Terry Richard/The Oregonian

This winter, you can go snowshoeing around magnificent Crater Lake – no snowshoes or experience required.

Crater Lake National Park will once again offer free, ranger-led snowshoe tours around Oregon's famous blue-hued lake, starting this weekend and running through early spring.



The park is open for anyone who wants to go snowshoeing on their own, but park rangers will be on hand to lead free tours on weekends and holidays between December 8 and April 28, with daily tours held from December 15 through January 6 (except on Christmas Day).



The tours run one to two miles over moderate-to-strenuous terrain, starting at 1 p.m. and lasting about two hours. The specific route is up to each ranger, but most walks begin at Rim Village and wind through the forests and meadows along the rim of the lake. Rangers also take the opportunity to educate visitors about the plants and animals found there.

Space on each tour is limited, and the park recommends reserving your spot in advance by calling the ranger station at 541-594-3100. Participants should come prepared with warm clothing and water-resistant boots. There is no cost for the tour, but the $15 per-vehicle entrance fee to get into the park still applies.

READ MORE: 17 beautiful views of Crater Lake

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, reaching a depth of 1,943 feet. It’s also one of the snowiest places in America, receiving an average of 43 feet of snow each year, according the National Park Service.

Visitation to Oregon’s only full-fledged national park peaks in the summer months, when roughly half a million visitors come through, but the winter months can still draw a crowd. Last year more than 35,000 people visited the park between December and March.

Crater Lake was once the site of a towering Cascade volcano that imploded in about 2850 BCE. After the peak collapsed, the crater rapidly filled with water while lave continued to flow out of vents beneath the forming lake. Crater Lake has remained dormant ever since, though plumes of steam still rise from its vents.

The lake’s famous blue hue is due to its remarkable purity, as algal growth is limited to thick belts of moss on the crater walls.

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Courtesy of the National Park Service

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

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Courtesy of Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

NORTHWEST TRAVEL GUIDES

Holiday travel guide: Road trips aren't just for summer. Head to these Pacific Northwest destinations for the holiday season.

Where to play on Mt. Hood: Whether you ski, snowshoe or skijore, here's where to do it on the slopes of Mount Hood.

Deluxe cabins in Oregon: Tents aren't for everyone, so for those who want more comfort, check out these deluxe cabins in Oregon state parks.

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--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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