A Very Big Lake!

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Spiky formations on the walls of Crater Lake. Photo - Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

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Don't miss the visitor center, which is jam-packed with useful information, movies on the park's history, neat stamps to mark your visit, books and maps, and excellent souvenirs. All proceeds benefit the US Parks Service and help keep these parks clean and running smoothly.The boat tours to Wizard Island are a must! Viewing the crater from a half mile up is alright, but there is nothing better than saying you sailed on Crater Lake! Stepping foot onto Wizard Island is excellent. I can't think of a better way to spend .Drive the Rim Road. Get to know the park and the lake. It's 22 miles you won't forget.Quick Tips: When visiting National Parks, buy a parks pass. They're only an...Read More

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Crater Lake

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Entering Crater Lake National Park Photo - Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

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Crater Lake National Park's centerpiece is its namesake lake, stretching 5 miles by 6 miles, with a depth of over 1100 feet!The collapse of Mount Mazama in 5677 BC resulted in the natural beauty we see today in the Caldera Lake. Depending on where you approach the park from, you will see different angles of the lake. Most likely, you will approach from Klamath Falls to the south. After paying the $10 per car entry fee, head over to the visitor center for some excellent information on the park. Rangers are more-than-eager to answer any questions you might have, and explain the geology and botany of the area, including how the lake was formed.Visit the small theater in the visito...Read More

Crater Lake National Park's centerpiece is its namesake lake, stretching 5 miles by 6 miles, with a depth of over 1100 feet!

The collapse of Mount Mazama in 5677 BC resulted in the natural beauty we see today in the Caldera Lake. Depending on where you approach the park from, you will see different angles of the lake. Most likely, you will approach from Klamath Falls to the south. After paying the $10 per car entry fee, head over to the visitor center for some excellent information on the park. Rangers are more-than-eager to answer any questions you might have, and explain the geology and botany of the area, including how the lake was formed.

Visit the small theater in the visitor center for a short film depicting the history of the crater, and learn about the animals that make their home here. Rangers lead guided walks to view different parts of the park, and there are small boat tours (at a nominal fee of $10 per person) that leave from the boat docks on the lake, taking the visitor out to Wizard Island, the largest and most visible island on the lake.

Depending on how much time you have, you may choose to view as much of the park as you'd like. The Rim Road circles the lake for around 22 miles, allowing the visitor to see the caldera from many angles. Although my visit didn't allow me to do this (as I ran out of gas!), many I spoke to told me it was amazingly beautiful.

Make sure you have a full tank when visiting this park, as there are almost no gas stations within a 30 mile radius of the park, and the ones that do exist are very overpriced. You will burn a bit of gas climbing up the hill to the lake, and driving around it.

Expect cooler conditions at Crater Lake, as this is at a bit of an altitude. My grandmother found it too cold, and opted to view the crater from the car. And this was in early August, the hottest time of the year.

The price of admission is well worth it, but don't expect amazing sight after amazing sight like at Arches National Park or other national park. This is a centerpiece park, with the lake being the only interesting sight, so once you've seen the lake, the party's over, so to speak.

The boat tours are enjoyable and let you view the lake from another level. I highly recommend them. You can get to Crater Lake via road only. Take US 97 and US 138 from Bend, OR, take US 138 from Roseburg, take US 97 from Klamath Falls, or take US 62 north from Medford. The closest major airports are Medford, OR, Klamath Falls, OR, or Bend, OR. You'll need to rent a car from here, though. Greyhound bus service is not available.

Visit Crater Lake National Park online at: www.nps.gov/crla Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 5, 2007

Crater Lake
OR 62 & 138
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon 97604
(541) 594-3000

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Crater Lake

Attraction | "Crater Lake Visitor Center"

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Need books? Maps? Souvenirs? T-shirts?You may want to pick up a little something to remember your trip to Crater Lake National Park. Visit this well-stocked visitor center for a wide variety of memorabilia.First off, the cabin that this visitor center calls home is very cute, and you'll feel a warm welcome once you step through the door. The fireplace is burning, there's excellent seating, and displays and books to look through. It's a cozy atmosphere to spend an afternoon.The experienced park rangers are ever-so helpful on helping you find what you're looking for. You won't need to search far to find a good deal. I was apprehensive that "everything is expensive at the park off...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 5, 2007

Crater Lake
OR 62 & 138
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon 97604
(541) 594-3000

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