Wizard Island Facts

(Last Updated On: April 9, 2021)

Wizard Island Path is a 3.7 kilometer reasonably trafficked loop path situated close to Crater Lake, Oregon that includes a lake and is rated as average. This article will give an overview of Wizard Island crater lake, days gone, hordes, volcano, boat tour, facts, mechanic, eruption, hike, etc.

The Wizard Island path is primarily used for mountaineering, nature journeys, and hen watching and is finest used from April till September.

Nice hike, the spotlight of a go-to to Crater Lake for my part. Be ready to go each down and up the Cleetwood Cove path and sure, you may want to order a spot on the Wizard Island shuttle to do that.

There’s a good spot simply past the dock at Cleetwood Cove to leap into the chilly lake water if you’re so inclined.

As soon as on Wizard Island, the hike took us 45 minutes up and 35 minutes down, so we loved a lunch on prime and took within the unimaginable views and amazingly blue water.

As soon as down, we additionally did a part of the Fumarole Bay path, however, we had been working out of time and that path is troublesome to traverse because of the lava rock and it would not actually take you to a very good swimming location.

As an alternative, we obtained in on the dock and swam very briefly in Wizard Island . We additionally noticed a fellow passenger catch an 18-inch rainbow trout, so convey alongside your fishing pole and synthetic lure and see what you may catch.

All informed, between all three trails, we hiked about 6 miles with about 1,500 toes of vertical, so it is a full-day journey.

With the intention to get to Wizard Island, you need to get to the boat dock on the lakeshore by way of Cleetwood Cove Path. It’s a steep stroll down, and you will have to stroll again upon the way in which back- this half would be the most difficult a part of the day.

The one method to get to Wizard Island is by way of the Crater Lake Boat Tour. The primary and solely cease on designated journeys, you’ve got the choice of a three-hour, half-day drop-off or a full-day, six-hour keep. The path to the summit begins as quickly as you step off the dock.

Your scramble will begin among the many conifers as you progress over massive, treacherous lava rocks and proceed onto free gravel that persists by the switchbacks. Gaining nearly 700 toes in elevation in lower than a mile, the hike is all uphill.

Your reward is singular expertise, for not solely will you be capable of saying you’ve got stood atop a caldera inside a caldera, you may have the chance to climb down 90 toes to the underside of Wizard Island’s crater.

There’s not a formally marked path, however, a worn path close to the summit path heads down the free gravel into the previous stomach of a volcano.

On prime of Wizard Island, you may get pleasure from panoramic views of Crater Lake from the within as you make a loop across the crater summit.

Except you are the primary hiker of the day to summit the 6,940-foot peak, you may probably encounter some average crowds. When you meander away from the apex, nonetheless, the island may be very secluded and solitary.

Now that you have labored up a sweat, work your manner again down and think about a swim within the pristine waters of Crater Lake.

You may discover the rocky reaches of the island alongside the path to Fumarole Bay, which branches off from the summit path simply up from the dock, however, the path is lower than well-marked and you ultimately must forge your personal manner over the lava rocks.

A lot of the island’s shoreline may be very steep and rocky, so watch out. This implies the best place to dive in could also be on the dock. Bear in mind: as soon as the boat drops you off on the island, you are on their own.

Fishing can also be an obtainable exercise. Though not native to the lake, fish had been launched and stocked by the park’s forefather, William G. Metal, beginning within the late 19th century.

This continued for greater than 50 years, and at current two fish species exist the extra quite a few kokanee salmon and the bigger rainbow trout.

No allow is required, and you’ll take the house as a lot as you need so long as you don’t use natural bait (solely synthetic lures and flies are allowed) and clear your catch away from the lake.

Whereas fantastically distinctive, simply make sure you get again in time for you come back experience so you do not get stranded on Wizard Island.

Shuttle boats will take you to this trailhead. The boat will then choose you up later that very same day- you can’t camp out on the island. You may want to order a spot on the Wizard Island shuttle to do that.

This path is simply open normally from mid-June(snow soften decides) till the primary week of September and solely accessed by boat.

The cove path I don’t advocate since it’s so rocky you may simply get harm and the so-referred to as path isn’t actually marked.

We had been informed it was rocky however by no means anticipated what we discovered. It’s extra bouldering than mountaineering.

The height path is price doing because the path is in nice form and the view from the highest is excellent, rely on about one hour to hike up. Good straightforward hike.

Well worth the boat experience, The boat firm would not inform you on their web site, or if you e-book, that you simply solely have Three hours. four would have been higher.

