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Liz Parrish here, owner of Crystalwood Lodge and known far and wide as "Iditarod's Littlest Musher" after my adventure completing the Iditarod Sled Dog Race to celebrate my first half-century. 

I just celebrated my 10 year anniversary here at Crystalwood Lodge.

Upon starting this adventure here at Crystalwood Lodge, I never imagined I would be at this point 10 years on.   Going in, having studied about innkeeping, taken workshops, and attended conferences, I knew that the average half-life in this industry was 7 years. Innkeeping stress is high, burn out rates are even higher. You're always "on", the phone and email become your lifeline and your master. It isn't for everyone.  

And yet...as I often tell guests, it is terrific to be able to live out here in paradise -- I get to stay in the mountains when you have to leave and return to your daily responsibilities. Mine are right here -- the lodge and hosting guests, getting the word out about our evolving offerings, and of course still taking care of and training my wonderful sled dogs.

As our focus and support of group stays has evolved, I've been thrilled to be able to offer an expanded set of services and host even more fascinating folks. Year-round Crystalwood Lodge now makes our commercial kitchen available to guests (both individuals and groups) and that has been a highlight of many stays. After all, how many chances have you had to play "Iron Chef" in a fully outfitted commercial kitchen? I've even had multiple chefs and cooks come as guests and rave about how easy it is to work in our kitchen...one guest, a pastry chef in real life, effused that "this was nicer than the kitchen she works in!"  

We've hosted guests from Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and of course throughout North America. That would have been unthinkable even a few years ago without the power of being found on the Internet.

As we've been discovered by groups, we've hosted everything from scrapbooking groups to departmental off-sites, watercolor workshops to weddings, birthday celebrations to church retreats to Sierra Club trips and a multitude of family reunions. All are special, all are given the TLC they deserve. And they've left me with some incredible memories.  

Memories of the families who met here for the first time having adopted their children from the same orphanage in Russia. The extended family who gathered here for a tender and intimate farewell to the family patriarch. The entire great room being sheeted in plastic as the watercolor artists plied their craft. Doggie retreats where guests learned to drive sled dog teams and what transformational lessons their own dogs can teach them. Beautiful outdoor weddings, incredible snow for Christmas family memories, being the perfect "home base" for day trips for birding, fishing, hiking, kayaking, Crater Lake and more to explore this corner of paradise. Memories for a lifetime.

I look forward to hosting some irreplaceable memories for you!

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We're THE top pet-welcoming destination in the Southern Oregon Cascades, just outside Crater Lake National Park. Relax with the perfect getaway at the edge of the Klamath Basin, in the heart of a recreation wonderland and a world apart from your daily stress!

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Crystalwood Lodge provides spacious and private vacation rental lodging just outside Crater Lake National Park. Crystalwood is an ideal spot for basing an in-depth exploration of the “best 30 miles in Oregon” and beyond. We are located just outside Crater Lake National Park, only 18 miles from the south entrance (open year-round). Crystalwood Lodge’s focus is on hosting groups, events, workshops, seminars, family reunions, weddings – any group needing a private space in a unique setting. In 2011 we were honored to host 2 weddings, a multitude of family reunions, milestone birthday celebrations, bikers participating in the Crater Lake Century Bike Ride, our annual Sierra Club national trip for active women over 50, dog sledding retreats, scrapbooking weekends, church get-togethers....just to name a few! Well-behaved pets are welcome throughout the Lodge and grounds (except for the kitchen and dining room, per health dept. regulations). We live in the 'tropics of winter sports' so temperate and balmy winters, and warm but not scorching summers. Winter highs are in the 30s, summer in the 80s. We’re located just south of Crater Lake National Park (18 mi.), above the north-west side of Upper Klamath Lake, along the east flank of the Southern Oregon Cascades, and between Highway 97 and Interstate 5. We’re only 5 hours south of Portland and 6 hours north of San Francisco, with airline service into nearby Klamath Falls and Medford. Come for a day, a week, or longer and experience over 500 very special square miles of lakes, streams, marsh, wilderness trails, wildlife, history, and recreational opportunities. Leave the speedboat and the iPod at home. The absence of glitz, noise, and speed endears this region to residents, and lures those seeking a special respite. Take a deep breath. Look around. It’s all here! You'll find everything from Sunset Magazine's #1 Birding destination in the West, the largest freshwater ecosystem west of the Great Lakes, local festivals, celebrations and rodeos, and part of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway and All-American Road. Explore and enjoy!
Brands
Iditarod
Payment method
discover, all major credit cards
Location
Please look at the directions on our main website's Map and Directions page, for precise driving directions from any point on the compass. We're located * 18 miles south of Crater Lake NP * 35 miles NW of Klamath Falls *
Amenities
Pet welcoming and family friendly 7 bedroom house, each bedroom has a private bathroom. Fully outfitted commercial kitchen to satisfy yoru inner gourmet or make meals quick and easy. Free wi-fi throughout the Lodge. Huge wrap-round deck, upper and lower screened viewing porches. 130 acres to explore, including canoeing and boating, hiking trails, birding and fishing right on property. Visit with the Iditarod sled dogs and take a kennel tour (complimentary for Lodge guests). Located in the heart of year-round easy access recreation paradise. See more recreation details at www.ThingsToDoNearCraterLake.com
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Lodging, Vacation Homes Rentals & Sales
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