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Crater Lake

From volcano to lake...discover how Crat... Read More

From volcano to lake...discover how Crat... Read More

From volcano to lake...discover how Crat... Read More

From volcano to lake...discover how Crat... Read More

37º F
See 3-Day Forecast
3-Day Forecast

Fri

H: 34º
L: 28º

Sat

H: 32º
L: 12º

Sun

H: 30º
L: 14º

FAQ: Crater Lake National Park

FAQ

Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Crater Lake National Park

Q: Where is Crater Lake located?

A: Crater Lake National Park is located in Southern Oregon.

Q: What caused the crater formation of Crater Lake?

A: This area is a volcanic caldera – a hole made by the collapse of a volcano.

Q: Can we go swimming in Crater Lake?

A: There is only one place where it is safe and legal to get down to the lake edge. It is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which usually opens mid to late June. Visitors are welcome to swim in the lake from the shoreline at the end of this trail.

Q: Is fishing allowed at Crater Lake?

A: Fish are not native to the lake. They were introduced in the lake from 1888-1941. Six species were originally stocked, but only two have survived to today: Rainbow Trout and Kokanee Salmon. Because they are not native to the lake, fishing is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. No license is required and there is no limit on how many you may catch – the only rule is that you must use artificial bait. We don’t want to accidentally introduce any other species into the lake. Fishing is allowed along the shoreline and on Wizard Island (with the purchase of a boat tour and Wizard Island ticket.)

Q: What is a crater lake?

A: A crater lake is a lake that forms in a volcanic crater, caldera, or maar. Incoming precipitation fills the depression to form a deepening lake, until an equilibrium is reached between the rate of water coming in and the rate of water loss due to evaporation, subsurface drainage, and possibly also surface outflow if the lake fills the crater up to the lowest point on its rim. Crater lakes covering active (fumarolic) volcanic vents are often known as volcanic lakes, and the water within them is typically acidic, saturated with volcanic gases, and cloudy with a strong greenish color. Lakes located in dormant or extinct volcanoes tend to have fresh water, and the water clarity in such lakes is often exceptional due to the lack of inflowing streams and sediment. A well-known crater lake, which bears the same name as the geological feature, is Crater Lake in Oregon, USA. It is located in the caldera of Mount Mazama, hence the name "Crater Lake" is somewhat of a misnomer. It is the deepest lake in the United States with a depth of 594 m (1,949 ft).

Q: What kind of animals are at Crater Lake?

A: Most common: Roosevelt Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Coyote, Bobcat, Porcupine, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Pine Marten, Snowshoe Hare, Pika, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, and Townsend Chipmunk.

Q: What is the recommended stay duration?

A: Minimalist (2 - 3 Days)
  • Driving/Sightseeing: ½ Day - 1 Day
  • Hiking/Exploring: ½ Day
  • Activities/Tours/Special Programs: 1 Day
Adventurist (3- 4 Days)
  • Driving/Sightseeing: 1 Day
  • Hiking/Exploring: 1 Day
  • Activities/Tours/Special Programs: 1 ½ Days
Notes: A scenic drive around “Rim Drive” is a must, and will take at least a half day. In the summer, hiking, boat tours, trolley tours, ranger-guided programs, swimming, fishing, ranger talks, evening programs, camping and other activities are offered. In the winter ranger-led snowshoe hikes are offered on weekends, usually beginning in late November and running through late April.  Cross-country skiing is available on a number of trails and snowmobiling is only permitted from the North Entrance (off Highway 138) to North Junction (approx. 10 miles).  An interpretive boat ride on the lake is an activity that should not be missed, and 'Adventurists' should consider a stop off at Wizard Island for a hike to the top in between lake boat tours.

Q: What are the nearest major cities/airports?

A: The nearest major city/airport is Medford, Oregon and is about 75 miles away. Portland is the next closest city/airport and is about 250 miles away. The drive from Portland will take about 5 hours.

Q: What type of weather should I expect?

A: Crater Lake National Park has an average annual snowfall of over 530-inches. It generally begins to accumulate each year in October and doesn’t melt in most places until the following June. Expect nice dry days with temperatures around 62°-70°F in the summer months. The nights do get colder dropping into the mid 30°’s to low 40°’s. Occasionally there may be days in August when the lake is completely obscured by fog.

Q: Will I be able to use my cellphone?

A: There is no reliable cellular service within Crater Lake National Park.

Q: What are the entrance fees for Crater Lake National Park?

A:
  • Car - $25.00
    • Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all occupants. Good for up to 7 days.
  • Motorcycles - $20.00
    • Admits one or two passengers on a private, non-commercial motorcycle. Good for up to 7 days.
  • Bicycles & Pedestrians - $12.00
    • Admits one individual with no car (bicyclist, hiker, pedestrian). Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for up to 7 days.
  • Commercial Vehicles (capacity of 1 to 6 passengers) - $25.00 + $5.00 per passenger
    • The fee structure for commercial vehicles visiting national parks is based on the capacity of the vehicle you arrive in, not the number of passengers.
  • Commercial Vehicles (capacity of 7 to 15 passengers) - $75.00
    • The fee structure for commercial vehicles visiting national parks is based on the capacity of the vehicle you arrive in, not the number of passengers.
  • Commercial Vehicles (capacity of 16 to 25 passengers) - $100.00
    • The fee structure for commercial vehicles visiting national parks is based on the capacity of the vehicle you arrive in, not the number of passengers.
  • Commercial Vehicles (capacity of 26 or more passengers) - $200.00
    • The fee structure for commercial vehicles visiting national parks is based on the capacity of the vehicle you arrive in, not the number of passengers.

Q: What are the temperature variances?

A:
Month High (F°) Low (F°)
January 34 18
February 35 18
March 37 19
April 42 23
May 50 28
June 58 34
July 69 41
August 69 41
September 63 37
October 52 31
November 40 24
December 35 19

Park Activities

Trolley Tour

Enjoy the unique experience of touring Crater Lake National Park not from a bus, but ...

Horseback Riding

Enjoy more of this spectacular country near Crater Lake with a guided trail ride that ...

Snowmobiling

Gaining access to Crater Lake in the winter is often a challenge, but not on ...

See All Activities