There are very few times when all four members of my family are equally excited about something, but our visit to Crater Lake was definitely one of those times. As soon as the lake came into view our mouths quite literally dropped open. We couldn’t believe what we were seeing!
As soon as the car stopped all four of us jumped out. We just couldn’t believe our eyes! This was the bluest water we’d ever seen! Funny enough what turned out to be the grand finale of our vacation was chosen simply because it happened to be on the way home.
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Crater Lake National Park
The only National Park in Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is about a 4 hour drive from Portland. The Lake itself sits in the caldera of what was once Mount Mazama and at 1,949 feet deep it’s the 9th deepest lake in the world and the deepest lake in the United States.
Crater Lake’s famous blue water is due to its extreme depth and clarity. Its thought to be the cleanest and clearest body of water in the world and it truly has to be seen to be believed.
The caldera was created 7,700 years ago with the eruption and subsequent collapse of Mount Mazama, which allowed centuries of rainwater to collect. There are no rivers or streams flowing into the lake, but as much as 43′ of snowfall each year help to replenish and keep the lake full. These cute little squirrels hibernate during the winter months.
The Lake is between 4.5 and 6 miles across and there are two islands, Wizards Island and the Phantom Ship, named for its shipwreck like appearance. Both were created during subsequent eruptions and of the two only Wizards Island is accessible.
Things To Do at Crater Lake
Visitor Centers
The Visitor Center is always a great place to start any trip to a National Park, and Crater Lake has two. The Steel Visitor Center, which is open every day except December 25 and the Rim Visitor Center, which is open from late May to late September.
Viewpoints
There are more than 30 view points along the Rim Road all of which will provide fabulous views. You’ll find The Sinnott Memorial Overlook just behind the Rim Visitor Center. This viewpoint is easily accessible via a short paved path and will provide you an amazing panoramic view of the lake and many of the Park’s most famous features.
Hiking
There are multiple walks and hikes available within the Park ranging from easy to strenuous. If you aren’t up for hiking many viewpoints are accessible via car, just pull in and take in the magnificent views.
Swimming & Fishing
Swimming and fishing are both allowed, however the lake is surrounded by cliffs, so access is extremely limited. The only place to swim is at the bottom of the Cleetwood Cove Trail, but you’ll want to keep in mind that the 1.1 mile hike down to the water’s edge is strenuous. Due to its extreme depth the water never reaches more than 61 degrees. The combination of a strenuous hike and chilly water is why you won’t see any photos of us swimming in Crater Lake.
Volcano Boat Cruise
For those with more time the ranger led Volcano Boat Cruise is a two hour tour around the lake with options to disembark on Wizards Island where you’ll have three hours to explore.
The boat tours leave from the bottom of the Cleetwood Cove Trail. Even using extreme zoom on my camera the tour boat is still a tiny blur.
Tips & Advice:
- Crater Lake National Park is open every day of the year, but due to the large amounts of snowfall certain roads are inaccessible from mid November to mid June.
- Crater Lake does not have an address, so if you’re using GPS you’ll want to enter the coordinates: 42° 53′ 48.91″ North / 122° 08′ 03.08″ West
- Roads within the park are very narrow and there are no shoulders.
- If you’re not interested in the boat tour there are direct shuttles to and from Wizard’s Island. Tickets for the boat tour can be reserved online in advance.
- STAY on the path!
- There are no gas stations within the Park.
- Food options within the park include simple fare at the Rim Village Cafe and the Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room.
- Crater Lake Lodge is the only in-park lodging and books up months in advance.
- The Running Y Ranch, located 40 miles south of the Park was a nice alternative, with bike rentals, dining options, and an indoor pool.
Pin for later:
This looks like such a lovely trip! What a great day trip!
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It was such a lovely day!
I happy for you that you had much better weather than we did a few weeks ago! Beautiful pictures, Hilary!
We did get very lucky, though it was 85 degrees the sky couldn’t have been more blue.
So incredibly picturesque!
Thank you! It truly was an amazing place!
