crater lake tour from bend

Bend to Crater Lake National Park Road Trip: 4 Epic Oregon Stops

Located on the U.S. West Coast, Oregon is known as one of the most naturally beautiful states in the country. Waterfalls, mountains, lakes, and rivers are just the beginning of the eye-catching landscapes in the Beaver State. And the drive from Bend to Crater Lake National Park is one of the most scenic of all.

It only takes about two and half hours (230 kilometres) to get from Bend to Crater Lake on the fastest route (via the Dalles-California Highway) – so on the long side for a day trip and on the short side for a road trip. That said, we recommend taking a slightly longer, more scenic route via the Cascades Lake National Scenic Byway for a short and sweet road trip.

This Cascades Lake National Scenic Byway route from Bend to Crater Lake is 284 kilometres and takes about three and a half hours by car. And with all of the fun stops along the way, you can easily make it a fun two- to three-day drive.

As with all of our road trips and itineraries, these stops aren’t set in stone. Feel free to add, remove, or change up any part of this Bend to Crater Lake National Park itinerary to best fit your needs. After all, you know your likes and dislikes a whole lot better than we do!

*Pro Tip: Like all national parks in the United States, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee to visit Crater Lake National Park. If you plan on visiting a few different national parks during your trip, you may want to consider buying the America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass instead.

Bend, Oregon

Well, first and foremost, we have to talk about the lovely town of Bend, our departure destination. Bend is known for being one of the most beautiful places in the U.S., nature-wise. This little town is home to towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, thriving evergreens, and so much more. And before you take off on your road trip, you can spend some time experiencing all of the natural beauty that Bend has to offer.

Thrill seekers will love spelunking at the Lava River Cave and climbing a volcano at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Rock climbers will love a visit to Smith Rock State Park. And hikers won’t want to miss out on the trail to Tumalo Falls.

Mount Bachelor

Immediately after you leave Bend, you’ll get onto the Cascades Lake National Scenic Byway. And not long after that, you’ll come across Mount Bachelor.

Winter is actually peak season at Mount Bachelor, as it’s Oregon’s largest ski area. With 3,700 acres of skiable acres, you’re sure to find a slope that’s your jam. And even if you’re not much of a skier, Mount Bachelor is equipped with all sorts of other winter sport opportunities – from snowshoeing to snowboarding to dog sledding!

Surprisingly the snowy conditions in Mount Bachelor can stick around all the way until June. But even when the snow melts, there are still loads of reasons to visit this towering mountain. While you’re there, why not take a ride on a scenic chairlift, go on a thrilling white water rafting adventure, or tackle one of the gorgeous hiking trails?

*Note: Sections of Cascades Lake National Scenic Byway often close in snowy or icy weather due to unsafe driving conditions. If you plan on doing your Bend to Crater Lake National Park road trip during the winter, be prepared to change up your route a bit.

The Land of Lakes

While “The Land of Lakes” isn’t an official term for any part of the Cascades Lake National Scenic Byway, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. 

Partway through your drive, you’ll come across a series of sparkling lakes. There are at least a dozen of them on this byway, and each of them has something wonderful to offer. Since you likely won’t have the time or energy to visit them all, we’ll just share a few of our favourites.

First off, there’s Devil’s Lake . Despite its sinister name, its emerald green colour makes it one of the most stunning lakes on this scenic byway. While it’s great for a picturesque kayaking or paddleboarding adventure, many visitors just choose to have a postcard-worthy picnic at this Oregon lake instead.

Then, there’s Elk Lake , which is arguably the most popular lake on the route – and for good reason. This particular body of water is known for its jaw-dropping views of both the gorgeous lake and the surrounding mountains. From here, you’ll be able to see the beloved Mount Bachelor and the trio of mountain peaks known as the Three Sisters.

Cultus Lake is somehow picture-perfect and underrated at the same time. With its brilliant blue waters, pristine white sand, and bold green trees, it looks like an artist’s palette come to life. 

Last but certainly not least, we want to mention Wickiup Reservoir . This reservoir is a fantastic place to stop if you want to enjoy some time out on the water. After all, as the largest body of water on the Cascades Lake National Park Scenic Byway, there’s just so much to explore! Here, you can fish, windsurf, waterski, or boat to your heart’s content.

Once you’ve gotten your fill of Oregon’s breathtaking lakes, you can then continue on your Bend to Crater Lake National Park drive. And luckily, you won’t have to drive far before you reach your next stop.

Crater Lake National Park

Eventually, you’ll arrive at your final destination: Crater Lake National Park. As the only national park in Oregon, it’s a particularly stunning spot, and there are so many ways to enjoy it.

Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the highlight of this national park is the brilliant blue Crater Lake. And while you may be tempted to go for a swim, the water is surprisingly chilly all year round.

Instead, most visitors choose to enjoy the views of Crater Lake from afar. Tackle the 2.6-kilometre Watchman Peak Trail, the 5.5-kilometre Garfield Peak Trail, or the 8-kilometre Mount Scott Trail to get breathtaking glimpses of this glimmering body of water.

Another option is to go for a boat ride on Crater Lake. But before you head out, know that you’ll have to hike the steep 3.5-kilometre Cleetwood Cove Trail to get there. If you’re ready for the challenge, you can hike your way down and hop onboard one of Crater Lake National Park’s jaw-dropping boat tours.

From the end of the Cleetwood Cove Trail (which is the only trail in Crater Lake National Park that leads to the water, by the way), you’ll have a couple of boat tour options. You can either sail around the perimeter of the lake or take a boat to Wizard Island, a little volcano island in the middle. Both options are absolutely incredible, so you really can’t pick a bad boat tour at this Oregon national park.

*Note: Like other parts of this Bend to Crater Lake National Park drive, some roads into the national park close in the winter, so you may have to adjust your route here as well.

There are a number of great hikes you can do while visiting Crater Lake – see our summary of the top ones here! And if you’re looking for any other activities to do while in the park, check out our guide to the best things to do in Crater Lake!

And there you have it! Four epic stops on the Bend to Crater Lake Drive! As always, if you have any questions, let us know in the comments.

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Road Trip from Bend, Oregon to Crater Lake National Park

If you're looking for a road trip with glistening blue-green lakes, cascading waterfalls, ancient forests, volcanic mountains, and enchanting towns, then the road trip from Bend, Oregon to Crater Lake National Park is for you. With plenty of outdoor activities - from swimming and hiking to skiing and snowshoeing - a road trip to Oregon's only national park, Crater Lake, is an awesome adventure.

The 260-mile road trip from Bend to Crater Lake National Park takes 5 hours to drive non-stop. You can travel via Eugene, Deschutes National Forest, Oakridge and Diamond Peak, or via Roseburg, Medford, and Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

Continue reading to find out our recommendations for best routes to take, what to see and do during this road trip, and some lovely ideas for places to stay overnight.

How far is Crater Lake National Park from Bend, Oregon, and how long will the road trip take?

The road trip from Bend to Crater Lake National Park is 260 miles long and takes 5 hours to drive non-stop, when traveling along the Eugene Route option.

Alternatively, the Medford Detour is 365 miles long and takes 7 hours to drive without stopping.

It is possible to drive this distance in one day. However, seeing that there are many stunning nature areas with superb hiking trails to explore, and several historic towns and vibrant cities to visit along the way, you'd do yourself a favor by taking at least 2-3 days for doing this road trip.

Best road trip route from Bend, Oregon to Crater Lake National Park

You can choose from two routes when taking a road trip from Bend, Oregon to Crater Lake National Park. They're both filled with beautiful nature areas displaying some of central Oregon's most special landscapes, including waterfalls, volcanic mountains, lakes and rivers.What's more, both of our routes to Crater Lake allow you to visit museums, art galleries and historic landmarks found in the cities along the way, to get acquainted with local history and culture. Which route you choose depends on which specific landmarks, towns and nature areas you wish to visit.

Both routes first take you from Bend to Eugene past the beautiful Willamette National Forest. Then, the Eugene Route leads you through much of the Deschutes National Forest on the Cascade Range, with notable natural landmarks along the way including Diamond Peak and Crescent Lake. You'll also get to visit interesting small towns such as Oakridge and Chemult on the way.

Alternatively, the Medford Detour takes you from Eugene to southern Oregon. You'll travel past towns and cities with rich history and wonderful attractions, such as Roseburg and Medford, both home to fantastic wineries and hiking trails. You may also enjoy nature's wonders at for example Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and Lost Creek Lake recreational area.

The Eugene Route

Drive from Bend northwest along US Route 20, until you reach Santiam Junction. Soon after, turn onto Oregon Route 126 that takes you past Willamette National Forest and towards the city of Eugene, by the Willamette River.

After exploring this lovely city with beautiful green spaces and cultural attractions, take Interstate 5 (I-5) south out of the city, then Oregon Route 58 southeast towards Deschutes National Forest area.

You'll drive through the town of Oakridge, and can visit Diamond Peak and Crescent Lake on the way. Then, turn south onto US Route 97, and finally, take the turn onto Oregon Route 138 to reach Crater Lake National Park.

The Medford Detour

To drive the Medford Detour, follow first the same route as for the Eugene Route option, until you reach Eugene city.

From Eugene, turn south onto I-5. This major north-south highway will take you past the city of Roseburg where you may enjoy visiting cultural sights or explore the nearby Umpqua National Forest.

You may visit Grants Pass, before reaching Medford, a lovely city of wonderful wineries, breweries, markets and museums.

From Medford, take Oregon Route 62 northeast. This road will take you past Shady Cove and Lost Creek Lake, all the way to Crater Lake National Park.

Best places to stop between Bend, Oregon and Crater Lake National Park

This road trip has plenty of fascinating towns, historic sites, and natural landmarks to explore, and breathtaking Oregon landscapes to admire, of old growth forests, mountains, and waterfalls. Read on to discover our suggestions for where to stay overnight during your road trip, loveliest things to see and do in those places, and some of our favorite hotel recommendations.

Enjoy the fresh air in green Eugene

Eugene is found about halfway along the Eugene Route option. Located along the Willamette River, it is a fabulous city to explore on this road trip: it has a rich cultural life, many beautiful parks and attractions to visit, and it is a gateway to many stunning natural areas.

Eugene is known for its many green spaces and parks, its arts scene, and its politically engaged citizens.

There are wonderful attractions to visit in Eugene. For example, do visit the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History, with great exhibitions about the history of Oregon, or the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art that has collections of Asian and American art.

You'll also certainly enjoy exploring the lively Fifth Street Public Market, with pedestrian access, restaurants, and shops selling local products. Furthermore, Eugene is a wonderful base for exploring the nearby Cascade and Oregon Coast mountain ranges.

For an overnight place to stay, we can recommend Hyatt Place Eugene/Oakway Center . This hotel is located right on your road trip route, and also right in central Eugene, making it easy to enjoy sightseeing while visiting the city.

Hyatt Place Eugene/Oakway Center is a modern, stylish hotel with comfortable and spacious rooms. The hotel offers great breakfast, as well as a jacuzzi and an indoor swimming pool.

You may easily walk to many nearby attractions from the hotel. These include the Fifth Street Public Market, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, and Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

You'll also find a selection of great restaurants, bars and breweries in downtown Eugene, all within a mile's distance from the hotel.

Stop by the Rogue River at Grants Pass

Grants Pass is located about three quarters of the way along the Medford Detour option. It is a small city found along the Rogue River, making it a beautiful spot to stop at with both cultural and outdoor activities to enjoy.

The city is best known for the Rogue River, wonderful for white water rafting and known for its plentiful salmon.

Attractions in the city include the historic Rogue Theater, an art deco building featuring live music, theater and films, and the historic downtown area, featuring antique shops and art galleries.

You can also explore the many green spaces in the city, such as the Riverside Park and the Reinhart Volunteer Park, established largely by volunteers. Or, at Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center you may enjoy a tour to learn about some of the animals found in this region.

As a place to stay, we absolutely love the Weasku Inn , just outside Grants Pass. This beautiful inn offers luxurious, comfortable accommodation in cozy, wooden cabins. The inn features wonderful breakfast, a jacuzzi, a fire pit and free parking.

Weasku Inn is located right by the Rogue River, and right on the route of your road trip, a few miles outside of Roseburg towards Medford. It is at a scenic location indeed, and you'll be in beautiful nature just by taking a walk from the inn along the riverside trails nearby.

Or, you can drive a few miles to reach some of the nearby natural attractions, such as Hellgate Jetboat Excursions and Riverside Park. In Grants Pass town itself you may enjoy dining at restaurants or exploring the historic downtown area with shops and cafés.

Where to stay when you reach Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is the only national park in Oregon, and a highly popular tourist destination. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US, and one of the seven deepest lakes in the world. This lake formed by a crater is surrounded by a forest-covered rim filled with stunning nature and hiking trails.

One good option for an overnight stay when visiting this national park is Shady Cove, about 60 miles from the national park. And while you're there, the Maple Leaf Motel is a great option.

This “vintage-style” motel offers spacious rooms with comfortable beds and cozy surroundings, wonderful for relaxing after a day of exploring Crater Lake National Park or other nearby nature areas.

The motel is situated a few miles from Lost Creek Lake, and about an hour-long drive from Crater Lake. It has free parking and a lovely outside picnic area for guests to enjoy.

