Table of Contents
- About Crater Lake
- What To Do At Crater Lake?
- Our Top 5 Tips For Visiting Crater Lake
- Frequently Asked Questions
About Crater Lake National Park
The stunning Crater Lake is located in south-central Oregon. It formed around 7,700 years ago after the Mount Mazama eruption. The volcanic crater is 2,148 feet-deep (655 meters), making the lake itself the largest lake in the entirety of the USA. This lake is the primary feature of Crater Lake National Park and is renowned for the clarity and depth of its deep blue water (spoiler alert, you’re going to want to add this one to your National Park bucket list!)
You might be wondering why this solitary lake never seems to dry up (after almost 8,000 years!). The reason behind the consistency of the stunning blue water is that the evaporation that would happen in a typical Crater is offset by rain and snowfall at a pace such that the entire amount of water is restored every 250 years AND there are no rivers entering or leaving the lake. Not only will this lake never dry up, but it is the deepest in the United States, measuring 1,949 feet (594 m) below the surface.
Numerous outdoor pursuits are accessible at Crater Lake and in the adjacent parks, including hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fishing. In the summer, visitors can stay at the campgrounds and lodges there.
What To Do At Crater Lake?
1. Watch the Sunrise/Sunset
Watching the sun come up over the rim of Crater Lake has got to be one of the most beautiful things we have ever had the privilege of seeing. To make it for sunrise you’ll likely have to get up bring and early (we were up at 3 am to watch the whole thing) but it is well worth it. For sunrise you’ll want to find a nice spot on the west side of the rim (insider tip: skip Watchman’s point [a very common spot for sunrise watching] and continue south along the rim road for about .25 mil before you reach a small, unmarked lookout. This is where you will get the absolute best pictures of the sun rising over Wizard Island). For local sunrise and sunset times, click here.
2. Go For A Hike
Hiking at Crater Lake is almost like hiking on a different planet. The scenery, the colors, and the beauty is just out of this world. Here is a quick list of the top 5 Crater Lake Hikes:
- Garfield Peak Trail
- Cleetwood Cove Trail
- Discovery Point Trail
- Watchman Peak Trail
- Plaikni Falls Trail
3. Visit Wizard Island
If you happen to visit Crater Lake National Park between July & September then you will likely encounter people taking the short boat ride back and forth between the main rim and Wizard Island. Wizard Island is a 763-foot cinder cone created when Crater Lake first filled with water after the volcano collapsed. You can take tours to visit the island and explore it’s many mysteries. NOTE: to get to Wizard Island you have to do the Cleetwood Cove Trail (listed above).
4. Go Animal Watching
Crater Lake is home to many native Oregonian species including bears, coyotes, elk, porcupines, amphibians, and more, plus a range of birds and insects. The lake and streams in the park are home to diverse species of fish and animals, including the endangered bull trout and the Mazama newt, which is only found at Crater Lake. The amazing diversity of wildlife make it a dream destination for fisherman, birdwatchers, and animal enthusiast of all kinds!
5. Visit One Of the Villages
Rim Village: Rim Village is the main stomping ground for many Crater Lake visitors. It features the Crater Lake Lodge, The Visitor Center, the gift shop, and restrooms (not to mention the stunning views from its paved walkways).
Mazama Village: This cozy campground/ rest stop is the perfect place lay your head for the night if the pricy Lake Lodge isn’t in the budget this time around. Additionally, you’ll find the the Annie Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop which caters to family-friendly American cuisine for lunch and dinner, as well as a variety of local beers and wines. The gift shop offers a wide selection of park souvenirs. The nearby Mazama Village Store carries groceries, camping supplies, firewood, and gasoline.
6. Do The Rim Drive
One of the best things about Crater Lake National Park is that you don’t even have to get out of the car to soak in the amazing surroundings (although we highly recommend it!). This 33 mile loop will take you around the lake, past cliffs and streams, and features some of the most stunning views that Crater Lake has to offer. Learn more about this amazing drive on the National Park Service website here.
Our Top 5 Tips For Visiting Crater Lake
- Get there early: To avoid overcrowding and to view Crater Lake in the early morning sunlight get here as early as you can (I’d recommend getting there for sunrise, but if you’re there by 8 am you’re probably still alright).
- Stop whenever you can: Although you might say to yourself that you’ve stopped 1,000 times today already and that no one view could be that different from the next, I’m here to tell you that every view is different and worth the stop.
- Bring lunch: Unless you are staying at the Crater Lake Lodge, food within the Park is scarce and anything surrounding the area is mostly sub-par or very expensive (I’m talking $25 for a cheese burger expensive). So do just do yourself the favor and pack some snacks at least!
- Plan out your day(s) – but leave room for the spontaneousness: Crater Lake is filled to the brim with hikes, activities, and adventures to be had. Having a game plan when you go into the park as to what you’d like to do that day can elevate stress, help keep you focused on what you want to see, and overall make sure you have the best trip possible. BUT, don’t forget that sometimes going with the flow can actually result in an even better experience, so be open to what Crater Lake brings you (for me it was an hour long conversation at the top of a summit with a 75-year old man from New Jesery, and it was wonderful!). Just stay open and have a great time.
- Leave No Trace: Many people go to EXTREME efforts to keep Crater Lake a beautiful place for visitors to enjoy and experience, remember to show them and the park the same respect that they are showing you by allowing you to come and visit. This Lake is one of the most pristine in the whole WORLD, let’s keep it that way friends. What you pack in, you pack out. No trash left behind, no pet waste left behind, and absolutely nothing left in the water. Thank you.
Looking for More National Parks to Check Out?
The fun doesn’t stop with Craker Lake! As beautiful as it is you should check out the other PNW national parks too! Plus, if you’re planning a trip to southern Oregon for Crater Lake you should also know that the highway of waterfalls is just north of the lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! However, keep in mind there is only one location in the park where it is both safe and legal to jump into the icy waters. Cleetwood Cove Trail is a 2mil round trip hike that will take you down to the water’s edge. This hike is usually open from mid-late June through early October. If you are brave enough to face the chilly waters (temperatures stay around 38-50 degrees year round), all the power to you!
Crater Lake is famous for its well-known vibrant blue color and purity (making it incredibly photogenic). Additionally, it is the deepest lake in the United States and is said to be one of the cleanest and clearest large bodies of water in the whole world.
If you swam down to the bottom of Crater Lake you would find some of the most mysterious pits, depressions, and fumaroles imaginable. The tube-like structures come in all shapes and sizes (from several inches to tens of feet), however scientist have been unable to figure out why exactly these tube structures would have formed.
The lake is the deepest in the United States, measuring 1,949 feet (594 m) below the surface.
According to local folklore, Crater Lake is a hotbed for dumping dead bodies. However, the validity of this has not been proven.
Because Crater Lake is a safe haven for many types of wildlife, the water would not be considered drinkable by humans due to potential contamination.
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