The winter brings some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year. Although park facilities mostly close for this snowy season, visitors may view the lake during fair weather, enjoy cross-country skiing, and participate in weekend snowshoe hikes. See the Hiking and Skiing Page for details. Rolling mountains, volcanic peaks, and evergreen forests surround this enormous, high Cascade Range Lake, recognized worldwide as a scenic wonder. Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon still survive in Crater Lake.
Wildflowers bloom late and disappear early here, thriving in wet open areas.
Birds and other animals often seen are ravens, jays, nutcrackers, deer, ground squirrels, and chipmunks. Present but seldom seen are elk, black bears, foxes, porcupines, pine martens, chickaree squirrels and pikas. The 33 mile Rim Drive around Crater Lake is a two lane road that has more than 20 scenic overlooks. A seven mile spur road departs from east Rim Drive providing access to the Pinnacles Overlook and Lost Creek Campground. On average, allow two hours to travel completely around Crater Lake.