Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
is one of the great natural wonders of the America’s. High
above sea level sits the remains of Mt. Mazama, a 6-mile wide
calderas descending more than 700 feet to a clear, cold, preternaturally
blue lake. It’s no wonder that Native Americans held the
place as sacred and hid it from European invaders till the 1850’s.
Crater Lake takes up only 11,500 acres of an 180,00-acre park
that is full of awe-inspiring natural vista and endless opportunities
for outdoor adventure.
There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails in the park, including
trips to Garfield Peak, Crater Peak and the summit of Mt. Scott,
the highest point in the park at 8,929 feet. One of the more interesting
options are the two trails on Wizard Island, the 700+ tall volcanic
cinder cone in the center of Crater Lake, which is accessible
only by boat. In the winter snowshoe hiking is popular (and necessary
given that the park receives over 500 inches of snow a year).
Even in the dead of winter, when most facilities are closed, visitors
flock to Crater Lake National Park to ski cross-country.
Cyclists will find the 33-mile Rim Drive steep and demanding,
but the views are incomparable. Bus tours also navigate the Rim
of Crater Lake, and stop at some of the 20 Scenic Vistas.
There are unique, if challenging, diving opportunities at Crater
Lake. Crater Lake is one of the clearest in the country, and very
deep. But divers must carry their equipment in themselves; no
motorized vehicles allowed in the park. Divers can also dive from
Wizard Island, but must take one of the Ranger Tour boats. Either
way, that means carrying a lot of gear a mile down the Cleetwood
Trail, the only trail down the rim to the water.
There are 2 full-amenity campgrounds in Oregon’s Crater
Lake National Park: Lost Creek (16 sites) and Mazama (200 sites).
Backcountry camping is allowed with a permit.
Most of the park is closed during the winter
due to inclement weather. Crater lake is the 7th deepest lake in
the world at 1,932 feet.
