Sun Notch Trail is a 0.8 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Crater Lake, Oregon that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
kid friendly
birding
hiking
snowshoeing
trail running
walking
forest
lake
views
wild flowers
muddy
snow
no dogs
This is a quick loop off of Rim Road to a terrific viewpoint over Crater Lake down to the Phantom Ship Island below. You'll have great views of the towering walls of the rim around you as you hike across a nice meadow to the edge of the rim.
Last hike of the day. Took some very good pics that would have been great if I'd been there 20 minutes earlier. Very easy walk...
Not crowded at all when we were there. Very easy "hike" to get to the rim and view the lake and Phantom Ship. As stated before, pretty dusty on the trail. Accessible to all ages.
Easy peasy if you're an active hiker. I hiked with wife and kids and there were no complaints of strain on this loop. There is a bit of an uphill but it'll make the outstanding view of the lake and Phantom Ship all the worthwhile for casual strollers - and this will be more like a stroll then a hike. The trail was dusty so were appropriate shoes (opened toed shoe wearers be aware). Also, when you approach the first viewpoint on a busy day there will be jocking for photo position. Note that there are multiple viewpoints so just move along to the next one if first is crowded.
Phantom Ship view that’s worth the easy switch back trail to the ridge. I’d rate this as easy not moderate. The cliffs off to the east as you near the top are stunning, especially in the afternoon light.
Sun notch is a beautiful, easy, rewarding loop that offers a break from the crowds at the rim. I recommend this spot as a refuge for someone who is prone to vertigo and experiencing fear of heights, which can be intense elsewhere in crater. just gorgeous views of the lake and phantom ship.
Short and easy hike to great views of the phantom ship. This hike has ranger led hikes in the afternoon and is wheelchair accessible. Pretty smooth gravel path with lots of “pull over” spots and a few benches. I agree that is should be rated easy instead of moderate.
This was a pretty hike. You can get the best view of Phantom Ship from here.
Stunning views and great bang for your buck! A very short (less than 10 mins) walk from the parking lot to the lookout, for amazing views over the lake. We were there about lunchtime on the 4th July and miraculously had the lookout to ourselves for about 20 minutes while we ate lunch.
Short, relatively easy stroll up to a viewpoint of the Phantom Ship and other viewpoints of Crater Lake. Would not consider this if you plan to do Watchman's Peak or Garfield Peak or Mt. Scott, as the views are better on those hikes. This does deliver a fairly nice view of the ship. Maybe worth a stop if your time allows.
Easy but beautiful walk through the forest with amazing views of Crater Lake and the Phantom Ship.
High "return on effort", great views for an easy hike (should not be classified as "moderate", though)
Great view of the phantom ship!
Super cute little loop. Very easy and short. 20 minutes at leisurely pace including brief photo stops to take amazing pictures of Phantom Ship and Wizard Island from two different lookout stops. Beautiful meadows and trees along the way.
Amazing views of Phantom Ship, short, easy loop hike. Check with the park, dogs are NOT allowed on the trail right now. :(
How could this extremely easy trail get rated moderate?
Beautiful!
It was still snowy on the second half of the loop on 7/15/17! Perfect trail to stretch sore legs.
Easy trail with beautiful views
Nice short little hike for novice hikers. We wanted to do Garfield Peak but it was the first sunny day after snowball so the trail was just too slushy and slippery to trek through for 3 miles, so we settled for Sun Notch. Honestly, this trail didn't provide any better viewpoints than places you could find driving around the loop. But it's nice for young children or older people who need to take it slow and easy. Beware of the falling piles of snow from the trees if you go on a sunny day!
Christopher B.
very beautiful.
Short loop, semi-steep incline for some with a very well maintained trail. What makes it worth it are the views. Incredible views of all the major points and at an angle that most pictures are not taken at.
Short and easy with several incredible views. There are multiple lookouts, each with a different glimpse of the lake. This was our first hike on the trip and it was a great introduction to the lake.
This trail is short and offers a spectacular view of the Phantom Ship and the lake itself. Pay attention to the proper trailhead as it has moved from the old position. The new trail is well groomed and easy to see and efforts are currently underway to control the erosion caused by the placement of the old trail. The overlooks are strategically placed giving you the best views possible. A great hike for the kids, short enough and well worth the effort.