View to The Watchman from the overlook at the trailhead (bobcat)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 42.9459, -122.1692
• Elevation: 7600 feet
• Driving time from Portland: 4 1/4 hours

Hikes starting here

• The Watchman Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

Fees and regulations

• $30 per vehicle entrance fee to Crater Lake National Park - good for 7 days - or America the Beautiful Pass
• No pets

Driving Directions

From Portland and the Willamette Valley:

Drive I-5 south to Exit 188 south of Eugene for Highway 58, Oakridge, and Klamath Falls.

Go 86.2 miles on Highway 58, passing through the town of Oakridge, and bear right to merge with Highway 97S.

Proceed south on 97 for 17.9 miles and turn left onto Highway 138 for Diamond Lake and Crater Lake National Park.

After 14.8 miles, turn left for Crater Lake National Park.

In 0.8 miles, reach the Crater Lake North Entrance, where you need to pay the national park entrance fee.

Drive another 8.3 miles and bear right onto Rim Drive.

Go 2.1 miles around the west rim of Crater Lake, and turn left into The Watchman Overlook.

Notes

• This trailhead is only open about four months of the year. The North Entrance to the park may close by mid-October; it reopens anytime between Memorial Day weekend and mid-June, depending on snow conditions. To reach this point during the road closure, enter the park via the South entrance and park at the Rim Village Trailhead. Then hike/ski/snowshoe along the Pacific Crest Trail to The Watchman.
• Viewpoint over Crater Lake and Wizard Island

Contributors

• bobcat (creator)