones in the Columbia River Gorge.

I have a friend who drove up to Crater Lake three times before he saw it. Weather doesn't always cooperate!! So keep that reservation, because it's less likely that the lake would be socked in for two days straight.

You're right though, there's not much to do up there this time of year. But it shouldn't be too much out of your way to head down hwy 62 towards Prospect, where you'll find Mill Creek Falls, Avenue of the Boulders, Natural Bridge and the Rogue River Gorge. Some nice hiking around there if you're up for it.

Mid-June is early in the season for Crater Lake, and anything is possible.

With seven nights, I think you would be wise to confine your travel to Portland, the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood, and the wonderful Oregon Coast. Instead of going to Crater Lake you might dip down into northern California to visit the Redwoods.

HTTY

Hope weather improves before you arrive - it might be snowing at Crater Lake- it has been really rainy here in Willamette Valley

Maybe you should spend an extra day in Bend - lots to do there to keep busy-

Thanks all. I think we are going to cancel our reservation and stay around the Bend area. I don't want to waste the drive time if there is going to be another storm.

Sounds like a good plan - I just checked the weather cam at Crater Lake and it looks pretty foggy and rainy there

Need any recommendations for Bend area?

Sunbum - yes please! There are so many choices in that area that we can't make up our minds! What are the can't miss sights? I saw that we are going to catch the last day of the hot air balloon festival. We'd also like to see the views from Pilot Butte.

Well you could check out the Lava Land Visitors center - and there is a walk through the Lava - also can drive your car to the top of the Lave Butte - hike around the rim of the crater.

High Desert Museum is close by - its pretty interesting and might be a good thing to do if weather is not that great.

You could spend some time in SunRiver ( a resort close to Bend) great trails for bike riding - bike rental available at several places- there are also canoe and kayak rentals available there- plus horse back riding if that interests you.

There are several nice hikes just in Bend area - one starts at the Old Mill area and goes along the Deschutes River - starts out appearing like an urban hike but is really very pretty once you get on the trail.

You could drive to Smith Rock and watch the rock climbers (world famous spot for rock climbing) there are nice hikes along the river - you could even take a lesson -

If its rainy you could check out the movie at McMenamins Old St Francis School - check out the music at night too - they frequently have live music - also, if weather OK they have a great courtyard with firepit - turned the priest's garage into a bar area -

http://www.mcmenamins.com/?loc=98&category=Location%
2520Homepage

You could drive up to Mt Bachelor - and take gondola to the top - might still be snow there

There are a few ideas

Hope weather improves

We are actually staying at the Old St Francis School.

Thank you, thank you! Great ideas!

<You could drive to Smith Rock> This was a surprise north of Bend that I was going to mention if nobody else had. HTTY

I love the Old St Francis School- take advantage of the soaking pool - love it!!

Couple more ideas- if you go to Lava Lands - you are close to Benham Falls - also a nice hike along the Deschutes River.

You could go to the Lave Tubes - not far from Lavaland - you will enter an underground tube formed by the lava- need flashlights - you can rent lanterns there - also nice to do on a rainy day because you will be underground .

If you like bike riding, the trails at Sun River really are great- views of Mt Bachelor, trails along the river - stop at SunRiver Lodge for lunch - or several other restaurants in the "Village"

just read on the news that Crater Lake had 615 inches of snow this year and there is still 12 feet of snow at the park headquaters, so for those planning early trips to Crater Lake, dont expect the road to be open around the rim - and maybe you should plan on snow shoeing instead of any hiking

Current conditions as of June 19. http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisi...CP_JUMP_249758

Lava River Caves will be open as of July 1. They don't have the new road constructed to it yet. Lava Lands Visitor Center is open weekends now. The road is open to Benham Falls.
How was your trip in early June?