12 Best Hikes in the Pacific Northwest (WA & OR) (2026)

The best view of the deepest, bluest lake in America — from 1,000 feet directly above it.

Crater Lake is surreal from every angle, but Garfield Peak puts you above it in a way that makes the impossible blue seem even more impossible. This short, steep trail climbs from the historic Crater Lake Lodge to a summit with a view that will make your camera utterly inadequate. The lake’s blue is so intense it looks photoshopped — but it’s real, and it’s even more vivid from up here.

The experience: The trail climbs steadily from behind the Crater Lake Lodge along the southern rim, gaining elevation with increasingly dramatic views of the lake and Wizard Island below. At the summit (8,054 feet), you’re perched 1,000 feet directly above the water with an unobstructed 360° panorama. The blue of the lake — caused by extreme depth (1,943 feet!) and clarity — is genuinely shocking. No filter needed.

Pro tip: Rim Drive and this trail often don’t open until late June or early July due to heavy snowpack. Check road conditions before driving in. Late afternoon light (4-6pm) makes the lake’s blue most intense for photos. Bring a windbreaker — it’s exposed and breezy at the summit.

What to Pack for PNW Hiking