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Judy Gallagher CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Crater Lake

Lake

Crater Lake in southern Oregon sits in a volcanic caldera with intensely blue water and Wizard Island; tourists drive the rim road, hike trails, and take seasonal boat tours into Crater Lake National Park.

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In this guide

Crater Lake essentials

Address: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA
Website: nps.gov
Hours: Park visitor center hours vary seasonally; typically 8:00am-6:00pm in summer
Admission: Park entrance free; boat tour or shuttle fees for access to specific viewpoints and amenities (e.g., Discovery Point)
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About Crater Lake

Crater Lake is a deep caldera lake in south-central Oregon within Crater Lake National Park, formed when Mount Mazama collapsed about 7,700 years ago. It is the deepest lake in the United States, with a maximum depth of 1,949 feet (594 metres).

The dramatic blue water is viewed from multiple rim overlooks reached by the roughly 33-mile Rim Drive, with popular viewpoints at Watchman and Rim Village. Boat tours operate in summer and visit features such as Wizard Island, and the stark volcanic shoreline and small islands like the Phantom Ship are major photographic subjects.

Hiking, scenic drives and ranger-led programs are the principal visitor activities; direct access to the lakeshore is restricted to the official trail and landing at Cleetwood Cove.

The lake formed after the climactic eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama around 7,700 years ago; subsequent volcanic activity produced features such as Wizard Island within the caldera. The surrounding area was set aside as Crater Lake National Park in 1902 to protect the caldera and its rim vistas.

Crater Lake sits in southern Oregon within the Cascade Range; the park is in a remote mountain area roughly 60 miles (about 100 kilometres) northwest of Klamath Falls and accessible by road from regional gateways in summer.

  • Origin and depth: Formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama about 7,700 years ago and now contains the deepest lake in the United States, with a maximum depth of 1,949 feet (594 metres).
  • Rim Drive and boat tours: Rim Drive is roughly 33 miles (53 kilometres) and provides the main scenic viewpoints; boat tours to Wizard Island operate seasonally from Rim Village during the summer months.
  • Shore access: Cleetwood Cove Trail is the park’s only official access route to the lake shore and boat landing, so shore access and boat trips are limited to that location.

What to See#

  • Wizard Island: A volcanic cinder cone rising above the lake that is accessible by boat on seasonal park-run cruises and provides short hiking routes on its shore.
  • Phantom Ship: A small, craggy island resembling a ship that rises from the lake near the western shore; it is visible from many rim overlooks.
  • Rim Drive: The paved road that circles the caldera rim for about 33 miles, offering multiple overlooks and trailheads along the lake’s rim.
  • Cleetwood Cove Trail: The only legal trail that reaches the lakeshore and the seasonal boat landing for lake cruises; the trail provides direct access to the water.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Crater Lake

Summer offers full access and the clearest conditions; late spring and autumn have fewer crowds but variable road access.

Summer (July-September)
Jul-Sep · 5-20°C
All roads open, boat tours available, and hiking trails clear.
Late spring (May-June)
May-Jun · -2-10°C
Snow can still block some rim roads but wildflowers begin to appear at lower elevations.
Winter (December-March)
Dec-Mar · -10-2°C
Deep snow and cross-country skiing; road access generally closed but the park has a dramatic winter landscape.

Weather & Climate near Crater Lake

Climate

Crater Lake's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) - Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1436 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 28 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
22°
Warmest Month
-6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -6° - 3° -6° 227 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
February - -6° - 3° -6° 180 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
March - -6° - 4° -5° 159 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
April - -5° - 7° -3° 98 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
May - -2° - 11° 1° 69 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
June - 1° - 15° 6° 41 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
July - 4° - 21° 13° 21 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
August - 5° - 22° 13° 25 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
September - 2° - 18° 10° 47 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
October - -1° - 14° 4° 97 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
November - -4° - 5° -3° 233 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
December - -6° - 3° -6° 239 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park is about 80 miles (≈130 km) southeast of Medford, Oregon (roughly 2-2.5 hours by car). The main access is via U.S. Route 62. Rim Drive is typically open July-October depending on snow; check National Park Service road reports before travel.

Tips for Visiting Crater Lake

  • If hiking to the rim, arrive before sunrise - the Pacific Northwest light makes the crater's colors incandescent and crowds are thin.
  • Boat tours on the lake run seasonally (summer) and are the only way to stand on Phantom Ship or Wizard Island when conditions permit.
  • Expect windy conditions at the rim; warm layers and windproof clothing are recommended even on sunny days.