Crater Lake National Park is the gem of the Cascades. The brilliant blue of the lake water contrasts with the green of the forest, the black of the volcanic crater walls, and the white of the snow that lasts well into the summer.

Visit in the summer or the winter. The summer is when most visitors come, after the park service clears the snow from the road. Driving up the side of the volcano to the lake, you will see different micro-climates in the national park.

The easiest way to see the lake is to stop at one of the many viewpoints along the circular rim drive, but that takes the fun away. Instead, get out of your car at one of the short hiking trails that goes up to the crater rim. Enjoy walking up onto the magnificent scene. Like the Grand Canyon, you can not really capture Crater Lake in a photograph.

If you want to get down to the lake, there is one trail that descends 700 feet from the rim to the lake. The lake is filled with very cold water, so do not bother with your bathing suit unless you are part polar bear! Instead, buy tickets for the boat tour around the lake. In addition to the lake, there are several good hikes on the crater outcrops and in the forests on the volcano slopes.