07/10/2025
There’s nothing quite like a Crater Lake National Park sunset 🤯 If you’re planning a trip, you HAVE to stick around for this!
Here’s everything you need to know when you visit ⤵️
📍 Where to Watch: I found that Merriam Point or Watchman Peak give you the best jaw-dropping views. If you’re feeling less adventurous or just want an easy peasy spot, Rim Village is perfect and still offers awesome views.
⏰ When to Go: Aim to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the official sunset time to snag a good spot and watch the colors evolve. The parking lot I sat in got packed pretty quickly. You can find daily sunset times on the NPS website or any weather app.
🚶♀️ How to Get There: Merriam Point is easily accessible via a short walk from the Rim Village area. For Watchman Peak, it’s a moderately challenging 1.6-mile round trip hike, but the 360-degree views at the top are well worth the effort! There’s also a decent view right from the parking lot if you don’t want to hike.
📸 Pro-Tip: Don’t forget your camera! Also, if it’s warm during the day, it gets surprisingly chilly at Crater Lake as soon as the sun goes down! Seriously, I couldn’t last outside for more than 15 minutes at a time. So, definitely pack an extra layer or two – a warm jacket, a hat, maybe even some gloves.
Have you seen a Crater Lake sunset? Share your pics and stories below! 👇
