Beautiful Crater Lake National Park

View of Wizard Island from the Rim

My family and I took a day to go to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon last week. I had been as a child but the wonder and grandeur hadn't diminished when I returned as an adult.

At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It's high elevation makes most of it inaccessible year-round but when I talked with National Park staff last weekend, they were ready for visitors through this weekend. And then most will go elsewhere for the winter.

If you are going, be sure to plan your visit. You can take a boat-ride on the lake (after a vigorous climb down to the water) but you will need to plan in advance. There is still plenty of hiking opportunities but pack for winter weather. When we were there, it was bright and sunny and a chilly 55 degrees.

Crater Lake Lodge

Don't miss the Sinnott Memorial and a walk through the Lodge.

Stay in nearby Klamath Falls or go on to Medford. Both have outstanding deals on hotels right now.