Few lakes on Planet Earth are so clear, so perfectly still and so round as Oregon’s Crater Lake, the namesake and centerpiece of Crater Lake National Park.
The deepest lake in the United States and containing some of the world’s most pristine waters, this jewel of a lake—as tranquil as it may be now—is the result of the astoundingly violent volcanic explosion of Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago.
The scenic Rim Drive encircles the entire lake, passing by most of the park’s highlights. In addition to the lake, there are also old-growth forests, pumice plains and wonderful waterfalls.
The health benefits of hiking are well known and well documented nowadays. And few things are better for a “nature bath” than going on a reinvigorating hike in a national park. These are some of the greatest day hikes in the U.S. National Park System.
Spending a night or two at a historic lodge or hotel is one of the most memorable national park experiences. From Yellowstone’s famous Old Faithful Inn to Glacier’s iconic Many Glacier Hotel and the rustic Lake Quinault Lodge at Olympic, these are the greatest and grandest lodges in the national parks.
Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, on the border of Oregon and Washington, Portland is the ideal starting point for a Pacific Northwest national parks road trip. This outdoorsy, eco-friendly city offers easy access to some of the greatest U.S. national parks.
Although Crater Lake National Park is not renowned for its epic backpacking opportunities, there are some pretty amazing day hikes you can do in the park. Whether you’re looking for a strenuous climb to a mountain viewpoint or an easy stroll along the Crater Lake rim—or even a gorgeous waterfall!—there’s a surprisingly variety in your Crater Lake hiking options.
If you’re a national parks lover who enjoys gardening, collecting wild edibles and foraging, you might wonder if foraging is allowed in the national parks. And, as surprising as it …
In the heat of summer, waterfall hikes are among the most enjoyable and popular activities in the national parks, especially if the waterfall also happens to have a swimming hole. …
America’s national parks are home to numerous scenic swimming spots, whether it’s a lakeshore, ocean beach, riverbank or even hot spring. Few things are more refreshing than jumping into a …
Besides wildlife and outdoor adventures, many people visit America’s national parks to see some of the country’s greatest landscapes. While some views require several miles of hiking, there are also many spectacular, easily accessible overlooks and viewpoints in the national parks.
The perfect blueness, stillness, clarity and magnificence of Crater Lake must be seen to be believed. And luckily, there are many overlooks and summits that offer scenic views in Crater …
From fascinating historic sites, including both Native American sites and pioneer trails, to sprawling volcanic landscapes, caves, badlands and rain forests, the sheer diversity of the national forests, monuments and national parks in Oregon is amazing. These are the best federal parks to visit in the Beaver State.
Unseasonably warm weather and low snowpack allowed for the unusually early reopening of the North Entrance and West Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park. The West Rim Drive and its viewpoints are accessible to vehicles since Friday morning, May 28.
One of America’s most diverse regions, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is home to massive volcanoes, pristine temperate rain forests, high desert plains, sea stack-lined coasts and spectacular mountain ranges. In this post, I talk about the many must-visit Pacific Northwest national parks and offer a couple of suggested road trip itineraries.
Are you ready to swap out your dress shoes for hiking boots and add a backpack to your wedding day wardrobe? Elopements and small weddings in national parks have become increasingly popular recently. Check out the best national parks to elope to or get married at!
On a scenic road trip from Seattle to Sacramento, you can see, explore—and even climb—more than a dozen mighty Cascade Range Volcanoes in nine separate parks, from Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens to Mount Hood, Newberry Volcano, Crater Lake and Lassen Peak.