The Deepest Lake In The Country Is Right Here In Oregon And You’ll Want To Explore It
Oregon’s natural wonders are absolutely jaw-dropping. From the awe-inspiring Devil’s Churn on the coast to the barren beauty of the Alvord Desert in Southeastern Oregon, there are plenty of incredible sights to see in the Beaver State. Oregon is also home to the deepest lake in the country, and it’s well worth a trip, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Crater Lake is one of Oregon's most brilliant gems. At 1,949 deep, it's the deepest lake in the entire country, and its deep, blue color makes it look like a sapphire. Not only is it the deepest in the United States, Crater Lake has the second deepest average depth in the world and is the overall ninth deepest lake on the planet.
The caldera that holds Crater Lake was formed when a volcano erupted between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago. It took more than 700 years for the caldera to fill with water. Today, both locals and tourists alike visit Crater Lake National Park.
Make sure to stop in at one of the two Visitor Centers at the park. You can see a film at the Steel Visitor Center, and rangers are on hand at both centers to help you plan your trip and tell you more fascinating facts about the lake.
If you're visiting in May or June, make sure to check the National Park's website to see if the roads are open yet. The caldera gets an average of 139 inches of snow every year, and it typically doesn't melt off completely until July.
To see the lake from a high vantage point, take the Rim Drive and stop at the overlooks along the way. Each has interpretive signs that give you information about the geology and history of the lake.
To see the lake up close, you'll want to take one of the boat tours offered by the park. Choose from the two-hour Standard Lake Tour that shows you many of the lakes features, or take the longer five-hour Wizard Island tour.
On both tours, you'll see Grotto Cave, Pumice Castle, and other interesting features. Check out The Old Man on the Lake. It's a 30-foot-long hemlock log that's been floating upright in the lake for at least 100 years. If you look closely, you can see his face.
The Wizard Island tour drops you off at the Island, where you'll spend several hours hiking and swimming. Boat tours start in mid-to-late June and run through the first week of September.
Learn more about the boat tours on Crater Lake in our feature article here.
Cycling the 33-mile-long Rim Drive is a great way to catch some scenic views while getting a workout. Parts of the road have a fairly steep incline, but the effort is well worth it. On September 14th and 21st, 2019 East Rim Drive will be closed to cars, so you can enjoy the ride without the noise and traffic.
We’d love to see your photos of Crater Lake! Share them in the comments below, or join our Oregon Nature Lovers Group, where you can share your nature photos and see others.
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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
