Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a caldera lake in solid-blue water and dramatic scenery within Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. Renowned for its clarity, and the iconic Wizard Island and Steel Head Overlook, it offers rim drives, hiking, and winter sports.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Western United States |
| Subregion | Pacific Northwest |
| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Klamath County |
| Timezone | AmericaLos Angeles |
| Latitude | 42.9446 |
| Longitude | -122.109 |
| Maps |
11:53 AM LOCAL TIMESet in the Cascade Range within Crater Lake National Park, Crater Lake is a compact but profoundly blue and clear alpine lake formed when Mount Mazama erupted ~7,700 years ago and its summit collapsed into a steep-walled caldera. The lake is fed primarily by snowmelt and rain, resulting in water that is unusually pure and transparent, and reflective of the sky. The park’s rim drive offers vistas of the lake and surrounding cliffs; key viewpoints include Rim Village and Steel Head Overlook. Prominent features like Wizard Island and the smaller V followed are volcanic cinder cones visible from the rim. Beyond driving, visitors come for hiking, with trails that descend to the lake (notably the Cleetwood Cove Trail), winter snowshoeing, and kayaking. The climate varies with elevation—summer days are warm, but nights can be cold; winter parks significant snowfall and seasonal closures. Accessibility is best in summer (mid-June to late September), and planning for fluctuating weather and services is vital.
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