This Is Your Final Summer to Swim in Crater Lake, Oregon

If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming in the insanely blue waters of Crater Lake, this summer might be your last shot for a while.

The Cleetwood Cove Trail—aka the only trail that lets you hike down to the lake for a swim or boat ride—is closing after this season for major renovations. The closure is expected to last at least a few years, so… yeah. Time to make some moves.

Here’s what you need to know before packing your bags and heading to Oregon’s only national park for this bucket-list hike:

Table of Contents

What’s Going On With the Closure?
What Is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, Anyway?
Swimming and Boating Details
When to Go and How to Plan
What to Do If You Miss the Window
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What’s Going On With the Closure?

The National Park Service recently announced that the Cleetwood Cove Trail will shut down after the 2025 season, with closures starting as early as fall.

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They’ll be doing some serious upgrades—think: rerouting dangerous sections, replacing crumbling stairs, and making it safer overall. The whole project will take multiple years, and since this is the only way down to the lake, swimming and boat access will be off the table until it’s done.

TL;DR: If you want to dip your toes in Crater Lake or hop on a boat tour, this summer is your moment.

READ MORE: Cleetwood Cove Trail – Everything to know!

What Is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, Anyway?

This isn’t a stroll in the park—it’s a 1.1-mile hike one-way with about 700 feet of elevation loss (and gain on the way back up!). It’s not technical, but it is steep, and you’ll want decent shoes and plenty of water.

The trail leads from the rim down to the shore of Crater Lake, where you can chill on the rocks, take a freezing-cold swim, or catch a boat tour out to Wizard Island.

Swimming and Boating Details

Swimming in Crater Lake is… intense. The water is cold (like, melted-snow-in-your-soul cold), but also some of the clearest and deepest water you’ll ever see. You’re allowed to swim only at the bottom of Cleetwood Cove Trail—no other access points.

If you’d rather stay dry (but still feel smugly adventurous), boat tours are offered daily in the summer, usually starting in early July when the trail is snow-free. You can book standard lake tours or snag a ticket for the Wizard Island drop-off, where you can hike around a volcanic island inside a volcanic crater. Pretty rad.

When to Go and How to Plan

This trail is only open mid-to-late June through October, depending on snow conditions. July and August are your best bets, especially for booking boat tours. You’ll need to book through Recreation.gov, and yes, the tours sell out—so don’t wait too long.

Crater Lake sits at over 6,000 feet, so even in summer, mornings and evenings are chilly. Bring layers, snacks, sunscreen, and be prepared for that uphill slog back to the top (worth it though).

What to Do If You Miss the Window

If you can’t make it this summer, don’t panic—Crater Lake is still gorgeous from above. There are tons of rim viewpoints and scenic drives with absolutely jaw-dropping views. Hikes like Watchman Peak and Garfield Peak still give you epic perspectives, no steep drop required.

And if you’re craving a lake you can swim in without waiting years, check out nearby spots like Diamond Lake, Paulina Lake, or even Waldo Lake for some pristine (and accessible) alpine lake vibes.