Crater Lake National Park - Oregon

Address:Crater Lake, Oregon
Tel: (541) 594-3100

Crater Lake's intense blue color, the majestic mountains reflected in it, and the lake's extraordinary depth (1,958 feet!) make this park worthy of major praise. But there's more to this park than just the lake. Incredible hikes, ranging from easy to strenuous in terms of difficulty, guide visitors through old-growth forests, wildflower blooms, views of scenic Wizard Island (a cinder cone within the lake itself), and panoramic views of the inside of a caldera. If you are ambitious enough to make it to the top of Mt. Scott, the park's highest peak, you will experience something rare and incredible - a view of the entire caldera.
With eight long months of winter, the park receives well over 500 inches of snow annually, generally making a summer visit more feasible. Although the water temperature of the lake is often freezing (even in the warmer months) that doesn't stop licensed scuba divers from plunging in. Commercial boat tours are offered for everyone else who has to get out on the lake. The Rim Drive is a fabulous road allowing visitors to experience the park without leaving the car.

Crater Lake is widely known for its intense blue color and spectacular views. During summer, visitors may navigate the Rim Drive around the lake, enjoy boat tours on the lake surface, stay in the historic Crater Lake Lodge, camp at Mazama Village, or hike some of the park's various trails including Mt. Scott at 8,929 ft. Diverse interpretive programs enhance visitors' knowledge and appreciation of this national park, 90% of which is managed as wilderness. The winter brings some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year. Although park facilities mostly close for this snowy season, visitors may view the lake during fair weather, enjoy cross-country skiing, and participate in weekend snowshoe hikes.