How to Survive and Enjoy Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is the deepest and bluest lake in the U.S., formed by a volcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. It’s a breathtaking sight, but also a harsh environment.

[{"selector":"#anim-a175ba69-b465-48b4-9c6c-04262c3cb952 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.8049433226831555%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e89af0d-c69b-4285-b267-7dc88846fa32","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f574343f-6688-481b-a13c-12955fe999dd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 131.96773%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Plan Ahead

[{"selector":"#anim-85a0f47a-7f30-4ac4-bdd9-df585311e6de [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(6.8858044078049145%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4f72c8cf-2771-4cac-9208-ef8da1eab9c8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c88867d-b5f6-4ff4-8595-004b58a43a60","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d4f8ce0a-fe96-4b2b-8c34-fb3ef812792c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3184c5a-793a-4a9b-a9ec-71bae5dfe746","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.63519%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0355bc66-603e-4606-b410-eec3793ba388","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bc64bb1d-aa88-4ab3-80a0-b00c677c6c6a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Crater Lake National Park is remote and has limited services. Make reservations for lodging or camping, buy a park pass online, and check road and weather conditions.

Avoid the Crowd

[{"selector":"#anim-5c0d877a-928c-4024-8ef5-5af0820c8fb2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(17.04101542500616%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1aec6416-4aa1-4657-9bde-c02a59da5056","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c10bb80-098d-439f-a160-9d8a4f7e8c01","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.07717%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9a77372e-cd05-4dc7-b463-3ffd6e172070","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84c03274-4be6-4ad6-b783-ca4010cc856b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.28664%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-124f1f4e-32e6-4cb9-9382-451c646cd3bb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eb8068d6-3cd5-43c7-9b53-650762ccabb1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.77287%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The park gets busy from mid-June to mid-September. To avoid long lines and crowded parking, arrive before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Get Off the Beaten Path

[{"selector":"#anim-291b9d6f-9c41-41ec-9702-3918e36624b6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(17.04101542500616%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-895afb6f-bc2e-47b8-a9c5-55269b84962b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-19fe9ecc-e1ba-4e09-9887-1d214a522c5f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.53399%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96e1902e-5154-4df3-8383-f851023810fd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8bc16a40-983e-46e8-8ef7-82cfb6cebb1b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.63519%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c2f78c7-9de2-41cd-9e35-5d82e6e9d358","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89674d19-4067-47f8-8741-62c6a6040f9b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Don’t just stick to the rim of the lake. Explore the trails that lead to other scenic spots, such as Annie Creek Canyon, Crater Peak, Lightning Spring, and Union Peak.

Bring Layers

[{"selector":"#anim-f759f0e2-1145-464d-9bc4-afeb58c47399 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(17.04101542500616%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba0a6922-ca06-4761-9747-97c0ec8a71e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fcf52845-aa25-4c67-a499-868c327c866e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.53399%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f9c9a57-b8f5-4f6c-8119-41f610d7ca3a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c3008e81-ee58-4311-aa07-280f36e65f9c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.63519%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6390cb99-b6aa-400f-b3fc-26c42e66209d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a64e607-da38-46f7-b893-ed9dbd40bdda","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Crater Lake NP's high altitude means cold nights, even in summer. Pack layers, hats, gloves, and sunscreen for your visit.

Stay Hydrated

[{"selector":"#anim-9bec112c-e693-47dd-a62b-4ec5111f123b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.607476378277835%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9da16c57-c0e8-4891-a1ee-90d6d8157413","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa6bdbc2-3f6f-45da-bb9a-a95488cbf48c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.00001%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f69b9f3-c065-41ec-aa71-5aff26a504eb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4546a06-6e9c-4205-b7e0-ed3ecbdfd424","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.96091%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e743ec0c-e228-4579-bf71-b57aa7da0d81","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-535fa168-f0a8-4c06-98aa-f575da2b1a65","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.45741%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The high altitude and dry air can cause dehydration and altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and take it easy on your first day.

Respect the Wildlife

[{"selector":"#anim-748e47c3-36b0-40be-8a5c-7f355757693b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.820737881140472%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a2105998-dd03-4760-b91f-545ecb492a48","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f94bde30-0523-4b5d-91b4-aa5de58be6f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f32b74a4-7365-4bb6-8566-65a0955d303a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4da57195-4736-4d89-8624-975387ab27fb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.63519%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dbd5f07d-e8e2-42a8-8191-62f5cb10c48c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c024f968-c60a-46e7-84dc-a21ad9b1a099","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Crater Lake National Park is home to many animals, such as bears, deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and birds.

Next: 6 Breathtaking Hikes in Crater Lake National Park

[{"selector":"#anim-8ee066ba-d74e-4e91-9b05-e18464928a63","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.2)","scale(0.98)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":3}] Scribbled Arrow Found this valuable? Please share with others. Thanks For Reading! Find Out More

How to Survive and Enjoy Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is the deepest and bluest lake in the U.S., formed by a volcanic eruption 7,700 years ago. It’s a breathtaking sight, but also a harsh environment.

Plan Ahead

Tip #1

Avoid the Crowd

Tip #2

Get Off the Beaten Path

Tip #3

Bring Layers

Tip #4

Stay Hydrated

Tip #5

Respect the Wildlife

Tip #6

Next: 6 Breathtaking Hikes in Crater Lake National Park