How to Enjoy Crater Lake National Park

Oregon's only national park was formed thousands of years ago when Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed, leaving an expansive caldera. Together, rain and snowmelt filled what is now Crater Lake, making it the deepest - and some say the bluest - lake in the country.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Reservations
• Maps
• Maps
• Trail Guides
• Trail guides
• Car
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Cameras
• Cameras
• Hiking Boots
• Bicycles
• Sunscreen

1. Decide when to go. Most visitors arrive in July and August, but the park is open for the summer season from June through September. Winter conditions are extreme (more than 500 inches of snow fall each year), and most facilities are closed then.
2. Choose a transportation type. You can fly into Medford, rent a car and drive Route 62 north to the park. Driving south from Bend on Route 97 and then west on Route 138 will also get you to a park entrance.
3. Decide on lodging. There are more than 200 campsites within the park; all fill on a first-come, first-served basis. The Crater Lake Lodge and the Mazama Village Motor Inn are also available, and you're advised to reserve ahead. Be aware that no lodging is available in the park from mid-October to late May and that inclement weather may delay the opening of campgrounds.
4. Stop in at the Steel Information Center at park headquarters to see "The Crater Lake Story," a video shown every half-hour in summer. This will give you a good overview of park features and history. Then pick up maps and trail guides.
5. Drive the 33-mile Rim Drive, which will give you spectacular views of Crater Lake from a series of overlooks. The best time to drive Rim Road is July through September, when all parts of the road are likely to be open.
6. Go for a hike. There are more than 50 miles of trails within the park, including 33 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. Moderate hikes of 2 miles or less include the Annie Creek Canyon Trail, the Garfield Peak Trail and the Godfrey Glen Trail.
7. Consider other outdoor activities. Bicycles are allowed in the park on paved roads. You can also go swimming in the lake, but be aware that the water is very cold and the air temperature can be, too.
8. Arrange a boat tour. Ranger-guided tours on the lake are offered July through mid-September by the Crater Lake Lodge Company. Buy tickets at the parking lot near the Cleetwood Cove trailhead.
9. Participate in evening campfire programs. These are especially informative about the natural and cultural history of the lake. Check the schedule in summer for the Mazama Campground Amphitheater, where many programs are held.
10. Enjoy other activities at the lake, such as fishing, river rafting, float trips and wildlife watching. In winter, skiing and snowshoeing are popular.

Tips & Warnings

• Snow may stay on the ground well into summer, leaving some park roads closed as late as June.
• To contact the park directly, write to Crater Lake National Park, P.O. Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604, or call [phone], Ext. 402.
• Permits are required for backcountry camping. These are free and may be picked up at any visitors center. Backcountry hiking is strenuous, so be sure you're in good enough shape to tackle the trails before setting out.
• Pets must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed on any park trails.
• Be aware of rules for wildlife watching, and never feed wild animals in the park.
• Collecting or taking any natural or cultural objects from within the park is prohibited.

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