Welcome to Crater Lake National Park! Visitors come to Crater Lake from all over the world to marvel at its magnificent blue water, enjoy its beautiful wildflowers, or learn about its fascinating natural and cultural history at ranger-led walks or talks. For many of you, though, the first person you meet during your visit is a ranger at one of our park's entrance stations. Your $10 entrance fee is an important contribution toward protecting the park's resources and providing services for visitors like yourself.

In 1996, Congress established the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program to help the National Park Service and other agencies deal with rising operating costs, a growing backlog of repair and maintenance projects, and increasing visitation. Crater Lake's entrance fee increased by $5 per vehicle as part of the program. Eighty percent of the fee goes directly toward specific projects here at Crater Lake. We're using the money to rehabilitate historic structures, for example, and to develop new educational programs for students and teachers. You'll learn more about these and other projects in this newspaper.

Park fees are an investment in protecting our National Parks for future generations. We need and welcome your support.

Chuck Lundy, Superintendent

Wizard Island from The Watchman
(photo by Jim Phelan)

Good Places to Start Your Park Visit

There are two visitor information centers at Crater Lake National Park. Both are fully accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. A park ranger or volunteer will be on duty to assist you with park information, trip planning, weather forecasts and backcountry camping permits. Books, maps, posters, and other educational materials are available for purchase from the Crater Lake Natural History Association at these locations.

The Steel Information Center is located at park headquarters on the south side of the park, and is open all year from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. An 18-minute film, The Crater Lake Story, is shown here twice hourly throughout the day.

The Rim Village Visitor Center is located 200 yards west of the Crater Lake Lodge in Rim Village, and is open daily during the summer months from 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.