Crater Lake National Park
With its deep blue water, sheer volcanic cliffs, and breathtaking overlooks, Crater Lake National Park is one of Oregon’s most awe-inspiring destinations. Formed from the volcanic collapse of Mount Mazama over 7,700 years ago, this massive caldera now holds the deepest lake in the United States.
Crater Lake is a natural beauty that features plenty of experiences to fill one perfect day. Enjoy a scenic drive along the caldera rim, hike to panoramic overlooks, and even take a dip in the lake’s deep blue water. Crater Lake may be compact, but it delivers some of the most unforgettable scenery in the Pacific Northwest.
Crater Lake National Park Stats
Founded: May 22, 1902
Annual Visitors: 504,000 visitors in 2024
Size: 183,000 acres
Location: Oregon
Entrance Fee: $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Top Experiences in Crater Lake National Park
16 Best Things to Do in Crater Lake National Park
This guide covers the best things to do in Crater Lake National Park, along with helpful tips to help you plan your trip.
Rim Drive. This 33-mile long loop circles the caldera rim of Crater Lake and features many of the park’s top hiking trails and overlooks.
Garfield Peak Hike. This 3.4 mile round-trip hike climbs steadily along Crater Lake’s south rim, rewarding hikers with panoramic views over the lake’s brilliant blue waters.
Sinnott Memorial. This stone overlook seamlessly blends in with the surrounding walls of the caldera, and is one of the best viewpoints of the national park.
Discovery Point. This is another great overlook of Crater Lake. Here you’ll look east over the lake and Wizard Island below.
Watchman Peak Trail. Hike up to a historic fire tower and enjoy 360-degree views over Crater Lake. This is also one of the best spots in the park to watch the sunset.
Merriam Point. This is another great viewpoint over Crater Lake. To the north you’ll spot Llao Rock, a giant monolith that towers over the caldera rim. To the south lies Wizard Island.
Cleetwood Cove Trail. Hike down Crater Lake’s steep caldera walls and stand at the water’s edge. This is the only trail in the national park that provides shore access to Crater Lake. Swimming and cliff jumping are both popular things to do once you’ve reached the lake.
Sun Notch Trail. This is one of the easiest and most popular hikes in the national park, providing views over Phantom Ship Island.
Mount Scott. Stand atop the highest point in Crater Lake National Park at an elevation of 8,929 feet (2,721 meters). Along the way, enjoy sweeping views over the lake below that only get better as you near the summit.
Wizard Island
The Ultimate Guide to Wizard Island & Is It Worth It?
For the ultimate adventure in Crater Lake National Park, embark on a boat tour out to Wizard Island. This island, composed of a small cinder cone volcano, sits within Crater Lake’s waters. Hike to the top of Wizard Island, explore Fumarole Bay, and enjoy a more unique way to experience Crater Lake on this half-day adventure.
Did You Know?
The Crater Lake caldera was formed from the collapse of Mount Mazama during a gargantuan eruption 7,700 years ago. Once standing over 12,000 feet tall (3,700 meters), the mountain collapsed in on itself as it expelled over 50 cubic kilometers of magma.
Smaller volcanic eruptions have formed volcanoes within Crater Lake’s caldera. These include Wizard Island and a handful of others that lie below the water’s surface.
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, with a max depth of 1,949 feet (594 meters). The lake gets its intense blue color from its depth and purity.
When To Visit Crater Lake National Park
The best time to visit Crater Lake National Park is from July through September. You’ll have pleasant temperatures for hiking and drier weather than other times of the year. Most importantly, roads and trails will be clear of snow. These routes remain snow covered for most of the year, generally from December into June.
Although you cannot hike during the winter, snowshoeing and nordic skiing become popular activities at this time of year. The west and south entrances of the park are often plowed daily, providing partial access to Crater Lake. However, the north entrance road and Rim Drive remain closed.
Crater Lake is open year-round, but frequent snows can have a huge impact on your visit. We recommend checking the National Park Service website before you go.
Crater Lake National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in August and September.
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How Many Days Should You Spend in Crater Lake?
One day will give you plenty of time to see the top sites within Crater Lake National Park. Start your morning with a hike up Garfield Peak and grab a late breakfast at the Crater Lake Lodge. Later, drive the full length of the Rim Drive, stopping at viewpoints along the way. You’ll even have time for another hike or two.
To include Wizard Island, we recommend a second day in Crater Lake. This was our favorite experience in the national park and deserves a spot on your list. However, due to trail closures for the Cleetwood Cove renovation project, visitors will not be able to access Wizard Island until 2028. If this experience interests you, we recommend delaying your Crater Lake visit until 2028 or later.
Crater Lake National Park Map
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2026 (+ Printable Checklist)
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