We’ve been crisscrossing the nation, ticking off as many national parks as possible, and Crater Lake National Park in Oregon has always been on the list. Unfortunately, a park named for a massive, deep blue lake isn’t always about lakeside strolls, especially in early spring!
We spent a day at Crater Lake, and what a day it was. When we pulled in, the roads were clear, but the snow was still deep, making the roads more canyon than highway. The majority of the park roads were still closed, including the rim road drive. So we were only able to get to the overlooks at the Rim Village.
The Amazing Views and Snow Play
The views of Crater Lake National Park were absolutely spectacular. Like we mentioned when talking about the Grand Canyon, pictures just can’t capture the raw beauty of this landscape. The deep, pure blue of the water, the perfect mirror of the rim on its surface; words fail to capture the stunning majesty. It’s like describing the decadence of a Thanksgiving feast through the medium of a bologna sandwich, on white bread, without sauce.
In addition to the views, there was the snow! You’d think the kids had their fill of snow adventure when we parked outside of Ashland, but no. Snowballs were thrown, hands were frozen, and a good time was had by all.
Rim Village Visitor Center and Amenities
If we had one little quibble about the visit, it would be the visitor center. While it was a cozy place to duck into and thaw out, it felt more like a gift shop than a museum. The centerpiece, and only real display, was a scale topographical map and a short film about the park.
Planning Your Visit to Crater Lake National Park
Despite only seeing a small corner of the park, Crater Lake was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best experiences are simple. There were no strenuous hikes or long drives, but it definitely left us eager to return someday when the snow melts and we can finally drive the scenic loop.