Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Crater Lake National Park.
Q:Where is Crater Lake located?
A:Crater Lake National Park is located in Southern Oregon.
Q:What caused the crater formation of Crater Lake?
A:This area is a volcanic caldera – a hole made by the collapse of a volcano.
Q:Can we go swimming in Crater Lake?
A:There is only one place where it is safe and legal to get down to the lake edge. It is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which usually opens mid to late June. Visitors are welcome to swim in the lake from the shoreline at the end of this trail.
Q: Is fishing allowed at Crater Lake?
A:Fish are not native to the lake. They were introduced in the lake from 1888-1941. Six species were originally stocked, but only two have survived to today: Rainbow Trout and Kokanee Salmon. Because they are not native to the lake, fishing is not only allowed, it’s encouraged. No license is required and there is no limit on how many you may catch – the only rule is that you must use artificial bait. We don’t want to accidentally introduce any other species into the lake. Fishing is allowed along the shoreline and on Wizard Island (with the purchase of a boat tour and Wizard Island ticket.)
Q:What is a Crater Lake?
A:A crater lake is a lake that forms in a volcanic crater, caldera, or maar. Incoming precipitation fills the depression to form a deepening lake, until an equilibrium is reached between the rate of water coming in and the rate of water loss due to evaporation, subsurface drainage, and possibly also surface outflow if the lake fills the crater up to the lowest point on its rim. Crater lakes covering active (fumarolic) volcanic vents are often known as volcanic lakes, and the water within them is typically acidic, saturated with volcanic gases, and cloudy with a strong greenish color. Lakes located in dormant or extinct volcanoes tend to have fresh water, and the water clarity in such lakes is often exceptional due to the lack of inflowing streams and sediment.
A well-known crater lake, which bears the same name as the geological feature, is Crater Lake in Oregon, USA. It is located in the caldera of Mount Mazama, hence the name "Crater Lake" is somewhat of a misnomer. It is the deepest lake in the United States with a depth of 594 m (1,949 ft).
Q:What kind of animals are at Crater Lake?
A:Most common: Roosevelt Elk, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Coyote, Bobcat, Porcupine, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Pine Marten, Snowshoe Hare, Pika, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, and Townsend Chipmunk.
Q:What is the recommended stay duration at Crater Lake National Park?
A:Minimalist (2 - 3 Days)
Driving/Sightseeing: ½ Day - 1 Day
Hiking/Exploring: ½ Day
Activities/Tours/Special Programs: 1 Day
Adventurist (3- 4 Days)
Driving/Sightseeing: 1 Day
Hiking/Exploring: 1 Day
Activities/Tours/Special Programs: 1 ½ Days
Notes: A scenic drive around “Rim Drive” is a must, and will take at least a half day. In the summer, hiking, boat tours, trolley tours, ranger-guided programs, swimming, fishing, ranger talks, evening programs, camping and other activities are offered. In the winter ranger-led snowshoe hikes are offered on weekends, usually beginning in late November and running through late April. Cross-country skiing is available on a number of trails and snowmobiling is only permitted from the North Entrance (off Highway 138) to North Junction (approx. 10 miles). An interpretive boat ride on the lake is an activity that should not be missed, and 'Adventurists' should consider a stop off at Wizard Island for a hike to the top in between lake boat tours.
Q:What are the nearest major cities/airports?
A:The nearest major city/airport is Medford, Oregon and is about 75 miles away. Portland is the next closest city/airport and is about 250 miles away. The drive from Portland will take about 5 hours.
Q:What type of weather should I expect at Crater Lake National Park?
A:Crater Lake National Park has an average annual snowfall of over 530-inches. It generally begins to accumulate each year in October and doesn’t melt in most places until the following June.
Expect nice dry days with temperatures around 62°-70°F in the summer months. The nights do get colder dropping into the mid 30°’s to low 40°’s. Occasionally there may be days in August when the lake is completely obscured by fog.
Q:Will I be able to use my cellphone at Crater Lake National Park?
A:There is no reliable cellular service within Crater Lake National Park.
Q:What are the entrance fees for Crater Lake National Park?
A:
Vehicle: $30.00 in the summer (May 22-October 31), $20.00 in the winter (November 1-May 21) for 7 Days
Motorcycles: $25.00 in the summer (May 22-October 31), $15.00 in the winter (November 1-May 21) for 7 Days
Individuals: $15.00 for 7 Days
Q:What are the temperature variances at Crater Lake National Park?
A:
Month
High (F°)
Low (F°)
January
34
18
February
35
18
March
37
19
April
42
23
May
50
28
June
58
34
July
69
41
August
69
41
September
63
37
October
52
31
November
40
24
December
35
19
Q:Are pets allowed inside of Crater Lake National Park?
A:
Crater Lake National Park allows pets, but only in specific areas. Pets are allowed on paved roads free of snow, parking lots free of snow, and up to 50 feet away from the paved areas that are snow-free. In the summer and fall pets are permitted on some of the park's hiking trails. Such as The Godfrey Glen Trail (as long as the trail is free of significant snow), The Lady of the Woods Trail (as long as the trail is free of significant snow), The Grayback Drive (as long as the trail is free of significant snow), and The Pacific Crest Trail (the official PCT, not the "alternate" PCT along the rim of the lake). You can not leave your pet unattended or tied up to an object. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet (1.8 meters) at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets.
