Crater Lake is a beautiful tourist attraction in Oregon. Each year, thousands of people come to Oregon to specifically visit the Lake. Thousands of years old, the lake offers natural and national significance to the United States. However, even with its popularity, there may still be some things you don’t know about this lake. Here are just 5 cool facts about Crater Lake in Oregon that you may have previously not known. If you haven’t visited this historic lake yet, now is the time. And once you have a bit more insight into the importance of it and how it was made, you will better enjoy your visit to Crater Lake.
The Lake Was Once A Volcano
Roughly 7,000 years ago, Mount Mazama collapsed and left a huge hole in what was once a volcano in Oregon. Due to the fact that there are no inlets or river outlets, the crater was simply empty for many years. After nearly 250 years of rain and snow buildup, the once dry crater had accumulated enough water to become what is now considered a lake.
The Purest Water in North America
As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, Crater Lake has no rivers that flow into it. Because of this, the water is considered some of the most pure natural water in all of North America. Because many rivers and streams mix with other water outlets that may be mixed from a variety of sources, you can never be sure of the quality. This does not be an issue with the lake, as majority of its water comes from natural resources. This also leads to the beautiful blue water that is symbolic and significant to the lake, giving it the nickname, “Deep Blue Lake”.

It Was Almost Forgotten
Although the lake was formed over 7,000 years ago, it was not discovered until the 1800’s. It was in 1853 that miners came across the lake, but it was soon forgotten and left untouched for many years. It wasn’t until 1886 that an expedition was led to the lake and it was further explored and its popularity grew.
A National Park
In 1915, a lodge was opened for those visiting Crater Lake. As popularity grew, so did those who wanted to take in the lake for its beauty. In 1967, the lake was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the top places to visit in the United States. Furthermore, it is also the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest lake in the world.

Spiritual Significance for Native American Tribes
For years the Klamath people have made Oregon their home. Some say that they even witnessed the collapse of Mount Mazama and the formation of the lake. Throughout history, the Klamath have used the lake for vision quests, in which Native American boys become men.
The Old Man Of The Lake
One of the more fascinating and rather strange facts about Crater Lake is the Old Man of the Lake. This moniker refers to a tree stump that has been bobbing in the lake for over a hundred years. Scientists believe that the climate of the lake helps slow the aging process of the stump, although there is no explanation as to why it has remained in an upright position for all this time.
Featured Image from Jeff Hopper/Unsplash