Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is southern Oregon, whose primary
feature is Crater Lake. This National Park was established on
May 22, 1902, and it is the sixth oldest National Park in the
U.S. This park encompasses the Crater Lake caldera, which rests
in the remains of a destroyed volcano and the surrounding
forestland and hills. This is the only National Park in Oregon.
The lake is 1,949 feet deep at its deepest point, which makes it
the deepest lake in the United States, the second deepest in
North America. The impressive average depth of this volcanic
lake is due to the nearly symmetrical 4,000-foot deep caldera
formed 7,700 years ago during the violent climactic eruptions
and subsequent collapse of Mt. Mazama and the relatively moist
climate that is typical of the crest of the Cascade Mountains.
Things to do at Crater Lake
There are many hiking trails inside the park, and several
campgrounds. Unlicensed fishing is allowed without any
limitation of size, species, or number. The lake is believed
to have no indigenous fish, but several species of fish were
introduced beginning in 1888 until all fish stocking ended
in 1941. Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout now thrive and
reproduce here naturally. Swimming is allowed in the lake,
and the boat tours, which stop at Wizard Island a cinder
cone inside the lake, operate daily during the summer. All
lake access for people is from Cleetwood Trail, a steep
walking trail, and there are no roads for cars, trucks, or
wagons that lead to the waterfront. Numerous observation
points along the caldera rim for the lake are readily
accessible by automobile via the "Rim Drive", which is 33
miles long and has an elevation gain of 3,800 feet.
