The words “crater” and “lake” are right in the name of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. That’s already pretty dramatic, but nothing compares to the impact of seeing the color of the park’s namesake lake in person.

Arriving at Crater Lake National Park in style in our (borrowed) Airstream.

The history of Crater Lake National Park

Founded on May 22, 1902, Crater Lake National Park was the sixth national park established in the United States. Everyone knows that it’s home to one of the bluest and deepest lakes on earth, but it wasn’t until we arrived at the park’s Rim Village and looked down into the caldera that the full drama of the place finally hit us: it’s the blue.

Crater Lake, the deepest and bluest lake in the United States.

In 1853, the first European to see the lake, John Wesley Hillman, dubbed it “Deep Blue Lake.” Profoundly unimaginative, but totally accurate. Crater Lake, which was formed almost 8,000 years ago after a massive volcanic eruption obliterated Mount Mazama, is both stunningly blue and incredibly deep. At nearly 2,000 feet (600 meters) deep in high rainfall years, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the ninth-deepest lake on Earth.

Wizard Island is a cinder cone in Crater Lake, the spectacular centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

Maybe the color comes from the fact that the water, collected over centuries, is pure rain and snowmelt. No potentially polluting rivers flow into or out of Crater Lake. Maybe the color comes from the extreme depth of Crater Lake. In the end, the reasons are irrelevant. You will be stunned by the color and you won’t care why.

Aptly-named Phantom Ship Island in Crater Lake.

What to do in Crater Lake National Park

There are many vantage points from which to enjoy Crater Lake. We hiked up 9,000-foot (2,743 meter) Mount Scott twice because the views down to the lake were so stunning and so we could call our friend Scott from the top on his birthday.

View of Crater Lake from the 9,000-foot (2,743-meter) peak of Mount Scott in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

A nice walk in the opposite direction is the 3/4 mile (1.2 km) Cleetwood Cove Trail, which drops 1,000 feet (300 meters) to the edge of the lake itself. It’s steep but worth it for the chance to look right into the incredibly clear water.

Wildflowers on the shore of Crater Lake take advantage of the park’s snow-free months.

Standing on the lake shore, it seemed like we could see all the way to the bottom of the lake hundreds of feet below, and we were nearly right. Record clarity in Crater Lake has been recorded at 134 feet (41 meters). Average clarity is 100 feet (30 meters).

Crater Lake is the bluest and deepest lake in the United States.

We were very tempted to go SCUBA diving in Crater Lake, which is possible for experienced divers with a special permit. However, the prospect of carrying SCUBA gear and lugging a tank up and down that trail was pretty daunting. Below are more of our favorite pictures of stunning Crater Lake.

Sunset over Crater Lake.

Moon rise over Crater Lake.

Wildflowers in Crater Lake National Park take advantage of the park’s snow-free months.

Wizard Island is a cinder cone in Crater Lake, the spectacular centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

None of our shots of Oregon’s Crater Lake have been enhanced in any way. The water really is that blue.

Now, that’s what blue looks like.

Crater Lake National Park travel tip: The 7-mile (11-km) road up to Rim Village stays open year-round (weather permitting), but check on the park’s website for updates about the opening date for full facilities and when the park road will open to vehicles. This usually happens in June.

Crater Lake fun fact: The Oregon state commemorative quarter, released in 2005, has an image of Crater Lake on it.

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Here’s more about US National Parks & Monuments