Crater Lake National Park's Superintendent Craig Ackerman sums up the park this way: €there are two unique experiences here - one expected and awesome; the second completely unexpected and amazing€.

The first is viewing the lake from one of the many overlooks and viewpoints around the 33-mile Rim Drive. The other requires a one-mile hike down a switchback trail, but the reward is an amazing view from the lake's surface.

€People who have never ventured to the water level are really missing something special,€ Supt. Ackerman says. €Prince Albert II of Monaco was out on the glassy surface of the lake a few summers ago. He looked up at the towering, colorful caldera walls and said €I've been to over 150 countries in the world and I've never seen anything like this.'

€Never argue with a prince.€

To appreciate Crater Lake, it helps to first understand how it came to be. Mt. Mazama, a 12,000-foot volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range, erupted about 7,700 years ago and then collapsed. The result was a crater nearly 2,000 feet deep. With no rivers or streams to feed it, the lake filled over time with snow melt and became one of the world's clearest lakes. Scientists have measured its clarity to as deep as 120 feet.

Thanks to heavy snowfall each year, the combination of depth and clarity give the lake its trademark blue hue. The park receives an average 44 feet of snow each year, however there's no way to predict what each winter will bring. In the winter of 2010-2011, 56 feet of snow fell around the lake.

Weather dictates available traffic in and out of the park. The park is open every day of the year, but vehicle access is limited in winter months to the South gate via Route 62, Munson Valley Road and the Rim Village area. €It's difficult to predict an opening date each year for the North Entrance or Rim Drive because of the variable spring weather conditions.€, Supt. Ackerman says.

Once open, the 33-mile Rim Drive becomes a circular photo album with breathtaking views of the lake and sprawling vistas across the Cascades.

€There are more than three dozen formally designed overlooks and viewpoints around the Rim Drive that were meticulously planned and developed by landscape architects and designers over the years,€ Supt. Ackerman says. €They are all wonderful and highlight different aspects of the lake, the geology of the caldera or other park features.

€One of my favorites is the Phantom Ship Overlook at Kerr Notch (milepost 23.4),€ he says. €It is a gorgeous view of the lake and the €ship' is nestled in a very lush grove of old growth trees. It provides excellent opportunities for great photographs. €Several of the overlooks on the west side provide incredible views not only of the lake but also of the Cascade Range. Union Peak Overlook, three miles west of Rim Village, showcases Union Peak, Mount McLaughlin, and, on a clear day, Mount Shasta and beyond to the south.€

Crater Lake's Rim Drive is one of the most scenic roads in America, but you can choose to leave the driving to someone else and take a ranger-guided trolley tour.
€The tours are popular,€ Supt. Ackerman says. €They use trolley-style, compressed natural gas vehicles. A uniformed park ranger accompanies each tour and explains the natural and cultural history of the park while visitors experience many of the pullouts.

There are many other ways to discover Crater Lake National Park. Rangers also lead hikes and cross country ski excursions. Or, if you choose, you can strike out in your own group without a ranger escort. If you seek a closer look at the water, try a boat tour. For those wishing a more outdoorsy experience, there are two campgrounds: Mazama Campground (213 sites) and Lost Creek Campground (16 sites). For more comfort try one of the two lodging establishments: Crater Lake Lodge (71 rooms) or The Cabins at Mazama Village (40 rooms).

Bicycling is allowed and Crater Lake is the site of both a competitive bike ride and run each summer. Fishing is permitted and you don't even need a fishing license! Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon are the predominant fish. If you make the hike down to the lake, you can swim in Crater Lake at Cleetwood Cove or Wizard Island. Snorkeling and scuba diving are allowed.

When it's time to eat the park has three restaurants and one store. The Crater Lake Lodge Dining Room is fine dining in a casual atmosphere. The Annie Creek Restaurant in Mazama Village offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. And the Rim Village Caf© serves lighter fare including snacks, sandwiches and more. Seasonally, the Mazama Village Store sells groceries, camping supplies, firewood, and gas.

For those with the urge to shop you won't be disappointed. The Rim Village Gift Shop is open all year; or, the Annie Creek Gift Shop in the Mazama Village is open seasonally. Both offer online shopping as well.
To learn more about the park's history, two visitor centers offer answers and trip planning. The Steel Visitor Center and The Rim Visitor Center provide literature, films, and more. You might also want to visit the Sinnott Memorial Overlook - perched on a rock ledge - to see spectacular views of the lake as well as visit the numerous exhibits. Guided Ranger Tours also start here, so check the website or schedules posted for more information.

Wildlife is plentiful and no visit to Crater Lake National Park will go unrewarded. The park is home to many animals, including deer, elk, squirrels, bobcats, fox, black bear, porcupines, marmots, grouse, and of course bald eagles.