WOW! I’ve read about Crater Lake before but nothing has truly shown me the beauty like your photos! What a beautiful blue day you had and what a wonderful shade of deep blue is that water! Pinned! #FarawayFiles
I know! Crazy blue isn’t it? No filter or editing necessary for this place! The water looked like blue velvet.
Whoa that’s amazing! It’s so incredible that it stays full despite no feeder rivers. I’d love to see it sometime.
It certainly was a sight to see!! We were grateful for such a beautiful day!
I had never heard or Crater Lake before. Its stunning. I can see why you were all so excited to be there. The colour of the water and the sky is stunning #FarawayFiles
We were surprised and delighted by how lovely a place it was! A see it to believe kind of place!
As a native Californian, I still can’t believe I’ve never been to Oregon – I’ve heard so many amazing things. And here’s yet another awesome thing to add to that list! It looks absolutely incredible. I will definitely have to check this out when I’m finally able to visit, I’ve pinned it for future reference! Thanks for sharing 🙂 #farawayfiles
There is so much to see and do here in California it’s hard to leave, but Oregon is worth a look especially if you’re a nature lover!
Wow! Absolutely gorgeous! Definitely some place I intend to visit someday! #FarawayFiles
A true natural wonder!
I’ve been looking forward to this post ever since seeing your first few pictures of Crater Lake on Instagram. Honestly it looks absolutely incredible. I really would love to see it one day. I’d even hike down to take a dip – cold or no cold. #FarawayFiles
I was outvoted, but should I ever get a chance to return I’m doing the hike!
Wow, what a super cool, eerie, fascinating and beautiful place to visit! I would love to see it one day! xx Maria
It certainly was all of the above! There are so many amazing places in the world aren’t there?!
I’ve always wanted to go to Crater Lake but haven’t gotten the chance yet- even growing up on the West Coast. I would totally do the hike and swim. But I happily swim in Lake Michigan, which is freezing all year. My husband would not be so easily convinced… 😉 #farawayfiles
I would have loved to do both the hike and the swim, but my family said no way!
Ever since my hip surgery I’ve been a big fan of lookouts that you can get to by car. It made me realise how difficult it is for people who don’t have full use of their legs to get to some of these beautiful places. Not everything can be accessible, but it’s lovely when some places are. I can get around fine now, so I’m happy to hike again though! #FarawayFiles
Oh, glad to hear your recovered! I couldn’t agree more. We traveled the southwest last summer and there were so many amazing places we missed because not everyone in our group was able to hike.
The lake is gorgeous. I didn’t realise how deep it is.I thought Lake Tahoe was very clear but I think Crater Lake is clearer.
Funny, but I lived only hours away from Tahoe for years and still haven’t been there…
I love traveling and living abroad but the U.S. really does have so many incredible things to offer. I love seeing my home state too 🙂 Crater lake is gorgeous and such a unique spot. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and helpful tips! #farawayfiles
Thank you! We really do have a lot to offer here in the US. If only everything wasn’t so far away from everything else! Ha ha!
Everything looks so blue-tiful! 😉 #FarawayFiles
Great photo’s. It looks such a gorgeous spot #FarawayFiles
Thank you it was so gorgeous!
This looks nice! Love the wide shot encompassing the whole lake! #farawayfiles
Thanks! It was one of those rare times that a panorama actually worked out.
It does look incredible, the views across the lake are stunning, I love your wide angle view it. It’s also great that there are so many view points, sometimes these are quite limited. Thanks for sharing #farawayfiles
Thank you! There were many access point, which was great and made it so available to all walks of life.
I really didn’t know much about Crater Lake until seeing your Insta posts and reading this post. The water is absolutely magical. Can understand why you didn’t swim – does anyone?! #farawayfiles
I think people do, but not many. I might have thought differently if my kids were interested.
Wow that water color is incredible! Sounds like a cool park, but then again I have loved every National Park so far, haha. Looks like a memorable way to end a road trip. #FarawayFiles
National parks are so amazing aren’t they! It was a truly fabulous place!
Wow, Crater Lake looks spectacular, surreal! I’ve never heard of this lake, so thanks for sharing and yes, that’s the bluest colour I’ve ever seen 🙂 #FarawayFiles