Crater Lake National Park

Best Crater Lake National Park views

Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet, is a caldera formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama nearly 7,700 years ago. This list highlights the Rim Drive's premier overlooks, including the high-altitude Cloudcap and the historic Sinnott Memorial. Beyond the water, explore unique volcanic features like the fossilized fumaroles of The Pinnacles and the orange dacite of Pumice Castle. These vantage points offer views of Wizard Island and Phantom Ship while showcasing the park's distinct geological history.

Best Crater Lake Views — Map

Jeffrey Johnson / CC BY-SA 2.0

A

Crater Lake

Crater Lake is a volcanic crater lake in south-central Oregon in the Western United States.

Stuart Seeger / CC BY 2.0

B

Kerr Notch

Glacial valley head on the caldera rim offering a clear view of the Phantom Ship rock formation.

Charles Dawley / CC BY 2.0

C

Discovery Point

Historic site where gold prospector John Wesley Hillman first encountered the lake in 1853. It overlooks Wizard Island from the West Rim.

Athleticamps / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Watchman Overlook

Roadside viewpoint on the West Rim offering one of the closest views of Wizard Island and the trailhead for the Watchman Peak hike.

National Park Service / Public domain

E

Skell Head

Elevated viewpoint on the East Rim Drive providing a comprehensive panorama of the caldera and the lake's deep blue waters.

Greg Willis / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

Cloudcap

At 7,865 feet, this is the highest paved point in Oregon, offering expansive views of the lake and the surrounding forest.

Llywrch / CC BY 2.5

G

The Pinnacles

Eroded volcanic spires, known as fossil fumaroles, formed by escaping gases in volcanic ash deposits within Sand Creek Canyon.

H

Sinnott Memorial

Historic observation station and museum built into the cliff at Rim Village, featuring geological exhibits and a sheltered viewpoint.

Markgorzynski / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Mount Scott

Mount Scott is a small stratovolcano and a so-called parasitic cone on the southeast flank of Crater Lake in southern Oregon.

Klavierman / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Pumice Castle

A bright orange dacite rock formation on the eastern caldera wall, sculpted by erosion into a shape resembling a castle.

OSU Special Collections & Archives :… / No restrictions

K

Vidae Cliff

A prominent 600-foot dacite lava flow on the southern rim, located near the Vidae Falls seasonal waterfall.

Tiffany Zheng / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Garfield Peak

A high summit on the southern rim accessible by trail, offering views of the entire lake and the Phantom Ship formation.

M

Watchman Lookout House

A historic fire lookout tower built in 1932, located at the summit of Watchman Peak with panoramic views of the entire park.

N

Merriam Point

Located on the North Rim, this viewpoint provides a distinct perspective of the lake and the massive Llao Rock lava flow.

Other Lists

Crater Lake National Park Essentials Waterfalls and Nature