Crater Lake National Park Cancels 2026 Ride the Rim Event

Crater Lake National Park has announced the cancellation of the 2026 Ride the Rim event. The popular annual tradition, which allows cyclists, runners and walkers to experience the park’s stunning landscapes without the presence of motorized vehicles, will not grab place this year due to extensive infrastructure improvements across the park.

Why Ride the Rim Was Canceled for 2026

The decision to cancel the event stems from several major rehabilitation projects that have created significant safety and operational challenges. Park officials stated that active construction zones currently limit the ability to safely host large groups of pedestrians and cyclists on the roads.

The specific projects contributing to the cancellation include:

• East Rim Drive: Ongoing repairs and paving work.
• Cleetwood Cove: Major repairs to the marina and the Cleetwood Cove Trail.
• North Junction Overlook: General infrastructure improvements.
• Rim Village: Rehabilitation of the employee dormitory.

Although these projects disrupt the 2026 event schedule, they represent a multi-year investment intended to enhance the durability of the routes and improve the overall visitor experience. Specifically, the work on East Rim Drive is expected to improve the quality of the route used by Ride the Rim participants in the future.

Visiting Crater Lake During Construction

Despite the cancellation of Ride the Rim and the closure of the Cleetwood Cove Trail, Crater Lake National Park remains open to the public. Visitors can still access a variety of recreational opportunities, including:

• Scenic viewpoints along East Rim Drive.
• Various hiking trails.
• Wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the park.

What is Ride the Rim?

Ride the Rim is a pedestrian-friendly event hosted by Crater Lake National Park in partnership with the Friends of Crater Lake and the Discover Klamath Visitor & Convention Bureau. The event closes East Rim Drive to vehicular and motorized traffic, providing a safe environment for people to explore the caldera on two wheels, one wheel, or on foot (via Ride the Rim Oregon).

The event is highly anticipated due to the unique geography of the park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, reaching a depth of 1,943 feet, and is renowned as one of the cleanest and clearest bodies of water in the world.

Key Event History

The event has a long history of drawing enthusiasts to the Cascades. Most recently, the 11th annual Ride the Rim took place on September 6 and 13, 2025.

Looking Forward

At this time, the next Ride the Rim event has not yet been scheduled. Park officials encourage interested participants to monitor the National Park Service’s website for updates regarding future dates and current park conditions.