Crater Lake in Oregon: Deep inside an evergreen forest, an exploded volcano calls to be explored.
To ancient people, the area was a sacred place where they went to mourn, to hunt and forage, to find God, and prove their power.
Today, many still come to the area seeking something inside themselves- some by braving the icy waters, others by making the voyage to a mysterious island in the lake.
And, of course, there’s the lake itself- a 2,000-foot-deep phenomenon with some of the cleanest water in the world.
Here’s your guide to Crater Lake in Oregon:
Location
Crater Lake is located in beautiful southern Oregon.
The closest airport is in Medford, Oregon. Most people visit Crater Lake National Park as part of a larger Pacific Northwest road trip.
If you happen to be flying in from a larger airport or just driving from a larger city, note that literally all the routes to Crater Lake are beautiful.
Here’s what you’re looking at, time-wise:
- 2 hours East of Ashland
- 4 hours South of Portland
- 7 hours North of San Francisco
- 7 hours West of Boise
Tip: If you’re pressed for time and want a day trip to Crater Lake, consider this tour with hotel pickup. If you want the adventure without the responsibility of driving, consider this epic 5-day of Southern Oregon.
Where to Stay Near Crater Lake
- Directly in the park (Rim Village): Crater Lake Lodge
- Larger cabins in Fort Klamath, 40 minutes from the Visitor Center: Crater Lake Resort
- I LOVE these cabins with in-room hot tub options, 30 minutes from the Visitor Center: Weasku Inn
How did Crater Lake Form?
Mount Mazama is responsible for one of the largest eruptions in North America, which sent ash as far as England!
As the magma chamber beneath the volcano emptied out, the mountain began to collapse, forming the caldera that now contains the lake.
In Bend, Oregon, you can literally dig under the surface and find a pinkish layer of ash even to this day-Imagine what a massive eruption this must have been!
Lore of the Lake
We know that the Klamath Indians lived in the region as early as 7,700 years ago because artifacts have been found beneath the Mazama ash layers of Crater Lake.
The Klamath has a legend describing the eruption of Mount Mazama and the creation of Crater Lake, involving a violent war between two great volcanoes, Mount Mazama and Mount Shasta.
This legend is interesting because it parallels the actual eruption of Mount Mazama and the formation of Crater Lake:
Llao was the spirit of the Below-World who lived beneath Mount Mazama, and Skell was the spirit of the Above-World-there was no lake then, just a hole through which Llao passed to see the outside world.
One day, Llao saw the beautiful daughter of the Klamath Indian chief and fell in love with her. She rejected him, and he became angry, swearing to take revenge on her people (classic archetypal male).
The Chief of the Klamath sought help from Skell, who descended from the sky to help.
Skell and Llao hurled red hot rocks back and forth at each other (from Mount Shasta to Mount Mazama). Landslides plagued the area, and oppressive darkness spread over the sky for days. Skell finally defeated Llao, collapsing the top of Mount Mazama to imprison Llao forever.
In a desire to bring peace to this dark pit, Skell filled it with the bluest water in all of the world, giving us Crater Lake.
Strange Things Found in the Caldera
Wizard Island
One of Crater Lake’s mysteries is the famed island in the middle of the water, Wizard Island (shown above in my Tiktok).
Named after its shape, Wizard Island is a volcanic cinder cone that forms a 315-acre island on Crater Lake. The cone is topped by a volcanic crater named the Witches Cauldron.
The island was created about 7,7000 years ago after Mount Mazama erupted (the same eruptions that formed the caldera, which now contains Crater Lake).
Over the next hundred years, a series of smaller eruptions formed several cinder cones on the caldera floor, but Wizard Island is the only one that rises above water level.
Weird: Throughout the years, people have reported seeing ghostly campfires on the island at night, inspiring many rumors of hauntings.
Wizard Island FAQ
- Can you access Wizard Island? Yes, but only via boat during the summer months.
- Can you hike on Wizard Island? Yes. The Fumarole Bay Trail is well-maintained and easy to follow and will take you all the way around the Witches Cauldron. The trails into the Witches Caldron are a lot steeper than the trail to the summit.
- Can you camp on Wizard Island? No camping is allowed on the island.
The Old Man of the Lake
The Old Man of the Lake is a 30-foot tall tree stump, possibly a hemlock, floating vertically in Crater Lake since at least 1896, but the tree is at least 450 years old.
Thanks to crystal clear water, the entire submerged section of the tree’s trunk can be seen when viewed from a boat.
In 1988, scientists tied the Old Man off to the eastern side of Wizard Island to explore the lake with submarines. That very day, the weather went from clear to cloudy and stormy.
Terrible weather continued until they released the Old Man.
Soon after, the weather cleared up, further cementing the metaphysical reputation of the area.
Other things to look for
- The Phantom Ship Rock: 160 feet above the lake’s surface, this 300-foot rock formation resembles a sailing ship. When viewed in different lighting or intense fog, ‘the ship’ seems to appear and disappear from visibility, which is how it got such a ghostly name.
- Pumice Castle: This mysterious tower of red-tinted rock sits on the eastern part of the Caldera.
- Pinnacles: A series of chimney-like formations suspected to be made by the eruption that created Crater Lake.
- Vidae Falls: A small waterfall seen directly from the East Rim Drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the water at Crater Lake so blue?
This is the number one question asked about Crater Lake in Oregon.
The water in Crater Lake is collected almost entirely from melted snow, which gives it the famous blue color.
It took about 400 years after the eruption for Mother Nature to fill the depths of the caldera.
When is the best time of year to visit Crater Lake?
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day.
However, open entrances and trails vary throughout the year and are especially limited during the long, harsh winters.
Summer provides the best weather and is the only time Wizard Island can be accessed.
How much time do I need at Crater Lake?
Several days to a few weeks is necessary to fully explore the entire national park and surrounding areas.
However, half a day is adequate if you just plan to drive the Rim and spend some time at the stop-outs.
If you have only one day, you can still easily hit a few trails.
Where to take photos at Crater Lake?
The two most popular spots to get photos at Crater Lake are Rim Village and Discovery Point.
But really- Crater Lake is stunning, and the 33-mile rim drive has a ton of pullouts, viewpoints, and trails. The entire park is honestly one big photo opportunity.
Where can I hike at Crater Lake?
There are so many hiking options at Crater Lake National Park! Here is a quick breakdown:
PS: Don’t skip the important stuff- make sure you pack essentials for your hike.
Can I swim at Crater Lake?
Yes, you can swim in Crater Lake.. but it is cold! Remember, the water consists of rain and melted snow.
Should you decide to brave the cold, The Cleetwood Clove Trail on the north side of the lake is the only way to legally access the water.
There is a 2.2-mile round trip walk to the water, and the way is STEEP.
Can I camp at Crater Lake?
Mazama Campground has more than 200 campsites open from May to October. This is my suggested spot for RV campers. Reservations are recommended- these sites go fast!
Lost Creek Campground has a few tent-only campsites and is open June through October on a first come, first serve basis.
Are dogs allowed at Crater Lake in Oregon?
Technically, dogs are allowed in Crater Lake National Park. However, if you plan to drive up to the Rim, note that dogs are only allowed on the paved areas of Rim Village.
Hikes in Crater National Park that are dog-friendly:
- The Godfrey Glen Trail
- The Lady of the Woods Trail
- The Pacific Crest Trails
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If you’ve been to Crater Lake, what was your favorite part of the experience? Comment below or tag me on social media and tell me how your trip went!
Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? Let me know below.
