Oregon · Hiking · Near Mount Hood Villages

Little Crater Lake

Little Crater LakePhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
0.4 mi
round trip
10 ft
climb
3,246 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Little Crater Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Zigzag Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Zigzag Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Little Crater Lake is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest, within the Zigzag Ranger District. The trail is about 0.38 miles long, and the climb is almost flat, with a total gain of just 10 feet. The high point is 3,246 feet, and the low point is 3,239 feet, so the route is a gentle walk with no real ascent to speak of. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Government Camp weather station show July and August highs around 70°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the mid-30s and rain on most days. The hike makes an easy pairing with an overnight stay. Little Crater Campground is about 0.3 miles away, and North Arm Campground is about 1.1 miles off. Jackpot Meadows and the Miller hike are both within about 2.6 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Little Crater Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Underwater Viewing Chamber

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Mount Hood Villages

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Little Crater Lake

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 26°

      20 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 26°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 28°

      20 wet

    4. Apr

      45° / 31°

      18 wet

    5. May

      54° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      59° / 41°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 48°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 48°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      64° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 37°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 30°

      18 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 26°

      21 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Government Camp, OR, 10.5 mi away at 3,980 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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