Crater Lake
National Park

Visit the Crater Lake National Park Virtual Visitor Center

"All ingenuity of nature seems to have been exerted to the fullest capacity to build a grand awe-inspiring temple the likes of which the world has never seen before," so says William G. Steel, the father of Crater Lake National Park, who was successful in getting the park established in 1902. Even before then, Crater Lake was the basis of much local Native American legend, as the stories of its creation have been passed down through the centuries.

The lake was formed after the collapse of an ancient volcano, posthumously named Mount Mazama. This volcano violently erupted approximately 7700 years ago. That eruption was 42 times as powerful as the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. The basin or caldera was formed after the top 5000 feet of the volcano collapsed. Subsequent lava flows sealed the bottom, allowing the caldera to fill with approximately 4.6 trillion gallons of water from rainfall and snow melt, to create the seventh deepest lake in the world at 1,932 feet.

Today, Crater Lake is widely known for its intense blue color and spectacular views. During summer, visitors may navigate the Rim Drive around the lake, enjoy boat tours on the lake surface, stay in the historic Crater Lake Lodge, camp at Mazama Village, or hike some of the park's various trails including Mt. Scott at 8,929 ft. Diverse interpretative programs enhance visitors' knowledge and appreciation of this national park, 90% of which is managed as wilderness. The winter brings some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year. Although park facilities mostly close for this snowy season, visitors may view the lake during fair weather, enjoy cross-country skiing, and participate in weekend snowshoe hikes.

VISITATION:

Approximately 500,000 visitors per year, with the high season being July and August.

LOCATION:

Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Range, 100 miles from the Pacific coast.

ADDRESS:

Crater Lake National Park
P.O. Box 7
Crater Lake, OR 97604

TELEPHONE:

541-594-2211 - Visitor Information, Extension 402

TDD (541) 594-2261

OPERATING HOURS:

Summer -- (June through September)

Rim Village Visitor Center: late June through Labor Day, 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM, daily; early June and September, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Post Office at the Steel Visitor Center: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Steel Visitor Center: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, daily.

Gift shop at Rim Village: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Cafeteria at Rim Village: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Watchman Restaurant: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Mazama Village Store: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Winter -- (October through May)

Steel Visitor Center: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, everyday except Christmas

Post Office at Steel Visitor Center: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Cafeteria and Gift Shop at Rim Village: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

CLIMATE/RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Summer

The months of July through mid-September are generally mild with little precipitation. Due to the elevation of the park (6,500 ft. at Park Headquarters and 7,100 ft. at Rim Village), weather conditions may change quickly and a warm jacket and wool sweater are always recommended items to carry.

Winter

From October through June, weather conditions dictate preparing for extreme winter conditions. Blizzards, high winds, extreme cold, and low visibility dominate the weather patterns. Visitors should come with cold weather gear.

Check out the current weather at Crater Lake!

DIRECTIONS

From the North:

From Roseburg - Route 138 east to the park's north entrance.

From Bend - Route 97 south to route 138 west to the park's north entrance.

*The park's north entrance is typically closed for the winter season from mid-October to Mid-June.

From the South:

From Medford - Route 62 north and east to the park's west entrance.

From Klamath Falls - Route 97 north to route 62 north and west to the park's south entrance.

View a Park Map

TRANSPORTATION

Medford has a full service airport, access to major bus lines and rental cars. Klamath Falls has a small airport and is accessible by Amtrak and Greyhound bus services.

FEES, RATES:

Entrance:(The entrance fee you pay when visiting Crater Lake National Park goes to benefit many important park programs. Read more about it!)

Car and motor homes - $10

Commercial buses - $25 - $200 depending on the capacity of the vehicle

Bicycle/onfoot - $5

Camping:

Tent sites at Lost Creek $10; tent sites at Mazama Campground $14.75, and Campers and RVs at Mazama Campground $15.75. More than 2 adults per site - $3 per additional person.

