Crater Lake is located in Southern Oregon on the crest of the Cascade Mountain range, 100 miles (160 km) east of the Pacific Ocean.

Crater Lake is a caldera lake located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The caldera rim of Crater Lake ranges in elevation from 7,000 to 8,000 feet (2,130 to 2,440 m). It is the main feature of Crater Lake National Park and famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. This caldera, or volcanic basin was created when the 12,000 foot (3,660 meter) high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption.

Some hydrothermal activity remains along the lake floor, suggesting that at sometime in the future Mazama may erupt once again.

The Klamath tribe of Native Americans used Crater Lake in vision quests, which often involved climbing the caldera walls and other dangerous tasks. The tribe still holds Crater Lake in high regard as a spiritual site.

Visitors to Crater Lake National Park should be prepared for any kind of weather, any time of the year. Crater Lake National Park gets an average of 533 inches of snow per year - that is more than 44 feet of snow!