Cleetwood Cove Trail

The only permitted place to get down to the water of Crater Lake. It's very popular, and hence very crowded. The trail starts out about 700' above the lake, so it's easy to get down, not as easy to get back, so take that into consideration, don't spend too much time and energy in the hot sun and swimming, because you still have to make the trek back up to the parking lot. The facilities down at the docks are old and falling apart, so be aware that this trail will be CLOSED through 2027 from what is published on the NPS website. There are rock outcroppings from which people dive into the water, people more brave than me! The water is incredibly blue and clear, you can see a hundred feet or more down into the water. If you walk along the rocky shore away from the dock, it's possible to find a spot further away from the crowds, we did just that, and took a quick dip into the water. Even on an unusually hot day for mid September, the water was very cold, but also very refreshing. This is one of those bucket-list type things for visitors, to go swimming in Crater Lake, it was something I'm glad we did but I wouldn't do this regularly, as the trail is long and steep to get down to the water.

Drop dead gorgeous views from the very top. Hike going down is not too steep. Spent about 2 hours swimming and fishing once we got to the bottom. If you’re not an experienced hiker I’d recommend going at a steady pace. Not slow. Still get a workout in but just steady. Do not stop. You’ll definitely feel the incline. It’s about a 750 ft elevation gain in about 20ish minutes.

Absolutely incredible trail with views almost the whole way. Once at the bottom, we swam in the crystal waters and were shocked that even up-close, the water is still such a deep blue. We wore our swimsuits on the walk down and up, though there are restrooms at the parking lot and at the bottom so you could change there, but I bet that it is a tight spot to do it and honestly, pit toilets are always a little gross. Do not underestimate the difficulty of this trail. We saw three people who had passed our and another being carted back up the trail by rangers on a special cart that looked like wheelbarrow on tank treads. It is doable, we are two adults, two teens and a 12 year old but be prepared to take your time on the way up, bring plenty of water, and expect it to be hard.

Did the boat tour out to Wizard Island, hiked there, and then came back up Cleetwood Cove Trail. The views of Crater Lake are amazing the whole way, and it’s the only way down to the water. The trail is steep, so some might find the return climb tough, but it felt fine to me, just a steady uphill walk. Totally worth it for the unique chance to hike the island and see the lake up close.

I guess a lot of folks will decide to go down this trail because of the boat tour. Personally, since this is the only legal way to descend to the surface of the lake, this trail has a unique appeal. The trail is probably gonna be alright (4 stars) if you arrive in the afternoon, but it's absolutely amazing in the morning around 8 or 9 a.m.

So glad I walk the trail this year because they are closing it down from 2026 to 2029 for some pretty major renovation projects. The hike is very steep on the way up but well worth it! This is the cleanest water in the United States you can drink it right from the lake. I would highly suggest getting an early start to beat the crowd. Also, if you are going to take a boat ride, buy your tickets online before hand and print out the tickets sometimes they lose power.

I'm so glad we did the Cleetwood Trail down to the lake. They will be closing the trail for three years for maintenance at the end of 25. So, I debated if hiking it due to many reviews on the difficulty of hiking back up. However, if you go at a slow, steady pace, I made it back up in 44 minutes. The trail is smooth and well maintained. So, I would definitely recommend the hike to get amazing views of the lake and many go for a swim. So, don't miss this opportunity.

This was a great hike! I loved being able to access the water. It was so refreshing and gorgeous. Just take it a little slow on the way back up and it's totally doable. I'm 64 and did just fine. Bring a swim suit and towel and decent hiking shoes/hiking sandals. There's lots of shade on the trail, but don't forget plenty of water. Just be aware that the trail is closing at the end of this season (2025)and is expected to be closed for the next three seasons.

When they say that this trail is steep, they mean steep! This trail is a 2.2 mile round trip that decends 700 feet in altitude. It is rough on the knees going down as its higher impact with how steep the trail is, but going back up was even harder. There are plenty of spots on the trail with benches or rocks you can rest on, and its a partially shady trail. Take water with you as there is nothing along the way. They do sell it at the top and at rhe bottom during their open hours. It was amazing to be able to touch the water ans experience the boat ride, this is the purest, clearest water I've ever seen. It was cool and so blue when looking at it from above. The trail will be closing for renovations after this season for the next few years. I am glad I did this and experienced this but I dont think id take this hike again anytime soon. It is very strenuous. It took us a little less than 30 minutes to get down, and closer to 45 to get back up which isn't too bad, but we were trying to get to the car before the rain started pouring. It was definitely worth it.

2.2 mi, 604 elevation gain, 1 hr to complete. Trail is well maintained though it appears there is high risk for rock slides. It is very highly traveled and probably one of the busiest trails in the park. There were several people swimming at the bottom. Heading back up there are many benches along the way to take a breather and have a sip of water. It was pretty smokey today so it was difficult to see Wizard island and the other side of the lake from the trail. Though, looking down you can see the bright blue water and boats anchored waiting to take passengers to wizard island and on tours of the lake.

