A magical place worth visiting by boat and by boot, Wizard Island is an ancient cinder cone volcano located on Crater Lake. The island was named by William Steel in the 1880s because its shape reminded him of a magician's hat. But name aside, it’s a charming place to visit.
Some call the island the most interesting feature on Crater Lake, and it offers visitors great hiking and some interesting history. The little cinder cone land feature was formed sometime after Mt. Mazama erupted, and it’s estimated to have emerged from the surface of the lake about 800 years ago. Today it’s inactive, and serves as a terrific hiking spot.
Tour boats in the summer drop off visitors on Wizard Island for short hikes. It’s about a 2.5 miles round trip, including a loop of the crater at the summit, with a gain of 757 all told. For a small island, it is home to many plant species – roughly 100 in total. Hemlock and Shasta red fir, whitebark pine and wildflowers cloak the slopes. And the view of the surrounding lake and mountains is well worth the quick amble to the top.
Getting there:
Volcano Boat Cruises offer tour tickets to Wizard Island for $57 per adult. The tour leaves Cleetwood Cove at 9:30 a.m. and returns at 2:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. Reservations are advised, and overnight camping on this island is not allowed.
Crater Lake Tours without a full tour of Wizard Island are $40 for adult tickets. Click the Book It! button to learn more.
Rick
9 years agoWe love Crater Lake National Park, but haven't yet taken this tour. Thanks for posting, Nastacia--sounds like a memorable adventure!
Rick
6 years agoJust a note that Wizard Island Boat Tours are offered everyday from 06/24/2016 to 08/14/2016 from 9:45 AM to 5:45 PM. Sorry they're currently closed for the season, but Crater Lake is still fun to visit anytime, especially now that the National Park Service is being funded again! Snowshoeing and cross country skiing are amazing this time of year--it's just so pristine--and you can't beat the cozy lodge. :)
Rick
6 years agoLearn more about the latest conditions on the Crater Lake National Park website: https://www.nps.gov/crla
Rick
6 years agoAdvance reservations for the park's accommodations and boat tours on Crater Lake can be made with the park's concessioner, Crater Lake Hospitality. Reservations can be made online at www.travelcraterlake.com
or by calling 866-292-6720.
Donna
6 years agoSuch an incredible, otherworldly kind of place - what a great post, and these photos are amazing! It's helpful to find all the necessary links right here in one place too. Going to go scope it all out now...thanks for the info!