Ten years later physical improvements in the park had brought the number of campgrounds to nine: at Wheeler Creek on the east road; at Lost Creek: two at Annie Spring; one below headquarters on the main road; at Cold Spring and Cold Creek, both on the south road; at Whitehorse Creek on the west road; and one at the rim. All boasted various stages of development in proportion to their popularity, ranging from no development at Wheeler Creek to extensive facilities at the rim. [36]

Illustration 23. “Annie Spring Camp.” Hotel in center, store in left. Owned and built by Crater Lake Company, 1909. Courtesy Southern Oregon Historical Society.

Illustration 24. Rim campground, Crater Lake National Park. Courtesy Southern Oregon Historical Society.

By 1934 only five of these campgrounds still operated within the park, all free of charge:

1. Rim Campground: on the rim at the terminus of the highway, on a slight elevation in the shelter of a fine stand of mountain hemlock. Eagle Crags, Garfield Peak, and Castle Crest towered to the east. Firewood was available as were sanitary conveniences, including hot water and hot and cold showers. The nearby community house was the gathering place at night for campers and visitors, who enjoyed its big stone fireplace and programs of an entertaining and instructive character provided every evening. Also available was a small dance floor. A post office was provided at the lodge, and cabins could also be rented. A cafeteria and general store were convenient to the camp.

2. Annie Spring Campground: near Annie Spring checking station on highway six miles south of rim camp. Well sheltered, shady spot. Had modern sanitation with running water and wood available. (This campground was eventually closed in 1969).

3. Lost Creek Campground: 3-1/2 miles inside east entrance of park at the junction of the highway entering the park and the rim road, near Sand Creek Canyon. About ten miles from rim of lake.

4. White Horse Campground: fine water and abundant firewood. Three miles inside park boundary and about halfway between west entrance to park and Annie Spring checking station. Trail to Llao’s Hallway led off from this point. Nine miles from rim.

5. Cold Spring Campground: five miles from south entrance, three miles below Annie Spring checking station, and nine miles from rim. One of earliest regular camping places of visitors to Crater Lake region. [37]