Oregon · Hiking

Plaikni Falls Trail

Plaikni Falls TrailPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.0 mi
round trip
265 ft
climb
6,527 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Plaikni Falls Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Crater Lake National Park. It doesn't name Plaikni Falls Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

  • Rim Drive and North Entrance Road are CLOSED for the Season.

    Park closure covering Crater Lake National Park · NPS · Crater Lake National Park

  • Cleetwood Cove Trail is CLOSED for Rehabilitation

    Park closure covering Crater Lake National Park · NPS · Crater Lake National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Crater Lake National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Plaikni Falls Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, managed by the National Park Service. The trail is about 1 mile long, with a total elevation gain of about 265 feet, and the round trip takes roughly an hour. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 69°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter months bring highs in the low 30s and rain on most days. A fee is charged for the visit. The trailhead is named Plaikni Falls Trailhead, and the route is an out-and-back that reaches a high point of about 6,527 feet. Nearby options include the Sun Notch Trail, about 1.8 miles away, and the Mount Scott Trail, about 2.4 miles away. The Castle Crest Wildflower Trail is about 3.7 miles off, and Crater Lake National Park Mazama Campground is about 4.4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Plaikni Falls Trail

    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

      33° / 20°

      18 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 19°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 20°

      18 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 23°

      16 wet

    5. May

      49° / 29°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      57° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 41°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      69° / 42°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      63° / 37°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 30°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 23°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      33° / 19°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crater Lake Nps Hq, OR, 3.7 mi away at 6,485 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Sun Notch TrailPhoto: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Mount Scott TrailPhoto: Wsultzbach, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Castle Crest TrailPhoto: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Castle Crest Trail

~6 min drive

0.79-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon with 206 ft gain.

Dutton Creek TrailPhoto: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Dutton Creek Trail

~10 min drive

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors