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#10 on this list
Crater Lake National Park
Oregon
Full rim access; boat tours to Wizard Island run.
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#1 on this list
Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Wildflowers linger and high routes like the Wonderland are snow-free.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Crater Lake National Park | Mount Rainier National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Southern Oregon Cascades | Pierce and Lewis Counties, Washington |
| Max Lake Depth | 1,943 feet | — |
| Rim Elevation | 6,500 to 8,000 feet | — |
| Primary Access Window | July through September | — |
| Water Surface Temp | 55°F to 60°F in August | — |
| Sole Shore Access | Cleetwood Cove Trail | — |
| Elevation Range | — | 1,880 to 14,410 feet |
| Peak Season | — | Late July through early September |
| Major Route | — | Wonderland Trail (93 miles) |
| Vehicle Access | — | Timed-entry reservation required during peak hours |
| Park Size | — | Approximately 236,381 acres |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Crater Lake National Park
- Peak seasonal window with the complete 33-mile Rim Drive fully cleared and open
- Boat tours to Wizard Island operate regularly from the Cleetwood Cove dock
- Unmatched water clarity and intense cobalt coloration unique in North America
- High-elevation Cascade trails are entirely free of lingering winter snowpacks
- Regional forest fires can push heavy smoke into the basin and erase visibility
- Severe vehicular congestion and crowded parking lots throughout peak daylight hours
- Only one sanctioned trail exists to access the shoreline and water
Mount Rainier National Park
- Prime summer window for snow-free alpine and subalpine trail travel
- Spectacular subalpine wildflower blooms peaking across meadow basins
- Most stable, sunny, and predictable weather conditions of the year
- Full access to high-elevation Wonderland Trail passes and alpine camps
- High visitor volume requires competitive timed-entry vehicle reservations
- Backcountry wilderness camping permits are exceptionally difficult to secure
- Aggressive biting flies and mosquitoes can be intense near snowmelt and tarns
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