Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and almost certainly the most startling shade of blue you will ever encounter in nature. The 1,943-foot depth and exceptional clarity — there are no inflows or outlets, so sediment doesn't accumulate — produce a color so intense that first-time visitors often assume it's been enhanced in photographs. It hasn't.
The lake fills the caldera of Mount Mazama, a volcano that collapsed into itself about 7,700 years ago after a massive eruption. Wizard Island, a cinder cone that emerged from subsequent smaller eruptions, sits in the western part of the lake and can be reached by boat tour from Cleetwood Cove. The 33-mile Rim Drive circles the caldera with pullouts at stunning viewpoints.
From Bend, Crater Lake is about 90 miles south on Highway 97, taking just under two hours. The south entrance is open year-round; the north entrance and Rim Drive are typically closed by snow from November to mid-June. The park entrance fee applies; no reservation is needed for a day visit in most seasons.