Home Activities USA Crater Lake National Park Self Guided Driving Audio Tour in Crater Lake

Activity Crater Lake National Park, USA

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour in Crater Lake

5.0 (6 reviews) 3–4 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

6 reviews

5.0

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour in Crater Lake — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Self Guided Driving Audio Tour in Crater Lake, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Download GuideAlong’s self-guided audio tour of Crater Lake National Park and explore the deep blue waters, towering cliffs, and volcanic landscapes of the United States’ deepest lake. Cruise the scenic Rim Drive and all of the best sights including Merriam Point’s stunning vistas, Phantom Ship’s uniquely shaped island, the 100-foot Vidae Falls, and Watchman Peak’s panoramic views

Along the way, hear stories on the unique geology, volcanic past and rich Indigenous history play automatically as you explore this breathtaking Pacific Northwest destination.

Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you and bypassing any that don’t.

Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location

Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed

Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use

No time limits or expiry, and free updates

Like having a tour guide along for the drive

Purchase one tour per vehicle.

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At a glance

Duration: 3–4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–8
Audio guide: English
Operated by: Gypsy Guide GPS LLC

What is included

Included

Included: Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
Included: GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 85+ Points
Included: Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
Included: Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
Included: Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
Included: Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.
Included: Buy once, use forever! No expiry, includes free updates
Included: Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own

Not included

Not included: Entry Fees, National Park Passes, Reservations

Itinerary

Cleetwood Cove Trail

Passing by

Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only path in Crater Lake National Park that provides direct access to the lake's shore. This 2-mile round-trip hike is notably steep and strenuous, descending 700 feet to the water.
Watchman Peak

Passing by

The Watchman Peak Trail leads to the historic Watchman Observation Station, a former ranger fire lookout. The moderately challenging 2-mile trail has a 400-foot elevation gain and takes about an hour round trip.
Rim Village

Passing by

Rim Village is a historic area designed specifically for visitors in the early 1900s. Architects worked to blend the rustic buildings into the natural surroundings, using local stone and lumber to complement the landscape.
Stop 4

Passing by

The Phantom Ship formation, named for its resemblance to a ghostly ship, sits offshore and resembles a dark, jagged silhouette in the lake’s mist.
Merriam Point

Passing by

Merriam Point Overlook offers stunning views of Crater Lake, Mount McLoughlin, Mount Scott, Llao Rock, and Wizard Island.
Vidae Falls

Passing by

Vidae Falls, Crater Lake’s most popular waterfall, cascades 100 feet down from a spring fed by snowmelt and rainfall.
Pinnacles Overlook Hike

Passing by

Pinnacles Overlook showcases unique geological formations within Crater Lake National Park. These striking volcanic spires, formed from hardened volcanic matter, tell a story of ancient eruptions and subsequent cooling that shaped the landscape.
Stop 8

Passing by

Plaikni Falls Trail offers a peaceful, easy hike, leading to a secluded waterfall. This 2-mile round-trip path is surrounded by a meadow rich in wildflowers, embodying the beauty of the high country—a name given by the indigenous Klamath people.
Castle Crest Wildflower Trail

Passing by

Castle Crest Wildflower Garden is a botanical highlight featuring a vibrant display of native wildflowers.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so there is no need to meet an in-person guide. Start on Highway 62 heading north or Highway 138 heading south toward the lake. You can also join anywhere along the route. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour.”

End point

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so there is no need to meet an in-person guide. Start on Highway 62 heading north or Highway 138 heading south toward the lake. You can also join anywhere along the route. Search your email for “Download Audio Tour.”

Using your ticket

Includes an app-based self-guided experience, so you do not need any in-person guide.

STEPS TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:

1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher

2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App

3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1

4. DOWNLOAD the Audio Tour NOW

FIND YOUR VOUCHER CODE AND INSTRUCTIONS

Email: Search for “GuideAlong”. Check All Mail and junk/spam.
Text: Search for “GuideAlong”.
This Ticket: Find the VOUCHER CODE at the top under the QR code and redeem at Step
Viator App: Open your booking and Contact Support > Contact Tour Operator.
TripAdvisor App: Account > Messages.
Support: Call GuideAlong toll-free on 1866-477-1791.

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEALONG APP & TOUR NOW

You must download the GuideAlong app and tour to your phone over WiFi or cellular data beforehand. If you can OPEN your tour and see START TOURING, it is downloaded. No service is required while touring.

FLEXIBLE TRAVEL DATE

There’s no expiry date or time limit for your tour. If your plans change, there’s no need to change your travel date.

CHARGING & SOUND

Use a USB/C car charger adapter in the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette lighter) to keep your phone charged, not the vehicle's USB port. Audio will play through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the app’s map will display on your phone. Connect your phone via Bluetooth to listen through the car stereo: guidealong.com/travel-tips-bluetooth/.

HELP & SUPPORT

FAQs: See the GuideAlong app’s Help menu or online FAQs at guidealong.com/faq.
Contact GuideAlong Support: Call toll-free 1866-477-1791, chat online at guidealong.com, or email [email protected].

Important Note: East Rim Drive is currently closed to all public access from Park Headquarters to Phantom Ship Overlook due to road construction.

Link: https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.
Location-Based Stories: Audio commentary plays automatically as you drive using your phone’s GPS chip. Wherever you are and whichever direction you’re going, you’ll hear the best stories and tips.
Flexible Travel Date: Tours are a one-time purchase with no expiry or date/time limit. If your plans change to a different day, there’s no need to change your travel date.
Tour at Your Leisure: With GuideAlong, you control the pace. Start, stop, and resume the tour any day, anytime, adapting it to your schedule.
Driving Tours: Group Savings: One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle, making it a cost-effective way to explore.
Works Offline: No internet or cell service is required once the audio tour is downloaded to your phone, so you can relax and tour offline.
Bring A Charger: Pack a USB/C car charger for charging and easy sound connectivity, and make sure your device is fully charged.
Technical Support: The GuideAlong support team is available daily by toll-free phone, online chat, and email.
Please be aware that the section between Sun Notch Trailhead and Cloudcap Overlook at Crater Lake is currently closed. Visitors will need to return and take an alternate route to access the other parts of the lake, as both Sun Notch and Cloudcap Overlook remain open.
The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.
Important Note: East Rim Drive is currently closed to all public access from Park Headquarters to Phantom Ship Overlook due to road construction.
Cleetwood Cove Closure: The Cleetwood Cove Trail, parking lot, and marina are closed for the 2026–2028 seasons due to a major rehabilitation project. There will be no public lakeshore access via Cleetwood Cove and no public boat tours during this period.