Crater Lake National Park ⓘ

The National Park Service Organic Act (1916) states that the role of the National Park Service is "....t o conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Thus, preserving history is a vital responsibility of the National Park Service (NPS). It is NPS policy to collect, protect, preserve, provide access to, and appropriately use objects, specimens, and archival and manuscript collections to aid understanding and advance knowledge. Collections play an important role in resource management, research, and education programs, and function as baseline databases for park natural and cultural resources. Each park’s collection is a repository of donated, discovered, and assembled items, such as artifacts, archives, and natural history specimens that support and tell the stories of a specific place through time.

Crater Lake National Park’s museum and archive collections include over 790,000 items, with approximately 500 linear feet of archival materials, that document the cultural and natural history of the park. The park’s collections include artifacts, specimens, and objects, from the disciplines of biology, geology, archeology, history, art, and archives. The Scope of Collections is narrowly focused on CRLA-specific materials. Some examples of collections items are:

The collections are housed in the park headquarters area at 6450 ft elevation. Although headquarters is open year-round, extreme weather events during the winter months (October through April) may require temporary closures. Research in the collections is by appointment only. Arrangements must be made as far in advance as possible; drop-ins are not permitted. Submit a completed Research Request form to e-mail us or via US Postal Service to: CRLA Museum and Archive Collections P.O. Box 7 Crater Lake OR 97604-0007

Due to limited staff availability at the park, researchers are encouraged to explore other locations whose holdings may contain Crater Lake National Park materials. Click on the link for a list of resources and their websites .

These forests are mostly old growth and diverse. Explore the park's tree species list. Learn about the plight of whitebark trees.

impressive wildflower displays begin as the snow recedes and lasts until the first snowflakes return. Eighty photos to browse.

Meadows in the park are diverse—wet, dry, and somewhere in between. The most prominent meadow in the park is the Pumice Desert

Impacts from road construction, infrastructure improvements, and hiking off trail create large barren areas that require special care.

Even at Crater Lake there is an invasion of non-native plant species, also known as invasives and exotics.

The vascular plant checklist available below is a good place to begin exploring and identifying the 700 native plant species known throughout the park. This NPS checklist utilizes the nationwide USDA Plants Database . Crater Lake botanists use Oregon Flora as their source for taxonomy, which includes species specific to the park and state.

Crater Lake National Park is rich with wildlife. Mammals, birds, and insects makeup the largest portion of animals living throughout the park. Native and some invasive fish species occupy many of the streams. Amphibians live in the wet lands, streams, ponds, and along the shore of Crater Lake. A few species of reptiles thrive on Wizard Island and in dry habitats.

The most common animals observed around Rim Drive are golden-mantled ground squirrels, Canada jays and an assortment of butterflies and bees. Black bear sightings are more common in autumn and late spring when animals are waking up or getting ready to hibernate. American marten, snowshoe hare, and Douglas squirrel tracks are abundant in the winter snow. Melting snow and changing temperatures signal animal migrations, hibernation and seasonal foraging. While these animals are commonly observed along Rim Drive and popular trails, visiting other areas might provide better opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of a wider variety of wildlife. Animals—amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and fish—may be more prominent around some of the unique and less visited landscapes of Crater Lake National Park such as Sphagnum Bog, Union Peak, Panhandle, Boundary Springs, and Desert Creek Research Natural Area. Click on the photo categories below for information about specific species, and to access the park's species lists.

Diverse habitats support migrating birds with varying layovers, and resident species that mate, nest, and raise young in the park.

The most varied of all the animal groups are found in water, land, and air. They live at all elevations throughout the park. Learn more...

From shrews and squirrels to bats and bears, there are over 70 species of mammals that have been identified in the park.

Frogs, toads, salamanders and newts are found around the lakeshore, near rivers, meadows and other wet areas.

