Crater Lake, Oregon

ByChristine Updated on

Crater Lake was all I had imagined it to be. When we first pulled up and caught a glimpse over the edge at the crater rim and expanse of water far below, it was pretty breathtaking.

Crater Lake was formed when Mount Mazama erupted 7,700 years ago, collapsed, and left a hole that was then filled with snow melt and rainwater over the years. It is such a blue blue lake. It is actually the deepest lake in the U.S. (1,943 feet deep).

You know how when you’re a child and you are awed by something large and then you see it again later, it often seems smaller than you remembered it? Well Kevin had been here as a child, but commented that Crater Lake actually seemed larger to him now. It’s just that impressive.

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Scenic Rim Drive

On the first day we drove the scenic rim drive all the way around Crater Lake, stopping at the overlooks and visitor centers, and doing a hike out to the Pinnacles.

Rogue Gorge and Natural Bridge

On the second day, we visited nearby Rogue Gorge and the Natural Bridge.

Cleetwood Cove Trail

In the afternoon, we hiked down the rim to the water of Crater Lake on the Cleetwood Cove Trail (which is also the trail you take if you want to do one of the boat tours). We wore our swimsuits and jumped into the water.

We wanted to be able to say we’d been in Crater Lake, especially since it is such a pure and deep lake. It is also very very cold! The perspective of looking up at the rim was definitely worth seeing.

What To Do Next

For more volcanically created landscapes, check out Lava Beds National Monument and Lassen Volcanic National Park to the south.

If you’re looking to head to the coast, we can recommend Cape Perpetua Scenic Area near Yachats, numerous attractions near Florence, and Harris Beach State Park in Brookings.

Christine is the co-founder of Never Stop Adventuring, and an avid traveler who started traveling the world as a child growing up in a military family. She even lived in Germany for numerous years. Since then she has been to 48 U.S. states, 17 countries, and traveled the U.S. in an RV for over 7 years.

With her 3 kids, the adventures continued family travel style. She has planned and coordinated travel with kids for the last 10 years and shares family travel tips and tricks, destinations, costs and even the mistakes so you can be empowered to take your own family trips with confidence!