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Crater Lake National Park
No place else on Earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. Crater Lake National Park is a place of immeasurable beauty.
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Location
Crater Lake lies inside a caldera in Southern Oregon's Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles east of the Pacific Ocean.
Flora & Fauna
The ecosystem hosts salmon, trout, elk, deer, black bears, pine martens, hawks, owls, and hundreds of plant species.
Did You Know?
Crystal-clear Crater Lake was formed inside the caldera left by the massive eruption of Mt. Mazama 7,700 years ago.
1-Day Itinerary
- During summer, navigate the Rim Drive around the lake and enjoy boat tours on the lake surface.
- During winter, rent cross-country skis from Klamath Falls or Medford, and explore without the crowds!
More Time?
- In summer, hike some of Crater Lake National Park’s various trails including Mt. Scott at 8,929 ft. Ranger-guided hikes are available daily late June through Labor Day and include natural history hikes and historical walks.
- In winter, rangers lead interpretive snowshoe walks and discuss various topics on winter ecology. Walks are presented in the Rim Village area every Saturday and Sunday starting Thanksgiving weekend through late March. Participants must wear snowshoes because of the deep snow conditions along the route.
Know Before You Go
Crater Lake National Park is always open, but winter brings heavy snowfalls. Many of the roads and facilities are closed during the winter months.
Activities Near the Park
Catch a play at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (February through November).
Other Parks in the Western Region:
Death Valley National Park–California
John Muir National Historic Site–California
Lassen Volcanic National Park–California
Mount Rainier National Park–Washington
Olympic National Park–Washington
Oregon Caves National Monument–Oregon
Sequoia National Park–California
Yosemite National Park–California
Stay In or Near the Park
Crater Lake Hotels
The 3-story Courtyard by Marriott is a quarter mile from the…
