Crater Lake National Park is in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon. It’s known for its namesake Crater Lake, formed by the now-collapsed volcano, Mount Mazama. Wizard Island is a cinder cone near the western edge of the lake. –NPS
Crater Lake National Park Facts
The deepest lake in the United States is Crater Lake, a volcanic crater in southern Oregon. Its deepest measured depth is 1,949 feet (594 meters). It is the ninth deepest lake in the world.
Crater Lake National Park is also known for the “Old Man of the Lake“, a full-sized tree which is now a log that has been bobbing vertically in the lake for over a century.
The low temperature of the water has slowed the decomposition of the wood, hence its longevity.
Over 500,000 people visit Crater Lake National Park each year.
There are no streams flowing in or out of the lake. The water level is maintained only by precipitation, evaporation, and seepage, which helps to explain the water’s clarity and extremely blue appearance.
The park is snow-covered from October through June, but with an average annual snowfall of 44 feet, snow can stick around into July. Although it’s cold enough for flakes to fly, the lake itself doesn’t completely freeze over.
Swimming is only allowed in one place where it is safe and legal to get down to the lake shore and swim at Crater Lake National Park. It is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which usually opens mid to late June.
Visit our Photo Gallery below of our visit to Crater Lake National Park.
