Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

As mentioned in previous posts, Oregon has seven wonders which were determined by Travel Oregon in 2013. These natural beauties showcase the diversity of Oregon’s landscape including its breathtaking Pacific Coast, high deserts, beautiful mountain ranges, lush forests and more. We plan to visit, or re-visit in most cases, all of these treasures over the next year or so. I’ve covered two of these locations so far in recent posts; the Oregon Coast and the Columbia River Gorge.

Another wonder is Crater Lake National Park. Oregon’s only national park is located in southern Oregon and was established in 1902, thanks to President Theodore Roosevelt.

The lake was formed over 7,000 years ago during a massive eruption of Mount Mazama. It is the deepest lake in the US, and also one of the deepest in the world. There are no rivers running into the lake, but it maintains its depth through rainfall and melting snow. The lack of pollutants keep this lake amazingly clear and blue.

Rim Drive is a 30 mile stretch of road that offers many spots to take in the beautiful scenery. It has access to trailheads and picnic areas. One of the hikes we took while enjoying the drive was to Watchman Peak, a short, but steep hike that ends at a fire watch tower. It was a clear day when we hiked this trail over four years ago, and we were rewarded with a stunning view of Mt. Shasta.

In addition to hiking, there are other activities in the park including swimming, biking, fishing, boat tours and in the winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Swimming is restricted to just one location which can be reached via the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which is unfortunately closed at this time.

Accommodations in the park include Crater Lake Lodge which was completed in 1915, and offers nice views of the lake, a restaurant, bar and other amenities.

There are multiple campgrounds as well, but these fill up quickly, so plan your trip well in advance. Click here for campground reservations. Crater Lake National Park is open year round, weather permitting. Click here for additional information if you plan to visit.

We are fortunate to have an abundance of National Parks and Monuments in our country, and it is important that we protect the animals, plants and natural beauty of these parks. We need to preserve our public places and support conservation efforts to maintain these national treasures for future generations.

What do you think of Crater Lake? As always, I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment.

Wishing you grand adventures,

Tricia