Crater lake is a far drive from Bend where we were staying. It is well worth it especially if you drive down early and get there before the parking lot fills up. When we were leaving at 2 pm it was packed so 10 am is perfect for getting parking. There is only two bathrooms at the parking lot, and supposedly one at the bottom of the hike but I didn't see it. We hiked down with kids, my 4 and 8 year old were able to do it. The 4 year old needed some carrying at the end but I was able to carry her up. I am not sure where people see "easy" for this hike. I would consider it medium because it's gradual and not straight up. Yes it's a gravel sand mixture but not slippery, especially on a dry day. The dusty trail got us all covered by a layer by the end. There is some points where you are in full sun and others with full shade. We jumped in the water and it was 61 degrees according to the Apple Watch. It helped the bottom up was in sun and helped keep me warm and drier. When we got to the shade it was a bit cold. The water is rocky so there isn't an easy place to get in but the kids were able to do it. They have boat rides on to the lake at the bottom but we didn't partake in it. The walk up was not difficult because of the switch backs. Had it been stairs straight down I would say that would be difficult. The path allows for people to rest and is wide enough for 3 people wide. They also have benches on the trail which is lovely. The view from the trail is much better than the lookouts from the road.

Warning - the park rangers rescued 4 people in the past week from this trail. If you are not fit and you descend the trail be warned. Going down is doable, unless you have bad knees. Going up this trail is extremely difficult on your cardio vascular system if you are not fit. There are many stopping points where you can sit or stand and catch your breath. It is partially shaded, very dusty, and can be slippery if you do not have appropriate footwear. It is a little over a mile long and 700 feet steep with switchbacks. One side of the trail is open to below. It takes about 30 minutes to go each way if you consistently move along. Expect to stop for rest breaks if not fit and allow more time. This is the only path to Crater Lake's clear, clean, and refreshing water. It is the only way to access the boat tours. Bring water to drink, wear appropriate clothing and shoes, and you can swim if you'd like so plan for that.

This review is for Cleetwood Cove Trail which was a ~2.1 miles round trip that took ~1.25 hours to complete. Extremely crowded and popular hike (option to swim at the bottom). Another great trail with beautiful views of Crater Lake! Easy decline to the bottom but hard incline back to the parking lot. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/CD5oL4yBYAU

This was the most insane and horrendous trail I have ever encountered in my 15 years. The trail tricks you into thinking it's an easy trail that will lead you to the water in a matter of minutes DO NOT FALL FOR ITS TRICKS!! 5 minutes in you'll start to think your halfway there but you have no idea what your in for. The walk down while not enjoyable, with dirt and dust getting in every opening and crevice of your body just happens to be absolutely nothing compared to the hell that is hiking back up. The beginning of the hike back up is steep and rocky but not the worst of it, the most horrific part of the beginning of the hike back up is knowing you have so much farther to go while already feeling like your lungs are about to give out. There was multiple times along this hike I genuinely considered just letting myself fall off the cliff. If I did happen to fall I would've had no energy to get back up and would've had to accept my fate. Towards the second half of the hike back up the trees at the top of the mountain will deceive you into thinking you're almost there but I promise YOU. ARE. NOT!!! I think i've made it clear the wildlife is unforgiving and brutal but I haven't even begun to mention the absolute idiots that swarm this national park, and apparently have never walked before, guess it was their first time taking steps and that's cool and all but this was not the place to do it. After all of this all I wanted to do was go home but of course a tree had to fall in the middle of the road and keep up trapped for half an hour longer than needed. The tree was moved thanks to a man who just happened to have a chainsaw which is extremely concerning but I am very thankful for him. DO NOT GO HERE UNPREPARED!!!! nice view tho