The largest mammals living in the park are elk, black-tailed deer, black bear, mountain lion, and mule deer. Wolves occasionally cross over the park boundary but none are known as denizens. As climate data continue to show a warming trend, wolves may follow prey further up Mount Mazama slopes and potentially become residents. Large animal sightings are not the norm, especially around Rim Drive and in crowded areas. Deer are the most likely to be seen. They may wander into the caldera and linger in Rim Village until winter drives them to lower elevations in search of a food source.

Save Lives. Speed limits are the law and they save lives, the lives of bears, marmots and other animals foraging along the shoulders and lingering across roads. There are 41 known black bears in the park, with females outnumbering males. Males often travel beyond park boundaries within their home range of 320 to 365 square miles. A female's range is much smaller averaging no more than 27 square miles. Since denning generally occurs between November and May there are only five months when bears are active but even then, seeing one is not likely.

Over 95% of the park is managed as wilderness. Although some trails and locations are closed to backcountry camping (for example, there is no camping in the summer with a view of the lake), exploring the park’s old-growth forests and volcanic landscapes can be a rewarding experience.

Backcountry Camping Permits A backcountry camping permit is required year-round for all overnight trips in the park. Permits are not required for day hiking; however, day hikers must observe all backcountry regulations .

A backcountry camping permit is required year-round for all overnight trips in the park. Permits are not required for day hiking; however, day hikers must observe all backcountry regulations . Permits must be obtained in person. They are not available over the phone, or more than 1 day in advance. The Ranger Station is located 100 yards southwest of the Steel Visitor Center. There is a self registration station with instructions and information available there. Permits are issued free of charge. They are valid only for the dates, locations, and party size specified. You must have a valid park entrance pass for the entire length of your trip. For more information about backcountry camping permits, visit the permits section of the frequently asked questions page.

Cleetwood Marina with failed bulkhead and temporary dock NPS Photo Background The Cleetwood Cove Trail is the most heavily used trail in the park and the only permitted access to the shore of Crater Lake. Every year, thousands of park visitors hike this trail to swim, fish, sunbathe, take a concessioner-operated boat tour, or otherwise enjoy the deep-blue waters of the lake. The park is planning a construction project to rehabilitate the trail and related infrastructure to ensure safe access to the lake, provide needed visitor services, and protect the environment.

Boulder damage at Cleetwood Marina NPS Photo Project Purpose The purpose of this project is to address critical safety issues with the Cleetwood Cove Trail and Marina while ensuring continued protection of the lake and surrounding environment.

Project work includes: Rockfall scaling and mitigation to remove dangerous rocks hanging over the trail along identified high-risk zones. Rehabilitation of the entire 1.1 mile trail, including improvements to trail tread and repair of failing retaining walls. Removal and replacement of the failed bulkhead/dock with a structurally stable floating dock system and a pier for visitors to view the lake. Replacing the outdated and undersized composting toilets located near the marina with new restrooms. Installation of a new ticket booth along the lakeshore at the end of the trail.

Cleetwood Trail undercut retaining wall and trail tread loss NPS Photo Project Need The Crater Lake caldera is a dynamic environment with highly erosive soils making trail maintenance a challenge. Over the years, the trail has experienced severe tread loss and retaining walls have been undermined. Geotechnical studies completed in 2017 and 2018 identified rockfall hazard zones along the trail and recommended slope scaling (manually dislodging loose rocks and bounders from the slope and cliff faces that could fall) and other protection measures.

The marina bulkhead and dock system failed in 2016 due to unstable slopes at the marina, rockfall damage, and high energy waves. This facility needs to be redesigned and replaced. Additionally, the marina restroom at the lakeshore has composting toilets that cannot keep pace with current levels of use.

Project Schedule The construction contract has been awarded and it is anticipated that work will begin in early summer 2026. The project is estimated to take three summers to complete due to the very short construction season at Crater Lake. The Cleetwood Cove Trail will be closed to the public during construction due to limited access and rockfall hazards. NPS will work to provide frequent updates on closures.

