Crater Lake
The ride around Crater Lake is another one of Oregon’s classic rides but, at 33 miles around the Rim Drive loop it is hardly a multi‐day tour. But the spectacular views of Crater Lake and the ability to “loop the Lake” makes this a welcome inclusion to any tour going through this region.

Riders wishing to enjoy the ride around Crater Lake without having to climb up to the rim at 7100 feet might choose to start their tour with a stay at Crater Lake Lodge. A ride around the rim and then down to your second night destination would make a great way to start off a week’s tour.

There are three exits from Crater Lake National Park and each exit sets the bicycle rider up for a totally different kind of ride.

Exiting to the north takes you by Diamond Lake and then west towards Roseburg and Cottage Grove. Beautiful forests and covered bridges await you going this direction. The route northeast on Hwy 97 towards Bend is not recommended.

Exiting to the south sets you up for tours southeast of there and into the lake country of Southern Oregon, an area that it remote, flat, and dotted with lakes both big and small.

Exiting to the west sets you up for tours of southwest Oregon and the areas around Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland. Lots of nice riding along with fun and interesting activities await you when you head this direction.

There are lots of route variations and destination activities available within a day or two’s ride of Crater Lake so the possibilities are endless. See the Coast to Crater tour listed below for a very creative variation on the Crater Lake tour.

One or our favorite variations on this tour starts with a stay at Crater Lake Lodge. The first day is a casual day’s ride and sightseeing around the rim of the lake. On the second day we leave the Lodge and ride south to the Lake of the Woods where we spend the night at the Lake of the Woods Lodge and Resort.

The next day’s ride takes us through the Ashland area and on into Jacksonville. We spend two nights in Jacksonville to give you an opportunity to wander through the shops of this historic town. Having preserved its gold rush roots from the 1800's, it is one of only a few towns that are able to boast of its designation as a National Historic Landmark. With some well timed planning your evening in Jacksonville will be spent enjoying one of your favorite bands in an outdoor concert at the Britt Festival.

Back on our bikes we spend a day exploring the Applegate Valley with its beautiful farms and vineyards. After spending a night on the banks of Lake Selmac we ride into Grants Pass where most riders opt for a comfortable hotel room for the night before returning home on the bus the next day.

With the emphasis on tourism in Crater Lake National Park and its portal communities there are many options for enjoying other events and activities.

Examples of these include:

• Rafting on the Rogue or Klamath Rivers
• Crater Lake Lodge visit
• Brit Festival concerts in Jacksonville
• Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland
• Jackson County Fair in Central Point
• Oregon Caves National Monument tour

Use our Events Calendar to include these and other events and activities in your own custom tour.