Collection of Specialized Guides for Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon

Deepest lake in the United States filling a volcanic caldera in southern Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park occupies a dramatic volcanic landscape in southern Oregon, centered around a lake that fills a massive caldera formed by the catastrophic collapse of Mount Mazama around 7,700 years ago. The park encompasses the deep blue lake, its surrounding caldera walls, and extensive forests and meadows that characterize the high Cascade environment. The lake's surface sits at 6,178 feet above sea level while the surrounding rim reaches elevations between 7,000 and 8,000 feet, creating a setting of considerable vertical relief and scenic grandeur. Beyond the lake itself, the park protects diverse volcanic features including cinder cones, lava flows, and the remarkable Pumice Desert where volcanic deposits remain so porous that water drains through too quickly to support vegetation. The park's position at the crest of the Cascade Range places it in a transition zone between coastal and interior climate influences, resulting in heavy winter snowfall and a short summer visitor season.