What to do at Crater Lake Oregon, Voted The Most Beautiful National Park in The US

Recently Travel Lens which is a global digital publication, featuring high-quality travel articles about destinations worldwide, analyzed thousands of Google reviews which had been posted by trippers during 2023 in order to find out which National Parks were considered the most beautiful by the visitors.  

The two criteria were a] the number of reviews and b] how many used key descriptors such as ‘beautiful’, ‘stunning’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘gorgeous’ for each National Park visited.  Crater Lake Park topped the review by a nose with 45.3% mentioning ‘beauty’.  National Parks are congressionally designated protected areas because they have natural beauty, unique geological features, diverse ecosystems, and recreational opportunities – and Crater Lake Park meets all these criteria.  The United States has 63 areas designated as national parks.

What is Crater Lake?

It is a National Park in Oregon, indeed the only National Park in this state: but it has been voted the most beautiful National Park: ahead of both Arcadia in Maine and Glacier Park in Montana.  It is located in the south west of the state and Crater Lake National Park is famous for its pristine blue lake, from which it takes its name, which is the deepest in the USA and, in fact, the ninth deepest in the world.

Originally it was a volcano known as Mount Mazama, which rose some 12,000 feet – that is 2 1/4 – miles into the sky.  It erupted a mere 7,000 years ago and, after the magma chamber had emptied, the mountain collapsed in on itself, leaving a massive hole called a caldera or sometimes a castrol: and leaving folk memories from the local indigenous tribe – the Klamath – who witnessed it at the time and have legends passed down the generations about this event.  If Mount Mazuma were still standing it would be the tallest mountain in Oregon (currently Mount Hood) although well short of Mount Denali in Alaska, the tallest in the USA at 19,700 feet.  The park itself stretches over 180,000 forested acres (mainly pine and conifer) in the Cascade mountains.

Crater Lake is one of the snowiest places in the USA, in fact the third snowiest, with around 40 feet falling each year as it sits atop the Cascadia Mountains, and very soon the snow filled up the caldera to create this impressive lake.  Its circumference ‘the rim’ is about 33 miles, with a diameter of about 7 miles, and it is about 21 square miles in area. The lake is over 1,900 feet deep and there are hydro thermal vents within it: hinting that the volcano is not extinct and why it doesn’t really freeze in winter.  Another clue is that a new island is growing up in the middle of the old Caldera, called Wizard Island, which already rises 800 feet above the lake. Rather as the island of Nea Santorini is growing in the crater of what was Santorini near Crete, in the Aegean Sea, close to Greece.

As it is so snowy and, because the crater has no outlets or inlets, it has filled up with melt water and, because there are no riverine feeds, it is absolutely pure water: no silt, no sediment, no algae and no pollution.  It is claimed to be the cleanest lake in the world.  Originally it was called, rather prosaically, Deep Blue Lake, then it became Lake Majesty but now it is Crater Lake.

With the cliffs that tower over it up to 2,000 feet, and also that the water is a deep, almost inky, blue it is rather like the Mirrormere in the Lord of the Rings near Moria where Gimli stops to look in it in order to see Durin’s crown of stars.  The colouring gave it its original name. It is also very cold.  Although the water is very cold people do swim in it and what a tale to tell that would be – not many people have swum in a volcano!!   It is so blue as pure water absorbs all colours of the spectrum except blue which is reflected.  You can see the same phenomenon in glaciers. Geo coordinates are 42.944611, -122.109245.

Related: What is Oregon Known For?

What is there to do at Crater Lake?

There are many things to do in the park, unlike many national parks, is quite undeveloped, and unspoilt: so there is a lot of fauna to be seen amongst its spectacular scenery including bears, coyotes, elk, eagles, hawks, many other birds and even porcupines.  There is a newt found only in the park and you might see a mountain lion or a wolf if you are lucky – or unlucky depending on your point of view.  Because it is so pure the water is crystal clear and you can see a long way down. In fact, when the clarity was measured using the Secchi test, it was clear down to 143 feet: which is the world record!

