Crater Lake, located in Southern Oregon is considered one of the United States’ most beautiful natural attractions therefore, it’s a very popular tourist and camping spot. It’s the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world. Crater Lake has such clear waters and sometimes you can see a depth of more than 100 feet. There are several big campgrounds near Crater Lake Oregon and a few smaller ones too, all just a short drive or hike away from the lake itself. These would just be some of the things you would want to consider when choosing a place to camp near Crater Lake. Let’s have a look through some of the other reasons to visit campgrounds near Crater Lake Oregon.
1. Walking Trails
Some of the campgrounds are located close enough that you can exit your tent and head straight for a walking trail. These trails such as the Garfield Creek Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail offer a range of easy, peaceful treks to difficult and expert hikes. Walking trails can offer the most amazing outlooks over the lake and provide the perfect opportunity for you to explore the national park where the lake is located.
2. The Scenery
Campgrounds near Crater Lake Oregon such as Mazama Village Campground and Crater Lake Resort offer some amazing outlooks, not just of the lake but of the amazing surrounding scenery like the beautiful forests, smaller lakes, and streams that surrounds the attraction. In this scenery, areas that have an array of wildlife are included such as bobcats, black bears, eagles, hawks, deer, and marmots. There are also fishing spots that boast salmon and trout.
3. Amazing Views
The best possible reason to visit one of the campgrounds near Crater Lake is the lake itself. Its outlook is breath-taking and its surrounding greenery is wonderful to take in. When you first see the lake, it’s pretty hard to forget its pristine blue waters surrounded by rocky terrain, wildflowers, pines, hemlock, and various firs. The rim drive around the lake provides a much better view of the park and the lake itself. The great thing about Crater Lake is, it doesn’t matter if you’re driving in, going for a backpacking trek from your campsite, or embarking on a massive hike, you can still enjoy the spectacular nature of the lake from all angles.
4. Clear Skies for Stargazing
The park is also magnificent at night, far away from the light and air pollution of the city or suburbia, the skies are clear for stargazing. You can rug up and lie out under the clearest of skies and spend your night mesmerized by shooting stars, planets, and such. It’s also a perfect spot for getting out the telescope and taking an even closer look at the night sky.
5. The Area’s History
Crater lake has such a rich and amazing history. From its native American mythology to its geological mystery. Staying at a campsite nearby allows you to take in more of its beauty beyond a simple day visit. There are tours and expert guides that can give you all the insight you desire as well as the story of the lake’s inception and the history of Mount Mazama as well as all that the national park has to offer.
Scientists believe that Mount Mazama erupted about 8000 years ago causing the volcano to emit large amounts of volcanic ash and pumice. The caldera was created as the volcano collapsed into itself which is results to Crater Lake and its beautiful surroundings.
6. The Surrounding Attractions
Not only does the national park have walking trails, fishing spots, and beautiful camping grounds, but there are also other fascinating national landmarks to see such as the Pumice dessert and the Pinnacles. The Pumice dessert was made from ash and pumice. Due to the soil’s quality, the area doesn’t have many growing plants. The Pinnacles are the great big spires that are essentially ancient vents of volcanic steam and gas. They were formed under sheets of pumice before the volcano collapse and they now stand alone as a reminder of this marvelous geological activity.
What to Take Away
As one of America’s most beloved attractions, Crater Lake is boasting about its magnificent views, scenery, and walking trails as well as its rich history and geological mystery. It’s not just a tourist attraction where you can only do camping, trekking, or hiking. It’s also a place of beautiful nature and a place for different wildlife. You should try to visit it in your lifetime. The National Park will offer you with different activities that you’ll enjoy even until night. To this day, scientists don’t entirely understand Crater Lake and what makes its creation so marvelous, whether magical, mystical or scientific, the story of Crater Lake is as astounding as ever.