Southern Oregon Wilderness Adventures is just across the road, and you'll find wonderful restaurants in the small town Shady Cove, less than a mile's walk away, and all just a few minutes' walk from the Rogue River.

Things to see on a road trip from Bend, Oregon to Crater Lake National Park

There are lots of place to see and things to do during this scenic road trip, from stunning national forests to small secluded communities and bigger, vibrant cities with modern attractions. Continue reading below to find out our recommendations for best things to see and do during this road trip.

On The Eugene Route

• Oakridge - Oakridge on the western foothills of the Cascade Range mountains is known as a wonderful mountain biking area, and it is also popular for mushroom foraging, fishing and other outdoor activities. There's also a microbrewery, craft shops, and other small businesses in Oakridge.
• Diamond Peak Wilderness - This wilderness area is located on the Cascades and includes the Diamond Peak Volcano, part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc. In this stunning nature area, you may enjoy hiking or other outdoor activities amongst the vegetation of firs, pines, and alpine flowers.
• Crescent Lake - Crescent Lake is part of the Deschutes National Forest. It is a beautiful recreational area, with blue-green waters, sandy beaches, and wooded shorelines.
• Chemult - The small town Chemult is another wonderful location for exploring the surrounding Deschutes National Forest and other nature areas nearby. You may enjoy activities such as skiing, hiking and dog sled racing here. Chemult is also the location of the annual Sled Dog Races, exciting competition in the area.

On The Medford Detour

• Roseburg - Roseburg is home to many lovely wineries, museums, and rich local history. In the outskirts of Roseburg, you'll also find a series of beautiful waterfalls, such as the Fall Creek Falls, which are found in the western end of the nearby Umpqua National Forest.
• Umpqua National Forest - If you feel like taking a drive a little off the route of your road trip, Umpqua National Forest is an area well worth visiting. It can be well accessed from Roseburg. The forest is home to stunning natural rock formations, waterfalls, canyons, and old-growth forests, and is a superb place to hike along forest trails or to explore ponds and waterfalls. Wildlife found in the area include elk, black bear and cougar.
• Wolf Creek - This area and Wolf Creek Park offers visitors a creek with hiking trails, picnic areas and swimming spots. Wolf Creek is also the site of a historic Wolf Creek Tavern, where for example author Jack London has stayed and spent time writing.
• Grants Pass - Grants Pass is located on the Rogue River, known for its salmon and wonderful white water rafting. Attractions in the city include the historic Rogue Theater and the many green spaces of the city, including Riverside Park and the Reinhart Volunteer Park.
• Medford - Medford is a beautiful city with green areas, cultural attractions, and lovely wineries for a visitor to enjoy. You may for example wish to visit Prescott Park with views from the top of Roxy Ann Peak, enjoy a show or a concert at the Craterian Theater, sample local wines and pears that the city is known for, or hike along stunning nature trails nearby.
• Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument - This geologically and biologically diverse natural landmark is found at the crossroads of three mountain ranges, the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou mountains. The area's stunning natural beauty may be enjoyed through for example hiking, scenic drives, and skiing. The famous Pacific Crest Trail also traverses this natural monument.
• Lost Creek Lake - Lost Creek Lake is found on the Rogue River, and is a terrific place to enjoy water sports and other outdoor recreation. You may for example enjoy fishing or swimming on the lake, or hike the trail following the lake's shoreline.

On both routes

• Sisters - Sisters gets its name from the three volcanic peaks named Three Sisters found nearby. The area is wonderful for hiking and horseback riding, and you'll also find Hoodoo ski resort and snow parks nearby. Furthermore, the city of Sisters has several bars, restaurants and cafés for a visitor to enjoy.
• Willamette National Forest - This national forest stretches over 100 miles along the western slopes of the Cascade Range. It has a history of logging, and it is home to several wilderness rivers, old-growth forests with some of the tallest trees on Earth, and diverse wildlife, including northern spotted owl, bald eagle, Chinook salmon and black bear.
• Finn Rock - Finn Rock community is located on the McKenzie River. You may walk along the riverfront trails, explore the river by boat, or visit the Finn Rock Rest Area.
• Eugene - Eugene is an attractive city on the Willamette River. The city hosts the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, and the lively Fifth Street Public Market with cafés, restaurants and craft shops. The city is especially known for its many stunning city parks and green spaces.

Best time to go on a road trip from Bend, Oregon to Crater Lake National Park

It is possible to visit Crater Lake National Park at any time of the year. However, during winter months, some of the park's trails and roads are often closed because of snowfall. Because of this, July, August and September are generally regarded as the best months to visit this national park, since all roads and facilities are then fully operational.

Temperatures in the summer months (July-August) generally range between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and water temperature then is on average 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. These months are usually rather dry and sunny, making summer thus a wonderful time to visit this national park, should you wish to enjoy the many walks in the area, or swim in this deepest lake of the USA.

Crater Lake National Park offers wonderful opportunities for lake viewing, photographing, skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.

Because of its high elevation, Crater Lake National Park experiences over 40 feet of snowfall on average per winter, and winters are long and chilly, with temperatures ranging between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that you'll have wonderful chances of enjoying winter sports here! Just note that some of the roads and facilities may be closed during these months.

Spring and fall can be beautiful times to visit this area, with the melting snows and emerging plant life in the spring months, and the fall colors in the fall months. Snow is common from October to June, though, and spring and fall are generally wetter seasons here than summer.

Crater Lake National Park also hosts some lovely sport events over the course of the year. Something to consider when planning the timing of your road trip, if you are at all into exercising in the great outdoors!

For friends of running or walking, the Crater Lake Rim Runs in August is a great event to join. It has been happening yearly for over 40 years, and during the event you may choose different distances to run or walk, all placed along the rim of the Crater Lake.

Or, Ride the Rim Crater Lake takes place in September. During this event, you may ride on two wheels, on one wheel, or walk on your own two feet, some of the breathtakingly beautiful stretches along the edges of this stunning lake with deep, clear waters.

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Related posts

Bend to Crater Lake National Park Road Trip

One of my favorite road trips in the Pacific Northwest is the 2-hour stretch from Bend to Crater Lake National Park. The breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains along Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway followed by the bright blue waters of Crater Lake make it an unbelievable trip.

With countless pull-offs and hiking trails along the way, this Oregon road trip offers something for everyone to check out. Here are some of my favorite hikes and lakes to explore along the way!

How far is Bend to Crater Lake National Park?

The distance from Crater Lake to Bend, Oregon is about 100 miles. Without stops, the drive from Bend to Crater Lake’s north entrance takes about 2.5 hours.

Of course, this drive is stunning and it’s worth checking out many spots along the way. While it’s possible to plan a day trip from Bend to Crater Lake, I’d recommend spending at least a full day driving and hiking along Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Then spend at least 2 full days exploring Crater Lake! 

When to Drive from Bend to Crater Lake

It’s best to take a Bend to Crater Lake road trip from late spring through early winter. While Crater Lake National Park is technically open year-round, weather permitting, the full Crater Lake Scenic Rim Drive has a short season. It usually opens between the end of May and mid-June and closes at the end of October or early November as snow begins to settle.

The Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway has a slightly longer season but the road is closed from December through March. As one of the travel highlights from Crater Lake to Bend, I’d recommend going when the scenic byway is open.

Bend to Crater Lake Road Trip Itinerary

Hike up a Cascade volcano, swim in the freshwater of Crater Lake, enjoy a couple of scenic drives, and picnic alongside one of the many lakes. The route from Bend to Crater Lake offers plenty to explore whether you enjoy an active trip with long day hikes or setting up a camp chair and taking in the breathtaking landscapes.

These are some highlights along the drive from Bend and Crater Lake.

Known as a trendy city and popular destination for both its beauty and easy access to outdoor recreation, Bend, Oregon is a gem in the Cascades.

The Deschutes River runs right through downtown. Relaxing along the river is a great pass time for both locals and visitors. Even better, pick up some beers from one of the many local breweries and float the river!

If you’re into adrenaline activities it’s also worth visiting the water park on the Deschutes River. Whether you want to practice whitewater kayaking or get a workout on your paddleboard, these human-made rapids are a fun activity to check out.

Mount Bachelor

Mount Bachelor is one of the most prominent volcanos in the area. Filling up the landscape, Mount Bachelor is a dormant stratovolcano in the Cascade Mountains. It’s just south of the Three Sisters volcanoes and stands tall and proud.

Mount Bachelor is definitely worth checking out as it’s an outdoor recreation area year-round!

Ski Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort

During winter you can ski at Mount Bachelor Ski Resort . It’s one of the most popular ski resorts in Oregon! Throughout the winter Mount Bachelor Ski Resort also offers a snow tubing park, snowshoe tours, and dog sledding rides.

Mountain Biking

During the summer months, Mount Bachelor’s bike park is open for downhill mountain biking. Enjoy lift-served downhill trails. Whether you’re just getting into mountain biking or an experienced rider there are trails for all abilities.

Hike Mount Bachelor

6.5 miles out & back, 2740 foot gain

Summer is also an incredible time to hike Mount Bachelor . It’s a steep hike from the parking lot to the summit but you’ll have stunning views of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and the surrounding Deschutes National Forest. On a clear day, there’s a chance you will even see some of the other Cascade Volcanoes!

Three Sisters Volcanoes

Some of the most iconic volcanoes in the Cascade Mountain Rainge, the Three Sisters, are located just west of Bend. There are three glaciated stratovolcanoes next to one another. They all rise to over 10,000 feet in elevation. They fill up the skyline beautifully.

The Three Sisters are another popular spot for outdoor recreation. In the winter the Three Sisters are a great spot for experienced backcountry skiers. In the summer the Three Sisters offer stunning but steep hikes up to their summits.

Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway

One of my favorite drives in the United States is Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway and it’s right on the route when driving from Bend, Oregon to Crater Lake. Winding through the picturesque Deschutes National Forest, there are many pullouts and lakes to explore along the way.

Devils Lake

Located right off of Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, Devils Lake is a shallow 23-acre lake known for its stunning bright turquoise-green color. It’s conveniently located right off the road and easy to access. Devils Lake is a great spot to go on a short hike, have a picnic, or fish from the shore for rainbow trout.

Sparks Lake

Sparks Lake sits a little off of Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway down a bumpy dirt road. It’s a shallow lake and wetlands area that beautifully reflects the horizon including Broken Top and South Sister.

Wildlife sightings are common here and it’s also a great spot to camp or take a dip on your way from Bend to Crater Lake.

Green Lakes Trail

9.1 miles out & back, 1200 foot gain

If you’re looking for a long but gradual hike along your drive from Bend to Crater Lake then check out Green Lakes Trail in Three Sisters Wilderness. It’s located right off the scenic byway and is the perfect spot to go for a hike or trail run.

To the west, you’ll have striking views of South Sister and to the east, you’ll have stunning views of Broken Top, a glacially eroded stratovolcano.

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States reaching 1,943 feet deep. It’s also one of the clearest lakes in the US with visibility well over 100 feet on the clearest days. Not only that, it’s one of the biggest blue lakes you’ll ever see! There are no mineral or sediment deposits in the lake which helps it maintain its clear and bright color.

Here are some of the best things to do in Crater Lake National Park.

Cleetwood Cove Trail

2 miles out & back trip; 620 foot gain

The Cleetwood Cove Trail  will definitely be a highlight along your Bend to Crater Lake road trip. The Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only place you can legally access the shoreline of Crater Lake. It’s also the only swimming spot in Crater Lake National Park. While the water is freezing cold from the long-lasting snowmelt it’s worth taking a refreshing dip!

Keep in mind that this trail descends over 600 feet over a mile. That means you have to climb back up on the way out. It’s a tiring and tough ascent if you’re not a regular hiker, so take your time and pack water.

Wizard Island Boat Tour

Wizard Island is the main island in Crater Lake. The cinder cone rises over 700 feet tall. During the summer, usually from early July to mid-September, it’s possible to take a boat ride over to the island or a tour of the lake.

Boat tours usually spend a few hours on the island allowing enough time to hike to the top of the crater or to wander around on the shore.

Wizard Island Boat Tours board from the base of the Cleetwood Cove Trail.  Reserve tickets ahead to guarantee your spot!

Hike to Watchman Peak for Sunset

1.7 miles out & back; 400 foot gain

Watchman Peak is located on the west side of Crater Lake and offers spectacular views of the crater and Wizard Island. It’s also the perfect spot to watch the sunset. The summit of the moderate hike overlooks Crater Lake as the sky turns hues of orange, pink, and purple.

Looking to the west you’ll see the sun set over distant mountains. On a clear enough evening you can even see Mount Shasta to the south. Don’t forget to pack a headlamp for the hike out!

Drive the Scenic Rim Drive

The Crater Lake Scenic Rim Drive offers 33 miles, 53 kilometers, of beautiful scenery as you circle the lake. The views are breathtaking and there are many pullouts along the drive.

Not only are the views of Crater Lake impressive but many pullouts feature the unique volcanic geology. You’ll also see stunning views of the surrounding rolling mountains and dense forests surrounding Crater Lake National Park.

