228 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Crater Lake National Park area encompasses several campgrounds ranging from established sites with amenities to primitive backcountry locations. Mazama Village Campground serves as the primary developed camping area within the park, located about 7 miles south of the rim, offering tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. Beyond the park boundaries, dispersed camping options can be found in surrounding national forest lands, including Mount Thielsen Wilderness and areas near Diamond Lake. The region includes both reservation-based campgrounds with electric hookups and free dispersed sites for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Most campgrounds in the Crater Lake area operate seasonally from late spring through early fall due to heavy winter snowfall at higher elevations. Mazama Village typically opens mid-June and closes by late September, with similar timeframes for other established sites. One camper noted, "There was a random summer snow storm that came through and we thought our camping trip may be ruined, but they plowed all the roads, gave us more wood for our fire, and served Jamison hot chocolates at the lodge." Advance reservations are highly recommended for developed campgrounds during peak season (July-August) when visitation reaches its highest levels. Some backcountry areas require permits, while dispersed camping in national forest lands generally allows stays up to 14 days with proper food storage due to wildlife concerns.
Developed campgrounds near Crater Lake provide varying levels of amenities, with Mazama Village offering bear boxes, fire pits, picnic tables, flush toilets, and a nearby store with basic supplies. According to visitor reviews, campsite privacy can be limited in established areas. "The sites are close together and some are smaller than others despite being labeled as 12x12 but if that doesn't bother you then it's a great spot and as close as you can get to camping in Crater Lake," shared one visitor. For those seeking more solitude, backcountry sites like Lightning Springs offer a more rustic experience with no fires allowed but spectacular views. Proximity to hiking trails is a common highlight in reviews, with many campers appreciating access to both the Pacific Crest Trail and shorter day hikes around the lake's rim.
"Trails were well maintained and so many options. 7 miles from Crater Lake Rim Village."
"Great location minutes from Crater Lake. We walked in with no reservation and easily found a spot. They have some electric hook ups but we took a dry spot(same price, $31.00). Many pull through."
"Gorgeous place to camp near Crater lake. Bathrooms were pretty clean. We stayed over 4th of July, and it definitely got cool at night. The whole area was loud insanity for the holiday."
"Nice campground near Diamond Lake. There is a resort, swimming, bike path, fishing. It’s not too far from Crater Lake, and awesome waterfalls down highway 138."
from $16 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Very quiet and 20 minutes from Crater Lake. Also free!"
"Had to move Starlink away from campsite to get signal away from trees. Very relaxing and would stay again. 10 miles, 25 minutes from Crater Lake"
"This is a huge paved parking lot not far from Crater lake. They have bathrooms. Can hold lots of RVs. No one there the 3 days we stayed except before dark we had a few people show up."
"These sno parks that are available for boondocking throughout Oregon are so handy! Sno park is maintained by the Rogue Snowmobilers. Free boon docking during off season (May to October)."
"Stayed here for 3 nights while visiting Crater Lake NP and it was the perfect basecamp. Easy access to the Forest Road off 138 with lots of open camp spots."
"We were on our way to Crater Lake later in the evening, decided to stay here before making the trip to Crater Lake at 5 am to catch the sunrise. We arrived past dark and there was a ton of smoke."
"site: primitive site. site near to lagoon. private. amenities: no water. decently clean facilities. attractions: near Crater Lake State Park. I would go camping here next time we visit Crater Lake."
"The setting is beautiful and it's very close to Crater Lake. Very buggy though! But the main draw is the amazing clear beautiful glassy water. Wow. It's so beautiful."
from $11 - $14 / night
Check Availability"There is one shower facility that was quite a walk from our campsite but very well maintained, worth the drive across the campground after a dusty day of hiking."
"Diamond Lake was originally supposed to be a pet of Crater Lake NP and I can see why. The Broken arrow campground is huge!"
from $15 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Close by to all the crater lake hikes. Even got 3 bar TMobile 5g at the site a mile or so up the road on the left"
"Close to Crater lake and hikes. Had service and didn’t run into too many people."
"4.5 hour drive from Portland and 30 mintues from Crater lake. Very clean campsites, had access to clean water and toilet facilities."
"This is a great campground only about 45 minutes from Crater Lake National Park."
from $22 - $35 / night
Check Availability"It got some fun hiking trails around it. And it's 15 mins drive away from crater lake national park."
"Very nice campground on the bank of Rogue river. 30 min from crater lake. Fully shaded. A lot of muscitoes, anti muscito spay is must. Private access to the river."
from $22 - $44 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis is close to Crater Lake. It's a paved parking lot. There is some road noise but not bad. The stars were amazing as it is pitch black out. Animals come through the site. There were 5 other RVs when we got there and still more than enough room.
ScoutNice quiet spot. Clean. Small grocery, ice cream and restaurant close by. Not mosquitoes.
TravelerSome sites are tight to park in, lots of trees. Concrete tables excellent fire rings.
