Thus, the Mission 66 program for Crater Lake National Park was designed to bring park facilities, services, and staffing up to appropriate National Park Service standards. Park Service officials succinctly described the problems facing the park as follows:
Developments for the safety, comfort and education of the park visitor have increased and improved over the years, but not in pace with the increased use. In fact, due to curtailed funds during World War II, park facilities deteriorated to a degree from which they have not yet recovered. In 1940, roads, trails, campgrounds and lodges, as well as personnel, were considered adequate for the 252,482 visitors. No significant additions to the operating plant have been made since 1940, yet in 1955 those same facilities, worn and depleted, were forced to serve 343,839 people. Consider the national economic picture: increased earnings, more leisure time, improved highways, faster and more comfortable transportation, and the westward population shift. It is not unreasonable to assume a travel count of 600,000 by 1966 if facilities can be provided for them. It is safe to assume that by 1966 the current inadequacy in all departments will be greatly aggravated, if public facilities are not expanded and improved. Already it has overreached the point of safety. Over-use is damaging the area.
As projected in 1956 the Mission 66 program for Crater Lake was designed to include improvements and upgrading of roads and trails, interpretive programs, camping and picnicking facilities, concession services, employee housing, maintenance buildings, and staffing. The program contemplated moving the Medford office and facilities to Munson Valley where year-round park administrative headquarters would be established.
While the road circulation system was considered adequate, road widths and curvature would be improved to handle anticipated visitation levels. Rim Road in the vicinity of Kerr Notch would be relocated. To disperse the use-load one or more fire control roads that reached important natural features would be improved and opened to public travel. Trails would be restored, and increased parking would be developed at view points and interpretive sites. A new trail from the Rim Road to the lake would be constructed in a location that would obviate hand clearing of snow and have a minimum of switchbacks for visitor safety and maintenance efficiency.
Chief among the interpretive facilities that would be built was a Visitor Center. Wayside exhibits, signs, and markers would be placed on all major roads and trails to interpret significant features and themes. The system of self-guiding trails would be expanded and improved, and the Rim Road would become a self-guided tour through the use of exhibits and markers. Research efforts would be expanded, particularly in limnology, geology, botany, zoology, and archeology. A covered walkway would be constructed to the Sinnott Memorial and the building improved for winter use.
Existing camping and picnicking facilities would be expanded and improved. Increased space for trailer camping would be provided, and a new campground at low elevation would be constructed to accommodate early summer and late fall visitors. Picnic sites would be developed at various locations around the rim to satisfy a long-felt need and serve to distribute use.
Park facilities would be improved, including enlargement of water and sanitation systems and replacement of the telephone system. Storage and maintenance buildings, employee housing, and other structures for park operations would be designed and constructed for year-round use. A total of 31 permanent residences at park headquarters and one at Annie Spring were to be constructed to replace the existing substandard employee housing. A dual-purpose building to house an elementary grade school and employee recreation center would be built near the residential area. A leased radio system would be installed, connecting vehicles and outlying stations, including fire lookouts, with park headquarters. Boat storage and service facilities would be built on the lake shore at the foot of the new lake trail, and boats would be launched and retrieved by marine railway, thus permitting removal of the unsightly boat developments on Wizard Island.
The Mission 66 program proposed increases in park staffing to 37 permanent positions and annual operating appropriations commensurate with expanded activities and responsibilities. Increased efficiency in operations, however, would be effected by supplying modern tools, equipment, and facilities to obviate increases in proportion to the anticipated increase in public use. It was estimated that 70 percent more visitors could be served more efficiently by increasing present annual appropriations only 20 percent.
The total cost of physical developments projected for Crater Lake under the Mission 66 program was $5,721,200. This figure was broken down into the following components:
| Roads and trails | $3,798,100 |
| Campgrounds, picnic areas, wayside exhibits, utilities | $ 434,700 |
| Visitor Center, employee housing, park operations structures | $1,488,400 |
In addition concessioner-operated improvements, estimated at $611,500, would include enlargement of the cafeteria, forty additional sleeping units with provision for fifty more if demand warranted them, and modernization of the lodge and cafeteria kitchens.
