During the 1960s various visitation studies were conducted by the National Park Service to determine visitor use patterns. One such study was conducted in connection with the park master plan during the summer of 1964. An analysis of the 1963 visitor totals revealed that 346,009 of the year’s total visitation of 475,684 entered the park in July, August, and September for a daily average of 3,761. The study found that 83.4 percent of park visitors were from three states: California (45%), Oregon (29%), and Washington (9.4%). During the previous winter more than 90 percent of park visitors had come from the three states. Visitation by various group types was composed primarily of the single car family, although bus tours arrived regularly during the summer. Single entry use constituted more than 99 percent of all permit sales. Fifteen percent of summer visitors stayed in the park overnight, 34 percent staying at the lodge and cabins and 66 percent in the campgrounds. During the summer season 60 percent of park visitors spent 1 to 4 hours in the park and 20 percent 4 to 8 hours. In winter 80 percent of the visitors spent 2 to 4 hours in the park. [65]
Visitor Activities
| Activities | Participants
|
|||
| 1958 | 1963 | Maximum | 24 hr. period | |
| Automobile Sightseeing | 267,114 | 380,547 | 5,964 | 8/31/63 |
| Conducted Trips | 3,789 | 5,019 | 130 | 7/27/63 |
| Interpretive Talks | 39,604 | 51,767 | 1,200 | 8/13/63 |
| Attended Stations | 96,090 | 136,909 | 3,078 | 8/18/63 |
| Self-guiding | 210,000 | 499,000 | 7,455 | 8/31/63 |
| Wilderness Use (hiking) | – | 300 | 12 | 8/63 |
| Overnight Use: | ||||
| Developed Auto Camps | 36,850 | 47,944 | 1,029 | 8/9/63 |
| Lodge 67% Cabins 33% | 18,426 | 20,223 | 295 | 8/13/63 |
| Water Use: | ||||
| Boating (launch towers) | 2,414 | 3,101 | 52 | 7/14/63 |
| Rowboats (rental) | – | 2,500 | 41 | 7/63 |
| Fishing | – | 4,700 | 75 | |
| Picnicking | – | 19,464 | 1,100 | |
| Winter Activities: | ||||
| Sightseeing | – | 5,000 | 200 | |
| Cross-country skiing | – | 3,000 | 60 | |
| Misc. snow play | – | 70,000 | 700 | |
In 1968 a more detailed analysis of park visitation and visitor use trends was undertaken. The study indicated:
Crater Lake National Park is a stopover rather than a terminal destination area. Visitation occurs predominantly between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In 1968, this period accounted for roughly 75% of the 578,000 total visitation. Autumn, September through November, received 15% of use; winter, December through February, received two per cent; and spring, March through May, received eight per cent.
Park visitation is primarily sightseeing in nature and is increasing at a modest rate, projected at about 50,000 (+9%) annually. Camping pressure is increasing at a substantial rate, particularly in the self-contained vehicular class. During the summer the demand for overnight accommodations usually exceeds the park capacity of 290 campsites by early evening.
The park is within three hours drive of several population centers such as Klamath Falls, Medford, Grants Pass, Eugene, and Bend, but 45% of summer visitation is from California, 26% from Oregon and eight per cent from Washington. The remaining 20% is from all other states, none of which accounts for a significant representation. Access to the park is through Klamath Falls to the south, Medford to the west, and Bend to the north.
