Is Crater Lake, Oregon Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Crater Lake, Oregon, begin by researching Klamath County's short-term rental regulations and Oregon state requirements, as the area falls under county jurisdiction with specific zoning restrictions near the national park. Contact Klamath County Planning Department to obtain necessary permits including a Conditional Use Permit for short-term rentals, business license, and transient lodging tax registration with the Oregon Department of Revenue. Find property outside the immediate park boundaries in areas like Fort Klamath or nearby residential zones, ensuring it meets county setback requirements and septic system capacity for increased occupancy. Furnish the property with durable, mountain-appropriate furniture, high-quality linens, full kitchen amenities, heating systems suitable for cold winters, and outdoor gear storage, while ensuring compliance with Oregon's smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements. Create your Airbnb listing emphasizing proximity to Crater Lake National Park (typically 15-30 minutes depending on location), include professional photos showcasing mountain views, and price competitively with area rates of $150-300 per night depending on season and property size. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in Klamath Falls, implementing a 24-hour check-in system due to remote location, providing detailed local information including park access routes and seasonal closures, and maintaining the property year-round considering heavy snow loads and potential road access issues during winter months.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Crater Lake, Oregon, focus on locations within 10-15 miles of Crater Lake National Park entrance gates, particularly properties in Prospect, Union Creek, or Fort Klamath that offer easy park access while maintaining reasonable acquisition costs. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or homes with rustic charm, modern amenities, hot tubs, fireplaces, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 4-8 guests, as these features command premium rates of $150-400 per night during peak season (June-September). Analyze pricing by studying comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 20-mile radius, noting that properties closer to the park entrance typically achieve 60-80% occupancy rates during summer months and 20-30% in winter. Research competition by examining the saturation of STR properties in specific areas using AirDNA or Mashvisor, focusing on neighborhoods with fewer than 10 active listings per square mile to avoid oversaturation. Utilize tools like Zillow and Realtor.com for property acquisition, STR Helper or Awning for market analysis, and consult with local property management companies such as Vacasa or RedAwning who operate in the Southern Oregon market to understand operational costs, which typically run 25-35% of gross revenue including cleaning, maintenance, and management fees.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Crater Lake, Oregon, you must apply through Klamath County's planning department since Crater Lake falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal government. Contact the Klamath County Planning Department at 305 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601, or call (541) 883-5086 to begin the conditional use permit process required for short-term rentals. Required documents include a completed conditional use permit application, site plan showing the property layout, proof of property ownership or authorization letter, septic system approval if applicable, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking, and a detailed operational plan addressing noise control, occupancy limits, and property management. The application fee is approximately $1,500-$2,000 for the conditional use permit, plus additional fees for inspections and processing. The timeline typically takes 60-90 days from application submission to approval, including a public hearing before the planning commission. Specific Crater Lake area requirements include compliance with rural zoning regulations, demonstration that the STR won't negatively impact the rural character of the area, adherence to septic system capacity limits, provision of adequate parking without impacting neighboring properties, and submission of a good neighbor policy addressing noise, trash, and guest behavior management.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally prohibited within Crater Lake National Park itself, as federal regulations restrict commercial lodging operations within national park boundaries, with the historic Crater Lake Lodge being the primary exception as the authorized concessionaire accommodation. However, STRs are legal in the surrounding areas of Klamath County, Oregon, where Crater Lake is located, subject to county regulations that typically require permits, safety inspections, and compliance with zoning restrictions. The nearby communities of Prospect, Union Creek, and other areas outside the park boundary allow STRs under Klamath County's ordinances, which were updated around 2019-2020 to include registration requirements, occupancy limits, and noise restrictions. Properties within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest surrounding the park may also have federal restrictions on STR operations depending on land use designations. Visitors seeking STR accommodations near Crater Lake must look to privately-owned properties in unincorporated Klamath County or nearby municipalities like Chiloquin or Klamath Falls, all of which maintain their own specific permitting and operational requirements for short-term rental properties.

The best areas for Airbnb investment near Crater Lake, Oregon are Rim Village and the immediate Crater Lake National Park vicinity, which offer unparalleled access to the park's main attractions and command premium rates from tourists visiting between May and October when the rim drive is fully accessible. The nearby town of Prospect, located about 30 miles southwest, provides a strategic location with lower property costs while still offering reasonable access to the park, plus proximity to the Rogue River for fishing and rafting activities. Fort Klamath, approximately 25 miles north, serves as an excellent base for visitors seeking more affordable accommodations while exploring both Crater Lake and the surrounding Winema National Forest, with properties here benefiting from year-round accessibility unlike rim properties that may be snowed in during winter months. The Chiloquin area, about 45 miles northeast, attracts visitors interested in Native American culture, fishing the Williamson River, and serves as a gateway to both Crater Lake and the Oregon Cascades, offering investors opportunities to capture both summer park visitors and winter recreation enthusiasts heading to nearby ski areas.