Boat Tours:

Adults - $15

Children - $8.50

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Acreage - 183,244 acres

VISITOR CENTER AND EXHIBITS:

Steel Information Center

This visitor center is located at park headquarters on the south side of the park and is open year round. A park ranger or volunteer is on duty to assist with park information, trip planning, weather forecasts, and backcountry camping permits. Informational materials, including the seasonal newspaper Crater Lake "Reflections", can be mailed to prospective visitors upon request. An 18 minute video, The Crater Lake Story, is shown every half hour in the summer, and upon request in the winter. Books, maps, posters, and educational materials are available for purchase from the Crater Lake Natural History Association, a non-profit group which supports interpretation, scientific research, and development of park publications. Public restrooms and a post office are located in this building as well.

Rim Village Visitor Center

This center is located on the south rim of the caldera, approximately 200 yards west of Crater Lake Lodge. Park information, backcountry camping permits, and educational materials are available here. It is open June through September.

Interpretive exhibits concerning the history of the park are located inside Crater Lake Lodge.

TRAILS:

Backcountry

There are over 50 miles of one-way and loop trails in the park, including 33 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail as well as hikes up Mount Scott, Garfield Peak, and Crater Peak. It is also possible to hike to the lake surface on the Cleetwood Trail.

All backcountry trails should be regarded as strenuous. Appropriate planning, including practice of Leave No Trace techniques, should be considered for all backcountry expeditions.

Frontcountry

The Godfrey Glen trail, Castle Crest Wildflower Garden, and Annie Creek Canyon trail all offer hikes of less than two miles.

Cross-country skiing

Several marked ski trails are available in the winter at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. They are patrolled on the weekends by ski patrol volunteers. It is best to call ahead for trail and weather conditions. These trails are not groomed, providing skiers with a wilderness type backcountry experience.

ROADS:

The 33-mile Rim Drive around Crater Lake is a two lane road that has more than 20 scenic overlooks. A 7-mile spur road departs from east Rim Drive providing access to the Pinnacles Overlook and Lost Creek Campground.

From mid-October until mid-June, the north entrance and Rim Drive are closed to the public due to deep snow and ice buildups along the road. Rim Drive around the east side of the lake can be closed earlier than mid-October and may not open until July. Deer and other wildlife crossing the road and icy conditions at any time of the year provide hazards to drivers. In winter, the closest available gas stations are in Prospect and Chiloquin, both approximately 40 miles from Rim Village and Park Headquarters.

PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES:

Check out the Current Summer Interpretive Programs!

Interpretive Walks

Ranger guided hikes are available daily late June through Labor Day and include backcountry natural history hikes and frontcountry historical walks. Additional hikes may be offered when staffing is available.

Night Program

Join park rangers for in-depth presentations of various topics relating to the natural and cultural history of Crater Lake. Specific topics are posted at the visitor centers and campgrounds. Held nightly at the Mazama Campground Amphitheater, programs are presented at 9 pm late June through July 31, and at 8:30 pm August 1 through Labor Day.

Discovering Crater Lake Talks

Step back in time to Mt. Mazama's fiery past and explore with a ranger the theories relating to the formation of Crater Lake. How did Crater Lake come to rest inside the volcano? What can we expect from our volcano in the future? This 15 minute geology talk is presented every hour from 10 am to 5 pm at the Sinnott Memorial overlook behind the Rim Village Visitor Center starting late June through Labor Day.

A Junior Ranger Program is available for 6-12 year olds at the Mazama Campground Amphitheater from late June to the end of August at 5 pm.

Winter Programs

Rangers lead interpretive walks and discuss various topics on winter ecology. Walks are presented in the Rim Village area every Saturday and Sunday from Thanksgiving weekend through late March at 1 pm. Participants must wear snowshoes because of the deep snow conditions along the route. Snowshoes are provided and there is a 20 person limit on each walk, and a minimum age of 9.

Park programs may change due to weather considerations.

LODGING & CAMPING:

Lost Creek Campground has 16 tent sites and is open from mid-July to mid-September. Mazama Campground has 200 sites and is open early June through mid-October. Reservations are not taken, however sites are usually available. Running water, flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings are provided.