GuideSpot off 138 on a forest road. Dusty but tons of forest roads to explore, and only about 3 miles from the Crater lake entrance. Roads are in good shape- we are 50 feet long total and did just fine
TravelerI've stayed here for a few weeks at a time. The crew were very professional and accommodating. The area is beautiful! There is a pond that you can fish in without a license. Catch and release only. Tree covered sites and a pool. We have enjoyed both our stays here and will come back again!
GuideBack at home, in Palm Springs, CA the tempratures were 120 degrees. Here, it topped out at 85. We spent another 3 nights after our first night here. It was quiet and pleasent. Plenty of bike paths to travel in and check out all of Diamond Lake. Our camp host was very friendly and informative on places to see and do. Gave us a lot of history of the campground too!!! We were able to even check out the $100 sites at Diamond Lake (about 1.5 miles North of us) to see all the crowd there. Where we were at Broken Arrow, all the sites were about 100' away from each other and because it was during the weekdays, the nearest camper was about 700' away. Lots of privacy.
Take note. If you do not have reservations, there are cards on the post that have a reserve date on them. If there is no card, or the present date, that site is open. You should find PLENTY of sites available. Unless it's a holiday weekend, and even then, I believe the camp host told me there still are openings.
GuideRight on the North Umpqua river. Special fishing rules apply if you are so inclined. The sites are a bit short and the maneuver room is tight. I was here in a 34' trailer and only a few sites were not only deep enough, but were situated where there was a spot to back up through. Make sure you check the site plan.
LegendThere are so many campsites! Lots of people and lots of campgrounds around the lake, but still didn’t feel super busy. Many of the sites at Diamond Lake are right along the lake with direct, ‘private’ lake access. While our particular site felt a little close to our neighbor, it ended up being totally pleasant. Drinking water spigot was extremely convenient, bathroom well stocked and a short walk away.
I’m a huge fan of camping at Diamond Lake, not only for the mountain and lake views, but also proximity to Crater Lake national park, hiking trails, a running/biking path around the entire lake (~11mi), and South Shore Pizza place right on the lake for pizza and ice cream (super helpful if you don’t feel like being camp chef!).
GuideGreat spot just before the bridge, to the left. Right off the road, but no real traffic. Woke up at midnight to a firetruck backing into the ramp next to the bridge to fill up their tank. Make sure not to block their entrance. Sign on bridge says no entry past here due to being too high of a fire risk. Wind changed direction and smoke is really bad this morning. No service here so be mindful of that if camping near today. With nearby fires. You won’t get warnings to leave unless you have watch duty and wifi. A small fire broke out just up the road during the night, (hence the truck?) but was cleared a few hours later thankfully. Aside from fires this site was great.
Crater Lake National Park sits at an elevation of 6,178 feet, making camping in this area much cooler than surrounding regions with overnight temperatures sometimes dropping into the 30s even in summer months. The volcanic landscape around Crater Lake creates distinct camping environments with pumice soil that drains quickly after rain. Dispersed camping options outside the park boundaries offer alternatives when the park's primary campground reaches capacity during peak season.
Hiking trails access: At Annie Creek Sno-Park, campers can easily reach several trails. "There are a few primitive spots down the small road near the entrance of the lot. I stayed on the one near the creek it's quite nice and about 40 min from crater lake," notes Zyle Y.
Fishing opportunities: Diamond Lake provides excellent fishing access just north of Crater Lake. "Such a beautiful campground! This campground has beautiful lake views, access to bathrooms and showers, and ice cream and firewood just a walk or bike ride away!" shares Macy G.
Photography spots: The Mount Thielsen Wilderness area offers unique vantage points for photography. "We found a sweet spot in the rubble. Quiet, great view and amazing sun. Beautiful cotton candy sunset waking to a beautiful bright sunrise," reports Paula who camped in the area.
Stargazing sessions: Clear mountain air at higher elevations creates prime night sky viewing conditions. A camper at Broken Arrow Campground noted, "Loved that there was minimal lighting at night and just yellow bulbs to reduce attraction to bugs. Made for wonderful day night sky viewing."
Private creek access: Many camping spots near Crater Lake, Oregon feature waterfront sites. At Union Creek Campground, "My site felt really private since we couldn't see any other campers through the dense forest... Sitting out by the creek while the sun was coming up in the morning was a definite highlight," shares Madelyn H.
Wildlife encounters: The forests around camping areas host diverse wildlife. At Broken Arrow Campground, one camper mentioned, "Chipmunks everywhere :)" while others report seeing rabbits and various bird species throughout the area.
Temperature variety: The region offers temperature flexibility based on elevation. At Jackson F. Kimball State Park, located at lower elevation, Steven noted: "Clean and simple campground... Beautiful little lake/Creek next to the campground," though he warns about "an abundance of mosquitos, like so so many."
