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Crater Lake Rim Drive, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Photo: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +) · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped

Drives Oregon The Oregon Cascades

Crater Lake Rim Drive

Rim Drive · Rim Village → Park Headquarters

Sweeping30 mi1 hr 5 min3,900 ft climbHigh point ≈ 7,700 ftOne way
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The drive

Rim Drive circles Crater Lake. This drive starts at Rim Village and runs clockwise, past the Watchman, Cleetwood Cove and the Phantom Ship Overlook, to park headquarters. It's 30.5 miles in about 1 hr 5 min without stopping, with the lake on the driver's side and overlooks every mile or two.

The climb is 3,900 feet in total and the high point is about 7,700 feet. Curves are wide and sweeping.

Along the way

  1. Rim Village
  2. Cleetwood Cove
  3. Phantom Ship Overlook
  4. Park Headquarters
Elevation
3,900 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 7,700 ft
Rim VillagePark Headquarters
Curves
Mostly moderate curves
Rim VillagePark Headquarters
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • There's a park entrance fee, valid for seven days.
  • West and East Rim Drive close to cars each year around November 1, or earlier if snow is significant.
  • East Rim Drive is under rehabilitation, so expect traffic control near work zones. Pinnacles Road is open only to hikers and bikers while a construction project continues.
  • Full opening in a normal year is mid-July, depending on snowpack.

Closed by snow from November 1 or earlier until July. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check National Park Service: Crater Lake road conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Crater Lake Rim Drive take?

Rim Drive from Rim Village to park headquarters is 30.5 miles and takes about 1 hr 5 min without stops.

When is Rim Drive open?

Usually from about mid-July to the end of October. It closes to cars for winter on November 1 or earlier if snow is heavy.

Is there a fee for Crater Lake Rim Drive?

Yes. Crater Lake National Park charges an entrance fee for private vehicles, valid for seven days.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Crater Lake Rim Drive, from Rim Village to Park Headquarters