We have traveled to a lot of different places both in the USA and Internationally but one of our favorite places to visit is the Pacific Northwest. When we are visiting the PNW we always try to get outdoors.

There is no better place to get outdoors than Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the USA and the colors there are stunning.

Whether you are looking to visit in the summer or visiting Crater Lake in the winter, you will want to plan to make the most of your time. Check out some of the tips we used to have a great time at Crater Lake National Park.

We tried coming up with unique tips for visiting Crater Lake that you have never heard of. This way you will be even more prepared for your Crater Lake adventure.

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Stay in Medford

There are a couple of options on where to stay when visiting Crater Lake. You could always stay near the park but we found the options for hotels and Airbnb's limited in the area.

The two towns we looked at most were Klamath Falls and Medford, Oregon. Ultimately we decided to stay in Medford and trust us, it's the way to go.

We found the most amazing Airbnb that was a TEEPEE! It was located on an organic farm and added to the outdoor vibe enjoying nature.

Medford has a small-town vibe but still has everything we would want on a vacation. It has more options for places to eat and comfortable places to stay. It's also right on I-5 so if you are driving it does not take you too far out of the way from Crater Lake.

The drive from Medford to Crater Lake National park is only about an hour and a half. You get to enjoy your time outdoors rather than just watching the outdoors from your car window.

Plan for Road Closures

Depending on what season you visit Crater Lake, make sure you are prepared for road closures. Even though the park is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, some roads can be closed up to nine months out of the year for winter snow and ice.

Highway 62 coming from the south and west is open year-round so if you are coming to the park in a season besides summer, this is your best bet. Meanwhile, the East and West Rim drive are closed in winter along with the north entrance road and pinnacles road.

These road closures can last into June so even if you are going in late spring or early summer, don't assume the roads will be open. Crater Lake sits around 7,000 - 8,000 ft in elevation and gets about 45 ft of snowfall every year.

Always make sure you have emergency items such as chains, bottled water, flashlight, and blankets in case you get stranded in a bad weather situation in the park.

Spend One Day

For some parks like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or Zion, you can't see enough of the park in one day. You have to plan multi-day trips to those parks or plan to come back again to see a little bit more. This isn't the case with Crater Lake National Park.

You only need a day or two at most in the park. This gives you plenty of time to hike a little bit, take some pictures for Instagram, and then head on to your next adventure.

Overall your options for hikes and exploring are a little bit limited. But that works because all you need is to take in the grandeur of the park.

If you come during the summer, you can spend one day exploring the west side of the lake, another day exploring the east side of the lake and that's it!

You also won't feel short-changed if you only plan one day for your visit. We only did one day and we loved our time there and felt like we saw a lot of stuff in that one day.

Go Off the Beaten Path

There are lots of hikes to choose from when visiting Crater Laker National Park. We suggest you try to go on the least busy trails and avoid the easy to get to trails.

In the summer you have your pick of about 15 different hikes. These range from easy hikes that are less than a mile to more strenuous, ten-mile hikes.

In the winter, everything is off the beaten path because there are so few visitors! Bring your skis, snowboard or snowshoes and go sloshing through the winter wonderland to find unexplored regions in the park.

Just be careful that you are being safe, know avalanche safety, and you are experienced in backcountry exploration. Even just a quick walk will give you stunning views of the lake up.

Check Out the Pacific Crest Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is technically not inside the park but it is a short drive outside of the park. You can hike it north or south and it's a cool destination to check out.

If you hike north you will be able to see the lake from the trail. You can even make it a loop trail if you do it during the summer by connecting to the Northern Entrance road and walking back along that road.

This makes for a long day as it is a total of about 34 miles round trip but even section hiking just a small part of the Pacific Crest Trail is a lot of fun. It can also give you a great view of Crater Lake without dealing with as much of the crowds, especially during the summer months.

Have Fun at Crater Lake

No matter when you end up visiting Crater Lake, you will find something to enjoy. Whether it is hiking during the summer, snowshoeing during the winter, or just enjoying the amazing views of the lake itself.

Crater Lake has it all and is a must-see National Park. You don't need much time to visit it and you will be amazed by everything, just like we were.