Why Crater Lake National Park Is a Must-Visit Bucket List Destination

Some places are simply astounding; places that instill a sense of wonder and awe in all who visit. Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is one of those wondrous places. At 1,949 feet deep, it's the deepest lake in the U.S., a pristine pool of deep azure that you won't find just anywhere in the country. The lake's history is as deep as its waters, tracing back over 7,700 years to when a powerful eruption collapsed an ancient volcano, forming what we know today as Crater Lake, Oregon's first national park. Today, this Oregon park attracts upwards of 650,000 visitors each year, inviting all to revel in its resplendence.

Is Crater Lake National Park Worth Visiting?

Known for its captivating cobalt waters, Crater Lake is the largest, cleanest lake in the U.S. The lake’s water is supplied completely by snow and rain; there are no inlets from other water sources. This means that no sediment or mineral deposits are carried into the lake, making it one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the entire world.

But it isn’t only the lake itself that makes this national park worthy of your bucket list. It is also the many activities that will make you fall in love with this area. From beautiful scenic drives with dozens of overlooks for capturing breathtaking views to hiking trails and even a wildflower garden, outdoor lovers of all ages will find something special at Crater Lake in Oregon. After all, this is one of the most beautiful places in Oregon to visit.

Scenic Drives at Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is one of the most accessible national wonders in the country, as it's actually designed to be visited by car. The lake is circumnavigated by the 33-mile Rim Drive, which also happens to be the highest paved road in Oregon. The full loop is usually open from June through October and features approximately 30 scenic pullouts. If you complete this drive in its entirety, plan at least three hours, which gives you time to make several stops along your way. Without stopping, the Rim Drive takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

Along the way, you'll pass by several gorgeous geographical features, including Hillman Peak. At 8,151 feet above sea level, this basalt peak on the rim of the Crater Lake caldera is also the highest. You'll also pass Sun Notch Overlook, where you can gaze upon the mysterious "Phantom Ship" formation. This 300-foot island in Crater Lake derives its name from its resemblance to a ghost ship—especially in foggy and low-light conditions. Emerging 160 feet above the lake's surface, Phantom Ship is absolutely captivating and a favorite sight along the Crater Lake Rim Drive.

Hiking Trails at Crater Lake National Park

Hiking is an ideal way to explore the magnificent landscape of Crater Lake National Park—all 183,224 acres. From short, accessible trails to longer, backcountry treks, there are some pretty amazing hikes you can do in the park. In fact, there’s a surprisingly large variety of hiking options, as this national park has an incredibly diverse biome. In addition to Crater Lake's stunning turquoise waters, this state park also has expansive, emerald-green forests.

You'll get an up-close look at Oregon's old-growth trees on one of the many hiking trails at Crater Lake State Park. Clocking in at an easy two miles, Discovery Point Trail is one of the most accessible and popular hikes in the park. This hike is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Along the route, the views of Crater Lake and Wizard Island will take your breath away.

And Crater Lake National Park is full of surprises, too—it's home to secret waterfalls! Plaikni Falls (which is easily accessed via the eponymous trail) is utterly majestic, cascading down a glacier-carved cliff. It's one of our favorite waterfalls in Crater Lake National Park.

Vidae Falls is another beautiful waterfall in Crater Lake National Park. This spring-fed waterfall tumbles 100 feet over a mountain ridge. It is gorgeous in the summer when surrounded by thick green vegetation. Vidae Falls is also viewable from Crater Lake Rim Drive, making it quite popular among visitors.

Best Things to Do at Crater Lake National Park

And if you want to really revel in the splendor of the cleanest, largest lake in the country, you can do that, too. Park visitors are allowed to swim at designated areas, and there are even several rocks for adventurous souls who are ready to jump in, feet first. This is a bucket-list moment you should seize if conditions allow. (Bring a warm change of clothes, however, as the water here is very cold!)

If possible, spend the night at Crater Lake and look up. Crater Lake National Park is one of the best stargazing spots in Oregon due to its high elevation and the lack of light pollution in the area. There are several excellent spots to stare at the night sky, like Watchman Overlook, or we also recommend stopping at several pullouts along Rim Drive.

Where to Stay Near Crater Lake National Park

And if the thought of waking up to a pristine pool of blue sounds absolutely dreamy, book a night (or two) at Crater Lake Lodge. Built in 1915, Crater Lake Lodge (also listed on the National Register of Historic Places) is located along the southwest rim, 1,000 feet above Crater Lake. Not only is this lodge incredibly winsome, it also offers guests a front-row seat to the most dazzling views of Crater Lake. Keep in mind that Crater Lake Lodge is seasonal and nights can fill up quickly, so we recommend placing your reservation early.

The other lodging option within the park is The Cabins at Mazama Village. Similar to the lodge, you will want to make your reservations as early as possible. Reservations can be placed up to one year in advance. You may also consider booking a vacation rental outside of the park in towns like Klamath Falls, Prospect, Diamond Lake, Medford, and more.

Practical Tips for Visiting Crater Lake

General Information

Accessibility: Accessibility varies within the park, but there are several areas of which you'll want to take note. Godfrey Glen Trail is the park's fully accessible trail; it's a one-mile loop that's relatively flat. East Rim Drive offers several accessible adventures, including an accessible campground and scenic trails.

Pet Friendly: Pets are welcome at Crater Lake National Park, but only in certain areas. A few dog-friendly trails, including Godfrey Glen, are available. The NPS website has Crater Lake's full pet policy, including dog-friendly attractions and trails.

Parking: The National Park Service operates two small visitor centers, both on the south side of the lake. Go to the Steel Visitor Center in the Park Headquarters area to view a 22-minute park film as an introduction to the geological and human history of Crater Lake. Note that parking here is limited—especially for oversized vehicles.

Seasonal Access: Crater Lake is open year-round, but some of the park's roads, trails, and facilities are closed seasonally. The park sees the majority of its visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day, so expect crowds if you're planning a trip during the summer. Winter is a beautiful time to visit, but be ready with your snowshoes: the annual average snowfall in the park is 41 feet. Also, many roads are closed to vehicles during the winter and are only accessible via snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobiles. September is the ideal month to visit: crowds are down, and the weather is picture-perfect. Visit Crater Lake's current conditions page on the NPS website to find out what's currently open in the park.

Cost: Admission to Crater Park varies by season. For private vehicles, you'll pay $30 in the summer (May 22-Oct. 31) and $20 in the winter (Nov. 1 - May 21), and this pass is good for seven days. Keep in mind that this national park does not accept cash.

Why Crater Lake Belongs on Your Bucket List

Long before it became a national park, Crater Lake was a sacred space. The Klamaths and other Native American tribes considered the lake to be a spiritual place—so special that only those with great wisdom and strength could view it.

Today, Crater Lake remains a sacred place, but one that's open to all.

The Germans have a word, waldeinsamkeit, that's used to describe the feeling of "being at one" with the universe. It's a big word, with a big meaning. It's good to be reminded, every once in a while, of how wide and wonderful the world really is. Life can feel so big and unmanageable at times that standing at the precipice of a place as wondrous as Crater Lake has a calming, grounding effect. It connects us to the world and gives us perspective.

Learn more about Crater Lake by visiting the National Park Service website. And as you're planning your next adventure, definitely put the Columbia River Gorge on your Bucket List. It is one of our favorite places to explore in the Pacific Northwest.