Oregon 's Crater Lake National Park provides year around outdoor fun. Whether you hike to nearby peaks in the summer or snowshoe the area in the winter you will not regret a trip to this wonderful place. Crater Lake National Park is the 5 th oldest National Park in the United S tat es and Crater Lake is the seventh deepest lake on earth at 1,943 feet deep. The lake was formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama around 7000 years ago.

Today the brilliantly blue lake and its surrounding 180,000 acres are enjoyed by the many people who visit Crater Lake National Park each year. Be prepared—your first glance at Crater Lake will take your breath away. Don't forget your camera and remember that visiting the lake in the winter can be more beautiful than seeing it in the summer.

If you plan to camp the backcountry, remember to get a permit, they are free. If you enjoy scuba diving, bring your gear. Crater Lake provides some of the world's best scuba diving. Due to the heavy snow fall in the winter, scuba diving is only allowed from June 15 through September 15.You will need to get a free permit for Scuba diving and you may want to call ahead for a comprehensive list of regulations.

Bus tours are a fun and educational way to see the park. These tours are guided by rangers who provide commentary on geology, Native American legend and more. Don't forget that fishing in Crater Lake National Park is great; if you're a fisherman, don't forget your gear. When visiting National Parks its important to call ahead in order to ensure lodging for you and your family.