Check out the Rim Village Visitor Center

If you want to learn about park history and geology a stop at the visitor center is always a must. The Rim Village Visitor Center offers spectacular views overlooking the lake as well as in-depth information about the volcanic and native history of the area. Park rangers can provide you with information about the best hikes and things to do in Crater Lake National Park.

Where to Stay

There are both camping and lodging options along the route from Bend to Crater Lake. Campgrounds range from private and well-established campgrounds to primitive camping sites.

Accommodations range from hotels to quaint lodges.

The route from Bend to Crater Lake offers many opportunities for camping. Most of the lakes along Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway have campsites. Some are private and require reservations ahead, and some are national forest campgrounds. Of the national forest campgrounds, some require bookings ahead at recreation.gov , and others are walk-up campsites.

Crater Lake has two park campgrounds. Lost Creek Campground is a 16-site walk-up campground located on the south side of the rim of Crater Lake. It’s for tent campers only, there are no hookups. It’s a basic primitive campsite. You must bring water with you. It costs $5 a night. Lost Creek Campground is open when clear of snow, usually early July to mid-October.

Mazama Campground has 214 sites including electric, RV, and tent sites. It’s open in the summer, usually from June through September. The campground is reservation-only  during the busy season from July to September. Sites here have potable water, flushing toilets, and picnic tables.

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation when visiting Crater Lake then check out the Crater Lake Lodge . It’s located right along the rim of the lake and offers stunning views. It also boasts a beautiful dining room where you can make dinner reservations.

Bend also has a variety of lodging options throughout the city ranging from hotels to motels to Airbnbs.

The drive from Bend to Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful Oregon road trips you can explore. With so many sites packed so closely together, you won’t be disappointed.

From one of the most stunning national parks in the US to the impressive Cascade Volcanos and the numerous pristine lakes, you better start planning your drive from Bend to Crater Lake National Park!

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Crater Lake National Park

• State + National Parks

Explore Oregon’s only national park

In the mood for a scenic road trip starting in Bend, Oregon, and ending in one of the most pristine national parks on earth? Crater Lake National Park features towering cliffs, stunning volcanic islands, and water so shockingly blue, you’ll stand blinking in the sun trying to clear your vision in case the whole thing is one big, beautiful mirage.

Established in 1902, Crater Lake National Park is in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon, and it’s an incredible must-see day trip from your Bend home base. At 1,943 feet deep, it’s the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world. 

Crater Lake formed when Mt. Mazama blew its top about 7,700 years ago in a massive volcanic eruption. Then the whole thing collapsed on itself, creating a big hole, or caldera, that eventually filled with water to become the amazing lake you see today.

Located in Southern Oregon, the north entrance to Crater Lake is about 100 miles from Bend and takes around two hours to get there. The south entrance—which is how you access it in the winter—is around 140 miles from Bend and takes about three hours. 

The park is open year-round. However, many of the park’s roads, trails, and facilities are closed seasonally due to snow. You’ll need an America the Beautiful Annual Interagency Pass, a Crater Lake Annual Pass, or a day pass which you can purchase at the entrance station or online . Cell reception in the park and surrounding areas is limited. Be sure to carry a map or GPS.

Are you ready to explore the wonders of Crater Lake? Here are some highlights to help you make the most out of your visit. 

The weather at Crater Lake can easily change from one minute to the next. Wind, precipitation, and temperature can quickly shift along the rim and at varying elevations. For extended outdoor adventures like hiking or a boat tour, grab some layers, wear sturdy footwear, and pack the 10 essentials. And remember to treat our national parks like the treasures they are by practicing the Leave No Trace principles.

What to do at Crater Lake National Park in the summer

Summer is the most popular season for visiting Crater Lake, and for good reason. There are loads of scenic outdoor activities to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites:

Scenic drive: This is a must! The 33-mile drive loops the entire lake and doles out breathtaking panoramic views. In fact, it’s considered one of the most scenic drives in the US, if not the world. Explore over 30 vista stops where you can go Instagram crazy, enjoy a picnic, or set off on a hike. Because of heavy snowfall in the winter, the entire loop is typically open from July through October. On the first and third Saturdays in September, East Rim Drive closes to cars in order for bikes and pedestrians to enjoy the rim without traffic.

Hiking: The park has a number of breathtaking hiking trails, from family-friendly rim trails to strenuous mountain summit hikes. Discovery Point, Plaikni Falls, and Pinnacles Trail are three well-known easy and scenic hikes in the area. If you’re up for something a little steeper with sweeping views, check out Garfield Peak, Cleetwood Cove (which accesses the lake), and the Watchman Peak Trail. For accessible hiking, Plaikni Falls (except for the last ¼ mile), the Pinnacles, and Godfrey Glen trails are accessible to all-terrain wheelchairs. Dogs are not permitted on park trails.

Birding: Crater Lake National Park is a birder’s paradise. With over 250 species of birds in the park, there’s a feathered friend for everyone to discover. Some of the most common birds seen at Crater Lake include bald eagles, osprey, peregrine falcons, Clark’s nutcrackers, ravens, and hummingbirds. The park is also home to a variety of warblers, thrushes, jays, and sparrows. Don’t forget your binoculars and patience. 

Boat tour: Crater Lake Hospitality offers boat tours around Crater Lake for a captivating and educational experience. Tours are narrated by park rangers and provide up-close views of Wizard Island, Phantom Ship, and the dazzling deep blue waters. There are several tours to choose from, all starting from the boat dock at the bottom of the Cleetwood Cove Trail. You must be able to navigate over 700 feet of steep, downhill (uphill on the way back) switchbacks to reach the dock. Tours are typically available from July through October.

Swimming: The average lake temperature below 300 feet is a chilly 38 degrees, but the surface can warm to 55 or 60 degrees during the summer months. There’s only one spot where it’s safe and legal to access the lake shore for swimming, The Cleetwood Cove Trail. The trail opens mid to late June, is 1.1 miles long, and drops nearly 700 feet to the shoreline, where you can safely swim. If you dare, dive into the crystal clear lake water from the 20-foot rock ledge, which has become a ritual for many brave swimmers.

Keep in mind the summer season is short, generally spanning from June until the first snowfall, which usually hits in September. Check the website’s current conditions page to find out what’s open in the park each day. 

What to do at Crater Lake National Park in the winter

You can visit Crater Lake any time of year, though some of the roads and facilities are closed during the winter when the area gets an average of 44 feet of snow. But all that snow makes it a great time to enjoy Crater Lake’s popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks between November and April. The walks last two hours ​over a mile of moderately strenuous terrain while exploring forests and meadows along the rim of Crater Lake. You can also bring snowshoes or your cross-country skis from home and set out exploring on your own. The park’s north entrance is closed during the winter months, but the national park can still be accessed by using the southern entrance.

Staying in or around Crater Lake

The historic Crater Lake Lodge is the only hotel located within the national park. It was constructed in 1915 by William Gladstone Steel, who also spearheaded the park’s designation as a national park in 1902. After some major renovations throughout the decades, the lodge reopened to the public in 1995. Now, you can enjoy fine and casual dining, lodging, visitor information, a gift shop, and, of course, endless blue vistas. It does fill up quickly, so a reservation is highly recommended. 

Because the lodge is so popular, many visitors choose to stay at hotels and motels in nearby Bend or Klamath Falls. Within the park, camping is available at Mazama Village, which is seven miles from the lake rim near the south entrance. The Mazama Village Campground and RV Park has tent and RV sites or, for a little extra comfort, cabins. And there’s even a camp store for firewood and marshmallows. Sites fill up quickly, but you can check availability or make an online reservation in advance.

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• Work with us

3 Days in Bend & Crater Lake National Park

Last updated on July 20th, 2023

Want updated information about Bend and Crater Lake National Park? Check out our NEW and much more detailed guides for both: 20+ AMAZING things to do in Bend, Oregon & The BEST things to do at Crater Lake National Park (+ 1 day itinerary)

After two years of being told we’d love Bend, Oregon and hearing great things about it, we finally got to explore the area over Labor Day Weekend (you can read all about our trip here !). And everyone was right, we loved it! The scenery is incredible, both the food and coffee are great, and the vibe is laid back and fun. Since the drive from Seattle is pretty long and we couldn’t make it down there too often, we added on a day at Crater Lake National Park. Combining the two was awesome, as they are relatively close to each other and you can easily knock out the Crater Lake highlights in a day.

We had such a great experience in both places that we wanted to create a guide for others who want to combine the two into one trip, or are looking for ideas of things to do in just Bend or Crater Lake. In this guide we’ll share when to visit, where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do in Bend or Crater Lake if you only have 3 days! Looking for more things to do in Oregon? Check out our Oregon guides:

• 20+ AMAZING things to do in Bend, Oregon
• The BEST things to do at Crater Lake National Park (+ 1 day itinerary)
• A Weekend on the Oregon Coast
• A Weekend in Portland
• Check out all of our Washington guides
• Watch all of our videos from the PNW

Before embarking on your adventure, please review the  Leave No Trace principles  to ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come! These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in!), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. 

When to visit Bend and Crater Lake

Getting to bend and crater lake, where to stay in bend, bend and crater lake itinerary, if you have extra time….

While Bend and Crater Lake National Park are both accessible year round, including in the winter (there are tons of winter activities to enjoy!), this guide is catered towards the summer and early fall months ( June-September ) in Bend and Crater Lake, when hiking is more accessible. The summertime in Bend is beautiful! Because of its higher altitude, the temperatures are a bit cooler (highs in the 70s-80s), the evenings are cool, and there is plenty of sunshine. If you want to do lots of hiking and spend time outside (without snow!), then this is the perfect time to visit!

Bend is located in Central Oregon, with Crater Lake located a little bit more south. The easiest way to get to Bend, if traveling from far away, is to fly into the Redmond Municipal Airport , which is about 25 minutes north of Bend. However, this airport is pretty small, with only 5 airlines (Allegiant, American, Alaska, Delta, and United) and only non-stop flights to and from Denver, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Phoenix-Mesa, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. So you may have to have a layover depending on where you’re flying from. If you fly to Bend, then we highly recommend renting a car to get around. While downtown Bend is super walkable, to explore trails nearby and Crater Lake National Park you’ll definitely want a car. Visiting from other areas of Oregon or Washington? Here are the approximate driving times from: Portland : 3 hours Eugene : 2.5 hours Cannon Beach : 4.5 hours Seattle : 6 hours Both Bend and Crater Lake would make for a great road trip from any of these destinations!

If you plan to visit both Bend and Crater Lake National Park, we suggest staying in Bend. There will be more options of places to stay, as well as for food and coffee. But both in and near Bend there are many different lodging options to choose from! We took the cheap route and camped, which was really fun (we saw the Milky Way!), but there are also lots of VRBOs and affordable hotels. Here are a handful of suggestions of places to stay!

The Arrow Cottage : 1 Bathroom Studio

Walk to Downtown and Old Mill: 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Apartment

Convenient & Cozy Cottage On Newport : 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Cottage

Historic Belle Millhouse : 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom House

Classic Craftsman with Fenced Yard : 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom House

• Lava Lake Campground –This is where we stayed and the lake at the campground was beautiful! The only downside to this campground was that there was no running water in the bathrooms, so be prepared to not shower. However, the vault toilets were very clean and actually smelled nice!
• Tumalo State Park –This state park has showers and bathrooms, so it’s definitely more comfortable than Lava Lake.

Want to find campsites all over the US? Try the Dyrt PRO for FREE for one month! The Dyrt is the #1 camping app in the US! Sign up for a FREE 30 day trial of their PRO version using our code AplusK ! The Dyrt PRO offers many incredible features to make finding campsites even easier (+ cheaper). Some of our favorite features are: -Offline maps, so you can find campsites without cell service -Map layers to find free camping areas (+ cell phone service map layers) -Discounts from PRO partners and on campground bookings (up to 40%!)

• Oxford Hotel
• Wall Street Suites
• Springhill Suites
• Hampton Inn & Suites
• McMenamins Old St. Francis School

In this Bend and Crater Lake itinerary we’re sharing all of our favorite things we did during our long weekend in Bend and Crater Lake, from our favorite coffee shops, to hikes, to restaurants. Looking for more ideas? Check out our “if you have extra time” section at the end of this guide!

Hiking in Bend: Day 1

• Get both breakfast and coffee at The Sparrow Bakery , a cute little bakery with savory and sweet options. We recommend the Ocean Roll, which is croissant dough with sugar, vanilla, and cardamom.  
• Spend the rest of both the morning and early afternoon hiking  to No Name Lake . We loved this hike and it’s one of our top things to do in Bend! Make sure to pack a lunch, as it’s not a super short journey.   One very important thing to know is that this hike has two trailheads. If you have a high clearance vehicle that can handle rough roads, then go to the trailhead on Road 380, which makes the hike 6 miles.   The other trailhead at Todd Lake makes the hike around 13 miles total, but it’s a fairly easy ~15 miles. This is the trailhead we started from.   For other hike options in Bend, check out our “if you have extra time” section below!  
• Enjoy a post-hike coffee or beer at Spoken Moto , a super cool coffee shop + motorcycle shop. The vibes in here are awesome! While you’re there, grab dinner from one of the food trucks, like Scoutpost or Shred Town Food Cart .  
• Get to bed early because day 2 will be a big day!

