Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States, will be closed to visitors for over two years as the National Park Service (NPS) plans to rehabilitate the Cleetwood Cove Trail. This trail, the only access point to the lake, will be closed starting at the end of the 2025 summer season. According to the NPS, the project aims to improve the trail and related infrastructure, enhance visitor services, and protect the environment.
During the closure, boat tours will be suspended, and access to the lake will be restricted to scientists conducting research. The trail is expected to reopen in the summer of 2029. The lake, known for its striking blue water and extreme clarity, was formed over 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed, creating a caldera that filled with rain and snow.
The rehabilitation project addresses issues caused by heavy foot traffic, which has led to erosion and damage to retaining walls. The NPS also plans to secure the marina bulkhead and dock system and upgrade the composting restrooms at the trail's end. Due to the park's seasonal nature, construction will occur during the summer months of 2026, 2027, and 2028. The park's public information officer, Marsha McCabe, stated that the significant annual snowfall limits construction to a few summer months each year.
Visitors will still be able to enjoy panoramic views of the lake from the rim, which offers picture-perfect pull-outs and views of Wizard Island, a cinder cone volcano within the lake.