With 100 miles of hiking trails, Crater Lake National Park's backcountry offers many opportunities for solitude and exploration. Preservation and enjoyment of the backcountry depends on your careful and considerate use. Please observe all backcountry regulations, and try to incorporate minimum impact suggestions into your trip.

While on your backcountry trip, why not set a goal? Try to leave as little human impact on the environment as possible. This will ensure everyone the opportunity for solitude and a quality experience.

Backcountry use permits are required for all backcountry overnight stays. They are issued from park visitor centers during their regular hours of operation.

Open campfires are allowed only if “dead and down” wood is used to fuel the fire. Wood can only be collected below an elevation of 6,800 feet. Use an existing fire ring.

Maximum party size is limited to 8 people and/or 12 head of stock.

Pack stock use is not permitted throughout the backcountry with the following exceptions:

• Bald Crater Loop Trail and Bert Creek Access Trail
• Pacific Crest Trail, not including the alternate trail along the rim
• Lightning Springs Trail, up to the hitching post below Rim Drive
• Stuart Falls Trail

For more information, read our brochure on stock use in Crater Lake National Park.

Pets, firearms, bicycles, and motorized vehicles are not permitted in the backcountry. Pets are permitted on leash in developed areas only.

Pack out all garbage and leave a clean camp.

Camping and open campfires are prohibited in the following areas to protect the experiences of other visitors and preserve specific fragile areas:

• Within a mile of any paved road, nature trail, or developed area
• Within 100 feet of any water source
• Within 100 feet of any trail or other camping party except when using a designated campsite
• Between the Rim Drive and Crater Lake
• On the Phantom Ship or Wizard Island
• Atop Mt. Scott and along the trail to the summit
• Atop Garfield Peak and along the trail to the summit
• In the vicinity of Sphagnum Bog

No hiking is permitted inside the rim except on the Cleetwood Trail. Climbing is prohibited everywhere inside the rim.

Crater Lake is one of seven National Parks through which the PCT passes. Hikers who wish to stay overnight in Crater Lake National Park must get a backcountry permit. Permits may be obtained at the Rim Visitor Center in Rim Village, or at the Steel Information Center in the Park Headquarters area. Alternatively, PCT through-hikers may sign the trail register as they enter Crater Lake National Park.

In June 1995, an alternate trail opened which brings hikers right up to the rim of Crater Lake. Coming from the south, the trail ascends the Dutton Creek trail to the rim, then follows the edge of the caldera for six miles with spectacular views. It then parallels the road from North Junction to Grouse Hill and rejoins the PCT.

For more information on the Pacific Crest Trail as it passes through Crater Lake National Park, please review a copy of our Pacific Crest Trail brochure.

Leave No Trace Concepts

Parties larger than 8 people should break into smaller groups and travel separately. This applies to both day hikers and overnight campers.

Stay on the trail no matter how tempting it may be to take a shortcut between switchbacks. In this land of brief summers and long winters with 50 feet of snowfall, plants must struggle just to stay alive. Trampling lessens their chances of survival and accelerates erosion.

If you do build a fire, use an existing fire ring. The number of fire rings in the backcountry has increased beyond need. If you must build a fire ring, destroy it when you are finished.

Use dead and down wood to fuel your fire—let the standing vegetation continue its growth.

Remember—stay close to your fire and be sure it is out before you continue your trip.

While in Crater Lake National Park, try to use one of the designated backcountry camps. Staying at one of these sites lessens the number of impacted areas. Check with park staff for these locations. If you don’t use one of these areas, pick an already established campsite or area which is more resistant to human impact. Make sure you are at least 100 feet off the trail and one mile from any road, and out of sight of other campers.

At your campsite, hang all food in a pack or stuff sack, out of reach of wild animals (at least 10 feet above the ground) and well away from your cooking area.

Pick up litter and pack it out. Packing out all materials including garbage will leave your campsite and trails ready for the next backcountry user.

Do not feed animals. Pack out all food scraps. Allow wild animals to eat their natural diet.

Choose bathroom break locations wisely. Improper sanitation can contaminate streams and lakes. Make your toilet well away from camp and at least 100 feet away from any standing or running water. Dig a shallow trench and cover after use. Pack out all toilet paper. Dispose of waste or wash water at least 100 feet away from any water source.

Although the clear, cold water of streams is very tempting, it should be boiled or disinfected before it is consumed. Even the clearest stream may cause illness. A bulletin on giardia, a water-borne parasite, is available from either park visitor center.

You must bring feed for any pack stock. There is a special campsite located west of the Pacific Crest Trail on Bybee Creek with pack stock facilities. Carefully select resting areas for your stock. Tethering them to a small tree can damage the tree.

Protect yourself, your pets, and park wildlife by leaving your pets at home or in a kennel. Wildlife will often avoid areas that are used by pets, making it difficult for hikers to observe the animals. Wildlife and domestic animals may attack each other. Domestic animals may carry diseases that are fatal to wildlife. Remember—all park wildlife is protected.

One final idea: excessive noise, large groups, and brightly colored tents or packs can psychologically shrink the wilderness. It is true that bright colors can provide visibility for safety, but carrying a light-weight orange or yellow tarp will serve the same purpose. Try not to be seen.

Rev. 9/2001 klb