Airbnb properties in Crater Lake, Oregon are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Oregon's statewide transient lodging tax of 1.8% on gross rental receipts, Jackson County's transient room tax of 6%, and potentially local municipal taxes depending on the specific location within the Crater Lake area. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which has agreements with Oregon and Jackson County to remit taxes directly to the appropriate authorities on behalf of hosts. Hosts may need to register with the Oregon Department of Revenue and Jackson County for tax collection purposes, and must remit taxes monthly or quarterly depending on rental volume, with returns typically due by the 15th of the following month. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient lodging taxes, and some jurisdictions may offer exemptions for rentals to government employees or during certain circumstances, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria as tax obligations can change and may vary by specific municipality within the Crater Lake region.

Starting an Airbnb in Crater Lake, Oregon requires significant upfront investment due to the remote location and limited property availability. Property purchase costs average $450,000-$650,000 for a suitable vacation rental home near the national park area, with most properties being cabins or mountain homes. Furnishing costs typically range $25,000-$40,000 to create an appealing vacation rental with quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and outdoor equipment suitable for the area's recreational activities. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials costs approximately $2,500-$4,000. Permits and fees include Oregon lodging tax registration ($50), Jackson County business license ($75), and potential homeowner association fees ($200-$500 annually), plus any local short-term rental permits which can range $300-$800. Insurance for short-term rentals in this area costs $3,000-$5,000 annually due to the remote location and seasonal weather risks. Utilities including electricity, water, sewer, internet, and propane average $300-$500 monthly, with higher costs during winter months. First six months operating costs including utilities ($2,400), cleaning services ($1,800), maintenance ($1,500), supplies ($800), and platform fees (3% of bookings, estimated at $2,000) total approximately $8,500. The complete startup investment ranges from $490,000-$710,000, making this a substantial investment requiring careful financial planning and market analysis.

Airbnb properties in Crater Lake, Oregon demonstrate strong seasonal profitability with average daily rates ranging from $150-300 during peak summer months (June-September) when the national park attracts maximum visitors, generating annual revenues of $35,000-65,000 for well-positioned properties. Operating expenses typically include 25-30% for cleaning and maintenance, 3% Airbnb service fees, 8-12% property management if outsourced, plus utilities averaging $200-400 monthly, resulting in net profit margins of 40-55% for established hosts. Success factors include proximity to park entrances (properties within 20 miles command 30-40% premium rates), unique amenities like hot tubs or fire pits, and professional photography showcasing mountain views. A case study from 2023 showed a 3-bedroom cabin near Rim Village generated $58,000 in revenue with $23,000 in expenses, yielding 60% profit margin, while properties in nearby Klamath Falls averaged only 35% margins due to distance from attractions. Winter occupancy drops to 20-30% compared to 85-95% summer rates, making year-round profitability dependent on attracting winter sports enthusiasts and maintaining competitive pricing during shoulder seasons, with successful operators diversifying marketing to include Crater Lake's winter beauty and nearby skiing opportunities at Mount Bachelor.

Airbnb investments in Crater Lake, Oregon typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's proximity to Crater Lake National Park, which attracts over 700,000 visitors annually. Cash-on-cash returns range from 8-14% for properties within 30 miles of the park, with seasonal vacation rentals commanding premium rates of $150-300 per night during peak summer months (June-September) and $80-150 during shoulder seasons. Properties generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. The limited supply of accommodations near the park, combined with consistent tourism demand, supports strong rental performance, though investors should account for seasonal fluctuations and higher maintenance costs due to harsh winter conditions. Market data from 2022-2024 shows properties purchased for $300,000-500,000 generating gross rental income of $45,000-75,000 annually, with net returns after expenses typically falling in the 10-15% range.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in the Crater Lake, Oregon area. Local real estate agents who focus on investment properties in the region include Keller Williams Realty Southern Oregon with agents experienced in vacation rental markets, and Coldwell Banker Holman Premier Realty which has served the southern Oregon market since 1995. RE/MAX Integrity in nearby Medford also has agents specializing in investment properties within driving distance of Crater Lake. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, AirDNA for market data and investment analysis, and Awning which offers end-to-end Airbnb investment services including property identification and management. BiggerPockets marketplace connects investors with local professionals, while Roofstock focuses on turnkey rental properties that could be converted to short-term rentals. Local property management companies like Vacasa and RedAwning can help identify properties already set up for vacation rentals, and investment-focused brokerages such as HomeVestors and BiggerPockets-affiliated agents often have experience with Airbnb property acquisitions in tourist-heavy areas like those surrounding Crater Lake National Park.