Crater Lake National Park: Day 2

• Head to Crater Lake National Park before sunrise. This sounds torturous, but we promise it’s worth it! The drive is around 1 hour 30 mins from Bend and we recommend packing breakfast to take with you.  
• First stop at Crater Lake: sunrise at the top of Watchman Peak ! This was our favorite thing we did at the park. The hike to the top is only 0.8 miles (but all uphill) and you get an incredible view of the sunrise over the lake.  
• Head towards the visitors center, which is home to a few hikes. We recommend checking out the Discovery Point Trail , which is an easy 4.0 mile walk with lake views the entire time. You don’t have to walk the entire trail to get the beautiful views, so feel free to go as far as you’d like!  
• Hike up Garfield Peak next, which is a pretty steep 3.4 miles, but it gives you a great view of the park.  
• Enjoy a picnic lunch after your hike over near the visitor center or on the patio of the lodge, which has nice rocking chairs and a view!  
• After lunch, head down the Cleetwood Cove Trail (2.1 miles roundtrip), the only way to access the lake, for a swim! The trail is downhill the whole way down, which means the way back up is a good workout. The water is very clear and super cold, but on a hot day it’s refreshing and totally worth it. We recommend spending a couple hours here relaxing.  
• If you’re up for more, there are two quick stops we suggest afterwards, the Pinnacles Overlook trail and Plaikni Falls . Both are short and easy and give you different scenery than the lake.  
• Lastly, end your day watching the sunset at the Cloudcap Overlook . This is a great spot to have a picnic dinner at too!

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership ? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)! We use AllTrails+ on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

Explore Downtown Bend: Day 3

• Start off the morning with breakfast at McKay Cottage Restaurant , one of the most popular breakfast spots in Bend!  
• After breakfast, grab coffee at Thump Coffee .  
• Walk around downtown Bend and explore the shops. We also suggest walking along the Deschutes River Trail!  
• Go visit one of Bend’s many breweries (if you enjoy beer). Some top ones to check out are Deschutes Brewery Tour (the tours are kid friendly!), Crux Fermentation Project , GoodLife Brewing Company , or 10 Barrel Brewery . If you’re feeling very ambitious, then conquer the Bend Ale Trail . The majority of these breweries have food as well and would make for a great lunch spot!  
• If it’s summertime, then go tubing at the Whitewater Park ! This looked so incredibly fun and we were bummed to miss out on it!  
• Have dinner at Spork , one of our new favorite restaurants! We recommend the coconut green curry, Thai steak salad, and the spicy fried chicken!

There are so many fun things to do in Bend that you could easily spend weeks there! Here’s a list of some extra things to do in Bend if you have more time.

• Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails
• El Sancho Taco Shop
• Bangers & Brews
• Backporch Coffee
• Palate Coffee
• Lone Pine Coffee Roasters
• Companion Coffeehouse
• Chase waterfalls at Tumalo Falls or Paulina Creek Falls
• Hike at Smith Rock State Park . We loved both the Misery Ridge and Summit Loop trail , which is 5.5 miles and a 1,778 ft elevation gain.
• Ski or snowboard at Mount Bachelor in the winter
• Summit South Sister , which is the third tallest mountain in Oregon and a difficult hike at 12.2 miles and a 4,898 ft elevation gain.
• Hike  Green Lakes Trail , which is 9.1 miles and 1,187 ft elevation gain.
• Explore the Lava River Cave . Make sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight!

Ready to explore Bend & Crater Lake?

Pin this guide full of things to do in both Bend and Crater Lake to plan your trip!

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19 thoughts on “ 3 days in bend & crater lake national park ”.

Such beautiful places…definitely worth a visit!!!

You would love this place! We’ll have to take you there sometime 🙂

I would love that!

Love, love, love your travel blogs! Such great information!! You seem to like to research trips like i do and you have saved me tons of time! I really like that you add an “if you have additional time” section. I’m reading all your posts as we hope to start traveling the U.S. extensively in our camper.

Wow, thank you soooo much! I LOVE to research trips. It’s so much fun for me! I’m glad that you found the guide helpful and have an AMAZING time traveling the US! Maybe we will run into you on the road once we are in our van ?

This info is so valuable! I think Bend is a great combination with the Crater Lake. Thank you sooo much for posting!

We’re so glad you found it helpful! 🙂 We had so much fun combining the two!

Awesome article, your information was thoughtfully put together and really gets me excited to go. Thank you for putting this together!

Thank you so much, that makes us so happy! Let us know if you have any questions before you go! 🙂

We’re an adventurous Seattle couple too, looking to take our first trip down to Bend and Crater Lake in a few weeks! Thanks for all the awesome suggestions 😀

You’re so welcome! We hope you have a blast Katie!

Planning my trip from PDX to Bend/Crater Lake. I see you have your pup with you. Did you find it easy enough to take him with you in both Bend and Crater Lake?

Hi Alicia! We actually had our pup with a sitter back in Seattle during this trip, but Bend is SUPER dog friendly! Lots of patios to have your pup join you at and parks nearby. Crater Lake is a bit trickier since dogs are not allowed on any trails at National Parks, but I believe you can take them to a few of the overlook spots by the parking areas. But if you’re wanting to hike, you may want to get a sitter or have somewhere safe to leave them for the day. Hope that helps!

Between Bend and Crater Lake which is the most scenic lake to visit for a family picnic?

Hi Alan! The only lake we have visited in Bend required a tough hike, but Crater Lake is very accessible and would be great for families and a picnic!

Hello! I absolutely love you travel blog! Did you both drive back to Bend after spending the day at Crater Lake National Park?

We did! Well, sort of! We drove back to our campground at Lava Lake.

From Bend to Crater Lake are there any mountains with drop offs? My husband has a fear of driving through mountains! Thank you for your help!

Hi Patti! It has been quite a few years since we did the drive and we drove into and out of the park in the dark, but I do not recall there being any scary spots.

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Experience one of America's most dynamic landscapes by bike, from Crater Lake's volcanic peaks to the adventurous spirit of Bend and Sisters.

To immerse yourself in the natural wonder of the Oregon Cascades on two wheels is to experience one of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Pedal past snow-capped volcanic peaks that scrape the sky as you cycle from crystal blue Crater Lake to the recreation meccas of Bend and Sisters, Oregon. Then dig deeper into this quintessential Central Oregon playground as you enjoy unique microbrews, gourmet dining, and pampering accommodations on this unforgettable Oregon cycling tour!

Ride along the rim of the deepest, clearest alpine lake in the country in Crater Lake National Park

Witness the geologic wonders of alpine lakes, canyons, and volcanic peaks by cycling the Cascade Lakes Highway and visiting stunning Smith Rock State Park

Enjoy organic Northwest cuisine, complemented by Willamette Valley pinots, Bend microbrews, local cheeses, and fresh produce

Take in views of lava fields and snowcapped peaks from the Dee Wright Observatory at McKenzie Pass

Enjoy the dreamy, freewheeling culture that makes Central Oregon a great place to visit while staying in top-rated properties in Bend and Sisters, and take in views from the rim of Crater Lake at the rustic National Park Lodge

McKenzie Pass Highway Summit

Take on the iconic McKenzie Pass Climb

Ride Oregon's famous road to the expansive lava fields at McKenzie Pass and the Dee Wright Observatory, before enjoying a long, winding descent into the lush western side of the Cascade Range.

What Guests are Saying

Everything was my favorite. The scenery, the organization, the planning of the trip which allowed everybody regardless of biking abilities to enjoy themselves, the food, the high tech Trek bikes, and the exceptional guides who took care of absolutely everything with a smile.

Edward, Trek Travel Guest

My first trip with Trek Travel and it was a trip of a lifetime! It was stunningly beautiful, the guides exceeded my expectations and the bikes were top notch! I am already planning my next Trek Travel adventure for next year.

Sandra, Chicago, Illinois

Crater Lake and McKenzie Pass are amazing! The whole trip is filled with wonderful scenery. And the Trek guides are always the best!

Ray, Tulsa, Oklahoma

My husband and I are avid cyclists and our 25th anniversary was this year. We had always wanted to do a road bike tour. The weather in Oregon was perfect and none of the roads had heavy traffic. It really was the ideal place to ride.

Nancy, Birmingham, Alabama

Ride along the rim of Crater Lake

Take in the incredible vistas from the rim of Crater Lake as you overlook one of the deepest, clearest lakes in the country.

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Crater Lake Lodge

The Oxford Hotel

• Five Pine Lodge and Shibui Spa

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Arrival / Departure

Where to Arrive

Redmond Municipal Airport - Roberts Field (RDM)

Pick-up location :

The Oxford Hotel, Bend, Oregon

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Where to Depart

Drop-off location :

Drop-off time :

Additional Arrival Information

We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the start of your Oregon cycling tour, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. We recommend that you fly into Redmond Municipal Airport - Roberts Field (RDM) in Redmond, Oregon. Once you have arrived in Redmond, there are several options for getting to your pre-trip accommodations. If you wish to schedule a shuttle prior to arrival we recommend reaching out to Enviro Shuttle (www.enviroshuttle.com or 541-598-5384). Alternatively, you may call a taxi from the airport upon arrival for your transportation. Bend, where your trip begins, is located about 30 minutes south of the Redmond Airport. If you need a place to leave your personal vehicle for the week, you may valet your vehicle with the bellman at the Oxford for $25/day. Or alternatively, there is a public parking deck behind The Oxford Hotel which has a rate of $10 per day.

Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at The Oxford Hotel (10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend) at 8:00 AM on the first day of the trip. Please arrive to the meeting location with your cycling gear packed in a day bag and separate from your main luggage. We encourage you to come dressed in your cycling clothes and comfortable walking shoes due to limited facilities in which to change at our ride start location. A two and a half hour shuttle will take you to your first destination deep in the Cascades—Crater Lake National Park. After lunch with the group, you will receive a personal bike fit to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride. Afterward, your guides will present information on safety and equipment usage along with an overview of the day’s ride. Then you’ll set out for a ride along Crater Lake’s dramatic rim.

If you will be late for the pick-up or are going to miss it altogether, please inform your guides. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel, Crater Lake Lodge (541-594-2255), and leave a message with your expected arrival time and contact details. There are no scheduled shuttle services offering direct access to Crater Lake, and while you may be able to hire a taxi or shuttle service, please be warned that the cost involved may be significant. We strongly recommend that you arrive the night before to ensure you do not miss our Trek Travel shuttle.

Additional Departure Information

You will say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM at FivePine Lodge. You will then shuttle 30 minutes to Redmond, arriving around 11:30 AM to the Redmond Airport. Please allow adequate connection time for flights or other travel to accommodate possible traffic delays. If you wish to return to downtown Bend to retrieve your personal vehicle or extend your stay in the area, your guides can drop you off at The Oxford Hotel following the airport drop. It is about 30 minutes from the Redmond Airport to The Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend.

Day 1 Visit Crater Lake National Park

Visit Crater Lake National Park

Welcome to the first day of your Crater Lake bike tour! After a scenic two and half hour shuttle into Crater Lake National Park, you'll be welcomed with a delicious lunch provided by your guides. After a brief orientation, safety talk, and getting comfortably fit to your Trek bike, you’ll saddle up to begin the day’s ride along the rim road that overlooks the lake’s breathtaking blue water. The lake is one of the deepest in the world and was formed about 7,700... Welcome to the first day of your Crater Lake bike tour! After a scenic two and half hour shuttle into Crater Lake National Park, you'll be welcomed with a delicious lunch provided by your guides. After a brief orientation, safety talk, and getting comfortably fit to your Trek bike, you’ll saddle up to begin the day’s ride along the rim road that overlooks the lake’s breathtaking blue water. The lake is one of the deepest in the world and was formed about 7,700 years ago when a volcano twice as high as the current rim erupted. Experts estimate that the blast that created the lake was around 42 times more powerful than the Mt. St. Helens eruption in 1980. A wealth of viewpoints tempt you along the route, as you take in one incredible view after the next. After this stunning ride, you'll get to know one another better during a social hour and dinner in the Crater Lake Lodge dining room before retiring to your room for a well-earned rest. Please note : Due to ongoing construction on East Rim Drive, riding the entire loop around the Crater Lake Rim will not be possible for several years, hence the out and back route to Skell Head. Also, while the location is unparalleled, the accommodations at Crater Lake Lodge are rustic and with basic amenities. Read More

Meals included

Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner

Highlight of the Day

Social Hour on the lodge patio overlooking the Lake

On the first evening of your trip, gather on the outdoor patio at the Crater Lake Lodge for a fun social hour at the hotel. Exchange stories... On the first evening of your trip, gather on the outdoor patio at the Crater Lake Lodge for a fun social hour at the hotel. Exchange stories about the day and soak up the wonder of riding along the lake's beautiful rim. Take in stunning views of the evening light over the lake while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, local wines and beer as your Trek Travel guides fill you in on the exciting details of the days to come. Read More

Ride Options

Ride Option 1

TODAY'S RIDE:

Goodbye Creek to Skell Head to Crater Lake Lodge - Approximately 35 mi | 56 km and 4,680 ft | 1,426 m

Ride Option 2

SHORT OPTION:

