Few nights around Crater Lake

Planning a trip with the family (3 young kids).

Would you recommend staying ~ 3 nights around Crater Lake, or would this be too much? What is there to do around?

Few nights around Crater Lake

Crater Lake can be seen comfortably in one day, so I would not spend 3 nights focusing solely on the national park.

You could spend 2-3 nights in the Bend area and do a daytrip to Crater Lake. You can be there in less than 2 hours, and there are many more lodging choices in Bend. Bend also has the lava field at Newberry Crater National Monument and the High Desert Museum. Some people enjoy staying in nearby Sunriver, which is a resort with many condo/rental choices. It might be a better option for a family with young children.

Few nights around Crater Lake

A family trip with young kids, yes, definitely take a look at Sunriver! We head over there several times a year. Crater Lake is really nice, but a full day is usually enough. The boat ride is great, but sells out early so you need to get tickets early in the morning. A boat ride, some of the rim, a snack or lunch in the lodge, and that will probably be more than plenty for your family.

Sunriver is a great place to base yourself. It is 90 minutes from Crater Lake and an easy drive. The High Desert Museum, Lava Cave, Lava Butte (kids love to feed the chipmunks at the top, and to walk the trail in the lava beds), are all less than 5 minutes from the resort, and then there are the pools, bike paths, canoing, etc at Sunriver. There are houses, condos and several lodges all there so you can find what fits your family the best.

With three young children, Bend / Sunriver area make more sense for three days, rather than Crater Lake.

Mtngrl lists some of the fun things to do around Bend :-)

I know we warned you about the steep, 1 mile trail down to the boat ride at CL, plus then you have to walk the 1 mile back up the steep trail, and this is at a *high* elevation. Not sure how old your children are or if they are up to this type of hiking?