Hiking the Sun Notch Trail at Crater Lake National Park

Looking for more information about visiting Crater Lake National Park? Check out my Crater Lake National Park Mini-Guide.

WE HIKED IT

August 2020, about 45 minutes including photo stops

CURRENT INFO

You can find information about the Sun Notch Trail online at AllTrails. To find out if the trail is open, or for other status updates, visit the Crater Lake National Park website.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Because the Sun Notch Trail is within Crater Lake National Park, you need either a valid National Parks Pass, such as the America the Beautiful Pass, or you can pay the $30 entrance fee. It’s well worth purchasing a pass if you plan to visit other national parks or monuments, or do much hiking in national forest lands. The standard annual pass costs $80. Check to see if you qualify for a free or less expensive pass. For example, fourth graders can get a free pass to use together with their families. Seniors can purchase a one-time lifelong pass.
• There is no restroom at the trailhead. A vault toilet is located not much further down the road at the Crater Peak trailhead.
• Pets are not allowed on the Sun Notch Trail.

HIGHLIGHTS

This trail offers a big payoff for little work, with beautiful views of Phantom Ship in particular. Of course, you’ll find amazing views from other viewpoints along Rim Drive that don’t require a hike, but even a short trail like this one will make you fell like you’ve earned it!

THE KIDS’ TAKE

The kids were not enthused about hiking at this point in the day, but I’d say they ended up having a pretty good time. It’s short and sweet, and wasn’t too crowded during our late afternoon visit. It’s a great way for kids to burn off some extra energy without overdoing it.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

There’s so much more to see and do at Crater Lake National Park! This trail fits in perfectly if you’re doing a driving tour around Rim Drive. For more information about the park, hiking, camping, and more, see my Crater Lake National Park Mini-Guide.

By the time we arrived at the Sun Notch trailhead in the late afternoon, the kids were feeling a bit restless. Not that they wanted to go on another hike – what they really wanted was to go back to our campsite at Farewell Bend.

“You guys,” I said in an attempt to pacify them. “This hike is really short. We’re going to see great views, and then you can have a snack.” Usually a snack does the trick.

They weren’t entirely happy, but started to run almost as soon as our feet touched the trail. It had been a long day of driving, even though we had already made numerous stops, and they definitely had energy to burn.

The Sun Notch trail is indeed a short one. Some might call it a pleasant walk to a viewpoint, but it follows a dirt trail and is not easily accessible for wheelchairs or others who may have limited mobility. But if you are up for a brief hike that includes stunning views of Crater Lake, don’t pass this one up.

The trail climbs gradually uphill through trees and along a meadow to the lake’s rim. Trees line much of the rim here, but openings along the route reveal unique vistas. At some points, Phantom Ship appears below, looking small in comparison to the caldera that surrounds it, even though it dwarfs the tourist boats that glide by. Other vantage points look toward Wizard Island, far across the lake, a solitary cinder cone rising from the depths.

We took a few minutes to enjoy each viewpoint, and were back at the car not long after. The boys agreed that it had been a short hike after all, and pretty painless, but were eager to enjoy their snack. I, on the other hand, would savor the memory of these unforgettable views for a long time to come.