Bells/Crater Lake camping?

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Buckie06
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Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by Buckie06 »

Hello everyone,
I'm curious of the camping situation at Crater Lake. We have car permits for this weekend and plan to backpack in on Saturday and climb the Bells on Sunday. I read elsewhere that their are only designated backpacking sites. Does anyone know how many sites? If we show up on Saturday evening I'm guessing most sites will be taken already? Are there other spots to camp in the valley?

thanks
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by markf »

I don't remember the exact number of sites, but I recall the sites filling up pretty quickly even midweek. When I stayed there earlier this summer, people were hiking in from the trailhead, setting up fairly elaborate campsites, and pretty clearly staying for a number of days, using their site as a basecamp. I would strongly suggest getting there as early as you can and grabbing the first open campsite you see.
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by cougar »

I think it's 8 or so, with a couple knocked out by avalanche. The ranger district website has info and maps. Almost no chance of finding a site Sat night, maybe if you're lucky and someone is leaving. Got lucky to get the last site late Friday a couple years ago. The Crater lake designated site camping zone fills most of the valley, until you start heading up towards the passes, near treeline. That could work for one of the bells but a long backtrack for the other.
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by daway8 »

Yes, very limited number of designated spots by the lake and rangers patrol to enforce it. Also note that if you don't bring a bear canister they will kick you out (I was told by a ranger who thought I didn't have one that he had just escorted another camper back to the trailhead - I had to open my bag to prove I had mine). And, yes, there was a bear spotted nearby while I was there - that's somewhat common as I understand it (thus the bear canister requirement).

There was, as cougar alluded to, dispersed camping allowed a good ways past the lake. Tried to find a map that designates the area and confirms that's still allowed but not finding it right now...
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by DeTour »

I have that map. Providing that info seems to be my mission in life when it comes to 14ers.com. There are several real good spots very near where the South Maroon trail splits off the Four Pass Loop trail. The best ones are maybe 1/10 of a mile past the split, in a stand of pine trees. At least four good tent spots and probably more in a pinch. There are also spots up Minniehaha Gulch near where the North Maroon trail splits off Four Pass Loop. Those are great if you're doing North Maroon only, but because they're at a higher elevation, not so convenient if you're doing the traverse.

GPS coords per FS map:
Near S Maroon split - best sites: 106°58'14.435"W 39°4'23.542"N
Near S Maroon split - also good: 106°58'17.335"W 39°4'28.857"N
Minniehaha: 106°58'32.488"W 39°5'18.31"N

Be glad to email the entire thing to OP if you want to PM me. Unfortunately I'm too digitally inept or lazy to upload a link or anything. A FS ranger emailed to me a few years back. Would not be at all surprised if it's linked somewhere on their website now.
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by Strider29 »

Here's a link to the forest service map with alternate campsites for the whole Four Pass Loop:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 542652.pdf
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by jrs1965 »

Is there any chance of car camping in the lower/overflow lot if you have a car permit?
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by Reg0928 »

jrs1965 wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:58 pm Is there any chance of car camping in the lower/overflow lot if you have a car permit?
I definitely don't think it's legal, so I can't advocate it, but I've slept in my truck from around 10pm-3am twice without any trouble.
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Re: Bells/Crater Lake camping?

Post by mtnkub »

Reg0928 wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:24 pm
jrs1965 wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:58 pm Is there any chance of car camping in the lower/overflow lot if you have a car permit?
I definitely don't think it's legal, so I can't advocate it, but I've slept in my truck from around 10pm-3am twice without any trouble.
There is no camping at the trail head, meaning no pitching tents. However, you are allowed to sleep in your car at the lower (overnight) lot. At least that was what the site hosts told me last year. (And another member posted a text to the same effect on a different thread).
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