President Theodore Roosevelt signed a bill that created Crater Lake NP (National Park) on May 22, 1902 making it the fifth oldest park national park in the United States. Approximately, half a million people visit this wondrous place each year. Crater Lake, the main feature of the park, is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range. It was formed when an ancient volcano (posthumously name Mount Mazama) collapsed. Mount Mazama had a violent eruption approximately 7,700 years ago. This eruption was 42 times more powerful than the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. The basin of the lake formed when the top of the 5,000 feet volcano collapsed. Following the explosion, lava flows sealed the bottom of the basin and made it possible for it to fill with 4.6 trillion gallons of water that came from rainfall and snow melt – making Crater Lake the deepest in the United States.

Crater Lake NP includes the lake as well as the mountains, volcanic peaks, and evergreen forests that surround this enormous Cascade Range lake, which is 1,932 feet deep. On summer days Crater Lake's remarkable blueness make it one of the world's most scenic natural places. In the winter, a thick blanket of snow encircles the lake, which rarely ever freezes over completely. What an image to behold: a beautiful, awesomely blue lake surrounded by a blanket of pure white snow.

In 1949 Crater Lake did freeze over completely. However, the heat from the searing, summer sun gets trapped in the lake; thus preventing the formation of ice throughout the winter. In 1985, the lake experienced another deep freeze when about 95% of it became frozen.

July, August, and September are the best months to visit Crater Lake NP because from October through June the park is transformed from a beautiful, peaceful refuge to a snow covered wilderness. During a typical winter, 533 inches or 44 feet of snow fall in the seventh deepest lake in the world and the second deepest in the Western Hemisphere. However, during the brief summertime, almost everyday is filled with glory and magnificence.

There are plenty of things to do in Crater Lake NP including hiking, camping, fishing for trout and salmon, taking ranger-led tours, going on boat tours, learning about the natural and cultural history of Crater Lake, or simply enjoying the views of this splendid lake.

There are plenty of places to stay while visiting Crater Lake NP as well. Crater Lake lodging includes two facilities within the park – Crater Lake Lodge and Mazama Village Motor Inn – and two campgrounds. Crater Lake Lodge is open from mid-May through mid-October. Because it only has 71 rooms, making reservations well in advance of your trip is strongly recommended. This is also the case with the 40-unit Mazama Village Motor Inn, which is open June through September.

A visit to the breathtaking and beautiful Crater Lake NP will be an unforgettable experience. In this park, you will find Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world. You might also meet the Old Man of Crater Lake. Who is the Old Man? It is a mountain hemlock log that has been floating upright in the lake for over 100 years. The wind's currents make it possible for the Old Man to travel to different locations around the lake.