Goodbye Creek to Skell Head - Approximately 20 mi | 32 km and 2,870 ft | 875 m

Day 2 Ride the Cascade Lakes Highway to the cycling mecca that is Bend

Ride the Cascade Lakes Highway to the cycling mecca that is Bend

With Crater Lake in the rearview mirror, you'll shuttle north for an hour and a half to begin your ride along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway, which traces the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range and winds among 14 distinct lakes. Reflections of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor are visible on the surfaces of the lakes—these images evoke the essence of the Cascades. Midway through the ride, take a break to enjoy lunch at Elk Lake Resort. After lunch... With Crater Lake in the rearview mirror, you'll shuttle north for an hour and a half to begin your ride along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway, which traces the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range and winds among 14 distinct lakes. Reflections of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor are visible on the surfaces of the lakes—these images evoke the essence of the Cascades. Midway through the ride, take a break to enjoy lunch at Elk Lake Resort. After lunch, the road climbs over the shoulder of Mt. Bachelor and descends 3,000 feet to Bend, following the bike course of the Pole Pedal Paddle race route. Tonight, you'll toast with local brews or wine (included in the price of your trip) to a big day during dinner at Zydeco Kitchen & Cocktails, which serves southern-inspired dishes with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients. Read More

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner with Drinks

Ride through the picturesque Cascades

Breathe in the fresh scent of the pines as you carve your way through the Cascades, past crystal clear alpine lakes, and ascend up and over ... Breathe in the fresh scent of the pines as you carve your way through the Cascades, past crystal clear alpine lakes, and ascend up and over the base of Mt. Bachelor, a popular ski destination for locals in the winter and for downhill mountain biking in the summer. Read More

Cascade Lakes Highway to Bend with hill shuttle - Approximately 53 mi | 85 km and 1,800 ft | 549 m

Cascade Lakes Highway to Elk Lake - Approximately 32 mi | 52 km and 1,570 ft | 479 m

Ride Option 3

AVID OPTION:

Cascade Lakes Highway to Bend - Approximately 64 mi | 103 km and 3,300 ft | 1,006 m

Day 3 Cycle from Bend to Sisters, past the dramatic canyon that is Smith Rock State Park

Cycle from Bend to Sisters, past the dramatic canyon that is Smith Rock State Park

This morning, you'll ride deeper into the high desert before stopping for a snack break at the dramatic Smith Rock State Park. This park is well-known as a world-class climbing area and is generally regarded as the birthplace of sport climbing. Take a moment to enjoy the views and snap some photos of the Crooked River as it winds its way beneath the beautiful sheer cliffs. Then it's a short ride to the town of Terrebonne where you'll enjoy lunch at local restaurant ... This morning, you'll ride deeper into the high desert before stopping for a snack break at the dramatic Smith Rock State Park. This park is well-known as a world-class climbing area and is generally regarded as the birthplace of sport climbing. Take a moment to enjoy the views and snap some photos of the Crooked River as it winds its way beneath the beautiful sheer cliffs. Then it's a short ride to the town of Terrebonne where you'll enjoy lunch at local restaurant The Pump House before continuing your ride into the pine forest of Sisters. Your hotel for the remainder of the trip is also home to one of the region's best spas, Shibui at FivePine Lodge (spa appointments should be scheduled in advance, and anyone wishing to visit the spa this afternoon will not have time to do the post-lunch ride). Whichever ride distance you choose, this stellar day is sure to be a highlight of your Oregon bike tour. This evening, you are free to explore the restaurants in downtown Sisters for a dinner of your choice. Read More

FivePine Lodge and Shibui Spa

Breakfast | Lunch

View the famous Smith Rock State Park

After a morning ride through the high desert, you'll find yourself approaching massive rock walls that seem very out of place in this terrai... After a morning ride through the high desert, you'll find yourself approaching massive rock walls that seem very out of place in this terrain. Smith Rock's unique geological history makes this park very special to locals and its impressive walls a rock climber's haven. Read More

Bend to Rainshadow Organics - Approximately 51 mi | 82 km and 1,560 ft | 476 m

Bend to Terrebonne - Approximately 39 mi | 63 km and 1,160 ft | 354 m

Bend to Sisters - Approximately 65 mi | 104 km and 2,070 ft | 690 m

Day 4 Experience the famous McKenzie Highway

Experience the famous McKenzie Highway

McKenzie Pass is a gateway between the dry and the wet sides of the Cascades, and it is perhaps the most popular road to ride in the Northwest. This morning, it just happens to be right outside your back door! The 16-mile climb features a moderate grade and tops out with stunning views of expansive lava flows and magnificent views of the Cascade peaks, including Mt. Hood. The historic Dee Wright Observatory is an impressive place to take in the scenery and celebrate... McKenzie Pass is a gateway between the dry and the wet sides of the Cascades, and it is perhaps the most popular road to ride in the Northwest. This morning, it just happens to be right outside your back door! The 16-mile climb features a moderate grade and tops out with stunning views of expansive lava flows and magnificent views of the Cascade peaks, including Mt. Hood. The historic Dee Wright Observatory is an impressive place to take in the scenery and celebrate your conquest of the pass, because from here the next 22 miles are almost all downhill. Cruising through increasingly dense forest, you'll arrive for lunch at a shaded campground along Lost Creek. Afterwards you may choose to shuttle back to Sisters, or tackle the pass once again from the east side for a truly epic, challenging day of climbing. This evening you will shuttle to Rainshadow Organics, where you will enjoy an authentic Farm to Table experience. Your visit begins with a private tour of the farm, during which you will learn about the regenerative and organic agricultural practices that makes food from Rainshadow so unique and delicious. Afterward, enjoy a social hour and multi-course meal of seasonal farm-fresh ingredients on the porch. Read More

Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner

Featured Meal | Evening at Rainshadow Organics

Located on 200 high desert acres about 10 miles east of Terrebonne, Rainshadow Organics is a full-diet farm with dozens of varieties of cert... Located on 200 high desert acres about 10 miles east of Terrebonne, Rainshadow Organics is a full-diet farm with dozens of varieties of certified organic vegetables, herbs, berries, flowers, pork, chicken, eggs, turkey, beef, and grains. This beautiful farm and it's engaging staff are on a mission to provide not just amazing food, but also hospitality and an appreciation for what makes a regenerative farm like Rainshadow so special and so important. Gather on the long, covered deck and enjoy an incredibly fresh, delicious chef-prepared meal as you learn about the inspiring practices at Rainshadow. Read More

Sisters to Limberlost Campground - Approximately 37 mi | 60 km and 2,380 ft | 725 m

Sisters to Limberlost Campground Return - Approximately 73 mi | 117 km and 6,080 ft | 1,853 m

TODAY'S ACTIVITY:

Farm Tour at Rainshadow Organics

Day 5 Say farewell to Oregon with a morning ride along Indian Ford Road

Say farewell to Oregon with a morning ride along Indian Ford Road

This morning offers an opportunity for a final ride to round out your Central Oregon cycling trip. Venturing through the ranchlands of the high desert, today’s miles offer the chance to take one more deep breath of rejuvenating sage-soaked air and snap any final photos of the Cascades before moving on to your next adventure. Alternatively, have a long sleep-in and take a walk through downtown Sisters to explore its unique shops, galleries, and cafes before check-o... This morning offers an opportunity for a final ride to round out your Central Oregon cycling trip. Venturing through the ranchlands of the high desert, today’s miles offer the chance to take one more deep breath of rejuvenating sage-soaked air and snap any final photos of the Cascades before moving on to your next adventure. Alternatively, have a long sleep-in and take a walk through downtown Sisters to explore its unique shops, galleries, and cafes before check-out. Read More

Indian Ford Return - Approximately 21 mi | 33 km and 520 ft | 173 m

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Rider Information

Rider Level: 3

Terrain: Hilly

The terrain is varied with rolling hills, some sustained climbing (up to 16 miles) on moderate grades (up to 9%) at relatively high elevation (up to 7,700 feet above sea level). Our Oregon and Crater Lake bike tour is best suited for our Type 3 Riders. Our Trek Travel guides can also easily accommodate Type 2 Riders, who seek less mileage or fewer uphills, with a boost in the van. Please be aware that the iconic ride along the Crater Lake Rim features some sections with no shoulder and high degrees of exposure. Guests who are sensitive to heights may not find this ride to be enjoyable. For those eager to experience every mile but mindful of their physical limits, our electric bike option offers a comfortable and enjoyable solution. Type 4 Riders will enjoy the extra mileage the avid route options offer.

Daily Average

39 miles | 63 kilometers

197 miles | 317 kilometers

2,188 feet | 667 meters

10,940 feet | 3,335 meters

On most Trek Travel trips, we offer non-riding options for riders who want to take the afternoon off or for travel companions who want to spend little or no time in the saddle. Some of these options may need to be scheduled before your trip–please contact one of our Trip Consultants for more information. Expenses and/or related transportation to these activities may not be included in the trip price. Some non-riding options on this trip are:

• Hike in Crater Lake National Park
• Whitewater Raft on the Deschutes River
• Golf in and around Bend and Sisters
• Shop in Bend and Sisters
• Visit spas in Bend and Sisters
• Rock climb at Smith Rock State Park
• Enjoy a self-guided brewery tour in Bend

We've got you covered on and off the bike! Our team of guides will always have one in the support vehicle and one on the bike, ready to fill up your water bottles, fix a flat tire, or give you a lift up the hill. They'll also give you the inside scoop on the best local spots. And when you're not riding, your guides are happy to help with anything you need - from massage appointments to finding that special local treat you've been craving.

• Fully guided and supported with two guides and one van minimum
• Up to three daily route options
• Additional guides and vehicles added dependent upon guest count and trip logistics

Perched on the rim of Crater Lake, you will find no better place to take in the majestic view while relaxing with a drink on the porch than the unique and historic Crater Lake Lodge. The lodge was originally constructed in 1915 and retains much of the character from that era. The rooms are relatively small and do not have phones, televisions, or air conditioning, although the incredible scenery just outside your door more than makes up for the rustic feeling of the accommodations.

Bend’s “eco-chic” boutique hotel is the pinnacle of luxury and sustainability. Fusing Northwest-inspired, modern design, world-class service, and earth-friendly practices and products, the Oxford is a perfect match for the active and cosmopolitan vibe that is Bend, Oregon. Located in the heart of downtown, shopping, dining, galleries, and a variety of activities are just a few steps or a cruiser ride away (cruisers are provided with your stay). Amenities like the sauna and steam room, spa, full-service bar, and restaurant make it the perfect home for your time in Bend.

Imagine elegant and spacious contemporary Craftsman-style cabins and lodge rooms combined with a full-service Japanese spa, all hidden in a pine forest at the base of three extinct volcanic peaks. You have just begun to picture the FivePine Lodge. This is more than a lodge—it is a true mountain retreat from which you will not want to leave—complete with swimming pool, first-run movie theater, nightly wine and beer reception, brew pub, and a trail network for hiking right out the back door.

Bikes & Gear

Experiencing your cycling vacation of a lifetime is not complete without a world-class bike and the Trek Domane SL 7 Gen 4 is the best on the road. It raises the bar to deliver incredible endurance road bike comfort without sacrificing performance and features highly responsive disc brakes, road-smoothing IsoSpeed technology, and electronic shifting. This new bike is lighter than ever before, and carbon wheels are standard on every Domane SL 7 bike.

Trek Electric-Assist Verve+

Fun from the first pedal stroke, venture further on our Trek Verve+. With its low-step frame design, upright riding position, and the barely-there Bosch electric motor, the Verve+ has one goal: pure enjoyment. Designed for both comfort and adventure, get a boost up the hills when you need it with energy to spare.

Upgrade your experience on the Domane+ SLR 7. It has everything you love in a road bike, with the extra boost to take you farther than ever before. With an ultra-lightweight design and a whisper quiet electric assist motor, this performance e-road bike will assist you on the climbs and enable you to venture further. So go ahead—take the long way. With Domane+ SLR 7, there’s always room for more distance and more fun! Upgrade to the Domane+ SLR 7 on this trip for $399 (3-6 day trips) or $599 (7+ day trips). Available in limited quantities. See specific trip dates for available bike options.

Trek Travel Guides

The World’s Best

From the moment you meet our guides, you'll understand the difference. You'll feel the genuine care they take to make your vacation perfect. From their expert support to sharing their favorite hidden spots, they tailor every moment to you.

Additional Gear

• Trek Travel Santini cycling jersey to keep
• Trek Travel water bottles to keep
• Cinch sack day bag to keep
• Bontrager saddle
• Bontrager helmet
• Bontrager front and rear Flare R lights
• Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer with pre-loaded routes
• Shimano SPD-SL road style pedals, Shimano SPD mountain style pedals, caged, or flat pedals
• A flat pack containing a tube, levers, and a CO2 cartridge with inflator
• For the most comfortable ride, we recommend you bring your own saddle. If you prefer, you can bring your own pedals and helmet on the trip and our guides will install your gear on the first day during your bike fit.

