We are currently taking a cross country trip and are now in MT soon to be going into Canada, then back to the U.S. via WA and OR. We will be heading back East and met someone that suggested we visit Crater Lake, OR. This location is about 250 miles off our course. Is it worth the detour, and if so, what CG do you recommend. We have a 40' 5th wheel and long bed dually, so the CG would have to accommodate big rigs. We will be coming from the Columbia River Gorge area in OR on I-84.

we've been to Crater Lake twice and loved it both times. It's a beautiful deep lake with pretty scenery but some people wouldn't travel 250 miles out of the way to see it. It's beautiful, peaceful and a great place for pictures and a picnic. You can look up the park on NPS.Gov and see if you think it's worth it. Klamath Falls is also worth seeing south of there if you decide to head south before heading east. I would take US97 south to Crater Lake rather than US197 which is more steep. From another post: At The Dalles, I84 enters the dry side of Oregon. US197 runs south to US97. It has a drop and climb a Maupin.US97 is further along, and has a gradual climb to uplands of central Oregon.One way or other you have to climb from sealevel along the Gorge to 5000' around Bend (and points south). But for the most part the climbs are gradual. Once you leave Crater Lake, you can go back north on US97 to US20 and go east to get back to I-84. US20 is a good road. There is a nice little RV park in Burns (Burns RV Park) where you can overnight. Call ahead if you need a pull thru. Collier Memorial State Park is right off Hwy 97 and has full hookups. Our friends stayed there in a fifth wheel. 45 min. drive to Crater Lake. There are also RV parks at Diamond Lake which is closer to Crater Lake but farther from US97. You can also stop along the way in Redmond at the Expo Center RV Park (no trees) but very nice. There are also several RV parks in Bend.

IT all depends if you wish to see a very beautiful high lake and wonderful country. 250 miles is not that bad. Do it , if you have the time . Of course the Columbia Gorge isn't any thing to miss either, most great. BUT I AM BIAS, You shouldn't have a problem finding a CG BUT call ahead .. OREGON is very popular. :BThe highways are great too! Have a safe trip and ENJOY.CHuck

Thanks all. Very informative. We are going for it, as long as we can find a good CG.

Make sure you inquiry whether Crater Lake is open - sometimes stays closed well into July because of snow.

Crater Lake is open 24/7 365 days per year, definitely worth the trip.When the 12,000' top of Mt. Mazama was blasted off 7,700 years ago forming Crater Lake it sent ash into Idaho and Montana. We saw Native American dug-out dwellings dug into Mt. Mazama ash along the Snake River in Idaho.There may be roads/entrances closed a good part of the year however. Currently 1/3 of the rim drive is open to cars.Another campground within driving distance of Crater Lake is La Pine State Park. They have pull-throughs up to 90' long.Here is the current Crater Lake road status:

Crater Lake - Oregon | Good Sam Community

padredw
Nomad
Jun 26, 2016
We stayed at the Diamond Lake RV Park on our visit to Crater Lake a couple of years ago. It was a totally pleasant experience for us. Based on our experience we would go right back there on any visit to Crater Lake.
Lauren
Explorer
Jun 26, 2016
We have stayed in 178 rv parks and I will agree with your 3, maybe 4, number - I can name them all. Even at 4, that is a pretty small %.

All the same reason -- lack of ethics and honesty.

There are others that I give some things we did not like but also state the things we did like about it. Most I tell people how great they are.

Simple as that.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2016
Lauren wrote:
2gypsies might be once exaggerating JUST a bit!

However, this was about 5 or so years ago so may be different owners; don't know.

Lauren, I respect your helpful suggestions on the forum. However, there are at least three RV parks that you continue to say "don't go there". Your issues happened a long time ago. I tend to give people the benefit of doubt and give another chance. Many RVers have been happy with the RV parks so yes, perhaps things have changed.
oldcat1
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
goducks10 wrote:
Best way to take in Crater Lake is to do the boat ride. There's way more going on down on the lake than you can see from the Rim drive. Well worth the hike down and out. Wife and I go to CL anytime we're up near Diamond Lake. We've probably been there 12-15 times. We're home grown Oregonians too. JMO but I'd dry camp at Broken Arrow. Plenty of big sites plus a dump station. 9 miles away to CL.

goducks10, We are planning to stay at Broken Arrow July 12 - 15 (mid week). My understanding is it's first come first served. It looks like a huge campground so am I correct that we should have no trouble getting a site?

Thanks and safe travels.
Lauren
Explorer
Jun 25, 2016
2gypsies might be once exaggerating JUST a bit!

The only time I might badmouth a place - which I rarely do - is ethics issues.

I was raised by an immigrant Swede who owned a small town car dealership in Illinois from 1922 to mid '50's. Ethics and honesty was instilled in me, obviously. And it is what I did in business and believe in.

And not real tolerant when people go over the line.

However, this was about 5 or so years ago so may be different owners; don't know.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2016
I feel one person's bad experience with a park doesn't necessarily mean every one will have the same experience. There are thousands of others who had a good experience.
joelc
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2016
Lauren wrote:
Do NOT recommend Diamond Lake RV Resort based on past experiences. HIGHLY recommend Collier ! Have been there before and going to be there - God willing - for a week again this late summer. Get reservations! The logging museum across the road is something like you have never seen before; amazing! And not a long drive to Crater Lake.

This is where we got reservations. Sad to say we made the reservations before we read your blog and they have our money. What happened. We have a 40' 5er plus the truck. Collier Lake we did not check into. If we need to we will change reservations and try to get back our money.

I Thank all very much.
goducks10
Explorer
Jun 21, 2016
Best way to take in Crater Lake is to do the boat ride. There's way more going on down on the lake than you can see from the Rim drive. Well worth the hike down and out. Wife and I go to CL anytime we're up near Diamond Lake. We've probably been there 12-15 times. We're home grown Oregonians too. JMO but I'd dry camp at Broken Arrow. Plenty of big sites plus a dump station. 9 miles away to CL.
Drbolasky
Explorer
Jun 21, 2016
We used Collier Memorial State Park and loved it.

Enjoy & safe travels.
Lauren
Explorer
Jun 20, 2016
Do NOT recommend Diamond Lake RV Resort based on past experiences. HIGHLY recommend Collier ! Have been there before and going to be there - God willing - for a week again this late summer. Get reservations! The logging museum across the road is something like you have never seen before; amazing! And not a long drive to Crater Lake.

Forum Discussion

Crater Lake - Oregon

About Campground 101

Related Content

Crater Lake

Crater Lake

Astoria Oregon - Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake, Redwoods, Oregon Coast, next summer

Crater Lake