Crater Lake National Park Guide

Picture of Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park averages approximately 500,000 visitors per year who marvel at the impossibly blue waters of Crater Lake from lookouts along the park's Rim Drive. It's the deepest lake in the United States—the seventh deepest in the world, and its reputation as a spot of overwhelming, sublime natural beauty—the "Gem of the Cascades"—extends around the globe. Read More »

Crater Lake National Park Highlights

Crater Lake National Park offers an epic bike ride (or scenic drive) around the 33-mile Rim Drive. With steep hills at high elevation, the ride is challenging but offers spectacular scenery. Start from the park headquarters area and ride clockwise around the lake.
Two campgrounds are available for cyclists: Mazama Campground, open from mid-June to early October, and Lost Creek Campground, open from mid-July to mid-September.
The park receives an annual average of 533 inches of snow, most of which falls between October and June. A wide variety of trails and unplowed roads provide access to amazing views, open slopes, and dense forests.
For a winter backcountry adventure with a spectacular setting, ski around Crater Lake on the unplowed Rim Drive. The 30-mile ski route typically requires three or four days.

By Travel Expert: Karen Kefauver

Photo Galleries

Crater Lake National Park
From Gorp

Top Ten National Park Lodges
From Gorp

GORP in Discussion

Ask your travel questions—and lend your expertise in answering other people's queries.

What You Can Do in Crater Lake National Park

The Best: Crater Lake National Park Ranks as...

Articles on Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park
Wildlife

Crater Lake National Park
Boating

Crater Lake National Park
Oregon

Crater Lake National Park
Scenic Driving

A National Park for All Seasons
Summer

See All »

Adventure Trips and Guided Tours

Oregon - Rogue River Rambler - from $2995 for 9 days
Timberline Adventures

the Rogue River Rambler has solidly settled into that select group of adventures guaranteed to seduce any cyclist who truly hungers for the ultimate...

Volcanoes of the Cascades - South - from $2595 for 8 days
Timberline Adventures

Volcanoes South presents a dramatic illustration of the geographic diversity of the Cascade Range. A product of the region's intense volcanic legacy,...