Trail Overview
Crater Lake Jeep Trail is a rugged route tailored for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles and SxSs looking to explore the stark volcanic landscape bordering the Jordan Craters Lava Bed. This rough, rocky ranchers' road skirts the edge of the dramatic basalt flows, offering a unique backcountry driving experience that demands careful tire placement. Navigating this technical rating 4 trail provides a bumpy but rewarding journey through some of Oregon's most remote desert terrain.
While traversing this unpaved path, drivers can marvel at the vast expanses of dark basalt and the prominent Coffeepot Crater rising nearby. The trail concludes near Mud Lake, seamlessly connecting back into the extensive network of BLM and ranch roads, which makes it an ideal segment for multi-day overland adventures in Malheur County.
Access Description
Located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land within the Vale District, this route is open for public motorized use. There are no fees or permits required to drive the trail, but visitors should be entirely self-sufficient as cell service is extremely limited and help is far away. High-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles or SxSs are highly recommended due to the rough, rocky nature of the road.
