Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is an American national park located in southern Oregon. Established in 1902, Crater Lake is the fifth-oldest national park in the United States and the only national park in Oregon. The park encompasses the caldera of Crater Lake, a remnant of Mount Mazama, a destroyed volcano, and the surrounding hills and forests.
The lake is 1,949 feet (594 m) deep at its deepest point, which makes it the deepest lake in the United States, the second-deepest in North America and the ninth-deepest in the world. Crater Lake is often referred to as the seventh-deepest lake in the world, but this former listing excludes the approximately 3,000-foot (910 m) depth of subglacial Lake Vostok in Antarctica, which resides under nearly 13,000 feet (4,000 m) of ice, and the recent report of a 2,740-foot (840 m) maximum depth for Lake O'Higgins/San Martin, located on the border of Chile and Argentina. However, when comparing its average depth of 1,148 feet (350 m) to the average depth of other deep lakes, Crater Lake becomes the deepest in the Western Hemisphere and the third-deepest in the world. The impressive average depth of this volcanic lake is due to the nearly symmetrical 4,000-foot-deep (1,200 m) caldera formed 7,700 years ago during the violent climactic eruptions and subsequent collapse of Mount Mazama and the relatively moist climate that is typical of the crest of the Cascade Range.
The caldera rim ranges in elevation from 7,000 to 8,000 feet (2,100 to 2,400 m). The United States Geological Survey benchmark elevation of the lake surface is 6,178 feet (1,883 m). The national park encompasses 183,224 acres (286.3 sq mi; 741.5 km2). Crater Lake has no streams flowing into or out of it. All water that enters the lake is eventually lost from evaporation or subsurface seepage. The lake's water commonly has a striking blue hue, and the lake is refilled entirely from direct precipitation in the form of snow and rain.
- 1 Park purpose
- 2 Geology
- 3 Climate
- 4 Fauna
- 5 Park features
- 6 History
- 7 Activities
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8
Trails
- 8.1 Cleetwood Cove
- 8.2 The Watchman
- 8.3 Lightning Spring
- 8.4 Castle Crest Wildflower Garden
- 8.5 Plaikni Falls
- 8.6 Garfield Peak
- 9 See also
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10
References
- 10.1 Works cited
- 11 Further reading
- 12 External links
Links
Images Gallery
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November panorama from Rim Village. During the winter, the road up to Rim Village is normally plowed but Rim Drive is closed.
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Satellite view of Crater Lake
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Comfort Station Number 4
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The Pinnacles
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Aerial view of Crater Lake
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Crater Lake Lodge
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Daily Trips (1931)
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View up to Watchman Trail and peak
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Garfield Peak trail, view east towards Crater Lake
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Phantom Ship
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Comments
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Crater Lake might be the only National Park in Oregon but this state is filled with natural wonders. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in North America and the third deepest in the world! The water is some of the bluest water on earth. This place offers boat tours amazing hiking trails and some of the most visually stunning views in nature.
2 days ago -
What an amazing experience! This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life! My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this trip and probably will be taking it again one day! The size of this place was just awe inspiring! The water in the lake was a gorgeous blue like I have never seen! It was awesome to be there in June and there was still snow on the ground. The wildlife was very cool, and my kids loved seeing and feeding the squirrels. We drove halfway around the lake and had to head to our next stop. I really wish we could have made it all the way around the lake, but maybe next time. Be sure to stop at the different viewpoints as each one of them has their own amazing scene just waiting for you to take in it's beauty! Trust me, if you are anywhere close to Crater Lake you will have to take a trip there. Plan on spending several hours, because if you don't you will regret it! I'm looking forward to seeing your reviews, because you will not be able to visit this place without sharing your experience!
2 weeks ago -
Just an amazing absolute wonderful place. The loop is about 33 miles and can take 2 to 3 to 4 hours depending on how many places you stop. I recommend taking the clockwise direction because it seems like most other people take the counter clockwise drive.
3 weeks ago -
Stunning view and a memorable experience. Easy to navigate through the park and lot of pull off the road shoulders to enjoy the majestic scenery. The hiking trail to Mount Scott was awesome.
3 weeks ago -
I have spent 30 days on a road trip visiting several National Parks. I can say for sure that this offered the most amazing views. Unbelievable. The watchman point has a steep hike with some rest stops. The view from up there makes the hike up worth.
3 weeks ago -
hot, smokey, crowded and still absolutely STUNNING. Was well over 100° the day we visited which is rare for the area but driving around the rim was a truly remarkable experience - can’t wait to come back and spend more time here.
a month ago -
Stunning! Lots of trails and easily accessible areas to people with limited abilities! The whole place is a geological wonder and is stunning. Only draw back was lack of restrooms through the park. We will definitely visit again
a month ago -
Place is beautiful, but from the fires it is extremely hard to see the actual lake. Right now from COVID you also must have a mask on to go into any of the buildings. They DO NOT provide free mask you have to pay pretty much double to get one at any of the stores.
a week ago