Crater Lake National Park
The deepest lake in the United States is nestled in a volcano due to its eruption more than 7000 years ago in southern Oregon called Crater Lake. It is hard to imagine the magnitude of how large this lake and volcano is until you see that there is another smaller volcano in the middle of the lake. We had many breathtaking moments at this national park during our road trip from Washington to California.
Tips
As a reminder since this is a national park, there is very limited cell service which makes it difficult to navigate using your phone. However, the one road that surrounds the lake is very well-marked. You can also get a regular portable GPS and plug in the addresses to the hikes PRIOR TO arriving if that makes you more comfortable with planning ahead.
Bring a bathing suit and a towel for the Cleetwood Cove Trail as you will want to jump in the water!
In the late summer we spent about 5 hours here and felt like that was all the time we needed to soak it all in.
The north road to enter Crater Lake is closed in the fall/winter/spring months.
If you go when there is snow, the south end route into Crater Lake can be pretty scary so bring tire chains!
I heard there is a boat that takes you to the smaller volcano but did not look into it since we wanted to spend our time hiking.
Hiking Trails
Watchman Peak Trail
This 1.7-mile there-and-back hike from a parking lot at the edge of the crater we defined as moderate due to its steep but shorter trail. The view at the top is one you can’t miss as it gives the best picture of the whole lake itself (since it’s so big!).
Cleetwood Cove Trail
This very steep 2-mile there-and-back hike takes you from the edge of the crater to the lake! From up above you see the crystal-blue water, but at this trail you can see just how perfectly clear the water is (and how COLD!). It will freeze your toes off even at the end of the summer so be careful! At the end of this trail is also about a 40-foot cliff you can jump off of if you have the guts! I immediately wrote it off but my friend Amanda contemplated it for a very long time, and ended up deciding to slide in the water instead :)
Crater Lake National Park was a part of my road trip with my friend Mander to my second therapy placement. Before Crater Lake, we visited Bend, Oregon, and after we went to the Redwoods’ Avenue of the Giants.