Trip Inclusions

• Four nights of accommodation at handpicked hotels
• Two experienced guides to provide local knowledge, support, and camaraderie
• Daily route support with both guides and our support van
• Daily breakfast, four lunches, and three dinners
• Two social hours of drinks and hors d'oeuvres plus one dinner with beer and wine included
• Ride With GPS Experience for your phone with daily itinerary and route navigation information

• Up to three daily route options on riding days
• Snacks and drinks for each day's ride
• Entrance fees for all activities, private tours, and events
• All gratuities for drivers, local experts, and hospitality staff
• All luggage transfers and transportation during your trip
• A digital photo album of your trip

• Airfare and transportation to and from the trip pick-up/drop-off locations
• Lodging before and after the trip
• Personal items purchased during the trip
• Optional activities not scheduled by Trek Travel
• On select trips some meals are not included. On these trips, Trek Travel invites you to explore the local cuisine at your leisure.

Guide Gratuities

Guide gratuities are customary and at your own discretion, to recognize service, hospitality, and the little extras that surprise and delight. For this trip, we suggest a tip for your guides between $200-$250 per guest and, of course, you may choose to give more if your guides made your trip an unforgettable experience. While local currency is preferred, there are other options to make tipping easier. Most guides accept gratuity via PayPal or Venmo or our staff can help before or after the trip. Gratuities will be divided among the guide team, so feel free to leave your gratuity with whomever you choose at the end of your trip.

Additional Details

Know Before You Go!

We want you to be fully prepared for your cycling vacation of a lifetime. This involves making sure that you choose the appropriate trip for you and that every aspect of your experience is flawless. Each Trek Travel trip is unique to ensure maximum enjoyment every time.

Your Trip Need to Knows:

• The rooms at Crater Lake Lodge are simple and more rustic than you would typically find on a Trek Travel trip. The amazing location and views from the Lodge make up for the lack of amenities but please be aware, there is very limited wifi and cell service and no air conditioning.
• Cell service it limited on the routes on several days of this trip. Your guides will be equipped with walkie talkies and a satellite communication device to enable them to communicate and provide effective support even when cell service is lacking.

Before and After Your Trip

Bend, Oregon

The city of Bend is well-known as a mecca for lovers of all things outdoors. The vibrant downtown and Old Mill District are also great spots for eclectic dining experiences, people-watching, shopping, and local beer-tasting. With so many things to do, you may just want to stay here forever! You can explore one of Central Oregon's most well-known rivers, fed by crystal-clear mountain snow, in a canoe or kayak. Into golf? Central Oregon has also been rated as one of the top 50 golf destinations in the world! Don't forget about the fishing, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities too. We recommend the following accommodations for your pre- and post-trip hotel:

Where to Stay

Bend's "eco-chic" boutique hotel is the pinnacle of luxury and sustainability. Fusing Northwest-inspired, modern design, world-class service, and earth-friendly practices and products, the Oxford is a perfect match for the active and cosmopolitan vibe that is Bend, Oregon. Located in the heart of downtown, shopping, dining, galleries, and a variety of activities are just a few steps or a cruiser ride away (cruisers are provided with your stay). Amenities like the sauna, spa, full-service bar, and restaurant make it the perfect home for your time in Bend. The Oxford is also the pickup location on the first day of your Trek Travel Oregon bike tour. www.oxfordhotelbend.com

McMenamins Old St. Francis School

Unique and eclectic, The Old St. Francis School, located in the center of downtown Bend, has undergone a transformation from 1936 schoolhouse to lively destination hotel complete with classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, brewery, bakery, a movie theater, private meeting and event space, and a great soaking pool. www.mcmenamins.com

Hilton Garden Inn

The Hilton Garden Inn Bend is set in the Old Mill District of Bend, near numerous restaurants, bars, and shops, and it is just minutes from downtown Bend. Guest rooms and suites at the Hilton Garden Inn Bend feature rustic style and modern amenities for the perfect blend of old and new. It's a great place to rest your tired body after a full day in Bend. www.hilton.com

The city of Bend is well-known as a mecca for lovers of all things outdoors. The vibrant downtown and Old Mill District are also great spots for eclectic dining experiences, people-watching, shopping, and local beer-tasting. With so many things to do, you may just want to stay here forever! You can explore one of Central Oregon's rivers, fed by crystal-clear mountain snow, in a canoe or kayak. Into golf? Central Oregon has also been rated as one of the top 50 golf destinations in the world! Don't forget about the fishing, hiking, and mountain biking opportunities too. We recommend the following accommodations for your pre- and post-trip hotel:

Average monthly temperature and precipitation

Packing and Weather

Summer is the best time for an Oregon bike tour, as skies are typically crystal clear blue combined with very low humidity (10-20%). Daytime temperatures can be pleasantly temperate to quite hot (high 70s to mid 90s) with evenings dropping to the high 30s in Crater Lake National Park and the low 50s in Bend and Sisters. Rain is fairly infrequent, but it's always good to be prepared for the occasional thunderstorm just in case. View our Packing List

Ready to book?

To reserve your space on a trip, you can either call us at 866-464-8735 to speak with an expert Trip Consultant or book online any time by clicking the “BOOK THIS TRIP” icon near the upper right of each destination’s overview page.* Once you have submitted your reservation online, a Trip Consultant will contact you within one business day to answer any questions you may have and to confirm space, bike, and room availability on your desired trip. Your booking will be finalized once your no-risk deposit is paid. If you make a reservation more than 90 days prior to the trip, a $750 no risk deposit is due at the time of booking.** If you reserve your trip less than 90 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. Once your booking is complete you will receive an email confirmation with important information pertaining to your trip.

*Please note that select trips cannot be booked online at this time. For those trips, please call a trip consultant at 866-464-8735.

**Deposit amounts vary for all Race, Cross Country, Special Edition, Ride Camp, Discover, and Self-Guided tours. Please confirm deposit amounts for all trips with your Trip Consultant at time of booking.

What happens once I book?

When a trip is booked, a guest confirmation email is immediately sent out. One week prior to the trip start, you’ll receive an email containing your trip start meeting location reminder and any last-minute information that you’ll need to know. You will also receive instructions to download the Ride with GPS app before your trip to provide you the day to day plan and daily route guides.

Guaranteed to run

With one person booked on a date, the trip becomes guaranteed.*

In the case where trips are at one or two guests, we will contact you prior to final payment to give you the following options:

Pay a small trip fee of $500 per person for two guests or $1000 for one guest, which ensures your preferred trip date will run. If there are three or more guests before departure date, the fee will be refunded in full.

Switch to a different trip or different departure date. Should there be any difference in trip price between your original trip and the new one, you will be expected to pay the difference, or we will refund you accordingly.

Offer only valid if Trek Travel contacts a guest to discuss these specific options. Bike trips with fewer than three guests may operate with only one guide. The guide will support all rides with a Trek Travel van. If you would like to discuss the option of having two guides, please speak with your trip consultant.

The small trip supplement for Ride Camps is as follows – for two guests an additional $250 or for one guest an additional $500.

*Cross Country, Discover, Race, and Special Edition trips as well as a small number of select departures have a minimum guest count to guarantee. Please check with your Trip Consultant for more information.

Unforeseen events may make it necessary to cancel or modify a trip. Our Guest Services team will update you with any changes. We reserve the right to cancel departures in cases of force majeure or the failure of third parties—such as hotels—to honor their reservations, in which case all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes full settlement. Trek Travel is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled trips, such as airline tickets, or for costs that are incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations, or illness. We strongly encourage Travel Protection for complete coverage.

What if I have to cancel my trip?

We understand things happen in life and sometimes you have to cancel or change your tour.

Read our Cancellation Policy

Our Trip Consultants are available to assist and can answer your questions. Please call us at 866-464-8735.

Travel Protection

Trek Travel recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help safeguard you and your travel investment against the unexpected. We offer a travel protection plan through Arch RoamRight that provides coverage for unforeseen events that could affect your ability to travel with us. Learn more about our Travel Protection

Travel Services

We've collaborated with a specialized travel agency committed to delivering tailored vacation planning, ensuring your entire Trek Travel journey is nothing short of unforgettable. Learn more about our Travel Services

Sharing the joy that comes with wow moments

Trek Travel guides are dedicated to making moments that last a lifetime, and we invite you to thank them with a trip gratuity. These are customary and at your own discretion, to recognize service, hospitality, and the little extras that surprise and delight. For this Signature trip, we recommend between $200-$250 per guest and, of course, you may choose to give more if your guides made your trip an unforgettable experience.

Like everything else about your vacation, the Trek Travel team is here to make this experience easier for you. While local currency is preferred, you may also tip through the following options:

Via PayPal (please have this account set up in advance when possible) or with your guest services representative on the phone before or after the trip.

Gratuities will be divided among the guide team, so feel free to leave your gratuity with whomever you choose at the end of your trip.

You cannot put a price on a wow . But you can show your thanks for an exceptional experience.

General FAQs

Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out our General FAQs section. You will find answers to the most common questions that don't necessarily pertain to a specific trip. See FAQs

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Guaranteed Trips

Our trips are guaranteed to run once we have one confirmed booking on the trip.  Click here to view our full guarantee policy .

Trek Travel reserves the right to cancel trips with zero guests, therefore you must book with Trek Travel before making travel arrangements for the trip. We are not responsible for travel arrangements made prior to confirming your Trek Travel Trip. Select trips are not guaranteed.

Sold Out/Waitlist

This trip is currently sold out, but you may be added to the waitlist in the case of availability.

If a date is marked with Limited Availability, there are few spots left to book. We will secure additional rooms from our hotels before confirming your reservation.

Looking to travel with a small group? Ask our trip consultants about private trips and learn more .

What are your trip styles?

Classic - reserve:.

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discovor:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Looking to travel with a small group or looking for a custom date? Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate luxury:.

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Road : 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Road : 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Road : 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Road : 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel:  4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Classic - Discover:

Single occupancy.

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself

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Alerts in effect, deep water in a sleeping volcano.

Crater Lake inspires awe. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. Scientists marvel at its purity—fed by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the USA and one of the most pristine on Earth. Artists, photographers, and sightseers gaze in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting atop the Cascade Mountain Range.

While flowers are blooming at lower elevations, there is still a lot of snow in the park. Planning ahead can ensure an enjoyable visit.

Although many roads, and services are closed during the extended winter season (November to April) a winter visit has many benefits!

Links and information to park hours, descriptions of seasons, and seasonal road closures tables.

Keep abreast of current conditions and any alerts regarding danger, closures, and important park information.

Find out what it costs to enter the park and what NPS passes are available. See a list of fee-free days for 2023.

Reach the park from the West, South or North (closed winter) Entrance. Cell reception is limited, get directions before hand.

Regardless of the time of year or season that you visit, check the forecast multiple times in advance. Conditions can change quickly.

Important information about visiting the park with your pet(s), ways to keep them safe, and where to take them.

In summer and fall air quality can be adversely affected by smoke from local wildfires. Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the park.

Cleetwood Cove Trail is a steep and strenuous hike which drops 700 ft (213 m) of elevation in 1.1 miles (1.7 km). Know more before you go.

A list of lodging and camping options (year-round) within 20 miles outside the park boundaries, and distances to further-out communities.

Whether day-tripping or spending a week, find a way to explore, discover, and retreat into the natural beauty and history of the park.

Choose a trolley or boat tour and enjoy the sights worry-free with an added bonus of a ranger's perspective.

Last updated: April 22, 2024

Explore Deeper!

Park footer, contact info, mailing address:.

Crater Lake National Park PO Box 7 Crater Lake, OR 97604

541 594-3000

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Crater Lake Zipline

• 541.892.9477

Oregon's Epic Zipline Adventure

Big ziplines - age 10+.

Our Guided Zipline Canopy Tour is anything but ordinary! After an ATV Ride to the mountain top, prepare to spend 2-3 hours on an adventure flying tree to tree. 

You’ll traverse 9 Ziplines , 2 SkyBridges , &  2 Controlled Rappels . Our outstanding guides are prepared to handle the details and keep you laughing along the way!

KID'S ZIP - AGE 5+

Sasquatch Hollow Kid’s Zipline Adventure Park is sure to WOW your young adventurers! This Supervised adventure spans 90 minutes & consists of 4 Ziplines , & 5 Park Elements .

Participants may take on the challenge course as many times as they want during their tour time. Our amazing Kid’s Zip Guides will be sure to monitor and encourage them as they embark on a new adventure!

KAYAKING - AGE 4+​

Kayak Southern Oregon’s pristine spring creeks and wildlife refuges on a guided kayak tour. Expect to see vast environments filled with different flora and fauna.

Our friendly guides will handle the gear, offer paddling advice and share fun facts about the special areas near Crater Lake National Park. More of the independent type? We have rentals too! 

AXE THROWING - AGE 12+​

Throw axes in our outdoor axe throwing range at Crater Lake Zipline. Try out this fun adventure and channel your inner lumberjack under the towering tree canopy of the national forest. Crater Lake Axe Throwing range has 8 lanes plus you can enjoy fresh made food, drinks and local brews on tap. 

SKYAK PACKAGE - AGE 10+

Zipline + Kayak, A full day adventure package for a great day outside. Enjoy our classic guided zipline canopy tour – 9 zips, 2 rappels, and 2 sky bridges PLUS our most popular kayak experience for your paddling fun. Includes guided zipline tour, kayak tour, paddling gear, and lunch!   Outdoor adventure with us in Southern Oregon!

Visit Sassy’s Kitchen for yummy food and drinks onsite at Crater Lake ZipLine. We have two food trucks on site serving up fresh-made wraps, salads, grilled skewers, nachos, fresh-squeezed lemonades, and more. We also have cold local brews on tap for after your adventure!

