Satellite map of Crater Lake Rim Drive

Oregon · United States

Crater Lake Rim Drive

Loop from Rim Village

Distance15.7 mi25 km
Drive time31 minon the road
DifficultyModeratetightness 5 of 10
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The high east rim of Crater Lake’s caldera drive, never dropping much below 6,500 ft, with more than two dozen viewpoints over water so blue it looks retouched. Snow shuts it for most of the year, which only sharpens the appetite.

Rim Drive is a 33-mile loop following the caldera rim of Crater Lake in Oregon’s Cascade Range, sitting between about 6,500 and 7,900 ft with more than two dozen viewpoints over the deep blue lake. This stretch runs from Rim Village around the high east rim past Cloudcap Overlook, the highest paved point on the drive. The road closes through the long snowy winter and opens only in summer. Mind the seasonal closure, sheer caldera-edge pullouts, and snow lingering into early summer.

Scenery

MountainLakesForest

Best seasons

Summer

In these collections

Where it runs15.7 mi · loop

Loop from Rim VillageOregon · United States

Character

Corners45bends
Tightness5of 10
Max gradient8%≈ 1-in-13
Climb677 mtotal ascent
Summit2,347.2 mhighest point of the line · 7,701 ft

Corners

busiest around mile 1
4812 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%1,945.4 – 2,347.2 m
summit · 2,347.2 m 2,0002,1002,2002,300 m 0816 mi

Points of interest3 stops

  • Phantom Ship OverlookViewpoint
    11 mi in
  • Victor ViewViewpoint
    13 mi in
  • Pumice Castle OverlookViewpoint
    13 mi in

Hazards

  • Winter-long closure
  • Caldera-edge drop-offs
  • Late-lying snow

Sources

  • “the American Automobile Association has named Rim Drive as one of the "ten most beautiful roads in the United States".”

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Crater Lake Rim Drive: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Crater Lake Rim Drive?
Crater Lake Rim Drive runs 15.7 miles (25 km) and takes about 31 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Crater Lake Rim Drive to drive?
We rate it moderate: 45 corners, a maximum gradient of 8%, and a tightness of 5 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Crater Lake Rim Drive?
Summer is best. The road closes seasonally over winter; check it has reopened before setting out.

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