Crater Lake National Park, OR

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Some 7000 years ago, Mount Mazama violently erupted, destroying itself but creating Crater Lake National Park. Over the centuries, the collapsed caldera filled with water from rain and snow, forming the 1,949-foot-deep lake seen today. This makes it the deepest lake in America, second-deepest in North America, and one of the 10 deepest in the world. The lake’s isolation and pure water source also makes it the world’s cleanest and clearest large body of water. The main viewpoint is the best place to start to for an amazing vista, but it’s far from the only option. You can drive (or join a guided trolly tour) around the lake to take in the spectacle from every angle. There’s also plenty of trails that delve into the surrounding old-growth forest. If you want to learn more about the lake’s formation and ecology, stop by the Visitor’s Center for their exhibits and short film. The park is open year-round, but the many of the roads, trails and facilities close November 1, or after the first major snowfall, whichever comes first.