Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Discovery Point Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.4 (22)
  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Southwest Oregon
  4. Crater Lake National Park
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“An easy trail with spectacular views of Crater Lake along the rim. ”

Kristen Arendt
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

1.1

Miles

1.7

KM

Point to Point

7,171' 2,186 m

High

7,050' 2,149 m

Low

152' 46 m

Up

176' 54 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly This trail is easily accessible, fairly flat, and offers some great views of Crater Lake.

Expect the trail to be covered in snow from around October to early July.

Description

The trailhead is located at the west end of Rim Village. Keep an eye open for the section where the paved walk becomes a dirt path as there is no designated trailhead. From here, the trail heads northwest from the Rim Village parking area toward Discovery Point, where gold prospector John Wesley Hillman first spotted Crater Lake in 1853.

You'll enjoy spectacular views of the lake while hiking along this easy trail. The trail gains less than 100 ft in elevation along its way. The trail parallels West Rim Drive and hugs the forested rim of Crater Lake. Much of the rim is forested with hemlock and pine. Be cautious around the steep edges of the rim, and keep an eye open for the breaks in the trees where you may catch glimpses of the lake, its rim, and Wizard Island.

Flora & Fauna

Mountain hemlock and whitebark pine. Golden-mantled ground squirrels are frequently spotted along this trail.

Contacts

Local Club: Crater Lake Institute

Mar 17, 2025: Crater Lake National park Rainbows – Dan Mackay

Jan 21, 2025: Medford_Mail_Tribune_1934_07_22_Page_7

Land Manager: National Park Service - Crater Lake National Park

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 22 votes

#3

in Crater Lake National Park

#313

Overall
  4.4 from 22 votes
5 Star
55%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#3

in Crater Lake National Park

#7

in Oregon

#313

Overall
22 Views Last Month
4,480 Since Sep 11, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
33%
33%
33%
0%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

View from the trail.
Jun 1, 2023 near Crater…, OR
View from the trail.
Jun 1, 2023 near Crater…, OR
View from the trail.
Jun 1, 2023 near Crater…, OR
Wizard Island through the trees.
Oct 23, 2020 near Crater…, OR
Wizard Island from just outside Rim Village
Oct 23, 2020 near Crater…, OR
Crater Lake from Discovery Point.
May 11, 2025 near Crater…, OR

1 Comment

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 84 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 9, 2024
Rosie Betenbaugh
1.1mi — 11h 15m
Oct 4, 2023
Jodi K
Beautiful clear sky sunrise. Nice easy hike during pre-dawn light 2mi
Jul 14, 2023
Dale Hilgendorf
Jul 10, 2023
B Jaynaw
Jun 1, 2023
Stewart Carnes
Hard packed snow. Easy to hike on.
Aug 26, 2022
Rob Cravens
Family friendly which means SUPER crowded. 2.2mi — 0h 40m
Aug 18, 2022
G Allen Daily
Aug 13, 2022
Nisha Nagarajan
8h 30m

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started