United StatesOregon Crater Lake - Hwy 62 to Watchman Overlook
Crater Lake - Hwy 62 to Watchman Overlook Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

16.8
PDI
26.4 mi
DISTANCE
4,244 ft
GAINED
2.8 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
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INTRO

There are some excellent climbs that surround one of the most scenic cycling loops in the country, the Crater Lake Rim Drive, which connects all the way around the circular lake. And this is just one of them!

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route.

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via our interactive Profile Tool.
All of the US National Parks have some of the most stellar tarmac you will ever find.
Since outside the park is a National Forest, you can park anywhere you'd like off the road at the start of the climb.
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Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Even in May, this road can be closed for snow. Always check the Crater Lake nps.gov website to see if the road is open before you travel there to ride the loop (we've made this mistake ourselves!)

ROUTE MAP

MEMBER RATING

Difficulty: Moderate
4
Road
3
Traffic
4
Scenery

CURRENT WEATHER

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Crater Lake
United States (OR)
10 ROUTES
29 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
258.3
mi
DISTANCE
29,750
ft
ELEV. GAIN

NEARBY CLIMBS (0) RADIAL PROXIMITY

FROM
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MEMBER REVIEWS & COMMENTS

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Aug 21, 2023
difficulty: Moderate
scenery: 4
traffic: 3
road: 4
Aug 21, 2023
scenery: 4
traffic: 3
road: 4
Really solid ride, beautiful throughout. Traffic was pretty fast before turning into the park with lots of RVs and large trailers in August. Traffic in the park was steady but much slower.
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CLIMB SUMMARY

Aerial Drone view of deep blue, circular Crater Lake with cone shaped island in center

Cycling Crater Lake, Oregon

One of the most scenic and iconic bike climbs in the US.

There are several routes to and around Crater Lake which we have charted and are accessed via the map and list above, or by clicking on the photo collage at the top of the page.

Cycling Crater Lake, Oregon - photo collage, sign at entrance of Crater Lake National Park, bike parked in front of "Welcome to Oregon" border sign, cone shaped island in center of Crater Lake, PJAMM Cycling logo in corner

Fun facts about Crater Lake:

  • Crater Lake National Park was approved by the “conservation president,”  Theodore Roosevelt, in 1902 and consists of 720,659 acres.
  • Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and ninth deepest in the world.  It’s depth is 1,949’ (594 m).
  • The primary of two islands in Crater Lake is Wizard Island which is a cinder cone 316 acres above water.
  • Crater Lake Centennial optional state license plate (2002-present) was awarded “Plate of the Year” for best new license plate of 2002 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association.

Sample Crater Lake License plate

Image from faxvin.

  • Crater Lake is featured on the Oregon state commemorative quarter:

image of Crater Lake on Oregon State commemorative quarter

  • The lake is fed only by rain and snowmelt and it is this pure water that accounts for the deep blue color of the lake, much the same as Lake Tahoe in California/Nevada.

Rim Drive (also known as Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway) is the best way to see Crater Lake by bike or car.  The 33 mile (53 km) road follows the lake and has loops around the caldera, eight observation points, and 15 vista turnouts.  Rim Drive is so unique and scenic that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.  Many publications and websites list Rim Drive as among the most scenic roads in the US.

signs at each of three three entrances to Crater Lake National Park

There are three entrances to the park.

Lower photo:  Crater Lake Institute.

Wizard Island is one of the great photo opportunities and iconic views on and around Crater Lake.

aerial drone view of Wizard Island on Crater Lake, cone shaped island, snow on island

Hikes:  

  • “Garfield Peak Trail is a 3.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Crater Lake, Oregon that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking” (AllTrails, Garfield Peak Trail). 
  • Watchman Lookout Station is a lookout built onto Watchman Peak (a fire lookout in its service days).  This hike includes a museum and overlooks Crater Lake far below.  

hiking in Crater Lake National Park; the watchman observation station as seen at the top of the peak on a foggy day

Roads: The park is open year round, but roads may be (and often are) closed into late May.

signs for road closures in Crater Lake National Park

Visitor Centers:  There are two Visitor Centers in Crater Lake National Park and they are both on the south side of the lake.

  • Rim Village Visitor Center is within walking distance to the lake, Crater Lake Trolley Ticket Office (for trolley rides around the lake), and Crater Lake Lodge (Google Map + Reviews).
  • Steel Visitor Center:  This is three miles from Rim Village and Rim Village Visitor Center (Google Map + Reviews).

Where to Stay:

Camp: Mazama Campground is the closest campsite to the lake and where we stayed (Google Map + Reviews).

Camping at Mazama Campground; tall evergreen trees surround white camping van with bikes on back

Crater Lake Lodge:  To squeeze out every ounce of your visit to Crater Lake National Park, consider staying at the historic and rustic Crater Lake Lodge, the only place to stay in the park that overlooks the lake (Google Map + Reviews).

Be sure to book early because this lodge sells out very quickly.  As of June 2021, rooms start at $229 (NPS - Crater Lake Lodge).