Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
Did you know that Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States? With a depth of 1,949 feet (594 meters), this impressive volcanic crater lake is also one of the deepest lakes in the world.
The landscapes at Crater Lake National Park are spectacular. We think it’s one of the most stunning lakes in North America. It’s that good.
You’ve likely landed on this blog post because you’re curious about Crater Lake or you plan to visit this national park soon. With that in mind, this post shares photos and thoughts from our visit to Crater Lake National Park as part of an Oregon road trip.
Learn about the history of Crater Lake National Park here.
Crater Lake is known for it’s intense blue colour and remarkable clarity.
We’ve read that the water visibility can reach up to 100 feet deep.
The lake is said to have formed over 7,700 years ago, when a volcano, named Mount Mazama, collapsed and created a caldera.
Another interesting fact about Crater Lake that no rivers flow in or out of the lake. The water in this lake is only from rain and snowfall.
Is Crater Lake National Park worth it?
Absolutely! Crater Lake is a highlight from our summer Oregon road trip.
It’s listed as one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon, along with the Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood, the Columbia River Gorge, the Painted Hills, the Wallowas and Smith Rock.
In our opinion, Crater Lake is one of the most spectacular national parks in the United States.
You must visit this place on your next Pacific Northwest road trip!
Why is Crater Lake so popular?
What makes Crater Lake National Park so popular is it’s accessibility.
The historic 33-mile Rim Drive circles Crater Lake and offers dozens of viewpoints, each with a different perspective of the lake. Therefore, visitors of all types are able to witness its beauty without requiring strenuous hikes.
It’s rare that one can experience spectacular landscapes like this from the comfort of your vehicle!
Of course, it’s also a very popular national park for hiking, with over 100 miles of trails to explore. More info on hiking trails here.
Wizard Island in Crater Lake
Wizard Island is a volcanic cinder cone which forms an island at the west end of Crater Lake.
It’s the focal point for most photos of Crater Lake because it’s like a mini-volcano inside the crater of a bigger volcano. How cool is that?
Most visitors will spend time on the west side of the lake, which is where Wizard Island is located.
Sinnott Memorial Overlook
There are dozens of lookout points inside the park but Sinnott Memorial Overlook is the most popular.
In the above photo, if you look to the left, you will see the structure built into the side of the rock face.
Below is the pathway that leads to Sinnott Memorial Overlook.
Can you stay overnight at Crater Lake?
Yes! Guests can stay overnight at the historic Crater Lake Lodge. Pictured above and below.
The lodge is open mid-May to early-October, depending on snow levels. It has 71 rooms and a dining room that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
As you can imagine, this hotel is very popular in the summer months. Therefore, reservations are strongly recommended and can be made a year in advance of your visit.
We wanted to stay at this property but it was sold out during our visit.
Most of the hotel booking engines, like Booking.com and Hotels.com, do not list this property. For this reason, you will need to make reservations directly on its website.
For more info about staying overnight at Crater Lake, read this FAQ page.
The lodge has a nice patio with wooden rocking chairs where guests can relax and soak up the views.
You do not need to be an overnight guest to enjoy the hotel facilities, including the restaurant and the Great Hall.
Above is the front entrance to Crater Lake Lodge. Parking is available for overnight guests and day visitors.
Rim Village at Crater Lake National Park
Rim Village is the main area for tourist services in Crater Lake National Park. The Rim Visitor Center provides information about the park, as well as a gift shop and cafe.
We made a stop here to have lunch and enjoy a coffee on the patio.
Is 1 day enough for Crater Lake?
Yes, 1 day is plenty of time to experience Crater Lake. In fact, you probable only need a few hours.
However, if you plan to tackle some of the hiking trails, you may want to stay overnight at the Crater Lake Lodge or one of the campgrounds.
Of course, if you’re visit is interrupted by bad weather and/or poor visibility, you may want to return the following day and hope for better luck.
Crater Lake Trolley tours
Another way to experience the park is to explore it on the Crater Lake Trolley. More info here.
Daily tours start at the Rim Village, near Crater Lake Lodge. The tours last about 2 hours.
Is it okay to swim in Crater Lake?
Yes. You are able swim in Crater Lake. Swimming and fishing are permitted in the lake.
However, the only legal access point to the lake is from Cleetwood Cove Trail. It’s a one-mile trail that drops 700 feet (213 meters) to the lake shore. This trail is steep and may be challenging for some people.
Cleetwood Cove Trailhead is located on East Rim Drive, 4.6 miles from North Junction. Access to the trail is dependent on road status and weather conditions. The trail is typically open from mid-June to late-October.
Wizard Island Boat Tours launch from Cleetwood Cove Trail.
To reach the dock, guests must be capable of descending and ascending the Cleetwood Cove Trail. The hike down to the dock takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
Note – according to this website, Crater Lake boat tours will be closed for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
There are many things to do at Crater Lake National Park, but the most common activity is viewing the volcanic lake from its many observation viewpoints.
Have you visited Crater Lake National Park?
If not, do you plan to visit Crater Lake National Park in the future?
Let us know if you have questions. Leave a comment below.
Read next – Hiking the Diamond Head Crater Trail in Honolulu
