Crater Lake National Park
High Traffic Alert
This park experiences heavy crowds, especially on weekends.
Check out the similar parks below for a better experience
Very crowded, parking fills up early
Best: Visit in off-season or try alternatives
Crater Lake sits in a volcanic caldera formed 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama collapsed. At 1,943 feet deep, it's the deepest lake in the United States and one of the most pristine on Earth. The impossibly blue water is fed entirely by rain and snowmelt, with no rivers flowing in or out. The 33-mile Rim Drive offers stunning viewpoints, while trails lead down to the lakeshore and up to panoramic peaks. Winter transforms the park into a snowy wonderland with limited access but spectacular cross-country skiing.
Accepted Passes
Try These Instead
These parks offer similar experiences with fewer crowds
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Active geothermal features and volcanic landscapes
Why go: Similar volcanic scenery, hiking, alpine terrain experience
Around 168 miles away
