True Blue
Crater Lake National Park: Stunning by Day, Stellar by Night
It's Southern Oregon's crown jewel, and the state's only national park. And it more than lives up to its star billing, dazzling by day and under the big, dark sky at night. Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the country. Its sapphire-blue waters are framed by sheer cliffs, with Wizard Island—a volcanic cinder cone—rising from the depths.
Some 7,700 years ago, a massive eruption caused 12,000-foot Mount Mazama to collapse, leaving behind the caldera that eventually filled with water. By day, the lake steals the show. After dark, the stars take over for the night shift.
A few of the best ways to take in the spectacle during the warmer months:
Park at Watchman Overlook on West Rim Drive, then hike up to a historic fire lookout for a massive panorama of Crater Lake, Wizard Island, and the Cascade Range, its impressive peaks practically leaping up from the landscape. Pro tip: This is an especially popular place at sunset, thanks to the relatively short 1.6-mile round-trip hike. Bring a headlamp for the return.
For another brilliant look at Crater Lake, hike the 3.4-mile round-trip trail to Garfield Peak. The trailhead is near Crater Lake Lodge. If you'd prefer the blue without the climb, simply seat yourself at the lodge instead. Opened in 1915, the lodge is stately stuff without being stuffy. Its Great Hall greets you with a massive stone fireplace. Settle into a rocking chair on the back porch, perfectly perched on the caldera rim 1,000 feet above the lake. The moment calls for an Old Fashioned, or at least a cup of tea.
This is nostalgia in the making as dusk drapes across the lake, turning its waters from blue to deep navy, then black, while the sky releases the last of the sun's mango glow. Instead of looking down, you're enticed to gaze up as the stars take center stage. The National Park Service offers summer night-sky programs and seasonal guided snowshoe walks. Check the park's schedule for dates and availability.
NOTE: Despite headlines about closures, Crater Lake National Park is open! The Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only public access to the lakeshore, is undergoing rehabilitation through the 2028 season, so swimming and boat tours are temporarily unavailable. Other experiences are seasonal, too. Rim Drive and the North Entrance are closed to vehicles for winter, and Crater Lake Lodge has closed for the season. For winter visits, reach the park via Highway 62 through the South or West Entrance, then follow the road to Rim Village for spectacular lake views, weather permitting. Check current park conditions and road closures before visiting.
