Crater Lake National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Experience dramatic vistas, clear blue water, and incredible volcanic history with this self-guided driving tour of Crater Lake National Park. Explore Rim Village, hike a trail down to the lakeshore, and take in the views from Watchman Peak. Each stop is packed with natural beauty and geological wonders, plus plenty of fascinating history! Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

1. 1

   Rim Village

   10 min

   The government drew up designs to accommodate these new arrivals. The idea was to design a model ‘village’ that looked like a place people might actually live. Architects worked hard to blend the buildings in with the surrounding environment. Note: The tour is over 44 miles long, with more than 40+ audio stories, and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

2. 2

   Pumice Castle

   10 min

   Mount Mazama didn’t just erupt once. Each minor eruption before the big one released lightweight volcanic rock full of gas bubbles. That’s pumice! This super porous rock is so light because it’s full of holes. Volcanoes like Mount Mazama create this unusual material when they put rocks under super high heat and super high pressure, then expel them at high speeds through the air during an eruption.

3. 3

   Cleetwood Cove Trail

   Pass by

   This 2-mile hike is steep and strenuous, but if you want to visit Crater Lake’s shore or take a ferry to Wizard Island, this is the spot to do it.

4. 4

   Wizard Island

   10 min

   You won’t find a boarding schools for wizardry and witchcraft on the island, though. Instead, it gets its name from the small peak on the island, which looks a bit like the pointy tip of a wizard’s hat!

5. 5

   Watchman Peak

   10 min

   A historic watchtower offering fantastic, unobstructed views of Crater Lake. This 2-mile trail is moderately difficult, with some rough terrain and elevation gain of 400 feet. It takes about an hour in total.

6. 6

   Merriam Point

   10 min

   Merriam Point, another great spot to see stunning views of the lake and its surroundings.

7. 7

   Cleetwood Cove Trail

   10 min

   This 2-mile hike is steep and strenuous, but if you want to visit Crater Lake’s shore or take a ferry to Wizard Island, this is the spot to do it. Just remember that it’s not just about descending 700 feet… You have to climb back up!

8. 8

   Stop 8

   5 min

   This is the highest point to catch a view of Crater Lake. Cloudcap Overlook gives us a clear view as we look to the west. The view from here helps show us just how deep the water is. Once we park, make sure the lake doesn’t steal all your attention. Just behind us, away from the lake, rises Mount Scott, the highest point in the park.

9. 9

   Stop 9

   5 min

   Despite its name, the Phantom Ship isn’t really a ship, but a collection of ancient volcanic rock formations. This formation sits as its own little island, just offshore from the mainland. When the fog rolls in, settling on the lake, it’ll look like a ghostly ship sailing across its surface.

10. 10

    Sun Notch Trail

    10 min

    Just ahead is Sun Notch Trail, an easy half-mile loop that takes about 15-20 minutes total to hike. This hidden gem offers more great views of the Phantom Ship and the deep blue water of Chaski Bay right below us.

11. 11

    Vidae Falls

    10 min

    Now keep in mind that Crater Lake is 600 feet below us. So where does the water come from to feed this waterfall? It’s actually a spring fed by seasonal snowmelt and rainfall! That means the falls are most powerful in spring and early summer, and slow later on.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    10 min

    The first flowers peeking through the snow are Mountain violets and Gorman buttercups. They can't wait to emerge after being covered by nearly 50 feet of snow in an average winter.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Cleetwood Cove Closure: The Cleetwood Cove Trail, parking lot, and marina are closed for the 2026–2028 seasons due to a major rehabilitation project. There will be no public lakeshore access via Cleetwood Cove and no public boat tours during this period.
• Please note that Crater Lake National Park requires an entrance pass, valid for multiple consecutive days per vehicle. This pass is not included with the tour.
• Please note that the areas between Sun Notch Trailhead and Cloudcap Overlook at Crater Lake are temporarily closed. Visitors will need to drive back and access each section separately, as both Sun Notch and Cloudcap Overlook remain open.
• Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.