Very nice path, We hiked right down to the place we took a boat to Wizard Island, we hiked up to the volcanic web site and the views from each nook on the way in which as much as the summit had been magnificent. I’ve shared some pics, do verify them out.

Additionally, though this path is 2.1 miles, it doesn’t embody the space we stroll right down to the boat and up from the boat to your automotive parking.

Wizard Island Strategy

Reservations for the boats could also be made (and are really helpful) at Crater Lake Volcano Boat Excursions (~$42 for a grownup).

The remaining seats will likely be bought at kiosks situated inside Crater Lake Lodge subsequent to the entrance desk, and contained in the Annie Creek Reward Store at Mazama Village.

Two hours previous to departure, you could purchase a ship ticket on the sales space within the Cleetwood Cove parking zone (the place the trailhead is situated to hike to the dock).

Arrive early because the boat rides can promote out shortly. Additionally, not all tickets allow the holder to debark at Wizard Island, so you may need to make sure that your ticket permits that (you may have a selection of three or 6 hours on the island, relying on what tour time you’ll be able to safe).

From the parking zone, hike down the steep, class 1 path for a bit of over a mile, shedding roughly 700 toes. Board the boat at Cleetwood Cove and experience for roughly an hour.

The boat will drop you off at Wizard Island’s Fumerole Bay dock. The trailhead to the Wizard Island summit is well-signed.

Route Description

Merely stroll up the well-signed class 1 path for roughly a mile, gaining about 765-feet of elevation (6,940-feet above sea degree).

Wizard Island is a toddler cinder cone with tough lava and free cinder; train warning whereas mountaineering.

On the prime, the path circumnavigates a small caldera (the Witches Cauldron). After your hike, descend and wait on your assigned boat to take you again to Cleetwood Cove.

In the meantime, you may discover the remainder of Wizard Island, you may swim (although be forewarned the water is chilly), Scuba dive (if you happen to introduced your personal gear and have secured a allow), and fish. You may see the boats coming from many of the islands, so it’s best to be capable of time your arrival on the dock completely.

The path to the cove is effectively worn however not effectively marked. Search for the worn rocks and maintain going. A singular vantage level of Crater Lake that not many get entry to!

My 6yo was in a position to make it and not using a drawback. We additionally hiked into the pit of the cauldron at the summit.

Quicker hikers can get 20 minutes of solitude on the prime earlier than the noisy horde of vacationers start trickling in and begin their screeching.

Then we scoot on right down to the Fumerole Bay path. Truthful warning, you will have your billy goat card to deal with the treacherous rockiness of this price it facet path.

There are a couple of good spots to leap within the refreshing water and eat a sandwich earlier than winging again to the boat.

Not many pull outs to have picnic lunch maybe on the prime however the elevation made me a bit nauseous (which by no means occurred earlier than) however we made do.

The chipmunks will take your snacks if you happen to go away it open. Tour/ticket is well worth the journey to the island.

Leap within the lake after you come back to the cove, otherwise, you’ll be chilly on that boat experience. It’s a chilly swim however price it.

You’ll want to make boat reservations early as they replenish shortly. Nice path. Superb views. You may stroll across the rim of a crater on prime of the island.

Very peaceable and quiet, lovely surroundings. Switchbacks. A bit steep going up. Getting down is quick. This is among the 2 trails on Wizard Island.

The opposite one is Fumarole Bay, the place you stroll on lava rocks and you’ll see lovely emerald color swimming pools of water. There are boats from Cleetwood Cove that take you to Wizard Island.

Important Gear

You are surprisingly uncovered on the island; uncovered to the wind and solar, to not point out caught there for a protracted time frame as you wait on your assigned boat to take you again to civilization.

Temperatures are sometimes cooler on Wizard Island than on the Cleetwood Cove trailhead, and thunderstorms will not be unusual in the summertime.

Take adequate clothes and water, in addition to rain gear on your keep. There’s a pit rest room on the island on the dock.

You may want to spend some further time fishing if you happen to convey a pole and deal with it alongside. Tenting will not be permitted on Wizard Island so that you needn’t embody that gear in your planning.

Date & Time Everyday

9:45 AM to 1:45 PM,12:45 PM to 5:45 PM

Fee Information

$57 (Ages 13 and up)
$36 (Ages 3-12)

Contact Phone Number

1-888-774-2728

About Me

Dashy

Wizard Island Facts | Crater Lake | Volcano | Boat Tour