Crater Lake National Park guide · 1 min read
Garfield Peak and Watchman Summit Views
The Garfield Peak Trail is a 3.3-mile round trip that climbs steadily along the south rim of Crater Lake.
It starts near Crater Lake Lodge and suits beginners and all ages, although the climb is moderate to strenuous. At the top, at 7,976 feet, the lake spreads out below in brilliant blue, and several spots along the way look down on Phantom Ship and Dutton Cliff. A few viewpoints also reach Wizard Island.
The Watchman Peak Trail is a 1.7-mile round trip on the west side of the lake. The route climbs in switchbacks up a mountain that stands apart on the west rim. The trail ends at the Watchman Lookout Station, a fire tower built in 1932. From the summit you get 360-degree views over the lake, Wizard Island, Mount Scott, and the Klamath Basin.
If you prefer not to hike, the Watchman Overlook sits along Rim Drive about 3.8 miles northwest of Rim Village. Its parking lot also serves as the trailhead, and from the overlook you still get a clear view across the lake to Wizard Island.
Watchman Peak is one of the best places in the park to watch the sunset and to take panoramic photos of the lake. Garfield Peak is also popular in the late afternoon, when the colors over the lake and the surrounding landscape shift. For broad views of Crater Lake, these two hikes on the south and west sides of the rim are a good place to start.