GIVE THE GIFT OF ADVENTURE!

Crater Lake ZipLine operates under a special use permit in a recreational partnership with the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

READY FOR ADVENTURE?

What people say..., amazing our three kids (ages 5-10) did the sasquatch course for 90 mins and had a blast there was plenty of supervision and the course was very well done. it was high enough for a thrill but with a safe locking mechanism to keep the kids on the line. we will definitely go back for the adult course next time (and know the kids will be well watched)., great facility, what a fun experience 6 of us threw axes for an hour. we were instructed on how to throw for the best results. friendly and helpful staff; great facility and a really nice gift shop. we will return with grandkids to do the sasquatch zip line, awesome ziplines, awesome ziplines. our guides were fabulous, ethan and avery. highly recommend to all well worth it, fun and safety, from the start, it was clear crater lake zipline and it’s employees measure success by two standards: fun and safety. and throughout the entire experience (which runs about 2.5 hours or so), ricky and chaz held the standard. the views are amazing, the equipment is well maintained, and the crew blends laughs with a hard eye toward keeping everyone safe. my wife, kids, and i had an amazing time and will be back asap., great experience, great experience. rented kayaks and did some independent exploration in the area. they were kind to drop us off and pick us up at the dock. fair price for the 4 hours ($50 each for single kayak). everyone involved was very kind and helpful. would love to return for the zipline tour next time.

READY FOR YOUR ADVENTURE?

Fly high into the Tree Canopy on 9 ziplines at heights of up to 100 feet in the trees, traverse two skybridges and conquer two controlled rappels! Crater Lake ZipLine participants zip from tree to tree with two trained (plus friendly and entertaining!) guides handling gear and transfers. We use state-of-the-art equipment and all tours include a ground school training session facilitated by your guides at the beginning of the tour. Participants learn to hand brake, (participants use their hands with a special glove to slow and brake themselves) sit in their harness, and other techniques needed for zipping. Please plan to be onsite for 2 to 4 hours. Participants must check in 30 minutes prior to their scheduled zipline tour, and most tours are in the trees for 2-3 hours.

At Crater Lake ZipLine you’ll experience the longest ziplines in Oregon on the only zipline canopy tour on National Forest land in the Nation! With tremendous views of Mt McLoughlin, Upper Klamath Lake and the surrounding Cascades It’s no wonder people are saying we’re the best ZipLine experience they’ve ever had!

Participants start at our Yurt Office with check-in where you will complete your participant agreement paperwork, get discreetly weighed in (yes, we really do need you to weigh at least 70 pounds and no more than 250 pounds in your shoes and clothes) and then meet your guides who will help you get your harness and other gear on in preparation for ground school and zipping. Next we drive you to the top of Tomahawk Hill in our six seater UTV’s where your guides will take you through our ground school. Ground school is an opportunity for your guides to go over what to expect on the course, how to use your gear, how to hand brake yourself and our procedures for you while on the course.

You will also have an opportunity to practice zipping and braking on a ground level zipline. After some practice, your guides will lead the way onto the course where you will zip from tree platform to tree platform on 9 ziplines, walk across 2 skybridges that are suspended between the trees, rappel/lower from one tree platform to a platform about 40 feet below using our DEUS device (this is a slow controlled descent) and then rappel out of the tree canopy and back to the ground from the last tree platform on the course. For the last rappel, your guides will clip you into the device and you will step off the platform for a 55 foot controlled descent to the forest floor. Once the entire group is back on the forest floor your guides will lead you on a short walk (about a football field length) back to the Yurt where you will take off harnesses. Many guests like to give their guides a tip. Bring some cash along for this as we don’t have an ATM onsite. Finally, you’ll want to stop in the Yurt to check out the photos of your tour and see all the cool swag like t-shirts, hats and sasquatch souvenirs.

CANCELLATION (72 HOURS NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON CHANGEABLE)

All reservations are charged in full at the time of booking. If you need to cancel or modify your reservation you are required to notify us 72 hours/3 days prior to your scheduled tour. Reservations are considered final 72 hours/3 days prior to your scheduled tour and are not eligible for any refund OR rescheduling. If you cancel prior to the 72 hour notification period a refund will be given minus a 10% processing fee.

If you choose to purchase the optional enhanced refund terms at checkout all cancellations, REGARDLESS OF DATE OF CANCELLATION will then be requested through a link in your confirmation email. Cancellations and refunds will not be processed by Crater Lake ZipLine when the optional enhanced refund terms are selected. If the enhanced refund terms are not purchased our standard 72 hour NON-REFUNDABLE cancellation policy will apply with no exceptions.

Sometimes, our guests decide that the course is a bit too much for them to attempt or our guides may need to make the decision that you will be unable to complete the tour and its requirements. Please understand that even though a guest chooses not to participate, does not complete the course in full, is determined unable to complete the course because they do not meet the tour requirements, they took up a slot for another paying guest. The charge is to cover scheduled guide expenses and your trip cost will NOT be refunded. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

We require a minimum of four scheduled participants in order to operate a tour and cover our operation costs. If we do not meet that minimum we will notify you via email or phone at least three hours prior to your trip time of your trip cancellation. If you are unsure if your scheduled tour time has reached the minimum please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email. If a tour is cancelled because the tour minimum is not met, participants will not be charged.

READY FOR ADVENTURE? CRATER LAKE ZIPLINE POLICIES

All participants must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 70-250lbs. (NO EXCEPTIONS!) Guests are discreetly weighed at check-in. Those not meeting our requirements may not participate and are ineligible for a refund.

Children age 10 – 15 MUST be accompanied by an adult to the tour and remain onsite. Parent/Guardian does not have to participate, but must remain onsite during tour. All children age 10 – 17 must have a parent or guardian sign their participant agreement.

We suggest that you dress as if you were going for a hike or in winter, sledding. You will be wearing a helmet, full body harness and gloves so dress for comfort. The temperatures can be different at the zipline so we suggest bringing layers and making the final decision once you arrive. Long shorts or pants are best and shirts that will help keep your torso and shoulders comfortable in the harness. Dress for the weather! We zip sun, rain and snow so please prepared for the temperature and weather.

You must wear closed toe shoes. Sneakers or hiking shoes work best. Flip flops, sandals or shoes with no back are NOT allowed. If you do not have appropriate footwear you may not participate on the course and no refund will be given. Please come with appropriate shoes and clothes.

Please note that we will not allow anyone to participate in TOURS who has been consuming alcohol or drugs that can impair physical and or mental capabilities. This is for your safety as well as the group’s and staff’s safety. If we believe you are or have been under the influence, we WILL NOT allow you onto the course. If this happens, you will still be responsible for charges for your reserved canopy tour slot(s).

Tours can take anywhere from 2 – 4+ hours depending on the group. Please allow enough time in your schedule to enjoy the experience. Your guides will do their best to keep to a schedule but don’t want to rush folks who need a little more time to get comfortable on the course.

** Please note and understand that our staff and management have the right to refuse anyone participation rights if they do not meet the course requirements, fail to follow guide instructions or if it is deemed unsafe for them or anyone else in the group. Staff has the final say on participation.

SASQUATCH HOLLOW POLICIES

• Must be at least 5 years old and have a minimum vertical reach of 46” when standing flat footed.
• Must be under 5’6” tall when standing flat footed and weigh no more than 175-lbs (including harness / PPE).
• Children under age 16 must have a parent on site at all times. Young children may wish for parents to remain in the observation area. This can be helpful but is not required as long as you are onsite and the staff can reach you. It is possible for you to participate on the big zipline or axe throwing while your child is at Sasquatch Hollow if you book the extended option. You must arrange this in advance at the time of your reservation. If you’re not sure how to do this please call our office.
• Must be dressed appropriately (close-toed and close-heeled shoes, clothing must provide appropriate coverage/protection for use with a full-body harness).
• Long hair must be pulled back and secured.
• Prior to accessing the course, remove all dangling jewelry, rings, and piercings that may present a hazard during the use of the course or otherwise interferes with PPE.
• No candy, gum or other choking hazards are permitted on the course.
• Must comply with all safety instructions, operational policies, and adult monitoring policies.
• Must participate voluntarily and have signed release of liability / acknowledgement of risk (signed by legal guardian if under 18 years of age)
• Must be of sound mind and body, not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Must fit appropriately into harness and helmet and comply with equipment manufacturer height/weight restrictions. Smaller, larger, or child-specific harnesses & helmets may be required to achieve appropriate fit (see Substitutions for Standard Issue Equipment policy).
• Health and medical conditions that should restrict participation include, but are not limited to: pregnancy, spinal injury or weak spine, or heart condition. Patrons should consult a physician prior to participating in this activity for any additional conditions that may limit or impair participation or be exacerbated by this activity.
• All participants must be age 5 or older. There is no maximum age but age 12 is suggested. Participants under age 16 must have a legal guardian or parent on site during activities. Participants do not need a parent to accompany them on Sasquatch Hollow  Parents or guardians of participants ages 5-16 and older must remain onsite during their child’s tour but may participate in the Canopy Tour during their child’s Sasquatch Hollow Tour. However, please note that parents or guardians will be lowered immediately to rejoin their child at Sasquatch Hollow if necessary. Once lowered from the canopy tour participants may not rejoin a tour and no refund will be issued.
• Parents and guardians in the observation area are responsible for providing encouragement/support, instruction, and assisting Course Operators with enforcing operational and behavioral rules for participation. Parents and guardians may not enter the course area during operation unless instructed to do so by the course operators.

Sasquatch Hollow is accessed with a Koala Continuous Belay system that allow participants to navigate the course almost entirely on their own. Friendly and helpful guides will take the kids through a safety orientation before they begin and then continually monitor, coach and encourage the participants from the ground. Guides are able to join participants in the trees on the course should they need more hands on direction or assistance. Its an amazing system for the kids to experience independent adventure under the watchful eye of their trained guides. Participants on Sasquatch Hollow must have a parent or guardian onsite during their tour time. Parents or guardians of participants ages 8 and up may participate on the Crater Lake ZipLine Canopy tour while their little explorers are on Sasquatch Hollow. If you are needed for any reason by your child, you will need to be lowered from the Canopy Tour and return to Sasquatch Hollow. You will not be able to return to the Canopy Tour. Participants start at our Yurt Office with check-in where you will complete your participant agreement paperwork, get measured and discreetly weighed in (yes, we really do need participants to weigh less than 175 pounds for this adventure. (in your shoes and clothes). Next the kids will meet the guide who will help them get harnessed in preparation for zipping. After an hour and a half of adventure, the entire group is led back to the Yurt where staff will help take off harnesses and gather other gear. Many guests like to give the guides a tip. Bring some cash along for this as we don’t have an ATM onsite. Parents and guardians will be able to accompany their kids into the Yurt to check out the photos of the tour and see all the cool swag like t-shirts, hats and sasquatch souvenirs.

CANCELLATION (72 HOURS NON-REFUNDABLE)

All reservations are charged in full at the time of booking. If you need to cancel or modify your reservation you are required to notify us 72 hours/3 days prior to your scheduled tour. Reservations are considered final 72 hours/3 days prior to your scheduled tour and are not eligible for any refund OR rescheduling. If you cancel prior to the 72 hour notification period a refund will be given minus a 10% fee.

Sometimes, our guests decide that the course is a bit too much for them to attempt or our guides may need to make the decision that you will be unable to complete the tour and its requirements. Please understand that even though a guest decides to not go out on the course, or does not complete the course fully or are determined unable to complete the course because they do not meet the tour requirements, they took up a slot for another paying guest. The charge is to cover scheduled guide expenses and your trip cost will NOT be refunded. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

We require a minimum of four scheduled participants in order to operate a tour and cover our operation costs. If we do not meet that minimum we will notify you via email or phone at least three hours before your trip time of your trip cancellation. If you are unsure if your scheduled tour time has reached the minimum please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email. If a tour is cancelled because the tour minimum is not met, participants will not be charged.

SASQUATCH HOLLOW POLICIES SASQUATCH HOLLOW

• Children under age 16 must have a parent on site at all times. Children between ages 5 & 7 must have parent in the Sasquatch Hollow observation area at all times.
• All participants must be age 5 or older. There is no maximum age but age 12 is suggested. Participants under age 16 must have a legal guardian or parent on site during activities. Participants do not need a parent to accompany them on Sasquatch Hollow but participants ages 5 – 7 years old must have a parent or guardian in the observation area at all times. Parents or guardians of participants ages 8 and older must remain onsite during their child’s tour but may participate in the Canopy Tour during their child’s Sasquatch Hollow Tour. However, please not that parents or guardians will be lowered immediately to rejoin their child at Sasquatch Hollow if necessary. Once lowered from the canopy tour participants may not rejoin a tour and no refund will be issued.

SASQUATCH HOLLOW

All participants must be at least 10 years old and weigh between 70-250lbs. Guests are discreetly weighed at check-in. Those not meeting our requirements may not participate and are ineligible for a refund.

Children age 10 – 15 MUST be accompanied by an adult to the tour and remain onsite. All children age 10 – 17 must have a parent or guardian sign their participant agreement.

