Crater Lake

The basics

No trip to Crater Lake is complete without driving the 33-mile (53-kilometer) Rim Drive along the lake’s edge; take your own car, stopping at scenic pullouts to admire the clear blue waters, or book a guided trolley tour to visit the route hassle-free. For a different perspective, you can take a boat tour to Wizard Island, a large stone outcropping in the middle of the lake.

Throughout the rest of Crater Lake National Park, hiking, birding, fishing, and backpacking are popular pastimes. And don’t let the long winter season hold you back—while most of Rim Drive is closed to cars, you can snowshoe, ski, or ride a snowmobile around the lake.

Things to know before you go

• An entrance fee or National Park Service pass is required to enter. Purchase in advance, or upon arrival by card or digital pay (cash is not accepted).

• Unleaded gas is available seasonally at the Mazama Village Store. When the store is closed, the nearest gas station is 29 miles (46 kilometers) away in Prospect.

• While there are no size restrictions on RVs, trailers, or buses, park roads are narrow—drive carefully and watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, and wildlife.

• Leashed pets are allowed in designated areas of the park, with no more than one pet per person on select trails, but be aware that animals are not allowed to enter Crater Lake.

• Campgrounds, cabins, and park lodgings are often reserved months in advance. Book early or look for other accommodations in the vicinity.

• Cell service inside the park can be spotty, so bring a map or download any necessary driving directions before you arrive.

How to get there

While the closest airport is about two hours away in Medford, Oregon, many visitors fly into Portland, which is about five hours northeast of the park entrance. Crater Lake is only accessible by private vehicle; there is no public transit close by. Be aware that vehicle passes are required if driving through the park—passes can be booked online, have seasonal pricing, and cover entry for the vehicle, the driver, and all passengers.

When to get there

Crater Lake is open year-round with two distinct seasons: summer (July–September) and winter (November–April). Most people visit in summer, when the park’s attractions are fully open and the weather is reliably warm and dry. In the winter, many of the park's facilities, roads, and trails are closed due to snow—sometimes until as late as mid-June—but with the right preparation, you can enjoy the lake at its quietest.

Why Crater Lake is so blue

In addition to being the world’s deepest volcanic lake, some also consider Crater Lake to be the bluest; its striking turquoise color is thanks to the purity of the water, with hardly any sediments, algae, or pollution. Pure water molecules absorb all the colors of the light spectrum except blues, which bounce back and give the lake its cerulean appearance.