Just stayed at the Crater Lake Lodge. In case anyone is considering a trip, here are some tips and info.

The lodge was closed around 1988 and rebuilt (torn down to add a proper foundation, then rebuilt) over 4 summers. The number of rooms were reduced, and provide for quieter rooms (internal walls were apparently literally wall paper and thin slats of wood - a visiting congresman in the '20s reported he could see between rooms)). The number of guest rooms was reduced to 72.

The lodge is only open from late May (around Memorial day) to mid october and then shuts down for the season (though global warming may yet change that). The Mazama motor inn below the rim stays open for an even shorter season (until Labour day)!

Reservation: need to make these months in advance. Check the website and calling the local Xanterra (concession operator) in White City, OR. There may be availability not reflected on the website.

There aren't too many categories of rooms though there are many variations in the rooms. Seems to be basement/ground level rooms, back-facing rooms, standard and superior lakeviews, and loft suites.

The basement rooms are the lowest cost ($131+tax currently) but have no view. They're in the stone-walled lower level (1st floor/1XX).

The superior lakeviews are rather large rooms, shallow but wide. Came equipped with 2 double beds, desk, and 2 arm chairs, but with small windows. No a/c in any rooms (cool enough in summer) but a fan is provided. Bathrooms are very small with external sinks. The standard lakeviews are arranged in a typical hotel/motel arrangement. They also oddly have larger windows (2 adjacent windows actually).

Didn't see the loft suites but they're 2-level suites with 2 bedrooms. More economical for a family or 2 couples who don't mind sharing a bathroom.

The rear-facing rooms may have a view of the south, down to Klamath Lake. Sizes seem to vary and it's luck of the draw.

Reportedly rooms 201 and 401 have bath tubs with the view of the lake (214 and 221 have toilets with a view of the lake!) 221 also is a corner room so you can see not only the lake but Garfield peak and down to Klamath Lake.

The lodge has a small restaurant. Reservations for dinner are essential and preference is given to lodge guests. Food is priced reasonably and is probably the best of Xanterra lodges (Grand Canyon North Rim, Bryce and Zion) that I visited this year. No reservations accepted for lunch or breakfast. Lunch appears to see a lot of non-lodge guests so seating is not guaranteed. You can however have appetizers, salads and soups (as well as drinks) in the common hall or outside on the rocking chairs (bring a blanket). Free coffee is available from around 6a to 9a or 10a.

Access. Crater Lake has 2 entrances. The north entrance is seasonal and usually closes when it starts to snow in October while the south entrance is open year-round. The rim drive is seasonal (you'll see why as the road is curvy and steep with no guard rails in places where you'd expect to see one). Call ahead for current road conditions.

The weather is also highly variable. I've been twice and the weather has been gorgeous. Early October (this past weekend) and in mid-summer a decade ago. My partner once went in June and went up to the rim. She saw nothing as conditions were a complete white out and snow. Her friend who visited earlier one August also encountered snow.

We did a hike up Garfield Peak from the lodge. About 1.6 miles each way and about 1,000' in vertical gain. Be aware of your physical condition as the lodge altitude is around 7,000' (one should have enough oxyhaemoglobin for one physically-exertive hike). Gorgeous views of the lake not available at rim road level. Almost worth a hike in the morning and evening for views of the west and east faces of the caldera. Unfortunately due to time constraints, no time to drive the rim loop.