Crater Lake National Park delivers one of the most unforgettable summer experiences in the Pacific Northwest, where deep blue water, towering caldera cliffs, and clear mountain air come together at America’s deepest lake. Summer is the season when the park is fully open for exploration, offering access to scenic rim drives, panoramic overlooks, hiking trails, boat tours on the lake, and iconic viewpoints like Watchman Overlook and Cloudcap. Visitors can take in sweeping views, spot lingering snowfields well into the summer, and experience the lake’s famously vivid blue color at its most striking.

It’s also important to note that Crater Lake National Park remains open and welcoming to visitors throughout the 2026 season. The only significant closure is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which is closed for rehabilitation work, meaning lake access from that specific trail is not available. All other major park experiences—including rim access, viewpoints, lodging, dining, and guided opportunities—are open and operating as usual.

One of the best ways to take in the scale and beauty of the caldera is aboard the Crater Lake Trolley, which offers guided rim tours that circle the lake while sharing stories, geology, and hidden viewpoints you might otherwise miss. It’s an easy, relaxing way to experience multiple overlooks and gain a deeper appreciation for how this natural wonder was formed.

To round out your visit, make time to enjoy dinner or drinks at the historic Crater Lake Lodge, where sweeping windows and a lakeside patio offer some of the most breathtaking sunset views in the park. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring the rim, pairing locally inspired meals with an unmatched view over the caldera. Before you leave, stop into the park’s visitor center to learn more about the lake’s volcanic history, seasonal conditions, and cultural significance, and browse unique gifts and locally inspired merchandise that let you take a piece of Crater Lake home with you.

Paddling Oregon’s most pristine waterways is an experience defined by stillness, clarity, and color, and nowhere is that more evident than on Spring Creek and the Wood River. These spring-fed rivers flow with an almost surreal blue hue, offering paddlers a rare chance to glide through some of the cleanest, most visually striking waters in the Pacific Northwest.

These waterways are among the most breathtaking in Oregon, known for their surreal, crystal-clear blue tones, steady flows, and tranquil surroundings that reflect the sky like glass. Winding through wetlands, meadows, and forested stretches, they create an almost otherworldly paddling experience where every bend reveals another stretch of vivid color and quiet beauty. For kayakers and paddleboarders, it’s the kind of place that feels less like a destination and more like a moment suspended in time—calm, luminous, and unforgettable.

To experience these waters firsthand, Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures provides guided kayak tours and rentals that make it easy to explore both Spring Creek and the Wood River at your own pace or with expert local insight. Their experiences are designed to deepen the journey, offering not just time on the water, but a meaningful connection to the landscape itself. Guides share the ecological importance of these spring-fed rivers, the cultural and historical significance of these sacred waters to the Klamath Tribes, and the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve this fragile ecosystem. It’s an experience that blends recreation with education and stewardship, turning a peaceful paddle into a powerful connection with one of Oregon’s most unique natural treasures.

For golfers, there's no better place to spend a summer day than the fairways of Running Y Resort Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course. Home to Oregon's only Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course—and one of the legendary architect's prestigious "Sweet Sixteen" designs—this championship course offers a truly one-of-a-kind golf experience. When Arnold Palmer was asked to name his favorite course designs, he couldn't choose just one. Instead, he selected sixteen courses that best represented his vision of the game, and Running Y Resort proudly earned its place among that elite collection. It's a distinction that makes this course not only unique in Oregon, but a bucket-list destination for golfers from around the world.

Set against a backdrop of towering pines, peaceful wetlands, rolling fairways, and panoramic mountain views, the course perfectly reflects Palmer's design philosophy: challenging enough to excite experienced players while remaining fair and enjoyable for golfers of every skill level. Impeccably maintained greens, generous fairways, and more than 300 days of sunshine each year create ideal playing conditions throughout the summer, making every round as scenic as it is memorable.

The experience doesn't end on the 18th green. Running Y Resort is Southern Oregon's premier destination resort, offering everything you need for the perfect golf getaway. Stay in spacious lodge accommodations surrounded by nature, unwind with a treatment at the resort's full-service spa, or enjoy exceptional Northwest-inspired cuisine at The Ruddy Duck Restaurant overlooking the course. From championship golf and luxury lodging to relaxing spa experiences, scenic hiking trails, pickleball, and family-friendly amenities, Running Y Resort makes it easy to turn a round of golf into an unforgettable Southern Oregon vacation.

