Crater Lake Guide
Things to do, facts to know, places to park, areas to see and more about Crater Lake.
Things to do around Crater Lake
- Drive the scenic 33-mile Rim Drive around Crater Lake and pull off at Watchman Overlook for sweeping caldera views and lake-surface panoramas.
- Hike the Garfield Peak Trail from the Rim Village trailhead to reach a summit elevation over 8,000 ft and enjoy alpine forest transitioning to volcanic ledges.
- Take the boat tour from Cleetwood Cove down into the caldera to land on Wizard Island and explore basalt lava formations and lakeside trails
- Walk the short trail to Sinnott Memorial Observation Station near Rim Village and study the parkβs geology, museum exhibits and dramatic cliff-edge viewpoints.
Fun Facts
- Crater Lake reaches a maximum depth of around 1,943 feet, making it the deepest lake in the United States.
- The lake occupies a caldera formed when Mount Mazama collapsed roughly 7,700 years ago after a major volcanic eruption.
- After heavy snowfall averaging more than 500 inches per year, the roads around the lake often remain snow-covered until mid-summer.
- The park spans approximately 183,224 acres and was established as a national park on May 22, 1902.
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