Wander Here: Cold Plunges, Volcano Hikes and Taking a Pause at Crater Lake National Park

Aug 23

Wander Here: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA

After getting up early, packing lunches, the car, the backpacks, the water….all for a day trip to Crater Lake National Park, we were primed and ready to see that famous kool aid blue water. Knowing we wanted to experience the lake as deeply (pun intended) as possible, we just had to get ON the lake and preferably IN the lake. So we had booked a boat tour to Wizard Island, the only boats allowed on this pristine body of water (aside from a couple of research boats). We rushed out the camper door, got in the car, and started typing in directions.

It took seconds for our excitement to completely deflate as we realized that the boat dock was actually on the north side of the lake, rather than the closer south side of the lake like we thought. Hurriedly calculating our travel time, we groaned in disappointment as we realized there was zero chance we were going to make it to the dock in time…which meant zero chance that Jon would be able to go with us since it was his only option that week to step away from work in the middle of the day.

Touring Wizard Island is a Must-Do at Crater Lake National Park

Disappointed, we started driving toward the park, knowing we’d just need to make an alternate plan for the day and hoping they’d be willing to transfer our tour tickets.

Thankfully, with a quick call and some sympathy from the tour folks, the kids and I were rebooked on another boat the next day and within 24 hours, we were making the drive once again, but this time with plenty of time to make it to the north docks. I was nervous for the day because I had envisioned the experience being all together as a family, and for some reason I was actually nervous about heading out on the boat to the island, just the kids and I.

Climbing the Cinder Cone Volcano, Wizard Island, with Kids

But once we were boarded and flying across the crystal clear waters, all my nerves faded away. The vibes were high. Nothing but blue skies in every direction. We landed on Wizard Island with a very specific plan in mind. Hike to the top of the cinder cone volcano that is Wizard Island, see the views and look down into the caldera, and then get back down in time to jump off the dock for a cold plunge.

I had to keep reminding myself where we were because my brain was having trouble wrapping around us hiking to the top of a volcano, in the middle of the deepest, clearest lake in the United States. We hiked fast, determined to reach the summit in record time…but also gasping around every corner as the water around us somehow just became more and more unreal.

Finally, we reached the top, and expectantly looked down to see the big bowl caldera for the first time. Such a crazy, beautiful, surreal moment. We knew we had limited time, but we just had to hike down into the caldera…so we scrambled down the somewhat treacherous path. Stopping just feet shy of the very bottom, I shushed the kids and encouraged them to take 1 full minute to just be quiet + absorb it all…...

We stood there, silent, in the middle of that rocky bowl, letting ourselves be taken with the wonder of that place and all its crazy past.

So often we rush through life at such a pace that we’re not even really present or experiencing the moments. One of the greatest things about this new life we’re living is how it has forced me to be present in all the moments. Being in a new place every week, almost nothing is on autopilot like it used to be. I can’t even run to the grocery store without being present and aware of everything happening around me. Sometimes it’s tough, being in the unfamiliar all the time. Waking up in new places each week. Figuring out the hard way where the one-way streets are, how to park and get around and what the norms are of each place.

Even hiking down into that caldera, I was mind-blown at the sights around me, but also rushing through the moment to get to the next thing. Until I stopped and just stood with my girls beside me, silent and still, taking it all in. THAT moment is the one I’ll remember the most.

After making it back down to the dock, I stripped off my shirt and shorts, threw my rashguard on over my swimsuit, jumped off the dock into the icy cold water and came up gasping from the crisp, cold. The perfect way to end an adventure day in one of the most beautiful national parks.

And now for a little list of spots we loved in Crater Lake….

Wizard Island Boat Tour - there are 3 different tours you can choose from on Crater Lake - a 2 hour boat tour around the lake, a boat tour around the lake + a 2 hour stop at Wizard Island OR a shuttle boat ride directly to Wizard Island where you get 2 hours to explore the island before boating back. While I was tempted to do the full lake + boat tour, I decided to do just the shuttle and we were so happy with the decision (esp considering the kids). We still got to get out on the lake for 20-30 minutes of boating (but didn’t get bored on a much longer boat ride) and the experience on Wizard was really cool and special.
Garfield Peak Trail - we made lemonade out of lemons by choosing a really epic trail on the day of our failed boat tour outing. It was a challenging 3.5 mile hike with plenty of elevation gain (a little over 1k feet), but the views at the top were next level.
Steel Visitor Center - what can I say - we love a good NP visitor center. One of our favorite parts is always the park film, and this one did not disappoint. There was so much good info about how Crater lake and Wizard Island were formed, lots that we didn’t know before and really helped us understand the area better. You can find this center on the south side.
Cleetwood Cove / Trail - when we arrived at Crater Lake, we were shocked to find out that there is only ONE access point to the water’s edge. Located on the north side of the lake, the Cleetwood Cove Trail is about 1 mile and 600+ feet down to the shore where you’ll find the boat docks, swimming area and amazing cliff jumping. The water is cold, but it’s sooo worth it to cold plunge in the clearest water in the US. A bucket list experience, whether you jump from the cliff or just ease on off the beautiful rocks. In my opinion, a trip to Crater Lake is not complete without getting in the water :)
The Scenic Rim Drive - the 33 mile rim drive is breathtaking, with stop-offs and access to the Discovery Point Trail, which runs along the rim as well. The east side of the rim drive was closed when we were there, but after doing the west side I am adding the east rim to my ever growing bucket list of places to return to.