Long walks through Oregon's famed forests and trails. A boat cruise on clear blue Crater Lake, its depth seemingly bottomless. Strolling along the winding Deschutes River. A leisurely stretch of afternoon spent swimming or curled up with a good book. Volcanic cave explorations. Sunsets that feel endless. Memories that last forever.
Days 1-2 Get ready for stunning Crater Lake, the country's deepest lake | Catch your first glimpse of Crater Lake's intense sapphire color and amazing clarity from Watchman Peak | Gain a new perspective on the landscape from Wizard Island, an ancient cinder cone rising 750 feet above the surface of the lake | Set out to summit Garfield Peak from the doorstep of our historic inn | Unwind at the lodge or continue to explore the spectacular landscape on foot.
Days 3-4 Hike a section of the Pacific Crest Trail to uncover alpine lakes hidden in the Cascades' dense conifer forest | Pause at Lower Rosary Lake—a perfect mirror for monolithic Pulpit Rock looming overhead | Rustic elegance and world-class amenities abound at Sunriver, an outdoors-lover's paradise | Explore the deep recesses of a volcanic cave, tell-tale evidence of the area's fascinating fiery origins | Walk along the Deschutes River Trail, passing tall aspens and white alder trees while keeping an eye out for birds and wildlife.
Days 5-6 Explore vibrant downtown Bend, packed with art galleries, cafés and microbreweries | Go for a hike at Smith Rock, a high-desert wonderland of sheer cliffs, deep canyons, dramatic volcanic crags and vertical faces | Arrive in Bend, Oregon's outdoor adventure capital | Want to shift gears? Relax or go for an easygoing stroll through Drake Park | A morning amble along the Deschutes River is a perfect way to cap off your journey.
The trip met and exceeded expectations in every manner. An all around great experience- Dover, Ma
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Sign up with NO RISK Your deposit is fully refundable or transferable
Stay up to date on the latest Backroads news. You're free to opt out at any time.
Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the Dates & Prices tab.
Sign up with NO RISK Your deposit is fully refundable or transferable
Perched on the crater's rim, this classic national park lodge transports you to a bygone era.
Situated in the pristine natural setting of the Cascade Range foothills, this top-notch resort is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and culinary aficionados. (pool, spa)
A luxury boutique hotel ideally located amid the shops, galleries, cafés and brewpubs of vibrant downtown Bend.
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
Sign up with NO RISK Your deposit is fully refundable or transferable
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 1 review)
Ratings Distribution
Reviewed by 1 customer
Displaying review 1
Comments about Crater Lake Walking & Hiking Tour:
The trip met and exceeded expectations in every manner. An all around great experience
Displaying review 1
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
Sign up with NO RISK Your deposit is fully refundable or transferable
AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
Sign up with NO RISK Your deposit is fully refundable or transferable
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 4* | 600 | 5 | 700 | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | 1000 | 4 | 1400 | 6 | 2400 | ||||
| Wizard Island Excursion (5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 6 | 600 | 8 | 800 | 10 | 1000 | ||||
| 4 | 2 | 100 | 5 | 300 | ||||||
| Volcanic Cave Exploration (2 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 4* | 800 | 8 | 1200 | ||||||
| Optional Afternoon Activities in Bend | ||||||||||
| 6 | 4* | 100 | ||||||||
Note: The terrain on this trip ranges from moderately rolling hills to steeper grades on the longer options. Routes vary from alpine forested paths to loose rocky trails. High altitude encountered in Crater Lake. On early-summer trips encountering snow on the hiking trails is possible, which can pose additional challenges.
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
On our Crater Lake and the Cascades trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the trail—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
We design and support our Crater Lake and the Cascades trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Crater Lake and the Cascades—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
In Crater Lake and the Cascades you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.
Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.
On this trip featuring Premiere Hotels, you can count on the best lodgings Crater Lake and the Cascades has to offer. In fact, the hotels we've chosen in this region have higher retail room rates than those offered by any other active travel company—even when their trips cost more.
Sign up with NO RISK Your deposit is fully refundable or transferable
Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group; some dates are only available for 16 or more guests while other dates are available for 8 or more guests. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
