Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park

Name: Crater Lake
Address: Crater Lake National Park, United States

#1 among attractions in Crater Lake National Park

Natural attraction, Nature, Top attraction, Lake

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Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of southern Oregon, Crater Lake is a crown jewel of the United States' natural wonders, located in the Crater Lake National Park. This pristine lake is renowned for its deep blue color and clear waters, which are a result of its formation in a collapsed volcano. At a depth of 1,943 feet, it proudly holds the title of the deepest lake in the United States and the ninth deepest in the world.

Crater Lake was formed nearly 7,700 years ago when a violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama. Today, visitors to the park can marvel at the spectacular views and the serene beauty of the lake's surroundings. The lake's circumference is rimmed with cliffs that rise up to 2,000 feet above the water's surface, offering breathtaking vistas and photographic opportunities.

For those looking to explore, there are numerous activities to indulge in. Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels are available, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the lush forests and observe the local wildlife. One of the must-see spots is Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles the lake, providing access to many scenic overlooks.

Boat tours are popular during the summer months, where visitors can get an up-close look at the lake's two picturesque islands: Wizard Island, a cinder cone jutting out of the water, and Phantom Ship, a small island resembling a ghostly sailboat. For the more adventurous, there are opportunities for swimming, though the water is known to be quite cold, even in the height of summer.

Winter transforms the park into a snowy wonderland, offering a different kind of allure with activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. However, due to heavy snowfall, access to the park is limited during this season.

Lodging within the park includes the historic Crater Lake Lodge and various campgrounds, providing options for both comfort seekers and those who wish to connect with nature. As there are no in-park gas stations and limited dining facilities, it is advisable for visitors to plan accordingly.

Alternative names: Area: 20.54 mi²Length: 6 miWidth: 5 miMaximum depth: 1943 ftElevation: 6181 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 42°56'32"N, 122°6'22"W

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Crater Lake National Park United States

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Day trips

Crater Lake – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Sinnott Memorial Observation Station, Mount Scott, Watchman Lookout Station, Mount Mazama.

2.8 miSW
Natural history museum, Museum
Sinnott Memorial Observation Station, Crater Lake National Park
72 min walk • The Sinnott Memorial Observation Station is a sheltered viewpoint built into the caldera cliff 900 feet above Crater Lake in southern Oregon, United States. It is located near the Rim Village Visitor Center in Crater Lake National Park.
4.7 miE
Highest point in Crater Lake Park
Mount Scott, Crater Lake National Park
121 min walk • Mount Scott is a small stratovolcano and a so-called parasitic cone on the southeast flank of Crater Lake in southern Oregon. It is approximately 420,000 years old.
3.3 miW
Tower
Watchman Lookout Station, Crater Lake National Park
86 min walk • The Watchman Lookout Station No. 168 is one of two fire lookout towers in Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon. For many years, National Park Service personnel used the lookout to watch for wildfires during the summer months.
2.1 miSE
Collapsed volcano with Crater Lake
Mount Mazama, Crater Lake National Park
54 min walk • Mount Mazama is a complex volcano in the state of Oregon, United States, in a segment of the Cascade Volcanic Arc and Cascade Range. Most of the mountain collapsed following a major eruption approximately 7,700 years ago. The volcano is in Klamath County, in the southern Cascades, 60 miles north of the Oregon–California border.
2.8 miS
Natural attraction, Nature, Volcano
Garfield Peak, Crater Lake National Park
71 min walk • Garfield Peak is a mountain peak on the south end of Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. The top of the peak reaches 7,976 feet above sea level.
5.7 miS
Natural attraction, Nature, Waterfall
Duwee Falls, Crater Lake National Park
147 min walk • Duwee Falls is a steep tiered waterfall on Munson Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River, that plunges into a gaping canyon within the Crater Lake National Park in the U.S. state of Oregon.
2.9 miSW
Neighbourhood
Rim Village Historic District, Crater Lake National Park
74 min walk • Rim Village is the main area for tourist services in Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon, United States. It is located on the southwest rim of the caldera overlooking Crater Lake. The National Park Service designed Rim Village to concentrate park services at a location that provided easy access to rim trails and view points.
2.5 miNW
Natural attraction, Nature, Forest
Crater National Forest, Crater Lake National Park
65 min walk • Crater National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon on July 1, 1908 with 1,119,834 acres from portions of Cascade, Klamath and, Siskiyou National Forests as well as all of Ashland National Forest.
0.6 miNE
Tree
Old Man of the Lake, Crater Lake National Park
16 min walk • The Old Man of the Lake is a 30-foot tall tree stump, most likely a hemlock, that has been bobbing vertically in Oregon's Crater Lake since at least 1896.
3.7 miSE
Natural attraction, Nature, Waterfall
Plaikni Falls, Crater Lake National Park
94 min walk • Plaikni Falls, is a waterfall located along the East Rim Drive within the Crater Lake National Park at the south end of Mount Scott, in Klamath County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.
3.4 miSW
Interesting neighbourhood
Munson Valley Historic District, Crater Lake National Park
87 min walk • Munson Valley Historic District is the headquarters and main support area for Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon. The National Park Service chose Munson Valley for the park headquarters because of its central location within the park.