Crater Lake National Park
add photosCrater Lake has inspired people for hundreds of years. No place else on earth combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.
7 Reviews for Crater Lake National Park
37
17
'11, '12
1 family found this helpful
"Cool, semi-isolated find"
Crater lake is a really interesting (and somewhat spooky) national park. It provides a great opportunity for kids and families to learn about former volcanic activity in the area and how the lake was formed (it's a caldera). Driving or hiking around the rim and looking down into the deep blue is almost surreal. The interpretive center is nice (as they tend to be), and a stay at the hotel as a launching point for more exploring would be a nice family stopover, if you're in the area (or driving through).
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0 families found this helpful
"Crater Lake is awesome!"
Definately someplace you will want your kids to experience at least once in their life. There are reasonable campsites and a stunning lodge that was refurbished a few years ago. A trip to Wizard Island is a must too! As with all the National Parks, this place is kid friendly with great, fun activities.
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"heaven"
Me and my family love this place. we go there most of the time just to spendsome time and do camping also we love to hike ...... This place is one of the best attractions of oregon.It looks different in every season. have watwer attractions too. its a volcanic erruption place.
1 family found this helpful
"Crater Lake"
Crater Lake is a great place to take a family. We went there in the summer of 2010 and had a blast. The lake is so blue and beautiful, there is a small rock wall around the edge and you can walk around it for miles. There is a very nice gift shop with anything you could want or need. There is also a walk in learning center that teaches you how Crater Lake was made.
1 family found this helpful
"Crater Lake National Park hike"
If you're anywhere in southern or central Oregon, the drive to Crater Lake is well worth your time! The lake is simply breathtaking, and the lodge is a very fun place to visit and grab a meal.
You can walk around the rim right by the visitor's center and lodge (there's a good observation deck with ranger talks) but our favorite family hike is at Watchman Peak, just a short drive away:
Take West Rim Drive four miles from the main visitor's center.
The hike is 1.5 miles round trip, and takes you on a gradual to moderate incline up to a fire tower on Watchman Peak, where you'll have a great view of the lake and Wizard Island. Kids will think the fire tower is very cool, too. The return trip is all downhill.
0 families found this helpful
"what a blue!"
At least once, you should see this color , blue. It is deferent from picture. Just crater lake but you can not eyes out from this lake's blueness. It is so beautiful with mountain reflection. You could take a nice little hike around lakes, too. Check boat hour before your travel.
0 families found this helpful
"breathtaking scenery and ice cream!"
Crater Lake is one of those must see natural wonders. It's an old volcano (Mount Mazama) which is now a caldera lake in Southern Oregon. The lake itself is renown for it's deep blue color. It's almost a closed ecosystem unto itself because of it's lack of tributaries and inlets. The lake is the second deepest in America. We brought out 2 and 4 year old sons here for the day while we stayed outside the park near Klamath Falls. On the way in, we stopped at the Science and Learning Center at the south entrance of the park and enjoyed the movie about the history of the crater. We has a blast taking in the scenery and hiking around the rim of the crater near the visitor center. The kids loved climbing around on the rocks and snow. After a monster snow ball fight, we grabbed some ice cream at the cafe and some magnets (we adorn our fridge with NPS magnets) at the gift shop. The park is open year round, but I would advise visiting during summer or spring. Many of the roads and visitor centers tend to close during the winter time.
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