Crater Lake National Park

Year Established: 1902
Annual Visitors: 648,000
Size: 183,224 Acres
State: Oregon

Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park

July to September

If you are planning to visit more national parks, check out our complete list of all US National Parks.

Best Experiences in Crater Lake National Park

  • Rim Drive
  • Hike Mount Scott
  • Watchman Peak Hike

A Brief History

When Mount Mazama blew its top 7,700 years ago, the blast sent out 50 times as much magma as Mount St. Helens in Washington did in 1980. The eruption caused the ground below to collapse, making a lake that is six miles wide and 1,943 feet deep. This lake is the deepest in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world.

The deep blue color of Crater Lake’s water is out of this world. It doesn’t have any sediment in it because it wasn’t filled by a stream but by rainwater and snowmelt. This makes it not only very cold but also very clear, so people can see more than 100 feet down into it.

This is the only place on Earth where the Mazama newt lives. The small salamander lives among the rocks and driftwood. Its dark brown color matches the muddier water near the shore. Even so, invasive species like crayfish pose a threat to the Mazama newt.

Crater Lake RV Camping

If you are looking for nearby RV camping options for Crater Lake National Park or in Oregon, consider checking out our other post:

Visitor Information

Fees

Individuals 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.

Weekly Park Passes

$15.00 per person/cyclist

$30.00 per vehicle

$25.00 per motorcycle

All passes valid for 7 days.

Annual Park Pass

Crater Lake National Park Annual Pass – $55

America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass

You can also get an annual park pass to ALL National Parks in the United States for $80.
Keep in mind they have Senior, Military, and other discounts available!

Contacting Crater Lake National Park

Phone Number

(541) 594-3000

Visitor Centers

Mazama Visitor Center

In Mazama Village, the Mazama Visitor Center is a temporary place where people can talk to each other. On the north side of the parking lot, it is a light-colored building. When you are looking at it, there is a ramp to the left and stairs to the right. Visit the park’s store. Get books and badges for Junior Ranger. Talk to a forest ranger. The US Post Office is open from 9 am to 3 pm (closed from 12 pm to 1 pm) Monday through Saturday. There are also separate restrooms for women, men, and people with disabilities.

Address

Crater Lake National Park
1 Sager Building Highway 62
Crater Lake , OR 97604

Hours of Operation

  • Sunday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Monday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Be sure to check for seasonal closures.

Rim Visitor Center

From the Rim Visitor Center, you can see the lake in a big way. It is in Rim Village at the historic Kiser Studio. Outdoor exhibits at the nearby Sinnott Memorial Overlook are open from June until mid-October, when the ice on the walkway melts. When the visitor center is open, you can get your passport stamped. During the summer, the Rim Visitor Center is often open seven days a week.

Address

Crater Lake National Park,
Rim Village, OR 97604

Hours of Operation (Closed in Fall, Winter, and Spring)

  • Sunday 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • Monday 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • Thursday 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • Friday 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
  • Saturday 9:30 AM–5:00 PM

Be sure to check for seasonal closures.

Steel Visitor Center

At an elevation of 6,440 feet, the Steel Information Center is next to Park Headquarters, where East Rim Drive meets West Rim Drive. The building is open all year and tells people about the park’s facilities, its natural history, and the plants and animals that live there. “The Crater Lake Story,” an 18-minute presentation, plays here at different times every day. From Annie Spring Entrance Station, drive 4 miles north to the Steel Information Center’s access road.

Address

Crater Lake National Park,
Munson Valley Rd, Oregon 97604

Hours of Operation (Currently undergoing renovation)

  • Temporarily closed

Be sure to check for seasonal closures.