AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

<< Previous | Table of Contents | Next >>

LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Park Visitation

In southern Oregon, the park has historically been the leading visitor draw with an annual visitation of close to 500,000. In fiscal year 2001, total visitation was 444,583. In 1996, park visitation was in excess of 525,000. The park is principally a day-use area with the majority of visitors (75%) present between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Day use accounts for 80% of visitation, with two-thirds of the day users spending less than four hours in the park (Visitor Use Plan).

The lake and rim slopes are the primary resources of the park with viewing the lake as the primary activity. During the summer months, the National Park Service offers guided walks, talks, campfire programs, and junior ranger programs. Interpretive boat tours are offered in cooperation with the Crater Lake Lodge Company. A concessions company provides lodging, gifts, gas, camping, and food service in the park during the summer. Food service and gifts are available during the winter. Full services are also available in local communities year-round. The primary winter use activity at the park is also passive viewing of the lake. Other activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling (Winter Use Plan). Visitation for the park has remained stable for the past 20 years, ranging from a low of 419,914 to a high of 525,441.

Winter use represents about 25% of total annual visitation. The total number of winter use park visitors increased an average of 3.5% in the early 1990s, and was projected to continue to increase by 1% to 3% through 2005 (Winter Use Plan).