Crater Lake is a PNW icon, and one of Oregon’s crown jewels. At 1,949 feet deep, it’s the deepest lake in the United States; a pristine pool of deep azure. The lake’s history is as deep as its waters, tracing back over 7,700 years to when a powerful eruption collapsed an ancient volcano, forming what we know as of today as Crater Lake, Oregon’s first national park. Today, Crater Lake National Park attracts upwards of 750,000 visitors each year, inviting all to revel in its resplendence, and there’s no better way to do this than along the iconic 33-mile Rim Drive. But there was a time when this amazing scenic route wasn’t there, and today we’re going to take a look at some historic pictures of the construction of Rim Drive in Crater Lake National Park.
Crater Lake has long captured the hearts of Oregon explorers and dreamers.
Jeremy Janus/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Established as a national park in 1902, Crater Lake has been a bucket-list must for well over a century.
U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region/Flickr
However, accessing this beautiful slice of paradise hasn’t always been as easy as it is today.
JeffGoulden/iStock via Getty Images Plus
The lake is circumnavigated by the 33-mile Rim Drive, which also happens to be the highest paved road in Oregon. The full loop is usually open from June through October, and features 30 scenic pullouts.
John Elk/The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images
Construction on Rim Drive began in 1926 and lasted 15 years, until 1941 when it opened to the public.
National Park Service/Wikimedia Commons
Prior to this, accessing Crater Lake took quite some effort.
R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection/Flickr
Shortly after becoming a national park, the United States Department of the Interior was charged with developing road access and visitor services. This proved to be a difficult job because of the park’s remote location at the summit of the Cascade Mountains.
R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection/Flickr
The first roads to Crater Lake were completed in the early 1900s, and were treacherous, at best. So in 1913, Congress appropriated funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct a road around Crater Lake, but it wasn’t until 1926 that construction began for what we now know as Rim Drive.
R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection/Flickr
It proved to be a true labor of love, with many hands working together to complete this project: the Bureau of Public Roads, the National Park Service, and the Civilian Conservation Corps.
R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection/Flickr
It was well-worth the effort, however, as Rim Drive essentially opened up Oregon’s most dazzling natural wonder to the world.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Wikimedia Commons
In fact, Crater Lake National Park is one of the most accessible natural wonders in the country, as it’s actually designed to be visited by car.
JeffGoulden/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Crater Lake is a place of sublime beauty that deserves to be admired…
U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region/Flickr
…and thanks to the efforts of many, an entire century ago, it is a place for all to come and enjoy.
U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region/Flickr
Have you visited Crater Lake National Park recently? It’s definitely a place to add to your bucket list, as there’s just so much beauty to experience at this wondrous park — the stargazing is particularly stellar!
Jeremy Janus/iStock via Getty Images Plus
U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region/Flickr
JeffGoulden/iStock via Getty Images Plus
John Elk/The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images
National Park Service/Wikimedia Commons
R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection/Flickr
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Wikimedia Commons
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Crater Lake, Oregon 97604, USA
