Main image

Ed Klimasauskas, USGS CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon)

Mountain

Inside Crater Lake National Park, Mount Scott is the park high point; day hikes lead to panoramic views over Crater Lake and the surrounding rim.

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In this guide

Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon) essentials

Address: Mount Scott area, Klamath County, Oregon (near Crater Lake National Park)
Website: nps.gov
Hours: Open 24 hours (season-dependent road access)
Admission: Free (trail access). Check with local authorities for any trailhead parking fees.

About Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon)

Mount Scott is a prominent volcanic peak on the rim of Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, rising to roughly 8,900 ft (about 2,720 m). It is the highest point within the national park and forms part of the caldera rim.

Hikers reach viewpoints on the summit ridge from trailheads along the park’s Rim Drive; the summit provides wide views across Crater Lake and the surrounding Cascade Range. Access is seasonal - Rim Drive and many trailheads are typically open in summer and closed by snow in winter.

The peak is volcanic in origin and sits on the rim of the caldera formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama about 7,700 years ago. Its slopes and trails are managed as part of Crater Lake National Park.

Mount Scott is located on the caldera rim inside Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon; the park is accessed from towns such as Prospect and Klamath Falls to the south and east.

  • Park high point: It is the highest point within Crater Lake National Park and is typically accessed from the park’s Rim Drive in the summer months when the road is open.

What to See#

  • Summit: Summit ridge at roughly 8,900 ft provides panoramic views over Crater Lake and the surrounding Cascade peaks; accessible from park roads in summer.
  • Rim Drive access: Rim Drive trailheads provide the most common summer access routes to the peak within Crater Lake National Park.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon)

Best visited in summer for snow-free hiking; spring can be beautiful but trail and road access are variable.

Summer (June-September)
Jun-Sep · 5-25°C (41-77°F)
Snow-free trails and clear vistas; primary season for access.
Late spring (May)
May · 0-15°C (32-59°F)
Snow remnants can linger; trails may be wet and require caution.

Weather & Climate near Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon)

Climate

Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon)'s climate is classified as Subarctic (Dry Summer) - Subarctic (Dry Summer) climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -9°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1719 mm/year), wettest in December.

Air Quality: AQI 27 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
18°
Warmest Month
-9°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -8° - 1° -9° 256 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
February - -8° - 1° -9° 209 mm - - 4.1 m/s - -
March - -9° - 1° -9° 195 mm - - 4.0 m/s - -
April - -8° - 3° -7° 131 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
May - -5° - 6° -3° 93 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
June - -2° - 11° 2° 60 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
July - 2° - 17° 8° 28 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
August - 3° - 18° 11° 34 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
September - 1° - 15° 6° 58 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
October - -2° - 10° 1° 120 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
November - -6° - 3° -7° 263 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
December - -8° - 1° -9° 272 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon)

From Crater Lake National Park’s Rim Drive, follow the marked trailheads leading to Mount Scott. The nearest major town is Klamath Falls (about 60-90 minutes by car). Roads on the rim are seasonal-check with Crater Lake National Park for current access and conditions.

Tips for Visiting Mount Scott (Klamath County, Oregon)

  • Park at the trailhead parking lot early-summer afternoons attract anglers and day hikers from Crater Lake region.
  • If hiking the summit trail, bring bear-aware practices and store food in vehicles.
  • Combine a visit with Crater Lake National Park if time allows; Mount Scott lies on the park's rim and offers a quieter alternative to the lake viewpoint.