The Watchman Observation Station — Attraction in Klamath Falls

We visited Watchman Overlook at Crater Lake National Park on the Friday before what I assume was an extraordinarily busy weekend - Independence Day: we waited almost TWO HOURS to get into the Park, there was no parking to be had at the Rim Village visitor Center, nor at most of the overlooks. That said, Crater Lake is worth the wait, and you shouldn’t miss stopping at Watchman Overlook during your driving tour of Crater Lake Rim Drive. This overlook offers the best views of Wizard Island, the only land mass inside the crater itself. Watchman Overlook pullout is 3.7 miles north and west of Rim Village on West Rim Drive and directly overlooks Wizard Island. The water around the Wizard Island inlets, which are in front of and facing Watchman Overlook, is the most stunning jewel-colored turquoise, blue and green you may ever see. As I stood at the overlook railing and soaked in the beauty of the place, I felt a sort of benign peace surround me even as I stood among the incredible throng of...

Watchman Overlook Observation site is an absolutely amazing site with expensive views of Crater Lake in the surrounding area.

The hike up is 0.8 miles each way, so about 1.6 miles round trip. The quickest path up is starting at the Watchmen parking lot, though Lightning Springs picnic area and head here, which adds 1.2 miles each way to the hike.

The overlook itself was constructed between 1931 and 1933, with the previous building occupying the site starting in 1917.

The views appear or among the best in the park, right up there with Garfield Peak, Mount Scott and Cloudcap.

The Watchman site 8013 feet about sea level and over 400 ft above the surrounding landscape, and as such you get a 360° panoramic view of the surrounding area.

If you're planning to visit Crater Lake and you've never been up here, it's definitely worth the trek up. The view is...

The views from here are pretty outstanding, but to get there, it will take some effort. It's roughly .80 of a mile hike to the top with over a 400 foot elevation, which means it has about a 10% grade and the steeper part is at the last third of the hike. This is where you will experience about 8 switchbacks. Is it doable? Yes it is, but it might take you a little while to get to the top. Once there, the overlook building is condemned, so no access to the public. The rest of the area at the top is narrow, so it can't really handle more than 30-35 people, but 20 would be more comfortable. If you don't like heights, maybe this is not the place for you, and the fact there're no handrails can make your situation a lot worse. If you do make it to the top, you will...