Crater Lake National Park, in partnership with Discover Klamath and Friends of Crater Lake, will host the annual Ride the Rim days September 11 and 18, 2021. On these consecutive Saturdays, East Rim Drive from North Junction to Park Headquarters will be closed to motorized vehicles from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow for non-motorized recreation including biking, hiking, and running. Ride the Rim will proceed only if pandemic protocols currently in place are modified or lifted in time for the event. As of today, large gatherings in the park are prohibited.
Ride the Rim participants will need to pay a Park Entrance Fee upon entering the park.
Superintendent Craig W. Ackerman said, “Ride the Rim has grown in popularity each year. It provides an opportunity to experience East Rim Drive in a unique way, under your own power, whether you’re on a bike or on your own two feet. It is a strenuous endeavor, but the rewards of a slower pace, opportunities for quiet reflection, and healthy, vigorous recreation make it a special experience for many people.”
Each year’s event offers jerseys and tees for participants to remember Ride the Rim and is available only on the website. Says Tonia Ulbricht, Senior Marketing Manager for Discover Klamath and co-organizer of Ride the Rim: “We are excited to offer Ride the Rim this year and we were sad to cancel in 2020 amid the pandemic. I feel people are looking to get outside in nature and what better way than at Crater Lake National Park.”
Visitors on these Saturdays should expect a large number of bicyclists on park roads. Please ride and drive with caution and patience. Cyclists should ride single-file when sharing the road with motorists.
West Rim Drive will be open to both pedestrian and cycling traffic. Park staff recommends bicyclists avoid riding on West Rim Drive if possible, because of increased traffic from Ride the Rim participants, shuttles, and other park visitors.
Ride the Rim parking is located at North Junction, Park Headquarters, and the Picnic Hill area of Rim Village. Participants are encouraged to share rides to help ease parking congestion.
In 2021, Ride the Rim will not be offering a free shuttle as it as in past year due to the current COVID-19 restrictions. Riders will be expected to ride the entire Rim Drive or an out-and-back. All volunteers and riders will also be expected to wear masks as all rest stops and maintain 6-ft of social distancing.
Lost Creek Campground will be unavailable on the nights of September 10, 11, 17, and 18 to accommodate volunteers working to support Ride the Rim. Mazama Campground will be open on these days.
For more information, or to volunteer for the event, visit www.RideTheRimOregon.com.
About Discover Klamath Visitor and Convention Bureau
Discover Klamath Visitor & Convention Bureau is Klamath County’s official tourism agency. It serves to promote the beauty and culture of over 6,100 square miles to those outside the area. Since 2009, Discover Klamath has delivered the message to “Meet Me in Klamath” through both traditional and new media. By developing partnerships, Discover Klamath seeks to extend its reach and the reach of its partners to increase visitation and the length of stay in Klamath County. To learn more visit www.discoverklamath.com, or call 541.882.1501.
