World Travels
Spend Summer at The Crater Lake National Park

Spend Summer at The Crater Lake National Park

Located in the Cascade Range, at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Crater Lake is the crown jewel of the Oregon park system. At 1,943 feet (592 m) deep, it is the deepest lake in the United States and ninth deepest in the world.

Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon is surrounded by the Cascade Range, and it is filled with natural wonders. For instance, it is home to the deepest lake in the United States, with a maximum depth of 1,949 feet (594 meters). The lake is also filled with blue-green algae, which gives it a distinctive color. This color, combined with the fact that no rivers flow into or out of the lake, gives it a mystique that attracts many visitors each year.

Crater Lake National Park is located in the Cascade Range in southern Oregon and is filled with crystal-blue waters. The lake sits within a 2,148-ft-deep caldera formed nearly 7,700 years passed during the volcano Mount Mazama’s collapse. The lake has a maximum depth of 594 feet and is the deepest lake in North America. The water in the lake is very cold, at approximately 42 degrees Fahrenheit, and remains at the same temperature year-round.

Constructed in 1921, The Crater Lake Lodge is a historic hotel. The National Park Service owns and runs the hotel, and all of the rooms are available for rent to the public. Most rooms come with a view of the lake.

What to enjoy?

It is often said that the best things in life are free, and the Crater Lake National Park certainly proves this true. While the park has an entrance fee of $20 per vehicle and $10 a person for those on foot, the views are stunning. The lake itself is a deep, clear blue, which contrasts with the dark green firs and pines that surround it.

  • Rim drive

The Crater Lake Rim Drive is one of the most scenic and enjoyable drives in America. This 50-mile route is a National Scenic Byway that runs around the edges of Crater Lake and gives visitors amazing views of both the lake itself and its surrounding forests.

  • Visit the crater lake lodge

A visit to Crater Lake National park will never be forgotten. There are so many things to do and enjoy when you visit this park that it will be hard to choose.  Whether you are there in the summer or the winter, there is always something to do to keep you busy.

  • Ride a boat to the Wizard Island

Your Crater Lake National Park Ride a Boat to Wizard Island tour begins with a boat ride across Crater Lake to the island in the middle of the lake. The island Wizard Island is surrounded by cliffs on all sides, except a small opening at the north end. The cliffs are called the “Wall of Tears” or the “Tower of Ra.” On the southwest side of Wizard Island, there is a crack in the cliffs that resemble the open eye of a weeping woman. This feature earned Crater Lake the nickname “The Lake of the Old Maid.”

  • Hike up in the Garfield Peak

The Crater Lake National Park Hike up Garfield Peak is a good hike for anyone who wants to get out and enjoy nature. It is about seven miles round trip and climbs about 2,000 feet. Most of the trail is through old-growth forest, and it offers some great views of the Cascade Range and the Crater Lake. The trail can get quite crowded during the summer months, so it is best to go early in the morning or at dusk to avoid the crowds.

  • Watch the sunrise at the crater lake

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the purest bodies of water in the world. It was formed 7,700 years ago when the local volcano Mount Mazama collapsed and fell into itself, creating a caldera, a small crater, and filling the space with water. The lake is fed by springs and streams that well up from below and by rain and snowmelt running through forested areas around the lake.

If you’re planning a trip to Crater Lake National Park, you should know that the park has reduced the number of visitor services it offers during the summer. According to a press release from the National Park Service, there will be no visitor center or bookstore at the park from June 1 to September 30, and the road to the Watchman Overlook will be closed during that time frame.