Oregon is a diverse state with many points of interest and highlights. All in the space of a few hundred miles, you can experience the Pacific Ocean, the mountains, the forest, desert, lakes, streams, rivers and abundant wildlife. There are historical points of interest, as well as many sporting activities to partake in. But alas, Oregon has but ONE National Park.

So a guide to Oregon's National Parks is simply to tell you all about Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is a deep cobalt blue lake. It is actually the water filled caldera of a great volcano called Mount Mazama which blew its top over 10,000 years ago.

Crater lake is nearly 2,000 feet deep in points, and is a stunning breathtaking view from the rim of the caldera. This lake simply astonishes you when you see it. Even for visitors who have returned many times to the lake are blown away each time they return.

On a sunny day when the breezes are mild the blue shimmering body of water has a mirror image of the reflected surroundings. I like to take the rim drive around the lake, approximately 40 miles, and stop at every turnout along the way to take in all the fantastic features.

Phantom ship (a rock formation) looks like a ghostly ship in the water. It seems to speak of ghost pirates when I look at it. On a foggy morning when it begins to peer out of the mist, it is totally spooky.

If you are a hearty breed, you can hike down from the rim and take a boat to Wizard Island. Just remember, if you hike down the slope, you are gonna have to hike back up it. I have never attempted it yet, but I plan to do it someday.

I stayed in the historic Crater Lake Lodge when they refurbished it back in 1995. I had a lakeside room, and even the views from window by the toilet were beyond description.

I love also the cuisine at the lodge. The restaurant is a much better choice than the nearby cafe at the gift shop. Not only are the views better, but the food difference is like night and day. Nothing makes me happier than fine dining with linen napkins while I sip on an apricot amber ale and enjoy one of the most picturesque sights in the world.

I like to buy a postcard when I am there, and get it stamped at the visitors center with the dated National Park stamp, and mail it home to myself as an inexpensive memento of my visit.

In the park, you will likely see Golden Crown Squirrels begging for goodies at every turnout. If you set down a food item on the hood of your car and get maybe three feed from it, you will probably get robbed by a Clark's Nutcracker. People in the park call them Robber Jays.

There is camping south of the rim drive. If you have the time, be sure to also check out the nearby Pinnacles. That is a stunning natural feature of the park.

July and August are ideal times to visit the park if you want to take the entire rim drive. If you visit in any other month, you may encounter snow which often closes off the drive. The south entrance is the most reliable entrance to get access to the lodge and visitor facilities. They try to keep it open year round.

Be very careful near the rim. A fall from it is almost certain death. Keep a close watch on your kids and your pets.

Learn more about this author, Michael Mccormick.
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