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Whether you're searching for a peaceful mountain retreat, an action-packed weekend on the water, or the perfect campsite beneath a canopy of towering pines, Klamath County is home to some of Oregon's most spectacular summer lake destinations. From crystal-clear alpine waters to expansive mountain reservoirs, each lake offers its own unique experience while sharing one thing in common—endless opportunities to make the most of summer under Oregon's famous blue skies.

Lake of the Woods is one of Southern Oregon's most beloved summer destinations, offering something for every kind of adventurer. Nestled beneath the slopes of Mount McLoughlin, the lake is ideal for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, waterskiing, and fishing, while its surrounding forests provide miles of scenic hiking trails. Families can spend the day relaxing on the shoreline before gathering for dinner at the lakeside marina or enjoying one of the area's seasonal events and fireworks celebrations. With campgrounds, cozy cabins, and lakeside lodging, it's the perfect place to turn a day trip into a memorable summer getaway.

Just a short drive away, Fourmile Lake offers a quieter alpine escape surrounded by dense evergreen forests and breathtaking mountain scenery. Known for its calm waters and excellent trout fishing, Fourmile is a favorite among campers, kayakers, paddleboarders, and anglers looking to escape the crowds. The peaceful atmosphere makes it an ideal place to spend lazy afternoons on the water, enjoy a picnic beneath the trees, or simply disconnect while camping beneath star-filled skies.

For those seeking bigger adventures, Odell Lake is one of Oregon's premier mountain lakes. Stretching nearly six miles long, this stunning alpine lake is renowned for world-class fishing, especially for kokanee salmon, lake trout (mackinaw), and rainbow trout. Its deep, clear waters are perfect for power boating, sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding, while the surrounding trails and nearby forests invite visitors to hike, explore, and discover spectacular viewpoints. Campgrounds, rustic resorts, marinas, and lakeside cabins make Odell Lake an unforgettable destination for both weekend escapes and extended vacations.

Nearby, Crescent Lake delivers classic Oregon summer memories with warm afternoons spent swimming, boating, and fishing beneath panoramic Cascade Mountain views. The lake's expansive shoreline offers numerous campgrounds and recreation areas where families can enjoy everything from paddleboarding and canoeing to beach days and evening campfires. With easy access to hiking and mountain biking trails, Crescent Lake is the perfect basecamp for visitors wanting to combine lake recreation with outdoor exploration.

The adventure doesn't stop there. Throughout Klamath County you'll discover countless other lakes waiting to be explored, from the vast waters of Upper Klamath Lake—the largest freshwater lake in Oregon and a paradise for boating, birdwatching, and world-renowned fishing—to hidden mountain gems tucked away throughout the Cascade Range. Whether you're launching a boat at sunrise, casting a line from the shore, paddling across glass-like water, hiking through fragrant pine forests, or ending the day around a campfire beneath a sky full of stars, Klamath County's lakes offer the perfect backdrop for every kind of summer adventure.

No matter how you choose to spend your days, one thing is certain: Klamath County's lakes invite you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and create unforgettable memories surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. From lakeside camping and family vacations to quiet mornings on the water and unforgettable sunsets over the mountains, your perfect summer escape is waiting here.

Klamath County offers some of Oregon’s most diverse and rewarding hiking experiences, with trails that range from easy lakeside walks to challenging alpine climbs. From volcanic rims and forested valleys to remote wilderness peaks, every hike delivers fresh mountain air, sweeping views, and a deeper connection to the outdoors.

At the heart of it all is Crater Lake National Park, where rim trails reveal unmatched views of America’s deepest lake, along with dramatic cliffs, wildflower meadows, and volcanic terrain shaped over thousands of years. Just beyond the park, the Sky Lakes Wilderness and Mountain Lakes Wilderness offers quiet backcountry trails lined with crystal-clear alpine lakes, perfect for hikers seeking solitude and reflection.

In the broader region, the Winema National Forest provides a wide variety of accessible trails through pine forests, wetlands, and open meadows, making it ideal for both casual hikers and families. For those looking for a more rugged challenge, the Mount Thielsen Wilderness offers steep climbs and dramatic ridgeline views centered around one of the Cascades’ most iconic peaks.

Along the way, hikers often encounter local wildlife such as mule deer, elk, black bears, and a variety of bird species including eagles and hawks, along with smaller animals like marmots and chipmunks. Each trail offers its own blend of scenery and wildlife, making every hike in Klamath County a unique outdoor experience.