Explore Crater Lake
CRATER LAKE, Oregon
Description
Added by Eric Johnson
Deepest Lake in North America. Tons of breathtaking viewpoints to hike. A must for anyone that loves natural beauty.
Crater is a short 20min drive up Highway 62 off of the 97. We were chasing sunset and caught the last glimmers of twilight. Just driving around the west rim is amazing. Pictures did absolutely no justice to this place, you have to see it with your own eyes...it's MASSIVE!!! Every small pull-off/parking spaces have their own trails leading off them to different view points around the rim of the Caldera. So just pick your favorite and go exploring.
A few quick facts:- Crater Lake is the seventh deepest in the world. (1,996 ft)
- Crater Lake is isolated from surrounding streams and rivers, thus there is no inlet or outlet to the lake
- Formed around 7,700 by the collapse of the volcano Mount Mazama
- The lake is 5 by 6 miles across
- The Mazama eruption which eventually formed Crater Lake was 42 times more powerful than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
- It took 250 years of rain and snow accumulation for the caldera(a large volcanic crater formed by a major eruption leading to the collapse of the mouth of the volcano.) to fill to its present-day lake level
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Reviews
Visited in early spring and was so impressed. It was so cool to snowshoe along the rim and see the edges of the crater covered in snow. The snow embankments were so high!! I would love to come back and winter camp here!!
5.0
Crater Lake is a sight to see! The color of the water is something you can hardly imagine. The view from the lodge is lovely, but quiet crowded.
4.0
Like everyone else has said - you can't believe this place! The shades of blue are unlike anything else. It's huge and breathtaking. Check the NPS site for road closures. Even in July there was a decent amount of snow last year. So worth the stop and I look forward to going back someday soon!
5.0
I saw the most shades of blue as I was closer to God up on this gigantic volcano... I wanted to do more hiking but there was still a lot of snow cover in early June. Make sure you know the north entrance may be open or closed depending on weather conditions/snow cover so don’t be too set on getting in that way unless you check first. It was probably my favorite views I have ever seen anywhere...
5.0
Pictures don't do it justice. The color of the water just doesn't look real. It looks Photoshopped.
5.0
No matter what part of the Country you’re in, you absolutely have to visit this beautiful lake! Anytime of the year it’s amazing. My personal favorite is the sunrise, the colors it illuminates is unexplainable! Have to come for yourself to see the beauty! Love love!
5.0
We got to the lake just before a spectacular early-summer sunset. The park was nearly deserted, so we watched the sunset in almost total silence and seclusion. Colors across the water, on the mountains and in the sky were super intense. A really really special and beautiful place. Definitely on our list for a return visit.
5.0
Crater Lake is a special place; like Yosemite, Yellowstone, or even the Redwoods pictures do not do Crater Lake justice and you need to see it in person to truly appreciate how special a place it is.
5.0
Pictures can't show the actual beauty of Crate Lake. If you go during summer, the water is a brilliant royal blue, and incredibly clear. You have to see it to believe it.
5.0
Crater Lake doesn't need a review just go there because it is simply amazing. My one tip is don't expect to drive up the day of and land a campsite. Plan in advance if you want to camp there.
5.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
Watch the Sunrise at Crater Lake
Bike around Crater Lake
Snowshoe or XC Ski to Watchman Overlook
The Rim at Crater Lake NP
Hike the Garfield Peak Trail
Visit the Lady of the Woods at Crater Lake
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