Retaining walls showing severe lean from material movement NPS Photo Frequently Asked Questions When will the project to rehabilitate the Cleetwood Cove and Marina begin and how long will it last? Construction begins in the spring of 2026 and will take three years to complete due to the scale of the project and the short construction season at the park (July – September).

Why will the project take so long? This complex project has multiple components including rock scaling, trail rehabilitation, removal and replacement of the failed marina, and replacing outdated composting toilets. The Cleetwood Trail and Marina are in a remote part of the park with only trail access to the work zones. Crater Lake also has a very short construction season every year. The Cleetwood Trail and surrounding areas are not usually free of snow until mid to late June. Snow can return to the park as early as mid-September. That's why it will take 3 summers to complete less than one year's worth of work!

Will the park be open during construction? Yes! The park and all other operations will remain open during construction, and it is possible to get excellent views of the lake from many locations along Rim Drive and park trails. Visitor can have a great experience at the park without hiking the Cleetwood Trail.

Why does the trail need to be closed to do this project? It will not be safe for the public to be on the trail or at the lakeshore during construction. Loose rocks will be knocked down from the caldera wall and no one can be in the area when that is happening. The trail will be completely torn up and impassable to make the greatly needed improvements to the trail surface and retaining walls. There will be frequent helicopter trips to remove materials from the failed bulkhead and move materials to the construction site along the lakeshore. The Cleetwood parking lot will also be closed to stage all the construction operations and materials needed on site.

Will anyone have access to the lakeshore during the construction? For safety and to facilitate work on the project (which includes rock scaling along the caldera wall), the Cleetwood Trail will be closed to the public during construction. As a result, there will be no public boat tours on the lake during the summers of 2026, 2027, and 2028. The long-term lake monitoring program will continue during construction.

How many people hike the Cleetwood Trail each year? The Cleetwood Trail is the most heavily used trail in the park, and an average of 54,000 park visitors hike the trail each year. That is about 10% of park visitors. There are many ways to enjoy the lake and experience the park.

Many Ways to Explore the Park Visitors arrive at the park with anticipation of seeing Crater Lake, one of the world’s deepest, clearest, and bluest lakes. Whether day-tripping or spending a week, there are many ways to explore the park and enjoy the lake. Ninety miles of trails meander through diverse forests, and rise to peaks with views of the lake. The historic 33-mile Rim Drive circles Crater Lake with views from 30 overlooks . Opportunities to photograph landscapes, the lake, and wildflowers are countless. Stargazing, camping, and with some advance planning fishing are also options for things to do. Visit the pet webpage for safety tips and where to go with your pet.

Choose a forest hike, one with lake views, high elevation, wildflowers or a pumice meadow. There are long distance trails and easy ones.

Begin with science, add a little curiosity, consider history and discover art, that is the evolution of a ranger program!

Prepare for a wilderness adventure that could include snow, a brilliant night sky, or the sound of animals. Get help with trip planning.

The park's diverse habitats and elevations attract a variety of birds! The best place to listen for and observe them is...

No fishing license is required within park boundaries, but here are important rules & regulations for fishing in the lake and park streams.

Along Hwy 62 and throughout Rim Drive there are many places to pull safely off the road for views of the geology, the lake, and other sites.

Choose a trolley or boat tour and enjoy the sights worry-free with an added bonus of a ranger's perspective.

Shouts of Oh Oh Oh mean stop at the next viewpoint along Rim Drive! Visit trails, picnic areas, and other features.

Cleetwood Cove Trail is a steep and strenuous hike which drops 700 ft (213 m) of elevation in 1.1 miles (1.7 km). Know more before you go.

Each day during summer, four times a day, kids get to discover Crater Lake National Park with a ranger.

For many, Rim Village is the first place to see the lake. It is an historic district and walking tour including Crater Lake Lodge.