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your idea of Crater Lake National Park beyond the the majesty and mystery of the lake. Visit sites for new perspectives on natural and cultural history. Find places which elevate your curiosity.
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places that challenge your mind, body, and spirit!
Enjoy
Crater Lake National Park, from mountain peaks and overlooks, across wildflower meadows and dark night skies, from the geologic story of Mount Mazama to the natural beauty of Crater Lake.
Overlooks and Pullouts
Along Hwy 62 and throughout Rim Drive there are many places to pull safely off the road for views of the geology, the lake, and other sites.
Rim Village Walking Tour
For many, Rim Village is the first place to see the lake. It is an historic district and walking tour including Crater Lake Lodge.
Scenic Rim Drive
Shouts of Oh Oh Oh mean stop at the next viewpoint along Rim Drive! Visit trails, picnic areas, and other features.
Picnic Areas
Picnic Areas are places to discover a variety of tree species, decipher bird calls, explore wildflowers, and rest.
Park Store
Remember your visit to Crater Lake with a book or souvenir, and get your passport stamp!
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 A wildflower meadow with an abundant array of flowers and pollinators is encircled by a .041 mile trail, multiple springs, a diverse forest, and a towering 2000 foot ridge.  Sinnott Memorial is the most popular viewpoint in the park. Designed as a “trailside" museum with an expansive, unobstructed lake view and science-related exhibits, It is an opportunity to simultaneously learn about the geology of Mount Mazama and the creation of Crater Lake while experiencing the blue, its beauty, and the silence. Allow time to explore the exhibits, attend a daily ranger program, and contemplate.  The mission of Crater Lake Natural History Association (CLNHA) is to be an active partner with the National Park Service to inspire public understanding and foster preservation of natural and cultural resources at Crater Lake National Park. CLNHA is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization 93-0519716 with memberships, an online shop, and 2 park stores where they sell park and education related items, and provide information, enhancing the visitors experience in the park.  The historic Crater Lake Lodge overlooks the deepest lake in the United States and the most pristine in the world. Open mid-May to early October with 71 rooms including accessible accommodations. Stay warm indoors near the large native stone fireplace, or sit in a rocking chair along the outdoor patio and watch the sun rise across Crater Lake. The dining room is offers three meals a day. Reservations are recommended for lodging and dining. Ranger programs are presented daily.  The final eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama over 7,700 years ago created a deep caldera (crater). No river or other turbulence disturbs the collection of rain and snow for six miles across the deepest lake in the United States. Its average clarity at 103 feet deep is unsurpassed and the penetrating light waves reflect a deep blue color that is seen nowhere else.  Overlooking Crater Lake, Rim Village is a high-elevation, winter wonderland of snow-covered meadows beneath towering conifers. Snowshoe, sled, ski, photograph the scenery, drink hot cocoa, play in the snow, or visit the gift shop are ways to enjoy the park. Average winter snowfall is 42 feet. Plan ahead, know the weather forecast, check the webcams, carry tire chains, wear boots and layers of clothes. Don't forget to stay hydrated.  Every year on November 1, West Rim Drive closes to vehicle traffic and transitions into the most popular ski and snowshoe route in Crater Lake National Park. The asphalt surface disappears under many feet of snow with only the contours of the road as a guide. West Rim Route offers spectacular views of Crater Lake, Wizard Island. and the dramatic scenery created by the visible peaks and valleys of the Cascade mountains.
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