Cleetwood Cove Trail

Drop dead gorgeous views from the very top. Hike going down is not too steep. Spent about 2 hours swimming and fishing once we got to the bottom. If you’re not an experienced hiker I’d recommend going at a steady pace. Not slow. Still get a workout in but just steady. Do not stop. You’ll definitely feel the incline. It’s about a 750 ft elevation gain in about 20ish minutes.

What a wonderful experience. People of all ages can be seen on the trail. I had to come before the trail closes for the next few years. Going down the trail is the easiest part. Be prepared to take twice as long going back up. I went down early am, back up a few hours later. I had a nice little visitor while watching the water. Suggestions: wear good walking shoes. Take plenty of water for the trail back up. Even if it’s not hot, going back up you’ll need it.

Yes it’s quite steep and gets crowded in the summer, but well worth it as it’s the only place to access the Crater Lake shoreline. Recommend going for a refreshing swim in the chilly water for the full experience, remarkable how clear it is. However, note that the trail will be closed until 2027 as per the NPS for maintenance - all the more reason to put it on the list and look forward to enjoying the improved hike.