While all national parks are home to awe-inspiring beauty and breathtaking natural formations — none can rival Crater Lake. From the natural history to the outdoor adventures, you won’t want to miss a single moment of outdoor time during your visit to this majestic park.

Over 7,000 years ago, Crater Lake was formed when the 12,000-foot-tall Mount Mazama erupted, collapsing the mountain and forming the crater. Over the hundreds of years following the eruption, the crater filled with rainwater and snowmelt. No river feeds into the lake, it’s simply refilled year after year by rain.

At nearly 2,000 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. Combine its depth with the purity of the water and you get a sparkly, crystal blue lake. In the middle of Crater Lake, you’ll find Wizard Island, which is a natural cinder cone leftover from the eruption. Your Crater Lake adventures can include biking and fishing, but the best way to truly explore the area is by foot. During your stay, be sure to save time for some hiking.

Sleep at the Mazama Campground

During your visit to Crater Lake, there’s no need to ever go inside if you don’t want to. Instead of staying in a resort or nearby hotel, you can pitch your tent or park your camper at the Mazama Campground. Make sure to mark your calendar to reserve a spot a month in advance.

The Mazama Campground is located just seven miles south of Rim Village, giving you convenient access to Crater Lake National Park’s south entrance. Tucked away in the forest, you’ll find 214 sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring with a grill, and a bear-resistant food locker.

At the campground, you’ll also have convenient access to potable water, bathrooms, a gas station, and a dump station. At the Mazama Camper Store, you can stock up on groceries, propane, firewood, and gas. Some sites have electricity, while others don’t, so make sure to plan accordingly. The Mazama Campground is pet friendly.

Just seven miles down the road you’ll find Rim Village which is where you’ll find a larger grocery store, Rim Village Cafe & Gift Shop, Crater Lake Lodge, and other restaurants and stores to wander through.

All campsites at Mazama Village are required to be reserved in advance. Any additionally available campsites will be available the same day on a first come first serve basis.

Another great option is the cabins and lodge rooms at Union Creek Resort. Make sure to grab a slice of pie at the beloved Beckie’s Cafe.

Hiking at Crater Lake

One of the best ways to explore Crater Lake and to get in tune with nature is at footpace. Traveling by foot and hiking have a way of making us slow down, take in the scenery, and bask in the beauty that mother nature has to offer.

Crater Lake is home to a wide variety of hikes, from easy, quick jaunty to strenuous backcountry hikes. Choose your ideal speed, and then get out there to enjoy nature. Here are some of our favorite hikes.

Sun Notch – Easy

This 30 minute, easy hike takes you on a short, uphill walk through a meadow and to the rim of Crater Lake. Once at the top, you get a spectacular view of Phantom Ship. The hike is a little less than a mile, coming in at 0.8 miles.

Godfrey Glen – Easy

Another one of our favorite easy hikes is the stroll to Godfrey Glen. This 1.1-mile hike should take you about 30 minutes as you walk through an old-growth forest and take in extraordinary canyon views.

Plaikni Falls – Easy

If you’re up for a slightly longer hike that’s still on the easier side, you can make the trek to Plaikni Waterfall. This trail is 2.0 miles long and will take you about an hour. The walk is easy as you trek through old-growth forest on your way to the waterfall.

Fumarole Bay – Moderate

The moderate hike to Fumarole Bay will likely take you an hour, with about 1.7 miles of walking. This hike is rated as moderate for the rocky trail you’ll follow on Wizard Island. At the end, you’ll make it to a shallow cove with clear water where you swim or fish.

Watchman Peak – Moderate

Looking for the perfect sunset photo op? You’ll find it at Watchman Peak. The tower is a decommissioned fire lookout at the top of a moderate ascent. From the lookout, you can see Wizard Island and panoramic views of the sky, making it the perfect spot to catch the sunset. The hike comes in at 1.6 miles and should take about an hour.

Wizard Summit – Strenuous

For the not faint at heart, the trail to the top of Wizard Island is a must-do. This hike is 2.2 miles long and takes most visitors about 90 minutes. The rocky trail to the top of Wizard Island will give you panoramic views of the surrounding area. You can also enjoy a 0.3-mile path that takes you around the 90-foot crater at the summit of Wizard Island.

Mount Scott – Strenuous

If you have the time and energy, we highly recommend a hike up to Mount Scout. This 4.4-mile hike should take about three hours and will take you to the top of the park’s highest peak. For ideal viewing conditions, consider an early morning start.

Crater Lake National Park is special for its natural history and known for being the deepest lake in the United States. While a visit to the lake is enough to check it off your bucket list, there’s so much to see and do in the area. You can stay, play, and immerse yourself in nature during your visit by planning some hikes and camping at the Mazama Campground.