Free camping options: For budget-conscious campers, several free dispersed sites exist. At NF-70 Dispersed Camping, "Huge site, perfectly level, in the woods. Not many mosquitoes. Solid T-mobile coverage," reports Kurt Z.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate between late spring and early fall due to heavy snowfall. "We went in late October and it got down to 14 degrees at night. It was not snowing. But, do pack snow gear for that weather and have hot coffee for the morning," advises James W. who camped in Mount Thielsen Wilderness.
Insect protection needed: Multiple campers mention mosquitoes as a significant concern. At Diamond Lake, Candice B. warns: "Be prepared to fend off mosquitoes if you're going in the summer! The showers and bathrooms were clean and well maintained."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the area. At Thousand Springs Sno-Park, one camper observed, "Zero cell service anywhere in this entire area. Crater Lake visitor center had good wifi for free though."
Toilet facilities: Most established campgrounds offer basic facilities. One camper at Annie Creek Sno-Park mentioned, "Pit toilets available but no other facilities. Very dusty, bumpy road. Not many sites available however it was very peaceful."
Child-friendly spots: Choose campgrounds with appropriate facilities for children. At Mazama Village Campground, Katy T. notes: "I gave this campground 3 stars because it is not for adventurers, it is a campground for families. There is a lot to offer for families though, clean bathrooms, restaurants, paved pathways, easy access to the lake."
Space considerations: Some campgrounds offer more room for children to play. At Diamond Lake, Kyahn D. observed: "Huge campsite but it doesn't feel that way when you are at your site. The sites by the lake appeared to be much larger than the ones further up the hill."
Activity planning: Plan for varied weather conditions when bringing kids. Michael L. at Diamond Lake shared: "We stayed at this campground over Memorial Day weekend in a C loop single site, and there was no disappointment! The mosquitos were fairly tame, the water was pure and clean, other campers kept quiet and to themselves."
Wildlife education: Use camping as an opportunity for wildlife lessons. At Broken Arrow Campground, many families report teaching children about local wildlife like chipmunks while maintaining safe distances.
Size restrictions: Choose campgrounds that accommodate your vehicle. Laura M. at Thousand Springs Sno-Park reported: "There is a huge lot that would fit many RVs, easy turnaround and plenty of room to spread out. It is right on 62 so you'll hear cars go by but traffic was really light in May."
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality across the region. Ray & Terri F. at NF-70 Dispersed Camping noted: "NF-70 is gravel and in pretty good shape, i.e., no potholes, but is heavily washboarded. This wasn't an issue for the Cherokee, but with a stiffer suspension, I had to limit the RV speed to less than 7 mph to keep from shaking it apart."
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal needs when camping with an RV. At Diamond Lake, Marcus K. appreciated that "The free showers and dump station was a plus" when staying near Crater Lake.
Generator policies: Check rules regarding generator use at each location as policies vary across camping areas around Crater Lake, with many forest service sites limiting hours or prohibiting use entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds located in Crater Lake National Park?
Within Crater Lake National Park, Mazama Village Campground — Crater Lake National Park is the primary developed campground, located in the southern section of the park about 7 miles from the rim. Outside the park but within 15-40 minutes of the entrance, you'll find several options including Annie Creek Sno-Park, which is approximately 20 minutes from Crater Lake. Other nearby campgrounds include Farewell Bend and Union Creek along the Rogue River, Diamond Lake to the north, and several Forest Service campgrounds scattered around the park's perimeter that provide convenient access to this natural wonder.
When is the best time of year to camp at Crater Lake?
Late July through mid-September is the ideal time to camp at Crater Lake when all park facilities are typically open and weather is most stable. Summer offers warm days (65-80°F) and cool nights (40-50°F). Diamond Lake campers note stunning summer views and good access to Crater Lake, though mosquitoes can be prevalent in July. Clearwater Falls Campground provides a good alternative in early fall. Snow typically closes most campgrounds from October through June, with some areas receiving over 40 feet of snow annually. The park's south entrance remains plowed year-round, but camping options become extremely limited in winter.
Are there camping options near Crater Lake for RVs and larger vehicles?
Diamond Lake RV Park offers full-service sites approximately 40 minutes from Crater Lake rim, featuring spacious sites in a forested setting with all the necessary hookups for RVs. For a free alternative, Thousand Springs Sno-Park provides a large paved parking lot that can accommodate numerous RVs with bathroom facilities. Other RV-friendly options include Annie Creek Sno-Park, which has a paved section suitable for RVs about 20 minutes from the lake. Many of these locations offer quieter alternatives to staying within the busy national park while still providing reasonable access to Crater Lake's attractions.
What amenities does Mazama Campground at Crater Lake offer?
Mazama Campground at Crater Lake National Park offers flush toilets, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. The campground features both tent and RV sites with some pull-through options. While no hookups are available, a nearby facility at Mazama Village Campground — Crater Lake National Park provides coin-operated showers, laundry facilities, and a camp store for supplies. The campground is set among old-growth forest providing natural shade and privacy between most sites. A restaurant, gas station, and gift shop are also available at Mazama Village. The campground typically operates from mid-June through mid-October, weather permitting, and reservations are strongly recommended during peak season.
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