Crater Lake National Park is the perfect day trip to take from Bend. I had seen photos of this spectacular lake a few years ago and really wanted to include it in my road trip plans. Though it was chilly, I made it just in time before the winter season and all of the roads were still open.
The lake is 20.42 square miles, and it’s so clear that visibility is up to 144 feet. The reason for it’s clarity is the water source: Crater Lake is filled almost entirely by snowfall (this past winter it got 31 feet of snow). Unbeknownst to me before my visit, at 1,943 feet deep, it is the deepest lake in the United States, and the seventh deepest in the world.
With very few tourists visiting in mid-October, I spent a serene and beautiful afternoon driving the rim. The moon was out for the entire day, and if you look closely, you can spot it in many of the photos. Enjoy the views.
Spectacular. I can see why you had it on your list. But, boy, I bet those waters don’t warm up much!
Absolutely beyond gorgeous!! Wow. I’ve heard so much about Oregon, one of the few states I’ve never been to. I absolutely must change that this year. Your pictures are stunning!
I have spent a fair amount of time in Oregon but have not visited Crater Lake. That needs to change! This lake is gorgeous.
These pictures are absolutely amazing!!!!!! I want to jump right in that beautiful water.
Wow, so this is what it looks like not covered in snow! We were there in June–almost July–last year, and it was still covered in ice and white fluff! Still pretty, but not nearly this gorgeous. The sky was overcast, so you didn’t get too many nice reflections off the water.
It’s hard to believe this place is still covered in snow when it’s almost July. So crazy. I imagine the surroundings are gorgeous but it would difficult to tell there was a lake beneath the fluff!
Crater Lake is such an amazing place. I love how the color of the water always seems different based on viewpoint, season, sunlight & time of day.