Of the many things to do in Crater Lake, depending on the time you have, the most popular include:

• Drive around the perimeter;
• Drop into the Steel visitor center;
• Take a trip to Wizard Island on a boat;
• Walk some of the hiking trails;
• Visit the lake shore;
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Ski in winter.

July to September is the peak season, but you can visit any time – you just have to check that the roads are open – so you can get there and get round.

The Rim Circumference

Driving the rim circumference is probably the most popular item which takes several hours as there are many places to stop to see the views. In fact, there are 15 vista points, so allow plenty of time for the drive.  Notable highlights include:

• Phantom Ship – with views of a rock formation which looks like a ship;
• Merriam Point – with amazing rocky landscapes;
• Cloudcap – this is the highest paved road in Oregon – with blustery winds which will get rid of your cobwebs!
• Watchman Point – with the best views of Wizard Island.

In addition, there is a trolley tour around the rim, which you can hop on and hop off at certain points, and hear all the facts from the tour guide.

The Steel Visitor Center

This is named after William Steel who effectively created the park, and is probably the best place to visit first.  You can get maps of the area; there is a shop and there is a topographical map of the area to enable you to get your bearings and appreciate the magnitude of the park.

In the one room there is a film, on loop, showing the facts and history, and there are also rangers to give advice and answer questions.  It is also the first aid center and it has recently been extensively renovated, upgraded and strengthened against seismic activity and snowfalls.

Boat Tours

Boat tours around the lake and across to wizard Island are generally between July and September.  Whilst the lake tour is leisurely, there is strenuous walking involved on Wizard Island so take correct footwear and ensure you are fit to tackle it.

Hiking

The air around the park is some of the cleanest in the USA so it is excellent for walking.  Pick up a map at one of the visitor centers where you can also park.  Make sure you are dressed appropriately and carry water.

There are many trails – over 100 miles in fact – here is a selection (You can print the table by clicking the print icon down below):

You will notice that some are more difficult than others.  Make sure you know which one you are taking – also some climb more than others and you should allow for temperature changes as you climb.  Most are short – but Bald Crater is nearly 14 miles – not for the fainthearted.

Cleetwood Cove gives you access to the lake – but it is a strenuous descent and ascent!

Note too that not all are loops and, thus, you might have to walk back too.

Mount Scott is the highest point on the park – but it is not that near the lake.

Garfield Peak gives spectacular views of the lake and starts from the Lodge.

Cycling

The 33-mile Rim Drive is a major attraction for cyclists but it has steep hills and high elevations so it is a physically demanding ride, but you can stop to take in the views.  Many roads are closed during the winter -so July to September is the best time to go.  On two Saturdays a year East Rim Drive is closed to vehicles, so cyclists can enjoy travel without worrying about traffic. Grayback Drive (8 miles) is closed to vehicles but open to mountain bikes.

Visit the lake shore

You need to walk down the Cleetwood Cove trail to get to the lake – it is the only access and is quite a strenuous walk up and down – but once there you can swim and fish.

Fishing

This is not only allowed – but even encouraged as the fish were introduced and are not native.  They are mainly salmon and trout.  There is no need for a licence but you can only use artificial bait so as not to introduce alien species into the waters.

Skiing

There is no downhill skiing at Crater Lake – there is no infrastructure for it – but cross-country skiing is very popular – as long as the roads are open to get you there.  There are also ranger guided snowshoe ‘walks’.  There is also a limited area for snowmobilers.

How to get there

Crater Lake Park is in southern Oregon.  Options are to drive all the way there – or fly.  If you fly you will almost certainly need to hire a car to get around and explore. The closest airport is Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport (LMT) located 1 hour south of the park.  Other nearby airports include Medford, Redmond, Eugene, and Portland. If you drive do check that the roads are open!

