Ride the Rim: See Crater Lake by Trolley This Summer

As winter’s snowbanks finally retreat from the mountains of southern Oregon, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most breathtaking drives reopens. Each summer, Crater Lake National Park’s Rim Drive offers revealing cinematic views of the impossibly blue lake below. This season, skip the driver’s seat and experience the volcanic wonder from a different perspective: aboard the seasonal Crater Lake Trolley.

Departing from Rim Village, the guided trolley tour winds along portions of the historic Rim Drive with stops at scenic overlooks perched high above the caldera. Along the way, park interpreters share stories of Mount Mazama’s catastrophic eruption, the formation of the lake and the wildlife and geology surrounding it. Expect sweeping overlooks, dramatic cliffs and uninterrupted views of Wizard Island rising from the deep cobalt water below.

Looking for a quieter, self-paced adventure? You can also drive Rim Drive on your own once the full route opens for summer. The 33-mile scenic road is lined with pullouts and overlooks where you can stop, photograph the lake and take in the silence of one of America’s deepest lakes.

Fed entirely by snow and rain, Crater Lake is famous for its remarkable clarity and vivid blue color—a natural wonder made even more unforgettable when framed by rugged volcanic peaks and lingering patches of alpine snow. Learn more about the trolley tours at nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/boat-and-trolley-tours.htm. Plan your trip at southernoregon.org.