Mount MazamaAbout Mount Mazama
Mount Mazama is a collapsed stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of southern Oregon whose caldera now contains Crater Lake; the collapse occurred roughly 7,700 years ago. The caldera and lake are the dominant feature of Crater Lake National Park.
The site is best known for Crater Lake - a deep, clear caldera lake about 8 kilometers across with a maximum depth of about 594 meters - and for volcanic features inside the caldera such as Wizard Island. Multiple rim viewpoints give panoramic views across the lake and the steep caldera walls, and seasonal boat trips visit Wizard Island.
Mazama produced a large explosive eruption and subsequent summit collapse that created the caldera; later volcanic activity inside the caldera formed cinder cones. The area has been managed as Crater Lake National Park since the early 20th century and has infrastructure for visitors along the rim.
Mount Mazama and Crater Lake lie in south-central Oregon within Crater Lake National Park, roughly north of Klamath Falls. The park occupies a high-elevation part of the Cascades, with roads and visitor facilities around the caldera rim.
- Caldera age: Caldera formation occurred approximately 7,700 years ago and produced the lake that now fills the caldera.
- Viewing route: Rim Drive encircles the caldera for roughly 33 miles, providing multiple viewpoints of the lake and caldera walls.
What to See#
- Crater Lake: Crater Lake is the caldera lake formed when Mount Mazama collapsed roughly 7,700 years ago; its deepest point is 594 meters below the lake surface and the caldera is about 8 kilometers across.
- Wizard Island: Wizard Island is a post-collapse volcanic cinder cone rising above the lake surface inside the caldera and accessible by seasonal boat tours.
Nearby Attractions to Mount Mazama
Best Time to Visit Mount Mazama
Best visited mid-summer (July-September) when snow has melted, trails and rim roads are most likely to be open and views are clear.
Weather & Climate near Mount Mazama
Mount Mazama'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 March). Temperatures range from -6°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1449 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -5° - 4° | -5° | 227 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -6° - 4° | -5° | 181 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -6° - 4° | -5° | 162 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -5° - 7° | -3° | 103 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -2° - 11° | 1° | 71 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 1° - 15° | 6° | 43 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 4° - 20° | 12° | 21 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 5° - 21° | 13° | 25 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 3° - 18° | 10° | 47 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 0° - 14° | 5° | 97 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -4° - 6° | -3° | 233 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -5° - 4° | -5° | 239 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Mount Mazama
Mount Mazama forms Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park. By car from Medford follow OR‑62 (Crater Lake Highway) north to the park entrance - the drive is roughly 60 miles (about 1.5-2 hours). From Bend the common driving route is about 90 miles (around 2 hours) via US‑97/OR‑138 and park roads.
Within the park drive Rim Drive to Rim Village where there is parking and visitor facilities; viewpoints and short paved walks to the crater rim are a few minutes on foot from the visitor area.
Tips for Visiting Mount Mazama
- Visit early in the morning (first light) or late afternoon to get the best light on Crater Lake and to avoid the biggest crowds along the Rim Drive; note that the Rim Drive is seasonal and often closed by winter snow, so check park conditions before you go.
- Use the Rim Village/visitor center parking as your main access point for maps, exhibits and the most accessible overlooks; from there you can reach Watchman and Discovery Point viewpoints without long hikes.
- If you want to reach the lake shore, plan for the Cleetwood Cove Trail access-the only legal trail down to Crater Lake and the boarding point for boat tours to Wizard Island-because many visitors never descend to the water.
- Don't skip a short walk up the Watchman Trail at sunrise or sunset for a quieter, panoramic view; compared with the busier overlooks near Rim Village, Watchman often has fewer people at those times.