Cleetwood Cove Trail was certainly one of the more popular hikes and activity I did while exploring Crater Lake National park. I'd suggest to everyone to stop on by here...especially because this is the trail/path you embark upon to get to the shores of Crater Lake...where you can then proceed on the nps.gov boat ride and tour to Wizard Island. And yes...Wizard Island is the centerpiece to Crater Lake. Without it, I found Crater Lake to be quite ordinary. Unfortunately during this 2020 season because of the pandemic...all tours from the lake shore here at Cleetwood Cove were closed to visitors. And for those who may be unaware (well at least I had read this in my research)...hiking down Cleetwood Cove and taking this boat tour to Wizard Island was one of the major highlights when visiting Crater lake. Too bad...2020 has been a disappointing one overall, obviously. I guess I should be grateful that they even allowed tourists to explore Crater Lake and make this hike down to the shore. Cleetwood Cove Trail is located on the East Rim Drive section going around Crater Lake...about 4.6 miles from the North Junction (where North Entrance Road meets West Rim Drive). To put it more simpler...if you're driving around the perimeter (only 33 miles around)...you'll certainly come across the trailhead for Cleetwood Cove. And Cleetwood Cove is known for the magnitude of it's strenuous hike. I'll say...it's a 2.2 mile round trip hike to the shores and back to the parking lot. Alright yeah, during each way (1.1 miles) it's significant 700 feet in elevation. So...I had no issues walking down the path to the shore...it's downhill. But...yes, it's strenuous climbing back uphill the other 1.1 miles and 700 feet. No big deal...for 1 full mile or so I had to put my hiking shoes in an "extra gear". But...everyone was doing the hike. And especially in the future going forward...if you want to visit Wizard Island...you must trek on down to the shore to catch the boat. Before making my way down...there were 2 Park rangers located at the trailhead just to warn everyone that the trail was strenuous. That was a little peculiar because I've hiked many other difficult trails without needing a warning from a Ranger. Oh well. The Rangers give you a 5 minute speech before they allow access below. I will point out...and you'll definitely notice this...along the path down...there were plenty of opportunities to photograph how colorful Crater Lake appeared. I'll definitely say that Crater Lake showed turquoise blue waters from this Cleetwood Cove Trail. I was impressed with the surroundings and stopped more than a few times to take pictures. Finally at the shore...they allow for you to go swimming in Crater Lake. That was exciting...and I had to take advantage and get in the waters. Yes, Crater Lake was cold and it took some adjusting once I took that initial first dip...but for when I was here back in August, it was warm enough outside that I appreciated hopping in the lake. When coming here, bring a bathing suit, towel and water shoes...because you'll have to climb on rocks to get into the water. Most visitors were hanging out in the area where they offered you to jump off the side of the cliff. This was very popular. Actually, it was more like the edge of the pier. It didn't look too scary, though I'm not exactly sure how high the jump was. I found a more quieter spot away from tourists where I had my own little space to leave my belongings and swim in the lake. This was a nice thing to do and I certainly captured pictures and a video while I officially stepped into Crater Lake...a monumental moment so to speak. One thing that was slightly disappointing was...from the shore and in the waters...it was hard to judge the picturesque surroundings of Crater Lake. With the sun in full force...the scenery from down below was marginal at best...nothing worthy of remembering...especially Wizard Island appeared so small in the distance. I'd save picture taking for the hike up and down Cleetwood Cove Trail. So for all those visiting and exploring Crater Lake, it's an absolute must and necessity to come here to Cleetwood Cove and perform this strenuous 1 mile hike each way from the top to the shore and back up to the parking lot. In the end you can proudly say that you made it to Wizard Island (starting in 2021) and had the chance to jump into Crater Lake's iconic waters.

It's steep coming back up but worth the trip. Perfect spot to swim or jump off the rocks.

Cleetwood Cove is the one and only (legal/realistic) way of getting to the water's edge at Crater Lake. And if you're visiting during summer months, let me assure you - you want to get to the water's edge. The road to Cleetwood is only open in the summer, once the bulk of snow has melted. There is a parking area across the road from the trailhead. If you have tickets to ride the boat (advance purchase required) you exchange them at the mobile unit in the parking lot for your actual boat passes. Then descend. The trail is a little over a mile, and you get a lot of vertical feet in. of course the way down is easy (on everything except the knees) and can take at least 30 minutes. The trail itself is mostly dusty, with stunning views of the lake through the trees (see pics). Once you get down to the lake level, there's the boat access for boat tours. Also just past the boat access is a little rock outcrop that's prime real estate for jumping in to the crystal blue waters of the lake. Protip, you don't need to have boat tickets to come down here. Also, the water is cold AF, but if it's even slightly warm, and the sun helps, then it's worth your while to jump in. There's nothing comparable to swimming in the deep blue of one of the world's deepest, and clearest, lakes. Things to bring - water, and plenty of it. Especially if it's hot. A towel, a change of clothes (unless you don't mind hiking in your wet swimsuit back up), some snacks, and a GoPro. Swim, sun on the rocks, and take in the sheet stunning beauty that is Crater Lake. Get plenty of good time in, because the trudge back up a mile of dusty switchbacks awaits you on your return trip. This is a must stop for visitors... even day trippers. The round trip, with swimming included, is only a couple of hours. And there's nothing like being at water level in the depths of the crater. BOOM!

My husband and I hiked down to the lake...and he jumped off the cliff into the water. Fabulous views and a great experience! The trail really wasn't too crowded, but it was quite dusty because of the dirt trail. People, wear tennis shoes, hiking shoes or some other supportive shoe for walking a mile down hill and a mile back uphill! We saw a girl in her 20's going down the trail in a cute dress and white wedge heels. When she tripped and fell, it really wasn't a surprise to us.