Little Crater Lake makes a short, worthwhile stop. From the day-use parking at Little Crater Lake Campground, it is just 800 feet through Little Crater Meadow to a viewing deck with a bench and an information sign. The lake is 45 feet deep, fed by springs, and hovers around 34 degrees Fahrenheit all year.
Despite the name, it is not volcanic. The steady cold comes from the artesian spring that feeds it. Forest Service pages give two explanations for how it formed: spring water rising along a fault, or limestone dissolving. Past the lake, Trail #500 goes another 0.15 mile to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000, and from there to the web of trails near Timothy Lake. The campground is off Abbott Road (Forest Road 58), via Skyline Road from US 26.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 0-5%
- Surface
- Other
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Things to do
- Outdoor Science and Learning
- Interpretive sites
Getting there
From Sandy
- take U.S. Hwy 26 40 miles southeast to Skyline Road (Forest Road 42).
- Turn right at Skyline Road (Forest Road 42) and travel 1.1 miles to Forest Road 2660.
- Drive 2.5 miles on Forest Road 2660 and turn left at Abbott Road (Forest Road 58).
- Travel 1.7 miles to the Little Crater Lake Campground and turn right (west) into the campground.
- Follow the campground road west to the trailhead parking.
From the Forest Service
Good to know
Little Crater Lake is 45 feet at its deepest and spring-fed from both the both and and from Little Crater Creek. The lake was formed by dissolving limestone and is not of volcanic origin. It remains near 34 degrees Fahrenheit year-round because of the properties of the aquifer that feed it. This trail also provides access to the many trails around Timothy Lake.
Rules and restrictions
Please stay on the developed trails.
Absolutely NO SWIMMING is permitted in Little Crater Lake for ecological preservation.
To reduce user conflict, bikes are not allowed on this connector trail.
All fees
Day use: The day-use area is managed by a concessionaire, Alaska Recreational Management. To park, you must pay the day-use fee. The only recreation pass accepted in lieu of fee payment is the $30 Annual Northwest Forest Pass. Learn more about which fee sites accept recreation passes.
Ranger office
Zigzag Ranger District
Address: 70220 E Highway 26 Zigzag, OR 97049
Phone: 503-622-3191
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)
Trails nearby
Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag RD)
85.4 mi round trip
16,324 ft
Very hard
Timothy Lake Trail #528
14.8 mi round trip
1,118 ft
Hard
Old 1916 Trail #537
8.4 mi round trip
903 ft
Hard
Jackpot Meadows Trail #492
9 mi round trip
1,830 ft
Hard
Southshore Trail #529
6 mi round trip
176 ft
Easy
Meditation Point Trail #526
0.6 mi round trip
31 ft
Easy
Miller Trail #534
4.2 mi round trip
298 ft
Moderate
Headwaters Trail #522
3.6 mi round trip
237 ft
Easy