Formed over 7,000 years ago after the eruption of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake is a collapsed volcano turned sapphire-blue basin, the deepest lake in the United States, and easily one of the most striking. The water here is pure snowmelt and rainfall, giving it that vivid, almost otherworldly hue that shimmers and shifts with the sky. No rivers flow in or out. It’s untouched. Undisturbed. Utterly still.

It’s the deepest lake in the United States, and one of the cleanest and clearest on Earth. At its deepest point, it plunges nearly 2,000 feet, yet from the rim, the surface looks still, like polished glass reflecting the sky. You can spend hours simply gazing at it, watching clouds drift across the mirrored water, listening to the wind hum through the trees. It’s that kind of place.

Beauty without the crowds

One of the lake’s most magical qualities? The space to breathe. While other parks bustle with selfie sticks and summer queues, Crater Lake feels like your own private escape into the wild. You’ll find scenic drives with uninterrupted views, hiking trails where you might not pass another soul, and star-filled skies that light up the rim come nightfall.

Things to see and do

The famous Rim Drive, a 33-mile scenic loop around the caldera, offers one of the most stunning road trips in the country, complete with panoramic views, dramatic drop-offs, and chances to see the lake from every angle. You’ll also find a handful of hiking trails suited to all levels, from the accessible Discovery Point Trail to the steeper climb up Garfield Peak, which rewards you with sweeping views over the lake and beyond.

Fancy getting even closer? In summer months, you can hike down to Cleetwood Cove, the only trail that leads to the water’s edge, and take a boat tour to Wizard Island, the cinder cone that rises from the centre like a forgotten land. It’s a surreal way to experience the lake, floating across a volcanic caldera while learning about the geology beneath your feet.

Where to stay

Perched on the rim with direct views over the water, Crater Lake Lodge is a cosy retreat that blends rustic elegance with sweeping vistas. The original 1915-style lodge has been carefully restored, with wood-beamed rooms, stone fireplaces, and picture windows framing that iconic blue. Imagine waking up, stepping onto your private balcony, and seeing the lake at dawn.

When to visit

While summer is the most popular time to visit with all roads open, wildflowers in bloom, and boat tours running, Crater Lake in winter is something else entirely. Deep snow blankets the landscape, turning it into a peaceful, storybook scene. You can snowshoe along the rim, take in silent, frost-covered forests, and experience the park in its most hushed and magical form. Whatever the season, Crater Lake delivers a sense of stillness that’s hard to find elsewhere.

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