Crater Lake Oregon: Current Weather

Current Weather Daily Weather Hourly Weather

Crater Lake, OR

1:09 pm, Apr 22, 2024

58°F

Low: 27° High: 58°

Feels like 55°F° overcast clouds

Humidity 32 %

Pressure 1012 hPa

Wind 1 mph E

Wind Gust 2 mph

UV Index 5.8

Precipitation 0 inch

Dew Point 29°

Clouds 100%

Rain Chance 0%

Snow 0 mm/h

Visibility 6 mi

Air Quality Fair

Sunrise 5:14 am

Sunset 6:58 pm

	Weather Condition		Comport			Precipitation
Day	Condition	Temperature	Amount	Rain Chance	Wind	Humidity	Pressure
Today 12:00 pm	overcast clouds	27° | 58°°F	0 inch	0%	4 mph	33 %	1012 hPa
Tomorrow 12:00 pm	broken clouds	35° | 59°°F	0 inch	0%	10 mph	28 %	1010 hPa
Wednesday 12:00 pm	overcast clouds	34° | 53°°F	0 inch	0%	11 mph	38 %	1013 hPa
Thursday 12:00 pm	rain and snow	30° | 39°°F	0.04 inch	100%	8 mph	97 %	1014 hPa
Friday 12:00 pm	snow	26° | 30°°F	0.04 inch	100%	10 mph	100 %	1015 hPa
Saturday 12:00 pm	light snow	26° | 37°°F	0.04 inch	91%	6 mph	95 %	1017 hPa
Sunday 12:00 pm	rain and snow	28° | 34°°F	0.04 inch	100%	11 mph	100 %	1018 hPa
Monday 12:00 pm	light snow	23° | 33°°F	0.04 inch	100%	9 mph	81 %	1018 hPa

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	Weather Condition		Comport			Precipitation
Day	Condition	Temperature	Amount	Rain Chance	Wind	Humidity	Pressure
Today 1:00 pm	overcast clouds	58° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	1 mph	32 %	1012 hPa
Today 2:00 pm	overcast clouds	58° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	1 mph	31 %	1012 hPa
Today 3:00 pm	overcast clouds	58° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	1 mph	31 %	1011 hPa
Today 4:00 pm	overcast clouds	57° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	2 mph	35 %	1011 hPa
Today 5:00 pm	overcast clouds	55° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	2 mph	46 %	1010 hPa
Today 6:00 pm	overcast clouds	48° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	2 mph	62 %	1011 hPa
Today 7:00 pm	overcast clouds	42° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	2 mph	67 %	1012 hPa
Today 8:00 pm	overcast clouds	40° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	3 mph	66 %	1013 hPa
Today 9:00 pm	overcast clouds	39° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	4 mph	64 %	1013 hPa
Today 10:00 pm	overcast clouds	39° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	4 mph	64 %	1013 hPa
Today 11:00 pm	overcast clouds	38° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	5 mph	64 %	1013 hPa
Tomorrow 12:00 am	overcast clouds	38° | 0°°F	0 inch	0%	5 mph	64 %	1013 hPa

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Useful to Know

• A great place for a trip – although a long way from most places – therefore
  • Recommended to stay at least one night in order to explore the whole park fully
• Where to Stay: Crater Lake has 2 lodges inside the park, the Crater Lake Lodge and The Cabins at Mazama Village. Outside the park you could stay at Crater Lake Resort or Union Creek Resort.
• How to Get There: The closest airport is Crater Lake – Klamath Regional Airport (LMT) located 1 hour south of the park. Other nearby airports include Medford, Redmond, Eugene, and Portland.  If you drive check that the roads are open!
• How to Get Around: The easiest way to get around Crater Lake is by car – or on a bike if you feel fit!
• Best times to visit are July to September when the snow has cleared. It usually starts falling in late autumn but always check if it is open.
• Make sure you have appropriate footwear and clothes, provisions etc warm jackets – it can get chilly.