Crater Lake Lodge has 71 rooms and is normally open mid-May through mid-October.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Mazama Village Motor Inn has 40 units and is located in the Mazama Village complex. It is open June through September, and reservations are recommended.

There are no camping or lodging facilities available in the park from mid-October through late May.

FOOD AND SUPPLIES:

The Mazama Village complex operates a camper store from June through September, with laundry, showers, and gasoline available as well.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND CONCESSIONS:

The Crater Lake Natural History Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing educational and scientific activities within Crater Lake National Park. Association funds are invested back into the park, providing services such as publishing park related information, printing the park's newspaper, and purchasing equipment and materials for scientific research and educational support. Annual membership is $10, which includes a 15% discount on all purchases for the year, publications of the winter and summer Crater Lake "Reflections" for the year, and the latest publication of "Nature Notes". For general ordering information please contact the Crater Lake National History Association at Box 157, Crater Lake, Oregon 97604, or call 541-594-2211 extension 498 or 499.

Crater Lake Lodge, Mazama Village Motor Inn, Mazama Campground, the cafeteria and gift shop at the Rim Village, and the boat tours on Crater Lake are operated by the park's concession, Crater Lake Lodge, Inc. For reservations and questions call 541-830-8700, fax 541-830-8514, write to: Crater Lake Lodge Inc., PO Box 2704, White City, Oregon 97503, or visit the Crater Lake Lodge Inc. Homepage.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Campsites are available at the Mazama Campground. The visitors centers and Crater Lake Lodge are accessible. When the 33-mile Rim Drive is open during the summer, there are more than 20 Crater Lake overlooks which are accessible.

SPECIAL NEEDS:

A script is available for use with "The Crater Lake Story" at the Steel Information Center. "In pictures, Crater Lake, the Continuing Story" is a publication for sale at park visitor centers that has translations in German, French, and Japanese.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES AND PARK USE:

Fishing for kokanee salmon and rainbow trout on Wizard Island and at Cleetwood Cove, ranger-guided programs, numerous hiking trails, and the Rim Drive scenic roadway.

RESERVATIONS AND PERMITS:

Permits are required for all backcountry camping in the park and are issued free of charge at visitor centers.

Reservations are not taken for camper/tent sites, however, they are strongly urged for rooms at the Crater Lake Lodge and the Motor Inn.

Reservations may be made for organized group interpretive tours in the summer and on the weekends in the winter season by calling visitor information at 541-594-2211 ext. 402. Educational groups can make reservations for weekdays during the school season.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Mid-July through early September is the most advantageous period to drive around the caldera on Rim Drive. At least two hours is advised to drive completely around the rim.

Winter conditions in the park, which may occur from October through June, can include sudden snowstorms, cold temperatures, icy roads, and white-out conditions due to blizzard situations. It is best to plan trips ahead of time by calling park information for current weather conditions during these months.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS:

The Castle Crest Wildflower trail has a large variety of flora in bloom during late July.

VISITOR IMPACTS

Pets are prohibited from all trails and must remain on leashes while outside of vehicles.

Hunting and collecting of natural or historical objects in the park are illegal and strictly prohibited.

Hikers are strongly discouraged from shortcutting trails. The resulting erosion seriously deteriorates the fragile landscape.

Feeding of wild animals and birds is also prohibited as this fosters unnatural dependence by the animals on human handouts. Visitors are also exposed to parasites and animal bites.

Leave No Trace concepts are strongly encouraged in all areas of the park and are publicly supported by the National Park Service. The six guiding principles are:

*Plan ahead and prepare

*Pack it in, pack it out

*Leave what you find

*Camp and travel on durable surfaces

*Minimize use and impact of fires

*Properly dispose of what can't be packed out

NEARBY VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Outdoor recreation opportunities in the area may be found at Oregon Caves National Monument, Winema National Forest, Rogue River National Forest, and Umpqua National Forest, and Cascades Volcano Observatory.

The online Southern Oregon Vacation Guide provides links to information on lodging and other recreational opportunities in the area.

Columbia Cascades is part of the Columbia Cascades Cluster.

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Last Updated:Saturday, 24-Jul-99 17:28:07
http://www.nps.gov/crla/