The deepest lake in the United States lies in Crater Lake National Park, located in southwestern Oregon’s Klamath County. Around the lake, the park preserves about 183,224 acres of forest and alpine terrain. This protected landscape can be experienced in many different ways: on a scenic drive, along hiking trails and through sweeping views of the mountains surrounding the lake.
Experience Crater Lake on Foot and by Road
The Rim Drive encircles Crater Lake for 33 miles. The route features viewpoints, short hikes and views of Wizard Island. Seasonal road conditions can affect access; check current conditions before you drive.
For hikers, the Cleetwood Cove Trail offers a challenging alternative: over 1.1 miles, the steep trail descends 700 feet (213 meters). Check current park advisories before your hike. The Pacific Crest Trail also passes through the national park; 33 miles of its route run through the park, offering impressive views of the mountains surrounding the lake. Permits and conditions may apply to the long-distance trail.
The two figures of 33 miles describe different experiences: the Rim Drive is a loop, while the Pacific Crest Trail passes through the park along its route. Those who prefer to take in the scenery from a vehicle will find viewpoints and short hikes along the Rim Drive; the long-distance trail is for thru-hikers.
Wildlife Refuges and Birdlife
The Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect migratory birds. It includes part of the historic lands and former reservation of the Klamath Tribes. Members of the Klamath Tribes still hunt, fish and gather in the marsh and along the river today—a living connection between this landscape and its history.
Canoeing and kayaking are possible at Klamath Marsh from July 1 through September 30. However, water levels can make the canoe trail impassable. The Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge focuses on bird migration: during the annual migration, the area is used by a large proportion of the ducks in the Pacific Flyway. Recreational fishing from boats is allowed on Upper Klamath Lake near the refuge; state and federal regulations apply.
The Lower Klamath Auto Tour Route also offers a way to explore a wildlife refuge on a loop drive. The 10.2-mile loop is accessed via Stateline Highway 161. Road conditions may change. As another driving option, the southern Oregon section of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway includes an approximately 80-mile route along Upper Klamath Lake and through Klamath Falls, as well as an approximately 60-mile section in the Crater Lake region.
Forest History, Museums and Regional Trails
Nature and forest history come together at Collier Memorial State Park, which includes an outdoor museum of historic forestry equipment and a relocated pioneer village. The forestry museum displays rare and antique logging equipment dating from the 1880s onward. The park’s landscape is also where the Williamson River and clear Spring Creek meet. From the equestrian trailhead, riders can head north across Fremont-Winema National Forest land to Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site and beyond; trail conditions may vary.
For a different kind of engineering history, Train Mountain offers educational train rides with 1:8-scale trains from mid-May through mid-October. Check specific dates before your trip. In Klamath Falls, the Baldwin Hotel Museum has 40 rooms furnished with antiques and artifacts. The Fort Klamath Museum features the parade grounds of a 19th-century frontier military post.
The Favell Museum displays more than 100,000 Native American artifacts and works by more than 300 contemporary artists of the American West. The Klamath County Museum features, among other things, birds in lifelike habitats, Native American artifacts, dioramas and relics from pioneer times, as well as World War II history. Another look at transportation history can be found on the 100-mile OC&E Woods Line State Trail, which follows the former railroad bed of the Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad.
Discover more destinations: Klamath Falls, Chemult, Chiloquin, Crescent, Gilchrist, Crook County, Grant County, Lake County.
For the broader travel overview: Oregon.
