Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

When we roadtrip, we usually try to make at least a few stops at National Parks, especially ones we have never visited before. Sometimes these little side jaunts are the most memorable parts of a trip. In fact, there are two investments our family has made that have proven to be among the most fulfilling. The first is our annual National Park pass. The second is the National Park Passport book. For less than $10, we record all of the places we have visited, including when. The kids get really into collecting the stamps in the book. We have actually had to purchase a second book, because parts of the first one filled up!

Today's agenda called for a drive to Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon. It was a little bit out of the way, but the breathtaking views were definitely worth the extra time! Spectacular.

It was clear as we drove that we were leaving the hustle and bustle of a summer day behind and stumbling into something entirely different. Cars became fewer and farther between, and snow started to occasionally dot the grass beside us. 


Once inside the park we wandered along Rim Drive, the 33-mile stretch of road that climbs into the mountains and circles the strikingly blue lake. 

According the the Park Service, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, at 1,943 feet. Fed by rain and snow but no rivers or streams, it is also thought to be the cleanest large body of water in the world. No wonder it is so stunning!

We made a couple of stops, including one at the top of the road to get the best vantage point of the islands, and one at the visitor's center to get our passport book stamped and check out the displays.

After dinner at Abby's Pizza, we were moving into California as the sun set. Mt. Shasta guided our path, and soon we were in Redding, where we lay our heads for the night.