Crater Lakes holds the claim as Oregon’s only national park, which is certainly worth the designation! This stunningly blue lake is a newborn in geological terms, as it was formed only 7,000 years ago when Mt. Mazama, which formerly stood in its place, collapsed during an eruption. The crater left behind slowly filled in with melting snow, creating this nearly 2,000-foot-deep crystal clear lake.
Today, the lake is a destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors who hike, bike, and drive around the crater rim and even make the 1.1-mile trek from the rim down to the lake itself.
The Lake
Crater Lake is obviously the main attraction here, with its stunningly blue waters framed by the steep cliffs of this ancient mountain.
The lake has no inlet or outlet flows, so the only water sources are snow and rain, and the only outlets are evaporation and some seepage into the ground. This means the lake water has virtually no sentiment, leading to its incredible clarity and stunning blue color.
Did you know that Crater Lake is the ninth deepest lake in the world and the second deepest in North America?
Epic Scenery
The road circling the rim above the lake allows visitors to take in the lake from every angle and capture stunning sunrises and sunsets. There are also various peaks around the lake that allow for unique vantage points, so long as you’re willing to hike a little to reach them!
Geological Marvels
Crater Lake is unique in that it is such a young geological formation. The lake was previously the 12,000-foot-tall Mt. Mazama, which collapsed onto itself during an eruption. You can also find unique geological features around the park, like hoodoos along the Pinnacles Trail and ghostly islands that look like they are floating in the lake.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Biking
During the late summer, a large portion of the road around the Crater Lake rim is closed to vehicle traffic for the Ride the Rim bicycling event. These car-free days ensure bikers can enjoy the same views offered to motor vehicle traffic during the rest of this summer.
This demanding ride will test even the heartiest bikers with the road’s high base elevation, steep hills, and occasional rough weather.
If the full 33-mile loop is too much, there are also shorter options with shuttles to take you and your bike back to the start.
The Historic Lodge
Crater Lake Lodge was built in 1915 and offers one of the most unique lodging destinations in the world. Imagine waking up and having your morning coffee with this incredible lake outside your window!
Rooms at this lodge fill up quickly, so book early if you want to enjoy this unique experience.
Wizard Island
Crater Lake is home to two small islands that have managed to rise up from the depths. Wizard Island is the larger of the two and the only one you can reach (by tour boat) and explore.
This cinder cone island sits near the western shore and has a 2.4-mile trail that leads to the top of the cone, which stands 750 feet above the lake’s surface.
Boat Tours
There are no private boats allowed on Crater Lake, so the only way to get around is by tour boat. These two-hour tours take you past sights like Wizard Island and the Phantom Ship and along the base of the rim, offering a unique perspective not found from the top of the rim drive.
The trail to the boat dock is not for the faint of heart. It is 2.2 miles long and drops 760 feet to the lake.
The Old Man
The Old Man of Crater Lake is a quirky tourist attraction that is fun to try and spot from various viewpoints around the rim.
This attraction is a 30-foot-long hemlock log that has been floating vertically around the lake since at least the late 1800s. Testing on the log shows that it is 450 years old, so it may have been floating for centuries!
Only the top 3 feet of the log stick above the water, so spotting it takes a keen eye!
Fishing
Did you know that despite Crater Lake having no inflow or outflow of water, a large population of kokanee and rainbow trout call the lake home? This is because the lake was stocked with a number of different species of fish back in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Today, you can try your luck at catching one of these fish; there are no bag limits, size restrictions, or fishing licenses required! The only place to fish the lake is from the boat dock, as waders and personal floating devices are not allowed.
Swimming in the Deepest Lake in the Country
Those who aren’t faint of heart can take a dip in this stunningly clear lake near Cleetwood Cove and Wizard Island. Due to the lake’s high elevation and depth, the water remains stunningly chilly even during the hot summer months—a welcome respite after hiking the hot and dusty trail down to the water!
Amazing Hiking
Crater Lake is surrounded by hikes that range from gentle strolls to lovely overlooks to strenuous climbs up the numerous peaks that surround the lake.
The Garfield Peak trail starts and ends at the Crater Lake Lodge and is popular for its stunning views and easy access.
Those looking for a bit more adventure can head to the 4.3-mile Mt. Scott trail, which climbs 1,275 feet to the summit and provides some of the best views of the park.
Star Gazing
Crater Lake National Park is located deep in southern Oregon, with Umpqua National Forest to the west and the high deserts of eastern Oregon to the east. This means that the skies around Crater Lake are incredibly dark and provide incredible star-gazing opportunities.
Shots of the lake with the Milky Way overhead are a favorite for photographers.
A Remote Winter Wonderland
Despite the park’s high elevation and massive annual snowfall (41 ft!), it remains open year round for winter enthusiasts who want to try their hand at remote skiing, snowshoeing, and camping.
During the spring months, while there is still plentiful snow on the ground, the rangers lead snowshoe hikes from the lodge. These tours are completely free and even include a free set of snowshoes to use!
The History
Crater Lake feels like a park that remained untouched for millions of years but, as we discussed earlier, the lake itself is only 7,000 years old. Natives from the area even have stories passed down for millennia of the eruption that created the lake!
The lake’s history as part of the national park it now belongs to began in the late 1800s, and it took until 1902 for the area surrounding the lake to finally be enshrined into Crater Lake National Park.
The Road Trip
Crater Lake is a long way from most places, including any major airports, so anyone who wants to visit has to do so either as part of a tour or as a road trip. Luckily there are plenty of places to visit no matter which direction you are road tripping in from.
To the north you have Bend, Oregon and the beautiful high desert and cascade mountains. To the south you can drive through southern Oregon and Mt. Shasta in Northern California. And to the west you have the stunning waterfalls of the Umpqua National Forest and the Oregon Coast.
The Phantom Ship
Phantom Ship Island is a small rock outcrop rising abruptly out of the lake. At 500 feet long and 170 feet high, its steep spires have led many to believe it looks like a ship floating through the lake. This is especially true when the weather is foggy or rainy and you can only barely make out the island in the distance.