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than the single day that 90% of the visitors allot to the park. Once you've seen and appreciated the lake (take a cruise early, before the crowds form), go off and hike some of the less trampled paths. Several of the longer trails will lead you to fabulous, relatively uninhabited view points. Especially recommended are the Dutton Creek, Garfield Peak, and Mount Scott trails (see "Day Hikes," below).

Just the Facts

GETTING THERE & GATEWAYS

There are three ways into Crater Lake National Park, the most convenient being from the west and south on Ore. 62, which runs through the southwest corner of the park.

To get to the park's west entrance, drive northeast from Medford 75 miles on Ore. 62.

To get to the park's south entrance from Klamath Falls, travel north on U.S. 97, then northwest on Ore. 62; the total distance is 60 miles.

To get to the park's summer-only north entrance from Roseburg, take Ore. 138 east; the total distance to Rim Drive is approximately 92 miles.

If you're arriving in winter, call the Crater Lake National Park Headquarters for road information (☎ 541/594-3000). From October to May, snow frequently limits access to the park by the northern route, so expect delays.

The Nearest Airports. Area airports include Rogue Valley International– Medford Airport (☎ 541/776-7222; www.co.jackson.or.us), in Medford, which is served by America West, Delta Connection, Horizon, and United Express, with car rentals from Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National. The Klamath Falls Airport (☎ 541/883-5372; www.klamathfallsairport.com) is served by Horizon Airlines, and Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz rent cars here. The toll-free reservation numbers are in the appendix (p. 661).

INFORMATION

Contact Crater Lake National Park, P.O. Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604 (☎ 541/ 594-3100; www.nps.gov/crla) for the free park guide, Crater Lake Reflections,

which has a good summary of most of the park's trails, accommodations, and seasons. You can obtain a catalog of books and maps about the park from the Crater Lake Natural History Association, P.O. Box 157, Crater Lake, OR 97604 (☎ 541/594-3111; www.nps.gov/ crla/nha.htm).

VISITOR CENTERS

The park has two visitor centers. Steel Information Center, south of the lake off Ore. 62, is open daily year-round and contains the park headquarters. You can talk to a ranger, find out about local weather forecasts, pick up general park information, purchase books and maps, and watch an 18-minute film. The Rim Village Visitor Center, with new facilities scheduled to be ready by summer 2007, is along the southern edge of the caldera rim. It's open daily from June through September. Here you can obtain general park information, books, videos, and maps. In addition, a short paved trail leads from the visitor center to the Sinnott Overlook, which offers a fine view of the lake and several interpretive exhibits.

FEES

Entrance to the park costs $10 per vehicle. Camping in Mazama Campground is $16 per tent site, and $19 to $21 per RV site. Camping in the Lost Creek Campground is $10 per site. Backcountry camping requires registration but no fee.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS & WARNINGS

No, you may not climb into the caldera. The only access to the lake is through the Cleetwood Cove Trail. And after getting a view of some of the steep and sharp-looking volcanic boulders lining the trip down, you won't want to try.

Fire prevention is such a concern in this park that smoking on the trails is prohibited, as is building a fire anywhere other than in the pits at the designated camping sites.

SEASONS & CLIMATE

Crater Lake basically has two seasons. The main tourist season lasts from mid-June, when most of the park's facilities open, through September. The busiest months are July and August. Summer temperatures in southern Oregon can get pretty scorching in the lower elevations, sometimes hovering near the 100°F (38°C) mark. The upper elevations (including most of the park) remain slightly cooler, but even the lake's rim can get pretty hot