We suggest that you dress as if you were going for a hike. You will be wearing a helmet, full body harness and gloves so dress for comfort. The temperatures can be different at the zipline so we suggest bringing layers and making the final decision once you arrive. Long shorts or pants are best and shirts that will help keep your torso and shoulders comfortable in the harness.

You must wear closed toe shoes. Flip flops, sandals or shoes with no back are NOT allowed. If you do not have appropriate footwear you may not participate on the course and no refund will be given. Please come with appropriate shoes and clothes.

Please note that we will not allow anyone onto the TOURS who has been consuming alcohol or drugs that can impair physical and or mental capabilities. This is for your safety as well as the group’s and staff’s safety. If we believe you are or have been under the influence, we WILL NOT allow you onto the course. If this happens, you will still be responsible for charges for your reserved canopy tour slot(s).

KAYAKING CANCELLATIONS POLICY – PLEASE READ!

All reservations are charged in full at the time of booking. If you need to cancel or modify your reservation you are required to notify us 72 hours/3 days prior to your scheduled tour. Reservations are considered final 72 hours/3 days prior to your scheduled tour and are not eligible for a refund OR rescheduling. If you need to cancel prior to the 72 hour notification period a refund will be given minus a 10% processing fee.

All participants must be at least 4 years old and comfortable in the water in a lifejacket for our Malone Springs Kayak Tour. Those not meeting our requirements may not participate and are ineligible for a refund. Children 15 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult on the tour.

In order to run a kayak tour we do require a minimum of four participants to operate the tour. We will partner you with other groups to reach our minimum to operate requirement.

If we do not meet that minimum, we will notify you via email or phone 24 hours before your trip time. If you are unsure if your scheduled tour time has reached the minimum, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email.

All participants must be at least 5 years old and comfortable in the water in a lifejacket for our Malone Springs Kayak Tour. Those not meeting our requirements may not participate and are ineligible for a refund. Children 17 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult on the tour.

In order to run a kayak tour we do require a minimum of four participants to operate the tour. If we do not meet that minimum, we will notify you via email 24 hours before your trip time. If you are unsure if your scheduled tour time has reached the minimum, please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email.

All participants must be at least 10 years old and comfortable in the water in a lifejacket for our Wood River Kayak Tour. Those not meeting our requirements may not participate and are ineligible for a refund. Children 15 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult on the tour.

The ZipLine! Crater Lake ZipLine Canopy Tour is a 9 zipline tree-to-tree canopy tour through the Fremont-Winema National Forest. This guided adventure through the treetops takes 2-3 hours to complete with tremendous views of Mt McLoughlin, Upper Klamath Lake and the surrounding Cascades. You’ll experience the longest ziplines in Oregon on the only zipline Canopy Tour on National Forest land in the Nation! Fly high into the Tree Canopy on 9 ziplines at heights of up to 100 feet in the trees, traverse two skybridges and conquer two controlled rappels! Participants zip from tree to tree with two trained (plus friendly and entertaining!) guides handling your transfers. We use state-of-the-art equipment and all tours include a ground school training session facilitated by your guides at the beginning of the tour. Participants learn to hand brake, (participants use their hands with a special glove to slow and brake themselves) sit in their harness, and other techniques needed for zipping. Please plan to be onsite for 2 to 4 hours. Participants must check in 30 minutes prior to their scheduled zipline tour, and most tours are in the trees for 2-3 hours. Participants start at our Yurt Office with check-in where you will complete your participant agreement paperwork, get discreetly weighed in (yes, we really do need you to weigh at least 70 pounds and no more than 250 pounds in your shoes and clothes) and then meet your guides who will help you get your harness and other gear on in preparation for ground school and zipping. Next we drive you to the top of Tomahawk Hill in our six seater UTV’s where your guides will take you through our ground school. Ground school is simply an opportunity for your guides to go over what to expect on the course, how to use your gear, how to hand brake yourself and our procedures for you while on the course. You will also have an opportunity to practice zipping and braking on a ground level zipline. After some practice, your guides will lead the way onto the course where you will zip from tree platform to tree platform on 9 ziplines, walk across 2 skybridges that are suspended between the trees, rappel/lower from one tree platform to a platform about 40 feet below using our DEUS device (this is a slow controlled descent) and then rappel out of the tree canopy and back to the ground from the last tree platform on the course. For the last rappel, your guides will clip you into the device and you will step off the platform for a 55 foot controlled descent to the forest floor. Once the entire group is back on the forest floor your guides will lead you on a short walk (about a football field length) back to the Yurt where you will take off harnesses. Many guests like to give their guides a tip. Bring some cash along for this as we don’t have an ATM onsite. Finally, you’ll want to stop in the Yurt to check out the photos of your tour and see all the cool swag like t-shirts, hats and sasquatch souvenirs.

You must wear closed toe shoes. Tennis shoes or hiking shoes work best. Flip flops, sandals or shoes with no back are NOT allowed. If you do not have appropriate footwear you may not participate on the course and no refund will be given. Please come with appropriate shoes and clothes.

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Oregan itinerary - Bend, Crater Lake, southern coast - Oregon Forum

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Hello friends!

12 replies to this topic

Would you be willing to go as far as Orick, CA, for the redwoods? Elk Meadows Cabins is awesome. You can walk into the redwood forest, and the elk bed down right outside your door. Lady Bird Johnson Park and other redwood sites are very close, and you can get great food in Trinidad, CA.

You'll be taking 199 to Crescent City and then north on 101. Jedediah Smith SP is just a few miles inland from Crescent City on 199 and is one of the jewels of the Redwood National and State Park system. It's a great place to get the redwood experience. One concern for your timing, however; there's a lot of roadwork and delays along 199 now.

Your best route back to Bend / Redmond from Bandon would be 42/138/97. Another route might be 43/I-5N/126/20. Both routes offer great scenery. Neither would be considered fast.

OregonPapa-- Yes we have pretty much 9 full days in Oregon, and I do have a reservation for Mazama Cabins on Day 5. I greatly appreciate your suggestions on possible routes!

Agree with#2 that Jedediah Smith is a magnificent redwood experience. Given the amount of driving you will do not sure it is worth the drive to redwoods further south.

As for your 'how to get back to Redmond ' question that has been largely ignored, since you like nature I recommend taking Hwy 42 from Bandon to Roseburg, Hwy 138 to Hwy 97, then north to Redmond. It's not much more time than the other main route but loads more scenic and has some nice trail access along Hwy 138.

OR-138 is the Rouge-Umpqua Scenic Byway and has lots of waterfalls. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5374247 Select brochures for the Byway and Thundering Waters for the waterfalls from this Forest Service website. The Susan Creek Falls and Falls Creek Falls are in the 2020 wildfire burn scar and are devoid of live trees.

You folks are all so awesome and helpful! I do appreciate your taking the time to respond to my questions. Can’t wait for our trip 😊

Late May most likely be fine for Central Oregon with upper 60's weather. Rain is possible but not likely. 3000-5000' elevation areas probably no snow. Snow pack is normal this year but going fast.

Painted Hills, Smith Rock, Bend area hikes, Newberry Crater lower areas, etc. will all be great. Crater Lake will be your snow area. If you headed west some from Bend to the town of Sisters areas or further to Camp Sherman (Metolius River) all the snow is gone there thankfully.

Century Drive could be completely open by then.

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Bend, Three Sisters & the Deschutes River

Now this is living! Sun shining. Legs pumping. It’s official, you’re in love. With the rugged beauty along the mighty Deschutes River. The laid-back, small-town feel of friendly Bend. And the stunning Cascades. You’re sure life can’t get any better. Then you kick back on the deck of the lodge and find yourself mesmerized by the indescribable blue hues of Crater Lake. And excited for what's in store for you tomorrow on our Oregon bike tour.

• Embark on challenging and exhilarating routes amid magnificent scenery in rugged Central Oregon's high country 
• Bike McKenzie Pass, one of the most spectacular rides in the Pacific Northwest, showcasing stunning views of the Cascades 
• Explore Bend, a former mill town turned adventure playground with more breweries per capita than anywhere in Oregon 
• Skirt the rim of Crater Lake's world-famous caldera—one of Bicycling magazine's favorite rides—for breathtaking vistas

Start/End Bend

Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

We recommend flying into Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), which is about 16 miles from downtown Bend.

Please note that trip start and end locations are subject to change and can vary by departure. A Travel Planner, complete with trip details specific to your chosen date, will be sent to you at time of booking or soon after and will be viewable in your Backroads account.

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Explore Smith Rock State Park—a playscape for outdoor enthusiasts—on foot before heading out on a bike ride through fertile ranchland along a portion of the Oregon Scenic Bikeway • Savor a picnic lunch along the shores of the mighty Deschutes River • Check out the Old West-style town of Sisters, perhaps stopping for a post-ride pint at a local craft brewery • Western hospitality and plush amenities await at FivePine Lodge • ​Our welcome reception and dinner at a favorite family farm is the perfect ending to our first day in Oregon • Pedal McKenzie Pass, one of the Pacific Northwest's most beautiful cycling routes, past ancient lava flows and into a lush valley • Treat deserving muscles to a riverside hot-spring soak.

Soak up the elegant Western-style ambience at this lodge, nestled in beautiful surroundings and featuring a brewpub, athletic club and even a movie house. (pool, spa)  

Pedal along smooth roads on the scenic outskirts of Bend with grand views of the Cascades in the distance • Explore Bend, Oregon's vibrant adventure capital • Thirsty? Cruise downtown to find out what's on tap at over 20 local craft breweries • Experience the alpine splendor of Mount Bachelor as you bike a route from Elk Lake that ends with a thrilling descent back into town • Maybe you'll choose to join your leaders on a private tour of a famous local brewery • Bend's culinary scene offers plenty of enticing options for dinner on your own.

A luxury boutique hotel ideally located amid the shops, galleries, cafés and brewpubs of vibrant downtown Bend. 

Welcome to Crater Lake National Park—ready to bike the iconic Rim Drive? • As you circle this enormous caldera on two wheels, admire the lake's intense sapphire color and amazing clarity • Each curve in the road brings another incredible vista, from the cinder cone of Wizard Island to the 9,000-foot peak of Mount Scott • Unwind at the lodge or explore the spectacular landscape on foot • Hike up Garfield Peak for a stunning bird's-eye-view of the lake and its surrounds.  

Perched on the crater's rim, this classic national park lodge transports you to a bygone era.

Our trips range in activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between. Several routes are offered each day so you can choose your perfect amount of activity. Learn more

*Includes shuttle

• Activity Level

What's Included

• All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
• Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
• Snacks and beverages between meals
• Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
• Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
• Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
• Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
• All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
• Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
• On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
• Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
• Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
• Park and other entry fees
• Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
• Select coach transfers
• Baggage transfers and porterage

Not Included: Leader gratuities, transportation to and from your Backroads trip start & end locations, and on-your-own meals & activities.

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Crater Lake Lodge is a historic national park property offering simpler accommodations than typical Backroads lodging. It has been selected for its stunning location on the rim of Crater Lake, and its access to world-class riding. Although clean and comfortable, the guest rooms are basic and not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning (nights are usually cool due to the high elevation). Generally speaking, service can seem slow and casual in national parks when compared with the high standards of hospitality found on other Backroads trips.

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World-Class Hotels

Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Premiere Hotel

* Casual Hotel

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Choose Your Perfect Bike

Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Included in your trip price

• Ideal for avid cyclists
• Redesigned for 2024
• Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
• Responsive, efficient and comfortable
• Drop handlebars only

Backroads Next Generation Performance Road Bike Sizing & Geometry

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• Suited for a wide range of cyclists
• Comfortable ergonomic seat
• Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
• Upright handlebars only

Backroads Touring Bike Sizing & Geometry

• One of the lightest e-bikes available
• Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
• Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting

Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Backroads Electric-Assist Bike Sizing & Geometry

• $650 rental fee; subject to availability
• Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Canyon Endurace CF SLX 9 Di2
• Perfectly balanced comfort and performance with a Grand Tour pedigree
• State-of-the-art components and precision German engineering

Canyon Endurace SLX 9 Di2 Sizing & Geometry

• $400 rental fee
• Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
• Custom upgraded wheelset
• Best for riders with some tandem experience.

Tandem Bike Sizing & Geometry

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Dates & Prices

Select Guests & Rooms

If you require more than 4 rooms or more than 2 beds per room please contact us.

If you require more than 4 rooms or more than 2 beds per room please contact us .

Your guest & room selections

You may only reserve one Stateroom Category at this time. Please call 800-462-2848 if you would like to make other arrangements.

Available Stateroom Categories

Each room must contain at least 1 guest.

Reservations must contain at least 1 adult (18+)

Please select your single room preference(s).

Enter the first & last name of your preferred roommate.

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Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

1 room, 1 bed

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Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

Tell Us About Your Trip

Request a Sample Itinerary

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on pre- and post-trip travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

Not sure of your travel date? Select any departure to view a sample itinerary. We'll also email it to you so you can access it at your leisure.

We're always seeking opportunities to enhance our itineraries; published trip details including routes and activities, as well as trips start and end locations, are subject to change and can vary by departure. Please do not use this itinerary to schedule your flights or any other travel. A Travel Planner, complete with the trip details specific to your chosen date, will be sent to you at the time of booking or soon after.

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