I wanted to see Crater Lake — but I did not want to pay a a premium to stay at that lodge on the rim with mixed reviews. Unfortunately, it’s way too far from Portland for a day trip, but we found a workaround that felt like an expensive vacation, but wasn’t.
Here’s what we did instead:
We camped at Diamond Lake Campground, which made the perfect home base for:
- A full day at Crater Lake
- A morning at Umpqua Hot Springs
- An afternoon paddleboarding Diamond Lake
We brought our own food, snacks, and coffee from home, so once we were there, it was basically just adventure and views. Here’s the breakdown of costs:
- ⛺ Camping at Diamond Lake (3 nights): $56
- 🚗 Crater Lake entrance fee (1 car, 7-day pass): $30
- ⛽ Gas from Portland → Diamond Lake → Umpqua → Crater → Portland: About $100
- 🍦 One tiny splurge: Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches at Rim Village: Worth it.
Total: Around $186 + food you already have at home = an epic national park trip for under $200.
Diamond Lake: Best Budget Basecamp
We booked campsite L4, and I would absolutely stay there again. It had:
- A lake view
- Trees spaced perfectly for two hammocks
- Water access if you’re okay with a little scramble
And best of all? Top-tier campsite bathrooms. I’m talking warm, clean, with real showers and even a changing table. Best campsite bathrooms I’ve ever seen.
Yes, we heard all the bug horror stories. And yes, they were out. We came armed with Zyrtec, bug spray, and repellent—and still got bitten. But honestly? Totally worth it. The lake has non-motorized sections, and was peaceful and perfect for paddleboarding to the center for that two-mountain view.
Crater Lake: Not Just a Pretty Postcard
I went in thinking, “I’ve seen lakes. I’ve seen mountains. It’ll be nice.”
It is not nice. It is magnificent.
We arrived the day after a landslide closed Cleetwood Cove Trail (the only way down to the water), so instead we drove up to Watchman Peak Trailhead. Pro tip: you get a great view even from the parking lot. We attempted the trail, but I bailed about twenty snowy, slippery steps in. My husband and daughter made it to the top and waved from the observation station like the brave little mountain goats they are.
Then we hiked the Discovery Point Trail (flat and kid-friendly, with gorgeous views throughout!) to Rim Village. It’s not much of a “village,” more like:
- A lodge
- A visitor center
- A cafeteria/gift shop combo
BUT they had Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches, so we were happy.
Note: This is the last summer (2025) you can swim in Crater Lake before the Cleetwood Cove Trail closes for years of restoration. It’s freezing, and wetsuits aren’t allowed—but I was still sad to miss that last chance to touch the crystal clear water. The rockslide debris has been cleared since our trip, according to Alltrails, so don’t skip it this summer!
Umpqua Hot Springs: An Absolute Dream
This is a bucket list stop that you absolutely must add to your Crater Lake trip. The Oregonian posted on social media about “disturbing challenges,” at the hot springs just before our trip so I was a little nervous—but it ended up being peaceful, beautiful, and honestly magical.
Yes, it’s clothing optional. But almost everyone wore swimsuits, and it felt totally safe.
- The upper pools are the hottest.
- It cools down as you go lower.
- It’s very slippery—wear hiking shoes.
- The short hike is steep but manageable with the right shoes.
- The tiny parking lot means it never gets too crowded.
- We even saw preschoolers, so it’s doable with kids if you feel comfortable managing the steep slope with them.
TL;DR — What You Need to Know
Budget Highlights:
- $186 total for three days of epic views
- Bring your own food to save
- Camp at Diamond Lake for best location + bathrooms
- Don’t skip Umpqua Hot Springs
- See Crater Lake without breaking the bank
Would we do it again?
Absolutely. But we’ll aim for August next time, and I’m already planning to book L4 again. And maybe — just maybe —next time I’ll make it up Watchman Peak.