Exploring Crater Lake National Park
- Written by
- On Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Park: Crater Lake National Park
Year Established: 1902
Acres: 183,224
Annual Visitors: 720,000
Entrance Fee: $15-$30
Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is centered around its namesake, Crater Lake, which was formed 7,700 years ago after an eruption triggered the collapse of a volcano, leaving a caldera in its wake. The lake is nearly 2,000 feet deep, making it the deepest lake in the U.S. and the ninth-deepest in the world. Crater Lake’s stunning blue color continually attracts artists, photographers, and sightseers who flock to it for its awe-inspiring appearance and surrounding attractions.
The entire park is overflowing with diverse wildlife, including 70 different species of mammals, such as black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes. You’ll also find a variety of birds, like eagles, falcons, and woodpeckers, in addition to abundant insects and amphibians.
The park is home to such a large variety of wildlife thanks to its various habitats, which include forests, meadows, wetlands, and pumice fields. These habitats house more than 700 native plant species, including large swaths of wildflowers painting splashes of color along the park’s rivers, creeks, and hillsides.
In addition to beautiful flora and fauna, the park offers plenty of fun activities. During the winter, you can strap on a pair of snowshoes and take a ranger-guided walk around some of the park’s most popular attractions. You can also go skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and snowmobiling.
If you’re a highly skilled skier or snowshoer, then you can join the 200 or so people who decide to travel all the way around Crater Lake each year. This 31-mile loop is quite challenging, taking an average of three days to complete, but it yields the kinds of views that you can't get elsewhere.
The warmer months lend themselves to activities like swimming in the historic Crater Lake itself. However, be forewarned: the lake is cold! So you’ll definitely want to swim during the hotter days of the year. Additionally, swimming is only permitted at the bottom of the Cleetwood Cove Trail, so make sure you’re in a designated area before taking the plunge.
Speaking of Cleetwood Cove Trail, it offers the only legal access to Crater Lake’s shore. The trail’s hike, though a short 1.1 miles, is also very steep—in fact, walking back up it is equivalent to climbing 65 flights of stairs, so you should ensure you’re in the right physical condition to make the trek.
The park also offers plenty of opportunities for bicycling and backpacking. One of the most popular places to bike in the park is Rim Drive, a 33-mile stretch that offers spectacular views and long climbs totalling 3,800 feet of elevation. For those seeking an easier ride, the bike path around Diamond Lake offers a relaxing, 11-mile ride.
For anyone who wants to stay at the park for longer than a day, camping is a great option. The park offers two developed campgrounds--Mazama and Lost Creek--which are open during the summer months. And if you’re a seasoned camper, then you can snag a permit and go backcountry camping any time of year.
Not big on camping? Then book a stay at the Crater Lake Lodge, which overlooks the lake at Rim Village and is open from May 14th through October 10th. You can also book a room at The Cabins at Mazama Village, located seven miles south of Rim Village. These rooms are open from May 21st through September 26th.
Whether you visit the park for an afternoon or a week, you’ll no doubt make memories that you'll enjoy for years to come.
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