Cleetwood Cove is the sole legal access point to the shoreline of Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA. Private kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and all other personal flotation devices are strictly prohibited on Crater Lake. The only boats permitted are the park's commercial tour vessels, which are transported to the lake by helicopter. The cove is a boulder-strewn section of shoreline on the north side of the lake, lacking a sandy beach. Access to the water is exclusively via the Cleetwood Cove Trail, a steep, strenuous 1.1-mile path that descends 700 feet from the rim to the shore. The trail surface is crushed pumice, which can be loose and slippery. The trail is closed for a major rehabilitation project for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons, during which there will be no lake access or boat tours. When open, typically from mid-June to late October, the trail is extremely popular and crowded. The lake is renowned for its exceptional clarity and deep blue color, a result of its purity, with no rivers or streams feeding into it. Water temperature averages around 57°F (14°C). The lake is the deepest in the United States at 1,943 feet. From the cove, paddlers on the permitted tour boats can view notable formations like Wizard Island and Phantom Ship. There are no facilities for launching private craft; the only amenities are vault toilets at the trailhead and lakeshore. The overall experience is defined by the significant physical effort required for the hike and the stark, majestic beauty of the volcanic caldera, but it is not a destination for personal paddling.