Crater Lake National Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon and is known for its beautiful blue lake surrounded by towering cliffs.
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Summary
The lake was formed over 7,000 years ago when a volcano collapsed and filled with rain and snowmelt. There are many reasons to visit Crater Lake National Park, including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park also offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
One of the most popular points of interest in the park is Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone that rises up from the lake. Visitors can take a boat tour to the island and hike to the summit for stunning views of the lake. Another popular attraction is Rim Drive, a 33-mile scenic road that circles the lake and offers breathtaking views from multiple viewpoints.
Interesting facts about the park include that Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, with a maximum depth of 1,943 feet. The lake also has no inflowing or outflowing streams, making it one of the clearest and purest bodies of water in the world. Additionally, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Crater Lake National Park is from July to September, when the weather is warm and the park is fully open. However, visitors should be aware that snow can fall at any time of year, and some roads and trails may be closed due to snow or other weather conditions.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
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Jackson F. Kimball State Park
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Lost Creek - Crater Lake National Park
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Mazama Campground
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Mazama - Crater Lake National Park
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Dutton Camp
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Scott Creek
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