Can you reserve a site at Crack-In-The-Ground?

No. Crack-In-The-Ground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Crack-In-The-Ground, Oregon — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Crack-in-the-Ground is an ancient volcanic fissure over 2 miles long and up to 70 feet deep. Normally, fissures like this one are filled with soil and rock by the processes of erosion and sedimentation. However, because it is located in such an arid region, very little filling has occurred and Crack-in-the-Ground exists today nearly as it did shortly after its formation thousands of years ago. An established 2 mile trail along the fissure’s bottom offers a unique hike, where the temperature can be as much as twenty degrees cooler than at the surface.

Know Before You Go

Open season: Crack-in-the-Ground is open YEAR ROUND.
Trail difficulty is moderate, with a 70’ elevation gain and sand and rock surface.
Universal access restroom available.
No drinking water available.
Trail open to foot travel only. Motor vehicles, mountain bikes, and equestrians are PROHIBITED.
Access is via rugged dirt roads that may be impassable at times. Four-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended.
Facilities at the Green Mountain facilities include 6 designated campsites, a vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire grates. This is a primitive campground so please pack out all of your trash.
The fire lookout atop Green Mountain is manned from June through October.
The nearest services are in Christmas Valley, Oregon.

Point of Interest

A trail along the fissure's bottom allows for visitors to hike the crack’s length—and to cool off, due to a temperature up to twenty degrees lower than the surface.

Getting there

From Christmas Valley, Oregon, head east on the Christmas Valley Highway for approximately 1 mile. Turn north (left) onto Crack-in-the-Ground Road and continue for about 7 miles, being sure to turn left onto Lava Craters Road, following signs to Crack-in-the-Ground.

43.33281, -120.67600 · 43°19'58.1"N 120°40'33.6"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Official map for this area

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	39	43	51	57	66	74	85	83	76	61	46	38
Low °F	21	22	25	27	34	40	45	43	35	28	23	18
Precip in	1.3	0.9	1.4	0.8	1.3	0.7	0.4	0.5	0.5	0.8	1.2	1.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 14.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

No fees.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Crack-In-The-Ground

Can you reserve a site at Crack-In-The-Ground?: No. Crack-In-The-Ground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Crack-In-The-Ground

Hager Mountain Lookout 28.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fremont Point Cabin 33.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Green Mountain Campground 4.4 mi · Facility
Black Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern 11.3 mi · Facility
Lost Forest/Dunes/Fossil ACEC 15.4 mi · Facility
Derrick Cave 16 mi · Facility
Duncan Reservoir Campground 22.6 mi · Campground
South Lava OHV Staging Area 27.8 mi · Facility
China Hat Campground 28.8 mi · Campground
Silver Creek Marsh Campground 32.3 mi · Campground
Thompson Reservoir Campground 33.2 mi · Campground
Eastbay Campground 33.2 mi · Campground

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-23.

Crack-In-The-Ground